Looks like they had to bring Jewel in to distract us from Paula. What the hell is she drinking anyways?

I think Simon's a closet conservative :)

he led the way to putting the 2 military peeps in, even though they were fairly average. that said, that puts them in the top 1% of this group. ouch, that was painful.

and I completely agree with Frank on Denise. she has a powerful voice, but absolutely no control. maybe if she didn't shout everything, but based on what we saw, I'dda said no.

and while I thought Dancing Queen boy was pretty awful, I thought his quick rendition of Dancing Queen itself was surprisingly good. didn't think crying boy was very good. and I agree they should have had Dayna sing a 3rd song.

as always though, I think the judges pimp some really mediocre stiffs and bypass some that could be decent with some work. I don't know why I'm watching this garbage.

and was Michelle the one with gaps between all her teeth? didn't care for her. closing her mouth would have solved both problems.

oh, and were they actually hinting that Seattle was WORSE than Minneapolis?!?! I am officially NOT watching tomorrow.

I am also saddened that you didn't mention Chewbaca/Cowardly Lion girl ;(

As someone who writes and sings their own songs, I must protest the retardedness of this overblown karaoke contest...and admit to a fair amount of jealousy that these bozos get record deals while I toil away in obscurity. Oh well, it could be worse. I could be Paula Abdul's liver. :o)

Paula appears to be hammered in this TV interview video as she claims Seattle had the worst ever auditions.
YAY for my state!

Wow, after almost a year & you STILL have a mad-on for Pickler! I hope I never have to sing anything within 50 miles of you...

Did anyone catch a glimpse of Paula attempting an interview on that morning show via remote location? I don't recall where the show aired from; I just remember seeing her trying to answer their questions & failing miserably to do so. And you thought she was a lush before.

Now you gotta wonder just how many of those really bad acts were:

A)Put up to it by their friends, or did it as a stunt
B)Lost a bet
C)Were seeded by FOX to add hijinx
D)Really think that they are just that good
E)Had signs that said, "Will degrade self for food or .15 minutes of fame.

I love how they spend more time on the antics afterward than on the singing itself. Seattle looks like a possible freak show based on the unfortunate few they previewed. Mebbe I should squeeze into my uniform and belt out the "Battle hymn of the republic" The Sailor boy showed promise but I thought the reservist chic was marginal. I vote that we get SaraK to audition and sing :These Boots were Made for Walking" while brandishing a pair of .45s.

I refuse to watch this show because I just don't think there is any entertainment in debasing people.

I've had an ongoing debate with my brother, because he says that, by now, everyone who goes on this show knows what they are getting themselves into, but I tend to disagree.

People have a remarkable talent for self-delusion. Friends and family tend to make this delusion more severe by "being supportive." They either are as tone deaf as the contestants, or they can't bring themselves to hurt their loved ones feelings. (Sometimes, a little pain today can save intense pain and humilitation tomorrow.)

So, what we have is not a lot of horrible singers who know they are horrible and expect to get mistreated by Simon Cowell and his cronies. What we have is a lot of ernest men and women who truly believe, "while there are many bad competitors in this show, I'm not one of them. My friends and family tell me that I am really good."

OK, So that's usually a little white lie given to spare their feelings, they want to believe it and they do. I'm sure friends think, "She's not that bad, she won't end up on TV." Still, many do end up on TV and they are humiliated.

There is something fundamentally wrong with a world where we gain pleasure from others' humiliation. Schadenfruede be darned, let's show some respect for others and stop giving this awful abuse of people the boot it deserves.

Screw 'em! If they looked in a damn mirror or recorded their voices on the most primitive equipment they'd know what they are in for. Stop being such a pussy Keith, These clowns deserve it and more.

Yes Keith. Charity compels us not to watch the complete and udder humiliation these poor unfortunate and deluded people are put through by being forced in line to audition for this horrible theatre of the forlorn and pitiful. But really, that clown with the juggling sticks was a fool, admit it.

Did you notice that every single decision was unanimous? Everyone who got booted was 0 for 4. Everyone who got in was 4 for 4. Is that the way it always is? Granted the ones who didn't make it were awful enough to get no votes, but I was surprised they couldn't come up with even one candidate that one or two judges liked, and the others did not. Maybe they've been judging together for too long, and need to get rid of one (i.e. Paula, who quite frankly lacks any discernable talent herself, and brought absolutely nothing to the show last night).

What is the deal with the "men"? I've never seen so many blubbery, teary, pansies in my life. Reach down and grab your crotch and check that you've got a set for Pete's sake. The feminization of America is rapidly approaching completion it appears.

Can somebody please explain to me why Jewel will be hosting the new Nashville Star? I mean Cowboy Troy at least looks country. Why a non country singer host?

Slapout, I kind of figured that she was chosen for Nashville Star because I guess there is some loose relationship to country music due to her long-time relationship to former Rodeo star Ty Murry. Just my guess.

As for the show, I hope this was a test to see how audiences would respond to Jewel as a possible replacement for that talentless hack next to her who was a one-hit wonder with a minor hit. I don't get how Paula ever got on the show. I assume it was by sleeping with someone.

Lastly, I have a theory about all of these morons who seem to be the only ones who don't know they can't carry a tune with a bucket. I think it's related those parents who never discipline their children and take their side against the school teacher who tells the parent that the child is misbehaving. These are the same parents who also came up with the soccer leagues where they don't keep score. That's fine when they're 4 but at 24, someone needs to stop telling these people how great their voice is and direct them toward other interests.

Parenting isn't as hard as most people have been led to believe and part of that job is to gently guide your child away from areas that aren't cut out for them without ruining their self-esteem.

The "over the rainbow" girl gets my vote (tho I don't vote in idol contests cept for pres. and junk) and it's not just because she is cute. I was perfectly able to listen while my eyes roamed.

Sarahk, it is affected, not effected.

Sorry, but if your going to hate on people's voices, you can at least be grammatically correct about it.

Jen, you are correct. Dangit, I hate being corrected by someone who doesn't know the difference between your and you're.

I will change that. Thanks for catching that. I don't have time for proofreading, so I rely on my wonderful readers to catch my rare grammatical errors.

Haha...touche.

I never proofread anything either. It's for pansies.

I used to read IMAO all the time, and then I took a break. And I must say, I don't think there is a single AI contestant I've ever agreed with you about, which is ironic, seeing as how I usually agree with the things you post about.

My longtime AI favorite remains to be Constantine Maroulis, my favorite last season was Ace Young.

Gotta love those longhaired crooners. =)