Haha I was the same! I was all ready to not care about anyone (and not watch on top of that), since I was crushed last season (with Vonzell losing), but then, here come these four magnificant women. Oh well, at least it'll be a fun ride!

I've never watched a season of American Idol, but if this girl gets on I'm in for the ride. She was amazing. Not just her voice, but she actually seems to have an understanding of the amost lost art of singing & phrasing. Not just over-emoting. And her reaction to being chosen just sealed the deal. Can't wait to see more of her.

Did anybody catch what Paula said to the guy she was dancing with as she went back to him, right before Randy and Simon voted? Something like "don't (?)"

And I liked Pickly, the blond girl whose mother dumped her when she was two and whose father is in prison ("I want to call my grandmother and write to my dad!")

Agreed. I wonder why she's even bothering with AI. With a voice like hers and with her family connections, I would think that she could get a recording deal without having to waste her time on AI.

I think Simon should've saved the "You're better suited for The Jerry Springer Show" comment for Ho-netta. That skank was embarrassing and I hope she never lives it down. The only career she can look forward to based on that outfit and attitude is offering handjobs in back alleys at 3am. Divine Brown and Lil' Kim have more class.

I thought the guy who brought in the dummy was good enough to make it though. They've definitely sent through worse already. I guess he didn't have either the "hip" image, flashy personality, or traumatic past that's saved a couple adequate singers. Soldier guy who danced with Paula, I'm looking at you.

I don't feel like looking it up, but does anybody know how many more weeks there are of auditions? They've been pretty fun so far, but I'm ready for them to get to Hollywood. Hopefully by mid February at least.

That is the ultimate testament to the power of this show...her G-mother COULD have made a few calls and got her work BUT she knows that AI is an instant ticket to worldwide superstardom, even if you finish 4th

Yeah, I felt bad for the dummy guy. I think he was actually good enough to make it through, but he shouldn't have relied on props. Has ANYONE with props ever made it through?? Don't these folks ever watch the show? You'd think they'd learn.

Paris is definitely the one to watch. She's so much better than every other contestant it's almost painfully unfair. I can't believe she was so shocked at getting through. By the way, anyone know the name of that Billie Holiday song? I want to hear the original and see if Billie herself was that good. Seriously.

I didn't see much of this episode, but I did catch a cute-looking Rainbow Brite when they had the loudmouthed girl blabbing away. I, too, was hoping that she would get hit by a car on the way out.

Paris Bennett (sang "Take 5" by Billie Holiday) is my early favorite to win this whole thing.

No way...nice voice, but not easy enough on the eye, without an outstanding personality

Scootergirl

Ruben: no personality, not easy on the eyes. Fantasia: not particularly easy on the eyes.

I don't think she was particularly ugly. She has the kind of voice where you kinda just don't care what she looks like.

Here's a link to her audition: http://www.rickey.org/blog/american_...paris_bennett/

Actually, thinking back on it, Lisa Tucker was pretty damn good to with her rendition of Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time". Didn't think anyone could come close to the vocal range of Whitney, but damn, the girl was only 16 and already 95% of the way there. If you delete out Paris's name from the above address, that site has clips from many of the better auditions.

Kellie Pickler (the blond girl with the grandfather and the father in prison) is the one to watch! Well, unless they don't want to pimp another Carrie Underwood type because she's VERY Carrie Underwood, but still watching her....

Pickler was good. I think she has a good attitude. Same with Paris Bennett.

I'm glad the effeminate dude with the wicked underbite made it through. He seemed to have a good sense of humor, rolling along with the clothing jokes. I want him and the guy who talks to the animals to team up.

I have to admit, the tall muscley guy who sang the Rascal Flatts song had me worried. When he said he was doing a Rascal Flatts song, I said, "Send him home right now!" But he did all right despite the choice of song.

I was blown away by Paris audition like everybody else. There's no way that she can be left off out of the final 12 (regardless whether people think that she's pretty or not).

That was one of the funniest audition I've seen in American Idol.

Like I said before, those people who get the extra video of their home life are going to be the top 12. At least the majority of them will be.

Paris was definitely the best audition I've heard since Ruben. She was amazing, and didn't fall into the same trap as many many other singers who do ridiculous vocal gymnastics rather than just sing. She has to make the top 12. If she doesn't, then America sucks.

The chubby, squeaky-voiced girl with the oddly thin nose who said that she wanted it "more than a whole bag of gummy bears" looked like something out of a Tod Browning movie.

The big guy who brought in the red carpet and shook his booty was definitely doing it for a gag rather than a legit audition.

I would've sent the soldier guy who danced with Paula away. His voice was only okay, and he annoyed me. Kind of obnoxious.

Yea, she was awesome, shows a lot of versatility to do a modern country pop song and then a soul/jazz standard. She has to work on her look though.

Agreed. I was awestruck!!! And, she is definitely not bad on the eyes to me. Her demeanor was so mature to be 17. By far, she is the best that I've seen come through AI [all seasons]. And, even though AI may be considered a joke, I think it's good that she's trying to earn her way on her own merits and not depend on phone calls from her grandmother. You can tell that she has decent values and singing is not the only thing that has been inherited from her grandmother. Regardless of whether the public perceive her an an American Idol, I'm 99.9999999999999999999999999% sure she will do well in the industry.

Lisa Tucker [16 year old auditioned in Denver] was my 2nd favorite. I was very impressed with her also. Again, for 16-years old, she seemed very mature and well-grounded. An article said the following about her: Tucker isn't the typical teen contestant. She was a finalist on "Star Search" as a 14-year-old in 2003, appeared as "Young Nala" in the Los Angeles production of "The Lion King" when she was 11 and was tabbed by Variety Magazine as one of their Top Ten Kids to Watch.

I liked Kellie Pickler also. She seems to sing effortless and it flows. All 3 girls seem to possess a confident spirit; they don't seem arrogant or entitled. So far, these are my 3 favorites.

Ruben - you dont remember everyone going gaga over the 'cuddely teddy bear' and his shy smile?
Fantasisa - the most unique canidate during a SUPER bland season

And remember, since theres no more JUDGES CHOICE...any of the 'video people' could just miss the cut if 2 other people in thier week impress the audience

That definately gives them a push, but Kelly Clarkson didn't had video of her home life at this point. And Bo Bice wasn't shown at all until the Hollywood segment, and even then it was minimal coverage. So it is possible to overcome the lack of coverage with sheer talent.

As for Kellie Pickler, she was good...but she's also a clone of Carrie Underwood, which will work against her this season.

Some would say the heart tugging is a disadvantage, some of the VT's annoyed me on X factor Season 2 as they were edited a certain to manipulate people IMO. Andy the bin guy should of won IMO (or at least been runner up) in the final 12 and Brenda was also outstanding (her I Will Always Love You and Without You knocked my socks off). I also loved Chico for entertainment value - he couldn't sing that well, but man he was funny, was very likeable and he sure could work a stage and PERFORM..