– So glad these eliminations are over. If I had to hear one more time, “I don’t want to drag this out,” only to watch the process drag out, I was going to throw something at my TV. They spent almost half of the one-hour episode filling the final two spots. Absurd. – Steven Tyler… Read more »

– “Idol” slims from 42 contestants to 24 this week before returning from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, where the live portion of the competition will kick off. – Two, two hour episodes to essentially eliminate people is too much. I would’ve been happier with two, one hour shows. On Thursday, the remaining 10 spots… Read more »

– Heartbreaking to watch people receive passes to the next round, only to be cut the next day because the judges simply had a hard time narrowing the field down to 40. – Really felt for 17 year-old North Haven, CT native Gabi Carrubba, who doubted herself, got a pass, and then was let go… Read more »

– It seemed the big theme that carried over from last episode to this one was illness. The number of people not just feeling under the weather but throwing up or passing out was just absurd. It gets to the point where, and I said this about last episode, something needs to be done. Either… Read more »

– Hollywood week transitions in to the infamous group round, where contestants form groups of 4 or 5 and have less than 24 hours to learn and rehearse a song. I’ve spoken with two people who have partaken in this, last year and this year, and both say that the experience is EXACTLY how it… Read more »

– First episode of “Hollywood Week.” – Still think Johnny Keyser is going to be a top 5 finalist this season. – Heejun Han has a great voice but I can’t see his nerves allowing him to get through the week. – Baylie Brown blew me away – gorgeous and great voice. Plenty of twang… Read more »

– Last episode of auditions, from St. Louis. This is where Carrie Underwood auditioned, and “Idol” did her justice with an awe-inspiring opening montage that took you from Underwood’s Oklahoma farm, to St. Louis, and right to country singer stardom. Say what you want about the show, but these people know how to tell great… Read more »

– Tonight, auditions were from Portland, OR. These audition spots that are a little off the beaten path are great – the talent may not be as good but the characters and stories are superior. – Another great Randy-ism – when Jackson calls women, “dude.” He also made a Steven-like inappropriate comment to a contestant… Read more »