We used to have a few Idol followers, but in recent years they seem to have lost interest. Too much competition? Is it worn out? Thank God Nickie Minaj is not back. And Mariah Carey was a yawn. I think Urban, Lopez and Connick will be good. HC seems like he will stir things up. JLo will be saying "you are amazing, you amazed me with your amazingness." Keith will be Mr. Nice Guy. Starts tomorrow night.

I will probably watch, at least a few episodes. I saw HC in concert several years ago and he was so obnoxious that we walked out, so I am not a fan. Maybe he's matured.

I watch them all, for better or for worse. This is probably Idol's last chance, though, to do something new and different. The Voice is more entertaining. X-Factor is, well, not sure. The Sing Off is my favorite, but that only lasted like 6 episodes this season (after a two year wait!). ....actually, I think America's Got Talent has to be the most entertaining talent show out in America right now.

I watched the Wednesday show, not the Thursday. They made a few production changes with respect to the "look" like multi-screen shots. Visually more snappy. Harry C can be a bit sarcastic but he is musically astute as opposed to JLo. HC is a little bit of Simon, but smarter. The chemistry between the 3 was good. More like the first few seasons with Randy, Paula and Simon. Keith might have to notch it up a bit.

Good thing about the show was minimal weird acts; more of the good singers. Ryan is still the same.

I watched with my wife and daughter and thought it sucked, even with new judges.

Ummm, Why??

Good enough for me! ...and I agree w/ everything else you said!

I have to tell you, I was not looking forward to this season, but I find myself looking forward to watching. Harry Connick Jr. is like a breath of fresh air. When he "auditioned" for Keith Urban last week I damn near wet myself, I was laughing so hard. JLo is as annoying as ever and seems to just love everyone, but I'm digging the bromance between Keith and Harry. Also, they seem to be much more musically astute and give feedback that is useful and constructive.

Watched last night - Hollywood. I think AI is trying too hard to create drama. It comes off as pretentious and contrived. There appears to be some talented, interesting contestants and the usual pile of imitators. Harry Connick is entertaining. The disorganized creation of groups has become a tedious bore. Maybe when they perform it will be entertaining.

I hate group night as well, MC. I always feel bad for those few whose group members seem psychotic. They just want to sing!

Didn't see the competition last night, but when they were organizing, one girl kept getting bounced around (she was a bit of a bitch though). One of her groups had a mother calling the shots. I guess she was there for an underage contestant. Such DRAMA!

I haven't watched this season. But one thing I could never understand about group night is how difficult it seems to be to learn the lines of a song. One's solo part probably consists of 4-5 lines and some have a real hard time remembering them.

Oh, you really need to see if you can catch Thursday's show somewhere, MC, if you foresaw the Mama Drama!

SB, I saw the highlight on Yahoo Primetime. That poor girl has that nutjob for a mother. I'm surprise Pink-Hair-Girl didn't pop her one.

I really liked the Sing Off season that had Jerry Lawson on it. Not as much after that, but it is still amazing to me that these groups are performing without instruments.

They are down to 30. Some very talented people and some different styles. Unfortunately the format has gotten more staged and pretentious. Its a mutation of a reality show.

And then there were 13. Now the competition begins. The screamers and the "run" singers are gone. I think that might be a direct influence of Harry Connick. He implored that they SING. Keith followed Harry's lead. And Jennifer, "you're beautiful baby".

OK Geoff, you're going to have to tear yourself away from those other reality shows and provide your indepth analysis of contestants. Its a good mix of styles. Should be interesting.

I guess I'll talk to myself on this thread.

12 out of 13 are pretty good. The judges liked everyone. America will decide! Of the 13 songs, I only knew one, "Folsom Prison Blues"...I guess I'm officially old.

The show actually put me to sleep last night. I thought most of the singers were off-key, and I don't know if that was nerves or what. The only performances I really liked were Majesty's, the guy who sang "Folsom", Alex and MK. I was looking forward to Caleb, but fell asleep before he hit the stage. I think he's the most talented of the boys.

Edit: See, you're not alone, MC!

The results show: Christine is gone. My prediction. Nothing special there...the karaoke factor. Caleb is good SB, maybe the most different-talented, but...will a rocker win? Probably not, but there are a lot of bands out there who could make him fit.

I agree - I thought most of them were pretty bad. I made notes for Top 13, but not sure if I'll post them before Top 10. Just not into it this year as much, but, I agree that Harry is a total breath of fresh air -- and is funny as hell, on top of being totally right in his critiques at the same time.

Tonight's Bottom 3 were the ones I predicted last night, probably for the first time ever. (Tho my #13 wasn't the one to go - my notes are downstairs and I'm being lazy ;))

According to Harry Connick most of the singers are singing flat or sharp. Must be those things they stick in their ears.

With the exception of Caleb and the country boys, I found performance after performance to be merely meh. Off in many parts, drowned out by the band and the backup singers, just one train wreck after another. I loved the beginning of Majesty's performance, but then she tried to hit that glory note, and my dog ran and hid under the couch.

Agreed 100%. Emily got the boot last night. MK and Jena squeaked by. "Meh" oh, Yeh. Half of them could have been booted last night. I'm going out on a limb here, but I think these "kids" are victims of growing up in a bad musical time; screamers, big notes and those idiotic "runs" (they give me the runs). The combination singer-performer is hard to find and that is what Harry Connick is trying to encourage. Jessica has a great voice, but she looked like she was watching a tennis match. Sam has a unique voice (not pitchy), I'm sure the girls think he is cute, but the stage presence of a broom. Caleb better find a different kind of song to sing other than hard rock - high tenor - manic performance - songs. Who will rise from the heap?

Hey MC, do you think Ben is going to go tonight. He should. He sounded very Karaoke. He looks like he is imitating himself, if that is possible.

Once again you are right...oh great one. Caleb is looking mighty strong right now and if Jessica picks the right songs she could contend. She has the best voice of the girls, but she has to get a stage personna other than disinterested.

Is Caleb the Meat Loaf look alike?

We DVRd this week's episodes and have yet to watch them.

I noticed that Jessica walked away to the lounge after her performance without even chatting with Ryan afterwards. She just seems so disinterested in the whole thing, it's hard to care if she wins or loses.

I think that Alex, Caleb and CJ gave the best performances. Dexter was enjoyable, but he must have done that song 1,000 times, nothing special about it. I was not nearly as impressed with the girls, especially Malaya and Jena, who the judges raved about.