Sucky LA and Dallas with Neil Patrick Harris

Avril judges in LA -- she is so uncomfortable -- wearing her hood. I am a big fan of hers and her songwriting -- I think she is 25 now at most and ranks a lot higher than Taylor Swift in my book for songwriting and singing. But she speaks like a 15 year old. She got married young and is now separated from Derek Whibly of Sum 51, so it was interesting her voting no for the pastor with 4 children. And the end of each line that she says go up? like this?

Mary Powers - Pat Benatar look alike and sound alike -- she should not have gotten through.


Higher expectations for Katy Perry - I'm a fan of hers - fun songs, good melodies, great voice. The judges arrive via helicopter. Too bad neither day in LA had any success, they have already spent 37 minutes and only showed the Pat Benatar wanna be get through (who didn't deserve to).


Tasha Layton who sang Baby Baby Baby by Joss Stone - great voice, but I think she is too serious.


Not impressed with the auditions right now. So we will meet almost everyone in Hollywood week? Kara and Katy at odds - they write songs together so it is a genuine relationship and I enjoyed the bickering.


Chris Golightly, from the foster care system -- Stand By Me. Sounds good, nothing great, but his backstory is nice of course. Nice conversation about the backstory and how much value it should have. This is not a lifetime movie says Katy.


22 went from LA to Hollywood -- they showed 2 who got through. Really?

Then they went to Dallas. Two reasons to look forward to this -- Kelly Clarkson came from Dallas season 1 and Neil Patrick Harris is the guest judge. Love that he started it by saying he was going to crush as many dreams as possible. I thought Katy Perry was great and honest and "judgeworthy" yesterday and I am looking forward to the multi-talented Neil.

They start with Julie who auditioned Season 1 and was horrible. Her "sparkly" outfit did not make this audition several years later any better and the judges made that clear. But I love that she was talking technique, she should have breathed better -- it proves that you can't learn how to sing, you have to have it in you.

Then Lloyd the dockworker comes in and proves that Idol is clear on its message this season -- it is about the "real" person with hopes and dreams trying to make it. And in the the end, all those that have won have been "real" people with backstories and heartache and tough times who get a chance to be a star -- even the winners don't all make it, but they get a chance. He makes it through because of his voice and his genuine energy.

The showdown between Simon and Neil was fantastic -- they disagree, there is tension -- this is a nice way of bringing energy to these auditions. Proves that another voice can challenge Simon and freshness can add to the show, makes me less afraid of losing Simon if we get this kind of energy in a new way. Yes right now he is an important part of the equation, but gives me hope.

Kimberly Carver singing an original with energy and volume. And a great voice. And Simon shoots her down. Neil totally took over an took it to a vote and she gets through -- so funny. He could take over for Simon.

Erica from Barney comes in with a whip. Not a great voice so I don't think she will go far - the judges let the act win them over, we'll see.

Dave Pittman who has Tourettes -- okay looking, nice voice, Neil points out the Tourettes and notes that it doesn't come out when he sings. Give him another chance and I believe in the dream. This is a crazy season -- so many stories, but which stories make it through?

Oh no, Day 2 in Dallas is a Jonas Brother as guest judge -- I want more Neil!!!!!!!!!!

Maegan Wright with the little brother singing To Make You Feel My Love -- I don't think she was on key, but she could melt me. She could make a lot of mistakes, but I want to see her again.

Christian Spear -- leukemia survivor at age 16. Not great, but she deserves a shot -- she took it seriously and let's see.

I is weird this year -- I keep looking at the dynamic of the judges because of all the drama, but it is hte contestants even in the auditions and their stories that are keeping me hooked. What will Idol be this year -- the year of the judges or the year of the Idols?

More soon my friends, and don't be ashamed of your obsessions...