IDOL IS BACK

Perfect opener. A mash of clips and TV reports all about the controversial new judge selects leading up to Ryan's announcement of the new judge line-up at a fan press conference. And then the words, "We have the judges. We have the talent. But this isn't our story. IT'S YOURS." And so now move on from the controversy and let's start this season with what it should be about -- our next American Idol.

New title sequence which showed shots of all of the Idol winners plus Adam Lambert, Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson - that is so wrong! They are shaking things up!

Season 10 begins. First background on the judges and Jimmy Iovine as advisor / consultant to make sure that winner becomes a major recording artist. They are not looking for Taylor or Kris or Lee, but Carrie, Kelly or Daughtry. They start in Jersey (my home state people) and Constantine introduces Ryan to the crowd. The tagline is They All Start Somewhere. Love it.

First girl does Hallelujah and I got the chills. Not because she was so great, but because it hit me that it is all starting again.

Some of the usual topics come up, but will the new judges and attitude that they want to find a star change things? I have read that they are going to look for the voice over the originality or the ability to change songs up which will keep us away from the recent singer songwriter winners and back to the big voices. And then Jimmy Iovine will work with them to create a superstar. I like the plan.

Now that they moved the age range younger, will the judges constantly berate the contestants for trying to sing too old?

Still a mix of weirdos (girl with the stars on her bras) and heart-wrenching stories like Robbie who was almost paralyzed. Ashley, Britney Spear's "Sagittarian Sister" was pretty creepy. "Love you Brit, Brit!" How about the video blogger Victoria "Hey everybody!" But then Melinda whose parents were war refugees from Kosovo. Yohji "Pop" was the funniest singing Party in the USA by Miley.

Favorites -- SInging waitress Devyn singing God Bless the Child - she needs a makeover, but her voice was awesome. Also like Brielle singing Endless Love whose Dad just beat throat cancer. And Travis from the Bronx - they gave him the end of the episode pimp spot. Very Bruno Mars version of Elenor Rigby and then I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.

My first impression of the judges? It works. They don't seem to be sitting in stale roles (the mean one, the crying one, the funny one). Some highlights -- Steven Tyler seems to have crazy sayings "That was delicious - that was a dessert to the lunch." Also he cannot even understand some of the freaks and then just stares at them. Plus he curses and flirts with contestants. He also sings along with the contestants which is fun. JLo is a genuine fan of the show and recognizes past auditioners. Plus she is the caring one with heart. Randy gets to be more of a leader, but still tends to crack up at the judges.

This is just the start, but for me, it feels a lot less weird then when Ellen joined the team. I'm in Idol, I'm in.

Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...and get ready for a season of Idol.