"Oh how I missed you..."

Don't you just love being reunited with an old friend?

Idol's back kiddies and they're promising bigger talent (than Dave Cook? not likely) and all kinds of new surprises! (sneek peek: Top 36 instead of Top 24 this year!)

Season 8 starts off with a super nostalgic montage... and sadly, but surely I'm able to recall each of those moments as if I'd actually been there myself! We're treated to a range of Idol's best and worst (and even a quick glimpse of Dunkleman... he's got to be kicking himself now) and end with a parting shot of the reigning Idol himself... David Cook (who'll be touring this spring starting Feb. 13th... just a little free publicity).

*Question: how much do I love seeing Cook's face during that opening sequence?
*Answer: so much... I watched it twice!

COOK MONTAGE!?! Man, I am loving Season 8! Oh goodness how great were those little girls? I've watched the entire video on youtube... hilarious! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70f0chZVudA)

Now all we need is a patented over dramatic pitch and a little "THIS is American Idol" from Seacrest and Season 8 can officially begin... in Phoenix, Arizona!

DAY 1

We're introduced to new judge Kara DioGuardi. My thoughts... she can write a song, but can she judge one?

Train wrecks... what would the auditions be without them? There was "ROTC/ tap dancing" Tuan, crying "faux-rocker in a box" Randy, crazies ruining awesome 80's songs, but the prize has to go to Michael Gurr whose creepy take on a great Carrie Underwood song... left me cringing and shaking with laughter!

Talents...

Emily Wynne-Hughes (21) "Barracuda" by Heart: I'm not completely sold on Emily's vocal strength. She's a poor man's Carly Smithson. I don't think this was the right song choice for her... it's not a song you take lightly. ps. she has Snow White tattooed on her arm... what up with that?
Will she make the top 36? Hmm.. not likely!
J.B. Ahfua (16) "Flying Without Wings" by Ruben Studdard: This kid's only 16?!? To steal a phrase from Randy Jackson... crazy, mad, hot talent dawg! AND... he cried! How cute!
Will he make the top 36? I'd like to see him there!
Arianna Asfar (16) "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae: This was a great song choice for her voice, plus she's super cute (come on, adopt-a-granfriend... adorable)Will she make the top 36? I think her voice may need to grow a bit more!

Kara's first day reaction... "I've got a sweet gig..." yes ma'am you do.

My first day reaction... "Alright Phoenix, way to go..."

DAY 2

Train wrecks... Conneticut country girl Lea Marie was crazy... seriously! And the squinty guy.. oh man.. the squinty guy... hilarious!

Talents...

Stevie Wright (16) "At Last" by Etta James: She got a really promising voice. Great tone and it didn't make it look like she was try too hard.
Will she make the Top 36? She could be a contender... reminds me of Alaina Whitaker just less annoying!
Michael Sarver (27) "Thank You" by Boyz II Men: I definitely liked this guy... plus he's a dad! Simon crowned him as likeable (which Simon find almost on par with talent these days). He's crappy Matt, but not so crappy (from season 3)
Will he make the Top 36? Not sure... but if he does get to the voting stages I see him sticking it out for a bit.
Katrina Darrell (20) "Visions of Love" by Mariah Carey: First off someone needs to pop this chick upside her head, secondly she just might be the reason "pretty girls" get so much hate, thirdly she needs to put some clothes on and fourthly her voice wasn't even close!
Will she make the Top 36? I sincerely hope not!
Brianna Quijada (22) "Let's Hear it for the Boy" by Denise Williams: The song was way too big. Then she butchered "Killing Me Softly"... but she was cute and spunky and once again we see Simon really does have a heart! **1st Simon won tie-breaker**
Will she make the Top 36? She won't even get past Round 1 in Hollywood!
Deanna Brown (25) "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding: I really dug this chick's raspy tone! Her voice and look were definitely memorable (in a good way)!
Will she make the Top 36? If they want to try the Amanda Overmyer route in a less grating package... yep!
Creepy Cody Sheldon (17) "What a Wonderful World" Jim Morrison: Eh? I'd have passed. His voice was okay, but nothing spectacular! He has really pretty eyes though...
Will he make the Top 36? Nope.. not a chance...
Alex Wagner Thugman (19) "Baby Come to Me" by James Ingram: He's my 2nd chance at Kyle Ensley!!!!! I loved this kid... not for his talent, but his complete awkward attempts at jokes! "Abkazzia, Zimbabwee & Canada" or "I could sing 'God Save the Queen'... I'm joking I don't know the words" or "that would be a good joke.. if it made sense" or "I'm not gonna score well with the British audience"... riot, this kid!
Will he make the Top 36? probably not... but a girl can dream right?
Scott MacIntyre (22) "And So it Goes" by Billy Joel: First off, rockin' awesome song choice! He's got a pretty solid voice.. I was actually more impress with the piano playing. He'll definitely get a fair share of air-time. How awkward was the Hi5 exchange with Ryan? Wowsers!
Will he make the Top 36? I'll reserve my judgement on this one... it'd be a great story, but how does one vote off the blind guy?

**27 golden tickets in all! (we saw 11)**

So FINAL THOUGHTS....

I'm enjoying the slightly tamer, nicer Idol. We still get the bad auditions, but a hint of heart! I think Idol may have blown their budget this season on background music... it was like everyone got their own theme song! Plus anyone else wondering if Paula & Randy got some kind of sunglasses sponser this year? What up with that? New judge Kara... so far so good and even Simon seemed to be enjoying himself! All in all Phoenix had some pretty good talent and was a great kick off to Season 8. Tomorrow is Kansas City... home of THE DAVID COOK! Plus was that a little Jason Castro I saw???

But for now... adieu, adieu, adieu!