Photos: Fox/AmericanIdol.Com
The 11th season of American Idol premieres tonight at 8 p.m. on Fox with audition rounds from Savannah, Ga.
The senior music competition program heads into its 11th year with some momentum. Idol is still far and away the most successful program of its type, with ratings more than double that of the overhyped and underwhelming The X Factor (sorry, Simon) and the plain silly The Voice. Idol also can still make an impact when the show finds the right winner as they apparently have with Scotty McCreery last year. The country teen has just gone platinum with Clear as Day, his debut CD, and his album has ridden the Top 30 since its release in the fall. Scotty is the most successful winner since Season 7's David Cook.
I'd like to welcome back my Idol Watch friends. I don't plan to offer regular commentary on the blog during auditions, which last through most of February. My interest really begins once the Top 12 finalists compete for live votes in March. In the meantime, I'll be giving live commentary for most of the shows on Twitter @HowardCohen. Follow me there and also feel free to congregate here and thanks for joining the Idol chatter.
helllllooooooo
Posted by: Lesley Abravanel | January 18, 2012 at 07:40 PM
yayz, we're back!
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 07:56 PM
Hey Hey! I feel like it's the first day back from summer vacation!
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 07:57 PM
Lesley you're getting daring adding your last name...
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:00 PM
Oof, you're right. It was auto-populated. Delete.
Meanwhile, I thought an icon of American society was Mrs. Astor or Doris Duke.
Do we think that JLo's unsightly boy toy will be shown?
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:03 PM
Good point, MrsEvans. It is like getting back from summer vacation. New school year. Does this mean we have to play nice or can we be snarky teacher's pests? I vote for the latter.
Posted by: HoCo | January 18, 2012 at 08:03 PM
I forgot what I learned last year. Who won again? Oh, Scotty!
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:04 PM
keep singin'
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:04 PM
Play nice? Why start now?
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:04 PM
I will do my best to keep up.I am flying solo with BabyEvans while MrE is at a business dinner...
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:06 PM
he's 17?
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Is BabyEvans up or sleeping?
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Didn't we see this kid on Xfactor going by the name Astro?
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:07 PM
Astro-Light
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:07 PM
MrsE!
SEVENTEEN??
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:08 PM
Steven looks like a hooker.
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:08 PM
WIDE awake! We have not even attempted bedtime bath and bottle yet. She's just hanging out.
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:09 PM
Yes, Lane, like a hooker channeling Janis Joplin
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:09 PM
kid's got talent
I smell a Webster sequel
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:10 PM
Already thinking alike Lesley, lol!
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:10 PM
wait till his testicles descend
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:11 PM
Ha!
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:11 PM
Steven looks like Maggie Smith and Carly Simon's ugly stepsister, the one they hide in the closet.
The 17 year old David Leathers has a decent voice, but I hope he doesnt prove a quick irritant with the dark glasses.
Posted by: HoCo | January 18, 2012 at 08:12 PM
did you guys watch Alcatraz or Southland?
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:14 PM
Are they gonna play up these teenagers with castrato voices to find the next Bieber?
Maggie Smith, hahahahaha
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:15 PM
Maggie Smith's best role was obviously Mother Superior in Sister Act.
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:16 PM
@Lane: No to those shows, but I LOVED American Horror Story and got hooked on Downton Abbey recently.
Posted by: HoCo | January 18, 2012 at 08:16 PM
We missed them Lane. Can't keep up!
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:17 PM
Fiona Apple Jr is working it.
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:18 PM
Southland had the cast from the 80s guest starring: C. Thomas Howell, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Dean Cameron
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:18 PM
I like Gabi
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:18 PM
Yes to Alcatraz! It's Lost in lockup right down to the sound effects! I like. you?
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:18 PM
Fiona Snapple
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:18 PM
What a boring, tuneless rendition of Maroon5. Oh wait, Maroon5 IS boring and tuneless. Only positive thing is we didn't have to watch that tool Adam Levine sing his dull song.
I also wish these shows would find some new songs for these auditioners.
Posted by: HoCo | January 18, 2012 at 08:19 PM
kermit?
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:21 PM
I agree, HoCo. Snooze. So tired of those voices. They are insipid. Don't get me started on Adam Levine.
this is not this girl's destiny, clearly.
I have to see this Downton Abbey. I hear it's amazing.
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:21 PM
Steven does want to miss a thing. This audition.
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Randy's speechless face was my favorite moment thus far.
Posted by: HoCo | January 18, 2012 at 08:23 PM
she sounded like the lady from the LifeAlert commercial: helllllllp!
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:24 PM
Lesley, blame it on Lady Connie. She got me hooked on Downtown Abbey. I hadn't even heard of it until around Christmastime when she went on about it. I caught up and it's really good. It's a soap, but really well done. Maggie Smith's terrific.
Posted by: HoCo | January 18, 2012 at 08:29 PM
now there's an idea for a reality show: Annoying American Emcee
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:29 PM
he reminds me more like Tim Tebow than Seacrest
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:31 PM
Yes, I see yours and Connie's Twitter convos about it. I have to catch up! I was laughing at the Joan Collins spat y'all were having.
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Joe Magrane's daughter? Huh.
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:33 PM
This Shaun Kraisman guy could replace Seacrest if/when Seacrest takes the Today gig. He'd be a good host, especially since the singing thing didn't quite pan out.
Posted by: HoCo | January 18, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Classy Steven
Posted by: MrsEvans | January 18, 2012 at 08:34 PM
If one could get arrested just by looks alone, Steven Tyler would be a registered sex offender by now
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Jordan Sparks' dad was an NFL player.
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:34 PM
didn't Steven want to sleep with Liv Tyler before she told him she was his daughter
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:36 PM
so how are all y'alls babies doing
Posted by: @Lane_ | January 18, 2012 at 08:36 PM