Jan 14 2009 04:00 AM ET

'American Idol' premiere: What did you think?

Categories: American Idol 2009

Hello, Idol addicts! I feel like my innards are currently residing atop my epidermis. Sick? Yes. But I’m so psyched to be back on the American Idol train, writing about my very most favorite show (and its very good new judge, Kara DioGuardi) that it almost physically hurts. Okay, so tonight’s season premiere was a little short on future Kelly Clarksons, but I was definitely craving a second verse of Southern gal Deanna Brown’s rendition of "(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay" — she can go directly to the semifinals, without interacting with Ryan, and without collecting $200 — and it seemed like the producers have lost their fascination with playing "kick-the-emotionally-damaged-child-in-the-schoolyard." In other words, not the greatest audition episode of all time, but a promising start to season 8. Weigh in with your own thoughts below, then check back around 6 a.m. for my full TV Watch/episode recap (update: It’s live!). It’s been more than seven months since the last one, so you know I’m gonna be wordy!

More on ‘American Idol’

Slezak’s Season 8, episode 1 recap

Visit EW’s American Idol HQ
Kara DioGuardi: Meet Idol’s new judge
Slezak ranks the 16 greatest ‘Idol’ performances of all-time
Game: Pick your favorite Idol performance
The 12 songs we want banned from ‘Idol’ forever
Video: Josh Gracin rocks the EW.com offices
‘American Idol’: The 10 Worst Performances Ever

Comments (1-30) of 242 Add your comment

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  • smallseal

    SO excited to have Idolatry back!!!! I’m more excited about this than the actual show!!!
    Welcome back guys!!!

  • Nate

    The new judge impressed me with her comments to the bikini chick. At least she isnt wishy washy like Paula and scared to tell the truth.

  • Twain

    OMG – Did Seacrest really just try to high-five a BLIND person? Yes he did! Hilarious.

  • Casey

    It was dull, will not be watching again.

  • NineDaves

    i have to admit: going in to tonight’s episode, i didn’t think i was ready for idol to start up again. it seemed too soon. i’ve never really loved the audition episodes before (minus hollywood week, of course). and i even said to myself, “maybe i shouldn’t watch this season.” but then i heard “what a wonderful world” starting to play. and that video montage of past seasons, past winners, and past auditions started. and wouldn’t you know… three minutes later, i was sucked back in. not the best audition episode ever, you’re right. but a welcomed return of a good friend. see you in may, social life.

  • MandiHeather

    Michael- that is exactly how I feel about Idol being back! 7 months is way too long! I thought were some great possibilities from my hometown! Here’s to another fabulous season!

  • Anonymous

    Was a rather boring audition episode. And I thought they said they wouldn’t be focusing so much on the bad auditions?? There are a few so far with some promise.
    And I’m already a big fan of Kara. She’s way better than Paula.

  • MandiHeather

    Totally LOVED Kara! And BTHW, as someone who was at the auditions, Bikini Girl really was that annoying.

  • joe

    is this the best american idol can give us? a super boring audition episode where i didnt laugh once? im never watching this crap again

  • Jill

    This episode was AWFUL. I’d recommend going to http://www.WeHateIdol.com and read the episode recaps there. They made fun of stuff like Paula Abdul’s ugly glasses, and the slutty girl in the bikini. I’m sick of reading reviews that kiss these people’s butts!

  • James

    I thought Kara was being unnecessarily snooty towards the bikini girl. Here’s the deal: Just because you pre-face something by saying you’re not being rude doesn’t mean you aren’t. It’s generally a form of projection or basically saying, “Not to be rude but. . .” that means whatever comes next is going to be rude. And the girl was right. If Kara was going to stand up on national televison and sing, she should have been GREAT.

  • PigBloodPouredonPromQueen

    I like the new judge. I can see “girl in the bikini” recast in another reality show mud wrestling Megan “the other girl in the bikini” from VH1.

  • Angela

    Bikini girl was awesome. Kara was obviously envious of that body and felt threatened.

  • R Rothchild

    THIS IS THE WORST SHOW ON TELEVISION. Even worse than BROMANCE. Stop watching this crap.

  • rhapsody_in_red

    Kara was very impressive as a judge, and I thought she made some excellent critiques without being overly harsh. The bikini girl was simply annoying, her voice was weak, and I feel that the only reason she got through to Hollywood was so the producers could prolong the drama/ogling. It made me watch, nonetheless, so I guess it worked. Sigh. I’m such a sucker for this show.

  • Dana

    First, there was nowhere near enough David Cook! But I did like the Stevie girl and the girl who started the Gran Friend performances.
    And so far, so good on the judge. . . .

  • wakeforce

    If the girl in the bikini was fugly, she would NOT have made it through. Straight guys see a hot chick and they get stoopid. MARK MY WORDS- This girl will be gone by Hollywood Week!

  • wakeforce

    Bikini girl will be gone by Hollywood Week!

  • Kath

    Kara is kind of awesome, but I knew that already.

  • john t.

    ryan seriously high fived a blind guy?! look out for that clip on the Soup! haha! bikini girl was a b*tch. hated her attitude. what a great way to represent yourself to the public. LOVE kara! she outsung that girl by a mile. tell it as it is…

  • Will

    God. Michael, Annie and Dawnie. I idolize you guys. And seriously want to work where you work.

  • aaron

    I was bored, a very long 2 HOURS. They still showed too many bad singers. 27 people got through, really?? I’ll come back when they get to hollywood.

  • aaron

    Kara may have worked better from the beginning, now it just makes the judging longer. She should replace Randy. I think I’m finally getting over this show. It will be funny though when Simon makes bikini girl cry all the way home when she sings with clothes on!

  • Corran

    May not have been the most poignant and entertaining episode ever. And it certainly did not have any definite showstoppers, but Bikini girl ranks up there for one of the best auditions ever. For once the promos served it justice for how cool it would be. I was laughing my ass off. Kara sounds like Michael Slezak when he criticizes pretty white women “now im not attacking you just because you’re really beautiful but…” oh wait…yes…you are. Just cuz the girl can sing as good if not better than you, doesn’t mean u have to go psycho now. LOL!! Loved the cat fight. Definitely the high point of the evening.

  • Jeffrey

    Bikini girl had a butter face and couldn’t sing at all. Simon and Randy were both mostly joking when they sent her through, but since they send borderline talented people through all the time, why not her?

  • Sheila

    HATE the new judge. 4 judges takes MUCH longer to listen to them jibber jabber, was wishing the whole time it was just the three. Throws off the whole dynamic they worked all those years to create. Stop it now! Get rid of Kara.

  • JB

    Kara needs to cut out the very condescending “Sweetie” stuff a.s.a.p.

  • Anonymous

    it was great. loved it. paula is adorable

  • keiren63

    didn’t think the new judge added anything but someone for Paula to interact with…which took her away from interacting with Randy and left him sort of stranded at the end.
    And the “rocker dude” was enough of a trainwreck embarrassment that we don’t need another for the rest of the season…maybe the rest of the show’s lifespan.

  • JillS

    Did they really have to devote over 5 minutes to the kid w/ the afro?? Ok we get it, he has tall hair. BIG DEAL. Boooooring.

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