auditions take five: it's almost over...

We're in the last stretch of auditions before we hit Hollywood. I don't think I'm the only one saying THANK HEAVENS!

On the homefront, it's snowing. A lot. And I still have a cold. But it's getting better, and I thank you for all of the well wishes.

I won't be watching live, so I'm counting on your commentary to tell me who to watch for when I watch the recording.

So it's open season on the wannabes! Have at it...

auditions take two: another open thread...

We only have a handful more episodes of the craziness. Who stands out? Who should be thrown out? Who should have never been allowed near humans, much less on air?

It's another open thread for the second audition episode. Have at it.

ho hum...

I am still waiting for the audition episodes to leave and the Hollywood episodes to begin. Other than a few laughs from Philly and getting creeped out by stalkers of one sort or another, this year's audition episodes pretty much rank right up there (or down there) with all of the other seasons.

There have been a few promising singers but, as we all know, even the most promising auditioners often cannot handle the stress of Hell Week.

Meanwhile, while we wait for the real show to start, Randy Jackson is producing a CD, due out in March, featuring Paula's first single in, well, decades, already available on iTunes. And the best part - y'all do remember I'm a huge Elliott fan, right - it's going to feature an Elliott Yamin/Kat McPhee duet that Randy says will "blow people away." I'm ready to be blown away.

So while we wait, feel free to comment, complain, criticize, compliment or otherwise just chat in the comment gallery. I just can't bring myself to even begin to start.