American Idol Is Ba-ack

The eighth season of American Idol premieres, weirdness ensues

It's that time again...

The eighth season of American Idol came roaring out of our TV sets Tuesday night, prompting the usual shock and awe—we're shocked by how high some freak flags fly and in awe of how excited we are to begin this ride all over again.

At first we wondered what was in store, now that there are four judges and who knows how Paula Abdul really feels about that. But as it turns out, the so-called changes were few.

The contestants now have two judges calling them "honey" and "sweetie" in an effort to soften the you-don't-have-what-it-takes blow, but other than that... Randy Jackson still manages to say it all by saying nothing but "yo," "wow" and "100 million percent yes" and Simon Cowell is the one who says interesting stuff. (And his vote apparently counts more, because at one point he rendered moot a 2-2 tie.)

But we want to know if you're excited about Idol's return and who you've got your eye on. Yes, after just two hours of largely embarrassing, stomach-churning auditions...Who do you like?

Poll

American Idol Premiere Poll

The season is young, but what revved your Idol engine tonight?

Promising auditions from an oil rig roughneck, a legally blind pianist and a few ridiculously poised teenagers

Promising auditions from an oil rig roughneck, a legally blind pianist and a few ridiculously poised teenagers

32.1%

The butchering of "Mad World," "Livin' on a Prayer," "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Killing Me Softly" and many, many more

The butchering of "Mad World," "Livin' on a Prayer," "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Killing Me Softly" and many, many more

8.9%

The impromptu sing-off between Kara DioGuardi and Bikini Girl

The impromptu sing-off between Kara DioGuardi and Bikini Girl

34.2%

When does <i>Dancing With the Stars</i> come back?

When does Dancing With the Stars come back?

24.8%

Vote Now