Weclome to Luavul. They did it at Churchill Downs, Trying to invoke the image of a horse race. If Idol is a horse race, they saddled a bunch of donkeys in San Francisco. Will tonight be better? (Is it possible to BE worse???) What was the idea of arriving in 4 separate limos?

First up was a terrible contestant that was going to go to college if she lost. Simon - "The good news is, you are going to college." Then she said, "I do not care what they say, I can sing better than anyone on American Idol." The first train wreck they let us see. Even added some reaction from dogs and horses! Funny she didn't look Egyptian (living on De Nial!).

Next we find one that Kara knows from a record label. We get one that can sing AND we get to hear the whole audition. Is there hope for tonight?

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After the break we get a descendant of Samuel Mudd (the physician who treated John Wilkes Booth), We get a poor rendition of a hillbilly song. The panel laughed but the contestant did not have any sense of humor. Parting shot "be careful what ever you do". Paula took it as a threat but it is actually a standard parting statement in the South, wishing someone well.

This is followed by a controversy between the members of the panel. Simon was trying to offer what he thought was constructive criticism. Kara interrupted but then would not continue. After all the fuss - a Golden Ticket. For a marginal talent. As Simon said - a street busker.

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The return from commercial is a montage of the minor train wrecks. A real waste of good air time. How much are they paying to blow it on this crap?

The next long audition is a poor singer that the panel is high on. I am beginning to suspect the pickings are worse than San Francisco.

We get a long exposure as a build up from a 'nerd' who analyzes everything. He is from Kentucky but does not have a Southern accent. Why do they waste our time with such crap. The guy cannot sing. The panel "sang" with him. He was allowed to take a drink but used Paula's straw!!! Why oh why? Another bass with one note... Then they make us endure more. Ryan even suggests this bite was entertaining. I guess he was not listening.

We get to see several get the Golden Ticket without hearing a single note.

As they leave for break we get another tease about the new judge. Ho Hum. Been There; Done That.

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We get "treated" to a single mother with a boyfriend in "military school?!?". The best of her audition was that she was LOUD. Nothing musical. The panel even said she "looked" good. When did it become a glamor contest?

Break already???

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The next "significant" thing. Ryan says things are dull for the judges so they need something to stir them up. How transparent can the producers be? Why do we have to endure the screaming? It even brought Ryan into the audition room. The panel lead him on then told him no. We could have done without this.

Next we get a local girl with a cheat sheet on her arm in case she forgets the music. Kara stopped her "Check your arm." Then reveals she was voted "most humorous in high school". Kara thought it was a joke. Simon "Do not pursue a career in music." Kara wimped out by apologizing.

Three short clips of Golden Tickets - the total was 8 by this time (53 minutes into the program). Not much hope for better editing this show.

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Back from break. Three minutes left.

We get the new theme for this year. Heartbreak stories. Hopefully some of the teens watching will get the message about being a single mother with no male person to support the family. This one actually knows what 100% means! She had several opportunities to make the usual mistake. She sang an original composition. Paula tried to say no as a tease. At least they saved one of the best for last AND let us see it.

We got to see PART of 11 of the total of 19 given the ticket. The production "values" are getting worthless with every episode.