I don't watch American Idol because it makes me feel nervous and upset. I hate watching people take such huge risks just to be publicly ridiculed.

I thought it was pretty much par for the course with past seasons except that Fox has started sensationalizing Seacrest's scripts and the commercial teasers to build it up as if it is more wacky and out there than previous years. Obviously, the screeners allow the zany characters in to the audition room in order to make ratings. That is manipulative, but I think that beyond the first season (when there was the factor of the unknown), people should know better than to dress up in costume, bring juggling sticks or sing show tunes in an animal character voice. The guy who started screaming afterwards (the guy with the sticks) seemed mentally infirm. I think Fox made a bad move showing his break-down. It was beyond normal upset and disappointment. The girl who came with her boss was sweet, as was her boss. WHY did they let than Army Reserve girl through to Hollywood? I was also surprised when the panel asked "Who is Ace", not remembering one of the finalists (and a charming finalist at that!) from last season. Has Ace been forgotten already???

I thought it was great. The thing that kills me is, dont these people ask friends or family IF they can sing before going to try out? OMG. That cowboy and guy that judggled (if thats what you wanna call it) we horrible to put it mildly. I like the show, its enjoyable, funny and takes my mind of every day issues. The best part is laughing, at least at the try outs. What is WRONG with Paula?

No, I did not. I sat in the other room in a deliberate bid *not* to watch it. But from the few seconds I couldn't help but see. I think Randy is a sexist pig, and Simon has a major bias againts fat people.

I didn't watch American Idol last night. I have no opinion of this particular show, because I have never watched it. In general, I believe the entire genre to be boring and a waste of my time.

I did and loved it!!! My whole family is addicted. We get together with the neighbors, have dinner and share lots of laughs with our friends. It's a de-stressing time in our stressful lives. Can't wait to see the San Antonio auditions, I heard only one was selected from our city - she's a friend of a friend and in the top 24, so we're gonna vote for her.

I CAN'T watch it. I always end up feeling negative. It DOES serve as a whetstone upon which the bias of one's self-concept can be mercilessly sharpened/worn down. That IS an incredibly needed service in a culture where (at epidemic proportions) having the imagined physical trappings of celebrity is confused with having a true sense of self worth and personal fulfillment. Still, my muscles tighten in response to watching it.

Yes, 1/2 of it and all I can say is where do they find these characters. I would be so embarrassed to show my face up there on stage if I sounded like most of them on last night. This was the first time this season I watched.

I did! It was awesome! Funny! The auditions are better than the real thing I say!

No, not the second night, I would think that they would have pre-screening before some of those people get on the air, let alone waste the panels time when there may be one or two really great singers waiting through 10,000 other idiots. I heard once that one really good singer was sent away and not allowed to audition because they had plenty of black, female teenagers... they needed more diversity.

yes. I watched it. Its tragic. Those people go through MANY screenings b4 they get to Simon, Paula and DOG, which means they only want you on the show if you are very talented or very NOT talented- which means they are making national jokes out of the people who go in thinking they can sing, but are really in line for a terrible smack in the face. Thats not entertainment. Its abuse. Its national humiliation.Its like the bully on the playground who makes fun of the smaller weaker kid who wants to play sports, but just cant. Not right.

No, I don't watch such drivel, I have more better things to do with my time than to watch people get belittled by an arrogant clod, an intoxicated lush, and some other guy ive never heard of, and don't get me started on Seacrest. The marketing agents of this travesty have target marketed it at the feeble minded sheeple of this country and the world at large. Feeding off the hopes and dreams of society, mocking everyone that appears on it. Do I really need to go on here?

It starts tomorrow night in the UK & I can't wait. I love it.

Hands down, it is the most rediculous show to hit television.I work behind the scenes in TV and cannot understand how people can be drawn to this brainless entertainment.Is it fun to watch others be ridiculed,and what sort of messages does it send to the youth?Nothing good could come out of such programming but it is all about the Nielson ratings anyway.Quality entertainment is gone.

No

I can't watch that programme. I have seen it in the past and I had to watch it through a gap in my fingers, I get so embarassed for them. I call it car crash TV, you know you really shouldn't watch it because you feel bad for them, but you just can't not look at it.

NOO! The show is a bore and is only watched by people who lack taste in entertainment.

That Goldberg girl was nutty!

I did. I think that the show is getting kind of dull becuase they keep on playing it over and over agian.

I watch Idol. I totally enjoy it. I dont get offended at most of the things the judges have to say because these people have been through prescreening already. Unless a person isnt right in the head they know weather they can sing or not. They are there to see the judges. They are there for their 15 seconds of glory in TV land. If Paula, Randy and Simon were the first and only part of the judging.. and there was no screening...I wouldnt like it so much. They can be harsh this is true. Its all part of the show and anyone that goes to sing in front of them, knows this. Once the searching part is over and they get to the real competition.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! ! ! Yeah Paula is drunk or high..or both. Who cares? She still judges better than either of the men. I imagine she'll go to rehab someday and get cleaned up. Lets all hope she does! Simon is a heartless bum. Its his show though? You have to have a negative and a posative to get a real charge. If people dont want to be picked on by him, they shouldnt go sing in front of him. He is who he is. As for Randy. I like him. He's generally fair. Sometimes he sides with Simon. I have realized with Randy he has a certain style look and feel .. he always likes that same kind of singer/performer. Its a fun show. Entertainment. Isnt entertainment meant to take us out of reality into some other realm?