After last year, I thought I'd be over this, but the first episode was actually quite fun.

Harry Connick Jr. might be the best judge that the show has ever had, combining actual musical knowledge with some of that Simon honesty, JLo is actually less annoying to have back than I expected, and Keith's the knowledgeable sweetheart he was last season, but feels more comy without the Mariah/Minaj catfight hovering around him.

My favourite so far is Ethan Thompson, because... well, he's cute. I never claimed to judge these folk by their singing, though his was pretty nice too. >.>

I can't believe I would ever anticipate anything Harry Connick Jr.-related, but I'm looking forward to seeing him on Idol every week. He was great any time he's been on Idol. Knowledgeable, funny and honest.

The judging panel is terrible, it was so dull. After last year being so much fun, I'm disappointed.

I was bored with the first episode. A couple folks went through who got in somehow. Idk. I had to stop. I think it will be better in the actual singing rounds when the field is narrowed. The judges were just too sweet and sugary.

There's more honesty and bite to Harry Connick Jr. than all of last year's panel combined. Nikki showed promise and fun during the audition process, then kind of got lost in her feud with Mariah when the live shows started.

I can't believe there was a kid of a former idol contestant on the show. And boy, Nikki McKibbin's son sure is ho--uh, fifteen.

OK I just watched the video of Nikki McKibbin's son auditioning and now I feel old as shit because I still remember the first season so well. Thanks, American Idol.

Yikes Yeah I still remember the first season like it was yesterday - like the uproar when Nikki made it to the top three over Tamyra Gray (who I was rooting for along with Kelly that season).

I actually watched the first episode off and on between "Suburgatory" and "Modern Family" the other night and it wasn't terrible. It just feels like a completely different show without the original judging panel (I haven't watched a full season since Paula left). Plus I felt like it was clearly trying to pander to "The Voice" audience with all of the judges being overly nice and encouraging.

Anyone still watching this season?

I dont like any of the contestants although i kind of enjoy Majesty, Jena, MK and Sam but i dont have a favorite.

ooh i totally forgot about Caleb. He was the best performer by a million miles, he was the only one that actually looked comfortable in stage.

What the hell was Taylor Hicks doing there? lol...

Majesty is my favourite, if only because she's done up-tempo AND artists like Pharell and Janelle Monae so far. If she brings that clarity of tone and brilliance she showed in her audition to the stage, she'll be fucking amazing.

Jessica is another one who I really enjoyed in the first live show. I wasn't super keen on Emily, but she does have amazing pitch and control over her voice.

I love MK. There isn't really another one that I love. Majesty is good. In all honesty, they haven't been doing a good job at making me remember who the contestants are. There is another girl I really like but I can't remember her name.

This season is so boring though. I pretty much DVR it and have it on for background noise. I hope they guy with the really awkward, weird face gets voted off tonight. I don't like him at all.

I enjoy a couple of the females but the group of guys they got are not very appealing. They could have done better. I think a female will win this year. Only one of those guys is even remotely popular.

I'm really pulling for MK. She is one of the only ones I actually enjoy watching at the moment.

Man, this is a horrible season. Im starting to really like Jena and i somewhat enjoy Caleb. Thats pretty much it... If Jena is eliminated, which i think she will, im giving up on the show.

Anyone watching?? lol

This is the best possible top 2 out of this horrible season. Definitely rooting for Jena.

I've been checking the performances, but the season's been rather disappointing. Majesty Rose just crashed and burned after being so promising early on, and while I liked her a lot, Jessica Meuse's constant battering by the judges got old so fast.

Not a big fan of Caleb, but I love Jena and hope she takes the whole thing.

Honestly I really enjoyed the season. I'm a fan of Keith and Harry, and combined with them, J-Lo is tolerable. And if I could have picked a top three, it would've been Caleb, Jena and Jessica, so it was pretty close and this is my ideal top two. I'm pulling for Jena but won't be disappointed with Caleb, even though he's kind of full of himself.