7:58pm ET

I'm at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in Frankfort, KY and it is a really great city. But which channel is Fox?!! (Found it! It's Channel 5. Phew...)

8:00pm ET

Okay, we're in Kansas City, David Cook's hometown. I love KC's steaks, jazz and museum (Nelson-Atkins). But wait, are we on the Kansas or Missouri side?

Paula is wearing a chartreuse babydoll dress. She hugs Jason Castro (who looks like he's running Kansas City's cartel.) Another Idol alum fallen on hard times?

Chelsea Marquardt: interesting fake by AI. She looks like - and was presented as - a winner. Great teeth. But she ended up caterwauling. I don't see that coming. (It's all for the best. Her eyes are too widely set for stardom.)

Ugh, Kara is back with her "sweetie" thing. With straight hair, she's even smugger. She's not working for me. (At my dinner in Frankfort tonight, there were lots of complaints from courtly Kentuckians about Kara's arrogance)

I like Ashley Anderson. She screwed up the lyrics but was unflappable. She has a sense of humor and looks like an early Cher. What's more, early Cher didn't have a sense of humor. (I screwed up the lyrics when I auditioned for Mel Brooks for The Producers - to replace Matthew Broderick after he left the show - and almost had a heart attack!)

8:14

Casey Carlson is cute but she's a face-scruncher. (I wonder if she's backing Coleman or Franken?)

This opera guy is being set up as a freak. Is this another fake-out? Will he end up being brilliant? ... Okay, his name is Brian Hettler and, yes, he's a joke. Too bad, because actually he could probably sound good if he tried. Geez, I hope it was worth the 15 seconds of fame. (C'mon, people, are you with me?)


8:25

Deandre Hopkins' Amazing Grace just set back the Civil Rights movement a few decades.

Von Smith is interesting! I love that he started with that weird phlegm thing. He looked like a goner. Then his Over the Rainbow was great: Sam Harris-like, but more interesting. Could he be AI's long-awaited Freddie Mercury?! (Oops, reader Justin astutely compares Von to Jason Mraz...)

Wow, I love Von's mother. She's my favorite mother so far. She's really supportive.

Calling Chris Hansen: Paula is so going to molest Michael Castro. She says "yes, yes, yes!" Will Michael be the wedge between Paula and Kara?


8:45

Matt Breitzke looks like he runs a leather bar. I like him. I like how happy he was with Kara's yes. Wow, Randy really seems irrelevant.

Okay, we have to support this girl (Jessica Furney) who lives with her 93 year-old grandmother. (I'm very pro-grandparents.) Okay, she's going to Hollywood. I hope there's someone at home to take care of her grandmother!

Long commercial break, so here's what I ate tonight in Frankfort:


Flank Bison steak, jalapeno cornbread, asparagus and the best Old Fashioned I've ever had! (If you're in Frankfort, you have to eat at Serafini.)

9:00

Okay, we're back. Wow, how moving that Asia was so supportive of her sister, India.

Jamar Rogers is imitating Clay Aiken. He should not go to Hollywood.

By the way, what is the point of adding a fourth judge if they never disagree?!


Serafini looks out on the Old State Capitol. A beautiful town.


9:11

Danny Gokey is a fun performer. But forgive me, was there something a little "off" (by which I mean exploitative) about the story of his late wife? Or maybe it's the way AI kept promo'ing it tonight that seems a wee bit inappropriate?

I loved that the chunky girl sang Loretta Lynn's You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man.

This nerdy Indian guy, Anoop Desai, is interesting. Quick, what's his nickname?
Strumlord Millionaire? Maybe Randy's Anoop-Dog is better?

9:24

I'm glad they're using You Gotta Get A Gimmick from Gypsy. I just saw the last performance with Patti Lupone this past Sunday!

I'm rooting for Andrew Lang after his friends cheered for him. (Andrew Orlando and Dawn?) But why do all these singers insist on all the "runs" when singing simpler would be nicer?

Wow, Andrew didn't make it! I thought he was going to make it. Is this the first time that someone screwed up when he was asked to sing a second time? Harsh. The lesson: keep it simple!

IDOL ALERT: Thanks to Abby for a major scoop. Von Smith has already been on network TV -- The View!




9:36

Michael Nicewonder is Nebraska's Corky St. Claire.

Dennis Brigham's family is a little over-the-top. Is AI the new NBA? Don't get me wrong, I really like Dennis. He had me at the back-flip. He's super likable.

9:50

I love Mia Conley. I love how she invokes the wrath of God. Very Old Testament.

Okay, I'm sorry about this last girl's tornado catastrophe. But come on, is this American Idol or Queen For A Day?! Her name is Lil Rounds and she does have class: is she our generation's Roberta Flack?

So that's it. My favorite of the night: Dennis Brigham.

Finally here's a picture of the wonderful Kentuckians who took me to dinner tonight. I'm here doing a story (to air 2/15/09) for CBS Sunday Morning on Lincoln's 200th birthday. Thanks to all the great people from the Kentucky Lincoln Bicentennial Commission)



Goodnight, everyone!