American Idol Season 8

I know this will sound a little doomsday-ish of me, but lately it's hard to shake the feeling that each new season could potentially be American Idol's last. There's always some foreboding sign that the end is near: bad ratings buzz (though even when it's down, it's still been bigger than anything else on TV), rumors that Paula has totally lost her mind is leaving the show, the departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, the simple fact that few shows ever go beyond eight seasons, etc.

So I'm greeting tonight's return of Idol with joy and relief. The Idol powers that be are always promising improvements, but this year a lot of things are being changed up, including a return to the wild card round, a longer Hollywood Week, and adding a new fourth judge. It seems to me that if these things don't make the this-could-be-the-end vibes go away, nothing will, so I'm curious to see how it turns out.

Are you ready for a new season of American Idol? Do you think a fourth judge will make a difference? What part of the show are you most looking forward to? I personally want to see if any of the San Francisco hopefuls I hung out with make it on the air!

The Phoenix auditions kick things off tonight. For a reminder of how American Idol spins dreams into a reality for a destined few plus a couple of other promo clips for season eight, just read more

It's baaaa-aack! Just when you think you're out, they pull you back in! OK, that's a bit melodramatic but that's a little how I felt when I headed down just south of San Francisco to check out the first set of folks lining up to audition for the eighth season of American Idol. Feels like just yesterday we crowned David Cook the winner and yet, here we are, back at the beginning.

And for some people, this beginning couldn't come quickly enough. Despite the fact that it was very early (6 a.m.!) and the line was very long, the folks I met were as pumped as ever, clearly inspired by last season and ready for their chance at singing stardom.

As I approached the line to talk to some of the auditioners, I thought I might have to pry them to sing for me — not so! Turns out, wielding a microphone and a camera around thousands of people hoping to be famous is like holding a magical singing wand. They saw my mic as I wandered by and just started belting away! It was. . . amazing, and their enthusiasm was contagious.

After the jump, watch my video of hopefuls, including a guy whose journey to the auditions made the front page of his local paper, a self-proclaimed "Trader Joe's Idol," and my favorite: A lovely rendition of Boyz II Men's "End of the Road." To judge for yourself if the next Idol will come from this city by the bay, read more