Brittani’s “American Idol” Recap: The Judges hit their stride

Steven, Jenny, Randy and Ryan

I wasn't prepared to like this season so much but I do. After a rocky start in NYC and New Jersey, the new judges finally seem to be comfortable in their positions. Wednesday's auditions took place in Milwaukee, home of Idol alum Danny Gokey. Here we got 16 year Scotty McCreery whose voice makes him sound almost twice his age. Instead of theme weeks this year, they're going to let the contestants pick the songs that best suit their style and voice. Looking forward to hearing lots of Country ballads from him. Another great male singer was Jerome Bell who uses his talents singing at bar mitzvahs and weddings. He's the only really cute guy we've gotten so far, unless they're saving all the hotties for last. I need someone to root for!

The standout girls were little 15 year old Thia Megia who auditioned with Adele's "Chasing Pavement." I thought she was good, not great, and I can already tell (if the judges know who she is) that they'll be comparing her to Charice. Then there was the White House intern Molly DeWolf Swensen. Not only was she gorgeous, but girl could saaang.  Definitely one to root for along with Naima Adedapo who was one of the sob stories from Wisconsin. The joke audition came from a Civil war re-enactor who came with his hippie dad. "Hippies believe in sex," just so you know. And this is what has and will always bother me about Idol. In case you didn't know, most of the thousands of people that come to audition NEVER get to meet the judges. They sing for the producers first, then if they make it through go on to Steven, Jennifer and Randy. So out of all the people who probably had decent voices, they let people who show up in costumes and sound terrible go on TV and makes fools out of themselves. I know, I know, "it's not that serious, Brittani".

Thursday night in Nashville saw possibly the most awkward audition from exes Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks. The judges asked the pair to sing a duet first, while Chelsee's new boyfriend waited outside. “Sometimes the deepest passion comes from friction,” Steven Tyler said. “I saw how in love you were.” Stop it, Steven! They did have a nice Sugarland quality to their singing, both had great voices and if they make it to the Top 20 you know they'll make it a point to keep mentioning their past relationship. Then there was former Miss Teen USA Stormi Henley, who was pretty. That's it.

The first sob story came from Adrienne Beasley whose story revolved around her being adopted by her white parents. How adorable was it when her dad asked, "who's gonna pay your way?" Her cover of Lady Antebellum's "Wild Honey" was just too good, and I hope the competition isn't too much for her. She rides on hay bales for Pete's sake!

As much as I loathe him when it comes to red carpet coverage, I do like Ryan's interactions with the families of the people auditioning. After Jackie Wilson kissed her much older boyfriend, Ryan thought it was her dad and implied it was incest. Never change, Seacrest. There was good old country boy Matt Dillard, whose family has helped over 700 special needs foster children. The judges didn't seem to like him that much, but he got through. Once again, if Simon was around those would have been some stronger nos.

Even though he auditioned in Milwaukee, I decided to save this for last. 26 year old Chris Medina shared his story of the love of his life, Juliana. Two months before their wedding, she was in an accident that that left her with a traumatic brain injury. Although they never married, he still cares for her along with her mother. "I was about to make vows just two months from the accident – through thick and thin, 'til death do us part, for better or worse," he said. "What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most?" Tears. So many tears!   He auditioned with The Script's " Breakeven" and it was obvious that the judges were more interested with his story. He was good, not great (I'm going to be saying that a lot this season), but a man who sticks by his SHOULD-be wife after a life-changing accidents trumps having an average voice. He'll be getting a lot of sympathy votes.

Oh, and how funny was it when Jennifer introduced herself to Juliana? "Hi, I'm Jennifer Lopez!"...never change, Jenny.