It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee were battling it out vocally for the 2006 title of American Idol but I guess that after all these months of nothing on TV, there has still been plenty of Idol going on. From Kellie Pickler, Taylor Hicks and Chris Daughtry's album releases to Jennifer Hudson's Golden Glod winning performance in DreamGirls, there's certainly been plenty of Idol to talk about.

Now that the show is back on, it's time to follow the 2007 contestant's journey through the competition to the Grand Final to find out who will be crowned the sixth American Idol. But before that happens, of course we need to endure some of America's worst talent before the good stuff gets to shine.

Join us as we follow the journey of this years contestants:

Together, we've created a phenomenon. Together, we've changed lives and discovered remarkable talent. Together, we discovered the original Idol [Kelly Clarkson] and watched her flourish. Our very own Jennifer Hudson is creating Oscar Buzz. Your votes created a country superstar [Carrie Underwood]. You made Kellie Pickler a household name. you made Chris Daughtry's first release the fast selling debut rock album ever. You caught McPheever and turned Katharine into America's sweetheart. Over 100 #1 CD's. The Season Finale is stuff of Legend. And we're doing it all over again.

It's the dawn of a new season. The biggest and best yet. Seven Cities and over 100,000 auditions. We saw the largest crowds ever and the numbers were astonishing. The contestants filled stadiums. We held the biggest auditions in the world, for the #1 show in the world. Simon, Randy and Paula are back on a mission to find the best. Once again is time for the triumph. And it's time for the disappointment. We'll journey together, from one hundred thousand to one. Who will be the one to win your vote? Who will be the one to make America fall in love again? Who will be the next American Idol?

It certainly wont be the wailing cowgirl! Roll the credits...

We take a recap of last years' Grand finale where Prince electrified the stage in front of an audience in excess of 40 million viewers and Ryan tells us that after that performance, what better way to start the auditions than in Prince's home town of Minneapolis, MN. When the auditions rocked up there were 10,000 ready and waiting.

Joining Simon, Randy and Paula on the judging panel for this leg of the journey is acclaimed popstarJewel. In the land of Prince, few artists have earned the right to be known by just one name. Jewel is one of them. She's sold more than 20 million albums in America alone and has had hits such as You Were Meant for Me, Who Will Save Your Soul and Foolish Games. She's also just released her sixth album, Goodbye Alice in Wonderland.

First up to meet Jewel is her biggest fan - a very emotionally nervous #33934 Jessica Rhode, 21 from Cottage Grove, MN singing one of Jewel's big hits, You Were Meant for Me. She's very nasally and it sounds so affected. Simon said it was just like listening to the record. Randy says no. As does Jewel, Paula and Simon. Jessica breaks down and cries and Simon says he doesn't want to patronise her. Outside her family console her but she's a blubbering mess. As she leaves, they play a song of Jewel's new album - Good Day.

After the ad break, Ryan asks whether the twin cities will bring us twice the talent or twice the torture. There is only one way to find out.

Making an interesting appearance to the show this year is Troy Benham, 24 from Sarona, WI - #31336. An Urban Amish guy who doesn't have a TV in his home, has never seen American Idol before, doesn't know the judges and has no expectations. He sings You Can Be Mean To Me and sounds terrible. Simon is confused as to why he's even auditioned. Troy was never going to be the next American Idol and never were these people:

#29441: singing Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take the Wheel.
#33562: attempting to imitake Katharine McPhee's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
#29425: he won't be the next Constantine Maroulis either.

#29531: Jesse Holloway, 19 from Gary, IN rambles a lot about something and then claims he can hit big notes like Mariah Carey and has a nice range for a guy. He's singing My Heart Will Go On. The only thing this reminds me of is the sinking ship in the blockbuster movie. How many key changes can one song have? Midway through his woeful audition he asks if he can go get some water cause he's really nervous before he just walks out. The judges are left scratching their heads. Why does someone leave in the middle of their audition. He gets right back into it but it's no better - surprize surprize. Ok.. funs over. Shut him up now. Paula says she can't take it. Simon asks why he came back in the room. He sings Don't Stop Til you Get Enough. Finally they get to the vote. It's a no all round. Outside we get the typical rant about how the judges know nothing. *YAWN*

Next up is #29212: Charles Moody, 26 from Brookly, NY. He's dressed up as Apollo Creed in a stars and stripes hat and robe, complete with boxing gloves. He's singing an Italian operatic number before the judges tell him the song is kicking his butt and ask for something else. He gives them Josh Groban's When You Say You Love Me but it's just not up to scratch. Simon is beginning to wonder what's going on. They're all a little confused.

Outside is a real fighter. Born as a crack baby, #33405 Denise Jackson, 16 from Madison, WI has a real story. Can she sing though? She walks in like a star and removes her sunglasses before breaking into Jennifer Holiday's And I'm Telling you I'm Not Going. She's a bit of a shouter but there's some good potential for the first time this series. Simon likes her attitude. Randy says yes. As does Jewel. And Paula. She's the first one through.

As a bit of a piss take, we see a segment called "The American Idol Appeal".

There is a condition that affects thousands of people. It can strike at any time. It can leave you broken, and alone. It is called, forgetting your words and really screwing up. It's a tragedy but with your help these poor, poor people can survive. Unless, their name is Tashawn Moore.

#31524: Tashawn Moore, 27 from Minneapolis, MN is about to sing Kiss but you just know she's about to forget her words. And screw up her audition she does. Do we feel embarrassed for her. Unlikely. It's uncomfortable. It's pathetic. Yet it's still going. She tries and tries and tries but she sounds ghastly anyway. Eventually she finishes. Simon just asks the group for a verdict.

Now, we have to notice that every single person who has left the room as gone straight for the left hand door. That door is locked and leaves the judges telling every single person "The other door". It's pretty funny.

#31572: Perla Meneses, 25 from Margate, FL is a cute Latino who hits on Ryan before her audition. She's been in America since she was 15 and wants to chase the American Idol dream. She's singing Blondie's Call Me. It's ok but a little flat in places. Randy says she likes Shakira and would like to hear some of that so she sings Hips Don't Lie. Randy liked that better and thinks she's spunky. Jewel thinks she's cute and perky but in the middle as far as the talent is concerned. The verdict is that the second song was better. She get's the vote and she's through.

#25958: Matthew Volna, 25 from Elk River, MN is a cowboy hat toting guy who reckons he has what none of the other contestants have. Pizazz! Right!

The guys just keep getting worse. #27265 Kah'reem Copeland, 25 from Providence, RI sings Suddenly. #31003 , Alex someone makes some weird noises before being ejected from the room by Simon. Ryan tells us it's time to send in the Navy.

#33632 Jarrod Fowler, 27 from Peoria, AZ is an Intelligence Specialist on the USS Ronald Reagan won Reagan Idol sings
God Bless the Broken Road. He's a little animated but he can sing. As we start talking to I notice the Apollo Creed look alike sitting in the background with the other contestants waiting to go in. Obviously this is filmed out of sequence.

Simon thinks people will like him so it's a yes from him. Everyone else chimes in with a yes but warns him about his pitchiness and trilling but he's through.

#27619 Rakel Garcia, 26 from Minneapolis, MN sings fever. Well.. it makes me sick anyway. Simon says it was Juvenile, Tuneless, Mediocre and Horrible.

I'm not sure whether this is what #27336 Trista Giese, 22 from Brainerd, MD actually sang for her audition or whether it was actually what the producers cut as it sounds as if they asked her to perfrom something from The Wizard of Oz. In anycase, there's no yellow brick road to Hollywood for her.

#29017 Stephen Horst, 28 from New York, NY is a vocal coach who is wanting a golden ticket but he wont be getting one. He's singing Aerosmith's I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Simon jokes that he thinks we've had one or two of his pupils in today. Randy thinks it was wild and wonders why he chose that song. Randy didn't like it at all. Paula thought there was too much vibrato. Jewel thought it was too musical theatre. Randy says he shouldn't be a vocal teacher. He doesn't like the tone and thinks it's hideous. Simon is amazed at Randy's rudeness and audacity. It's a no and he's off to complain.

#33020 Michelle Steingas, 19 from Excelsior, MN is up next with If this is Love. It's a little flat but Jewel liked it. Randy liked it once she got going. Simon liked it because she's confident without being overly precocious. It's a yes all round so she'll be joining the throng heading to Hollywood.

Next up is #35413 Dayna Dooley, 27 from Inglewood, CA who has been flown to Minneapolis by her boss since she didn't get through her audition in Pasadena. (Is it me or is that the second "out of sequence" point this episode) Simon makes some rude jokes about her boss "flying" her. She sings Tell Me Something Good but it's not really that good. Especially considering the effort made to get here. They reckon Minneapolis is rubbing off on this California girl. They didn't like it and she's shocked. She brings in her boss. It turns out he's a genuine nice guy. She sings fever to her boss and she's much better. Everyone is saying no and she's upset but Paula shames them for being rude about her boss. They reckon she's in love with her boss.

#25077 Matt Sato, 16 from Maplewood, MN tells us that his parents aren't very supportive of him because performing costs so much yet he's here anyway. If he makes it to the finals, you can be assured this will be an good story of the 'Parents who came around'. He's singing California Dreaming and it's not half bad. Simon says he has something and has a very mature voice. Jewel was impressed, as was Randy who would like to seem him relax a little but everyone tells him he's through to Hollywood. Outside on the phone, he tells his mom who is proud of his achievement. He then breaks down and starts to cry. Must be time for an ad break to compose ourselves for the next segment. *sniff sniff*

#33062 Rachel Jenkins, 21 from Minnetonka, MN is an Army Reservist who's husband is in Baghdad at the moment. She's singing Hi Eye is on the Sparrow and starts off well but seems to fade toward the end. No matter, they all love her so she's the second military representative to make it through to Hollywood.

#35590 Sarah Krueger, 19 from Eau Claire, WI is next auditioning with Somewhere Over the Rainbow and one can't help thinking this sounds a lot like Katharine McPhee's audition last year. The judges think she has a warmth and is refreshing. She was a bit too much of the same for me. Cute, but she seriously needs someone to style that mop of hair on her head.

So Minneapolis hasn't been too successful. There was however, Idol's biggest fan -or so they tell us. She's watched every season of American Idol and watches every other series including Canadian Idol and Australian Idol - anyone else thinking she must have a Bit Torrent Client on her computer? Oh look, there's the Amish guy in the background! Out of sequence spot number 3!

There's also #31223 Jason Anderson, 16 from Burnsville, MN who is singing [whatever!] an old Michael W Smith song, Somebody Love Me. He's wearing a red tshirt with "Mean people suck" on it but that doesn't stop Simon telling him that his performance has pretty much summed up Minneapolis - useless at everything, even the juggling was pathetic. Randy says he'd be perfect for America's Got Talent. He then tells them he can dance. He can't. Outside he's all "I've never felt so insulted in my life". He's all cry baby outside.Ryan tries to console him that perhaps he should be doing something else but he's not interested.

#33052 Brenna Kyner, 24 from South Holland, IL is the overly avid Idol watcher who finally gets her shot in front of the judges. She tells them that she is original when Simon asks if she really thinks she can win American Idol. She wails through Under Pressure and Simon hated it. She seems gutted that it's a no. She fights and says that she has a degree in vocal performance.

Next up we have a tribute to Minneapolis' favourite son - Prince. We see a bunch of contestants singing Kiss. Randy says "Prince will never be on this show again man".

#27186 Josh Flom, 20 from Chisago City, MN claims to be a bit of a rocker and launches into Fuel's Bad Day. He sounds like he's got something stuck in his throat. Randy isn't sure. Simon says that he wants him to go away and come back in 15 minutes and sing an Abba song to see how he would cope with the genres. Josh agrees and says he's not going to disappoint them. Outside he tries to find someone who knows an Abba song. He settles on Dancing Queen but it all sounds the same. He then offers some Barry Manilow. They are concerned about him straining his voice. Simon is concerned that he's too one dimensional. It's a no but Simon tells him that he'll be happy about it in a years time.

From 10,000 in the stadium, only 17 made it through to Hollywood. Next stop on the Audition tour: Seattle