American Idol Hollywood Week Day 1 Recap - First Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres debuted on American Idol 9 tonight. It's the beginning of a new era! Personally, I loved it. Ellen's comments were very refreshing. I feel that she's a bit like Simon Cowell in that she is honest: Honest with a sense of humor as compared to Simon's honesty with sarcasm. Let Ryan Seacrest do the contestant patronizing. The show I believe definitely became more "family oriented" with Ellen on board. I really look forward to this season with her. This is going to be a great season.

As for the contestants, WOW. The girls are really bringing it this year and almost everyone who were featured tonight and made it to the next round played instruments (well the guitar mostly).

Stand-outs for me included: Andrew Garcia who sang "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul. This is one of the best Hollywood Week performances ever. Katie Stevens opened the show -- and I think the season is hers to lose at this point -- but you'll never know what the voters want every year. I also liked Haeley Vaughn - who caught me by surprise because she is not the "black diva" we were expecting: she's a pop country singer! I like that. And of course, Didi Benami who is my muse this season. I think she's wonderful - I have not felt love for a contestant like this since Fantasia Barrino.

You can view all the auditions here

Oh and one more thing: Coke is out. Vitamin Water is in. Nooooo! And that is my only complaint from tonight's show. I really loved it.