American Idol still kicked ass in the ratings with its Tuesday airing of the San Diego auditions. Not quite the same amount of ass the show has kicked in the past, though—Idol lost 10 percent off last year's numbers. The planted, standard-issue pretty semi-pro singers didn't matter. Neither did the pranksters or the haters. But at least somebody is catching on to the con, somewhere.

Oddly enough, AI's Wednesday night offering, an audition episode from Charleston, South Carolina, was almost entertaining. Contestant DeAnna Prevatte, with her unforgettable bunny-boiling glare, proved more successful at being scary than anything else. Comic relief came from Michelle Lampkin and brother Jeffery (he of the necktied dome), who entered the audition like twin Grimaces in search of the Hamburglar. The Lampkins lightened things up with infectious energy and wit. Brother and sister were put through to Hollywood as a pair, mostly on the strength of Jeffery's robust, soulful tenor.

Viewers were lulled into thinking a romance begun on via online Idol forums between Crystal Ortiz and Randy Stark would lead to a Hollywood fairy tale, until the pair proved that as singers, they were better off posting on message boards. Folks who took any advice Stark supposedly gave out on AI boards about auditioning should start asking for their money back.

Simon Cowell has been portrayed as a bit of a pussycat for the beginning of Season 7, and this may be yet another reason the show seems dead in the water. There was a flash of the old Simon after he heard oh-so-precious Tennessee teen Amy Flynn, a proud and vocal proponent of sexual abstinence. Quoth Simon: "A lot of people are going to find you annoying, Amy." Fang-marks from Mr. Nasty notwithstanding, the tiny-voiced cheerleader was inexplicably sent to Hollywood.

In Joshua Boson, AI had its first memorable whacko of the season. Boson's anger at his rejection from the competition was palpable. As he ranted about the "fake, and rigged" nature of the show, Boson managed to level a criticism that seemed to sting even Simon Cowell. He had no business singing in public for anyone, but it's just plain fun to let the crazy man have the last word on Idol Charleston.