In its eighth season, American Idol decided to make some changes to the audition weeks. In my opinion, it was exactly the right thing to do. Overdue even, but at least they got to it this time round. Less footage of the sad thousands who come along hoping to "live the dream," often bringing entire entourages of family and friends, all of whom have encouraged them, often for years, by telling them they're the next Whitney or Britney when in fact, as they go on to prove, all they are is Shitney.

In their case, less is most definitely more. And in fact, after all these years (not quite eight, because I didn't start watching Idol until the season - three I think - when Fantasia won) even the limited footage we've seen of the squealing and squawking hasn't been that entertaining for me. I'd be the first to admit I used to laugh like a drain. Now? Well, I guess it's like hearing a comedian tell the same joke over and over. After a while it's not funny any more. What can I tell you? I don't even laugh now when Del Boy falls through the bar.

They've cut back on the sob stories too, although we had a couple last night. Somebody's dad died, I think. I wasn't really paying attention. That's the trouble really: it all morphs into one.

The good singers are still good though, even if I'm finding it increasingly hard to tell what the judges are looking for. Some I thought sang well were panned for not being "current" enough, while others who screeched almost as painfully as the one before them were treated as if they'll be the next Bruce Springsteen. Last year, I convinced myself I was down with the vibe. This year, I can't even get down off the sofa. Maybe it's incipient arthritis.

So after a mercifully brief canter through the audition rounds, which saw woefully few candidates - often in single digits - spew out of the sausage machine from the thousands who entered in each city, at least now we can take the fingers from our ears and relax a little. From here on in, the singing should at least be bearable. Hollywood, here we come!!

Next week's UK coverage:
American Idol: ITV2, Thursday 5 February, 8pm (1 hour)
American Idol: ITV2, Friday 6 February, 9pm (1 hour)