In 2002, a little summer replacement series called "American Idol" debuted on Fox. The show proved to be a smashing success, and returned the next January for another round. Since then, the show has completed two more seasons, and is about to kick off Season Five. Through it all, Donna Reynolds, a freelance journalist, has been watching and writing a weekly column for Foxes on Idol, one of the top ranked reality TV websites in the world. Her weekly "Idol Thoughts" column has been read by fans from as far away as Singapore, and she has built a career around writing about this show. This book documents the third season of the show, one of Donna's favorites. That was the season that George Huff emerged as an unlikely Idol, returning from elimination to go on to take fifth place. That was also the year of the "three divas," JPL, and a whole lot of controversy. Relive that entire exciting and dramatic season through Donna's sometimes jaded and always humorous words. Donna Reynolds is a freelance writer with a peculiar affection for all things "Idol!" She started watching the show during the first season, and began writing articles for the Foxes on Idol website in April 2003. Since then, she has become somewhat of an authority on the subject, writing numerous essays, articles, and reviews of the show and its contestants. She has met several of the Idols, including Bo Bice (shown with Donna at left). Donna's first book, Idol Thoughts: Season Three, is a collection of her columns from the third season of the show. She will be publishing her columns from the fourth season this winter, and is working on her first novel. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband, two dogs, and cat, and is currently employed as a technical writer for an area research and development company. January 26: The Auditions Self-proclaimed American Idol addict Donna is thrilled that her favorite show is back on the air. So why is she feeling disappointed with the show right now? American Idol is back and I couldn t be happier. It s been eight months since the season finale, and while there has certainly been a lot to watch with last year s finalists, I have really missed my Idol Tuesdays. The success of both Ruben and Clay has given this show a lot more credibility and I predict that even more people will get on board this time around. The ratings so far bear this out. 29.3 million people watched the show last Wednesday, making American Idol the most watched television show of the 2003-2004 season. I do have an issue with these audition shows, however. Is it just me, or are there far more bad auditions than there were the last time around? I realize that this is part of the process, and we are supposed to be watching, trying to spot people who have potential to go all the way. But how can we possibly do this if all they are going to show us is a handful of the people who are chosen to go to Hollywood? Twenty-nine people advanced from New York, but all we saw were six of them. I feel a little bit cheated. My friends tell me that I am taking this way too seriously. "Lighten up," they advise. And I tried, really I did. But as I watched last week, I couldn t help but feel that we are being manipulated. The truth is, these auditions consist of a number of rounds. Initially, all the contestants line up in three rows and sing in front of a table of three judges. These judges select the contestants who will advance to the next round. From there, they go through to more senior production staff, and only those who make it past the second round get to perform for Randy, Paula and Simon. Come on now. It is impossible that anyone as horrendous as Fookling Lee from Houston or Jacqueline Roman (Scat Girl) from New York could have ever been considered as a serious contender. Obviously, the people making the selections are looking not only for people who can sing, but also for the worst possible singers they can find. And while some of these people are amusing, there comes a point when it is overdone. Sting7 uncovered one such auditioner, Kristen Powell, who was a plant from a Miami radio station. This is a total waste of everyone s time. Sure, it might have been fun for the perpetrators, but for the rest of us, this ruse cheated us out of seeing someone good. Maybe my friends are right. I do need to lighten up! At some point, I know that I will appreciate these auditions and watch them again, chortling with delight at the first sighting of someone who has reached the finals. Look at how valuable Clay s audition tape has become. I look forward to sharing my thoughts here each week. American Idol is a phenomenon, and I am grateful to have someplace where I can express my opinions! I look forward to the experience.