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.

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