American Idol

Chris Bernheisel, 24, of Fremont, Nebraska is so excited, he's going to explode with happiness flying everywhere. It's the biggest life-changing event in his life, and he believes this is his one in a million chance. Carrying a big blue shopping bag in, Simon wonders if Paula is hiding in there. Instead, Chris has brought Simon a shirt and Randy a furry dog. He wants them to feel at home. He also presents them with a bunch of pictures of him with Kelly Clarkson. Simon takes the stuffed animal for Paula and just tosses it aside. Getting back to business, Chris feels this show gives people a second chance at their dreams, as he never had the money to travel to other cities to audition. With Kelly's picture displayed prominently for inspiration, Chris sings Since You've Been Gone.

Jason Rich, 21, of Stout, Iowa, pop 500, works on a farm with his girlfriend's dad. He's thought about what it would be like to the best next American Idol, and it seems too far away like a dream. He has butterflies, yet is ready as he sings When You Say Nothing At All. Jason is breathy, but not too bad. He asks to start over, but is still forgetting his lyrics. He asks to take a breath, and Simon agrees to one more shot. He still blows it, but starts again without asking, and does much better, finally remembering the words. Randy isn't seeing star quality and Simon calls it okay. Randy votes yes, and Simon agrees to give him another shot, but promises he'll never get that shot again.

Paula finally shows up, and it's just in time for everyone else to forget the lyrics now. Perhaps they shouldn't audition for Don't Forget the Lyrics when this one doesn't work out.

Rachel Wicker, 23, of Richmond, Missouri is arm wrestling while she waits to audition, saying she was raised around guys and just loves it, even being a champion at it. She and Ryan have a go at it, and he says he obviously wouldn't let her win, as it would be embarrassing. They don't show us the end of this match, but she walks in and offers to do it with Simon as well. Putting that to the side, Rachel sings Don't Tell Me To Stop Loving You.

Sarah Whitaker, 25, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is an ex-pro wrestler. Going by the moniker Lady Morgue, she sported a British accent and goth clothes. She enjoyed being the bad guy, but she isn't sure why. The cackle, or laugh as she calls it, was her trademark. She shows Ryan one of her "light taps," which he calls "fun, as she looks like she could annihilate him with one fell swoop. Singing, though, she's all bright, light, and chipper, and Simon thinks she is summing up the whole town. He thinks she'll be singing it at the end of tonight's show. They all vote no, and Lady Morgue is done. Ryan comes in and asks why they didn't put her through, which causes an argument between him and Ryan, and the decision is made for Ryan to switch positions with Paula. He isn't sure how he should pretend to be overpaid for no work.

Samantha Sidley, 22, of Los Angeles, walks in to be judged by the new panel. She thinks she can win as she's a good singer and loves music. Singing I Don't Know Why, she doesn't do too badly. Ryan likes her voice, but wants her to work on her confidence, as he doesn't like her body moving around. Simon liked that part, though, and Paula budges in, asking since when does it matter if someone is moving around while they sing. Simon wants Paula and Ryan to switch back, and they do. Simon and Randy try to talk about how hard their job is, and Ryan claims he's going to now go back to real work. The big three put her through, and Ryan says he would have voted yes as well.

Elizabeth Erkert, 19, of Sheffield, Illinois, Denise Jackson, 17, of Madison, Wisconson, and Michael Sanfilippo, 19, of South Barrington, Illinois all make it through, all sounding great. Elizabeth can't wait to prove Simon wrong and win the show, as she says she is American's Next Top Model.

Angelica Hunt, 17, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, lives with her grandmother, as she's had issues with her parents. Her father is too strict, as he wants the best for his kids. They argued so much, she moved out. knows it hurt her dad for her to move out, as they were always best friends. She has called and left singing messages for him with is favorite song, and just wants to make him proud. Telling Simon she's nervous, he tells her to imagine Randy in a bikini. It's Celine Dion music tonight, as Angelica sings Power of Love. She had has some great runs. Randy tells her it's such a mimi, and Paula points to the lack of performance that comes with the age, yet she has a promising voice. Randy says yes, as does Paula, and Simon feels with a bit of effort, she could be really good, but he wants her to take Randy's advice and stop listening to records, creating her own sound, and get rid of the nerves. Ryan calls her dad for her, then puts her on the phone as she tells him she's going to Hollywood.

Wanting a little of Chris Daughtry fame, the rockers seem to be out there this time, wanting their chance. David Cook, 24, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a a bartender and musician. He watched Chris' audition, trying to see how he made it, hoping to do the same. He looks, though, like a combination of Chris and Blake Lewis. He thinks his friends would want the best for him auditioning. As David sings Livin' On a Prayer, he isn't bad. He definitely sounds more like Chris than Blake. Simon tells in that other than being worthy, it was good. Randy agrees but wants him to work on the performance and move. They all vote yes, and he's through.

John Escamilla, 18, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, wears a gold lamé jacket and thinks he's one of the weirdest guys around. He doesn't think anyone has seen anything like him before. When he walks in for his audition, Paul interrupts with a huge hiccup. A full time student and part time zoo worker, he sings Shout, and starts great, but once he gets moving and singing, he takes it downhill. One good thing, is it clears Paula's hiccups. Simon tells him it was everything he hated, from the jacket to the singing, to the dancing. Simon's glad to hear he doesn't get paid to sing and only volunteers. Everyone passes on him, and he's done.

For the group signaling tonight, we have Stuck In the Middle With You by Stealer's Wheel. Simon rudely drinks through his straw loudly as a guy singing with a shower scrubber in his bathrobe sings.

Leo Marlowe, 23, Charlotte, Iowa, is the last audition of the day and says his mom always said she raised the perfect homecoming queen, and it's a shame it wasn't one of her daughters. He sings A Song For You, he's does pretty well. Simon tells him what he likes about him is that he not only has a good voice, but is very open. He votes yes, as do the others, and Leo starts to cry a little, then says he needs a hug or something, and gets one from Paula, with handshakes from the other two.

Omaha ends up sending nineteen people on to Hollywood