American Idol 2010 | Season 9

There's a new judge in town, and, yes, Ellen DeGeneres' debut next to Simon, Kara and Randy on tonight's 'American Idol' was so delightful that we almost forgot who she was replacing.

We'd be reminded during the first night of season nine's Hollywood rounds when 24-year-old dad Andrew Garcia wowed everyone (and easily made his way to the next round) with his awesome, stripped down, acoustic version of pop star -- and, of course, the 'AI' judge Ellen replaces -- Paula Abdul's 'Straight Up.'

But consider us wowed by Ellen, who brought playful humor, generous praise where due and, as she had promised, a dash of brutal honesty when it was called for during the evening's auditions.

Hollywood Week on 'American Idol' is off and running, as hopefuls gathered at the Kodak Theatre to learn whether they'd be moving forward or packing to go home. The judges seemed happy to finally be in Tinseltown, and new judge Ellen DeGeneres joined the group, as well.

Here are our top five moments from the auditions tonight. All of these singers are moving on in the competition.

Watch the videos after the jump.

Is Howard Stern the chosen one to replace Simon Cowell on 'American Idol?' According to the NY Post, yes.

In a report published today, a source claims that Fox has talked to the satellite radio king about joining the highly rated reality series, knowing that his Sirius XM Radio contract expires in January.

"They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants. 'Idol' will do what it takes to sign him," the source said.

But in the latest twist, a "source close to the show" is now telling EW.com that "the search has just begun, nor are there any front-runners at this time." The source went on to say that "nobody's going to be offered a job [as a permanent 'Idol' judge] for a while. We're doing a very thorough search."

Stern's reps have not commented on the rumor.

After nine inspiring, crazy, unpredictable seasons on the air, the only thing certain is that even an appearance on 'American Idol' can launch you toward off-the-charts success.

For a performer of any kind to make it to Broadway, though, you need more in your quiver than arrows pointing to image or personality. You need the solid, confident, cultivated talent that not only catapults a song across the footlights, but the chops to do it eight times a week. Acting ability, imagination, perseverance -- these are all key. The 'Idol' contestants and winners who have starred on the Great White Way know this. After all, if you've survived week after week, facing and conquering new musical challenges over and over, you're probably in good enough shape to make Broadway your home.

Quite a few 'Idol' favorites have come to the New York stage. Some stay for months, eating up the adoration of fans. Some are jazzed by the rigor of playing a role night after night. Some job in for a spell, then spearhead national tours, able to sing for the public wherever they live. However they do it, performing on Broadway is a mark of pride and distinction for nine 'Idol' favorites -- with the 10th set to arrive, we hope, later this year.<

Thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, we have our first sneak peek of Ellen DeGeneres assuming her seat at the 'American Idol' judges' table for Hollywood Week.

Paula Abdul's departure and Ellen's hiring has garnered a lot of buzz for season 9 of 'Idol,' but will she be up to the task? Check out the video after the jump and tell us what you think!

If you want to get screen time during the 'American Idol' audition episodes, you need to either a) suck, or b) have a great voice. That's the conventional wisdom, anyway.

But of course, the contestants who REALLY get the spotlight are the ones with interesting backgrounds ... and more often that not, "interesting backgrounds" means sob stories.

It's hard to forget the endless tales of woe we've heard through the years: single parents, contestants with diseases, contestants with KIDS with diseases, orphans, gang members, folks who've never been on a plane. These days, it's not enough to be a good singer -- you have to be a good singer who cries. Or makes the judges cry. One reach for the hankie, and boom! Golden ticket.

Adrian Chandtchi's performance during tonight's 'American Idol' audition episode was a perfect study in contrasts.

Chandtchi, a hulking, 6-foot, 8-inch giant of a man, sang 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis Presley in a high, lilting voice and described himself as a "beautiful man-flower" about to blossom "beautiful, big petals."

Watch Adrian's audition after the jump.

Didi Benami said of her 'American Idol' audition, "This is my one shot." She was there to honor the memory of her best friend and biggest supporter, Rebecca, who died four years earlier.

With her emotions raw, she nailed The Beatles' "Hey Jude." With a hint of Norah Jones mellow cool style and a flair of her own personality, Didi took a monumental song and made it into something her own. As soon as she was finished, her emotions got the better of her and she burst into tears.

Watch Didi's audition after the jump.

"Big Mike" stood out from the crowd immediately. The 26-year old personal trainer has a simply massive physique. The question was whether Michael Lynche's voice was as big as his body. He arrived at the 'American Idol' auditions with his expectant wife, having just discovered they were going to have a baby girl.

Many contestants have attempted to tackle The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody," but few have captured the emotional resonance of the original as Big Mike did -- with ease. Randy Jackson summed it up succinctly: "You can definitely sing," he told Big Mike.

Watch Michael's audition after the jump.

Hope Johnson grew up really poor. So poor, in fact, that she used to take the food from her school lunch tray home to give to her brother.

But she has a great attitude about life. "There's always tomorrow, and things are always gonna be better," she said. "There's a lot worse things than just going without."

The 19-year-old waitress/bartender from Arlington, Texas, sang 'I Hope You Dance' at her 'American Idol' audition, and the judges loved it. "There's something very interesting about you and your tone," Kara DioGuardi said.

Watch Hope's audition after the jump.

With talent abounding in Denver, tonight's 'American Idol' auditions saw far more talent than duds -- admittedly a welcome change of pace! Standouts were Danelle Hayes' tear-jerking performance (for once it was the performance and not the melodramatic backstory making us cry!), as well as alleged Jack Black twinner, Mark Labrioloa. And what about sad little Bikini Boy? Well, don't feel too bad for him: #bikiniboy was trending on Twitter faster than you can say "A million percent yes." While you're at it, have a helping of this scrumptious sampling of other Denver 'Idol' Twitter tasties:

Remember Megan Joy Corkrey from last year's 'American Idol'? Remember the girl who was sitting next to her when Megan was chosen to move forward on the show? That was Lacey Brown, and she didn't give up!

The 23-year-old church choir director from Amarillo, Texas, is back this year, and just as determined as ever, even though she was eliminated from the Top 50 last year.

"It was disappointing at the moment, but something inside of me said, 'This isn't the end of the road for you,'" she said. "Immediately I knew. People are going to tell me no all the time. You can't just take no's and live by 'em. You've gotta turn 'em into yeses."

Watch Lacey's audition after the jump.