Freda Payne, Thelma Houston, K.C. Casey on American Idol

Freda Payne, who I've never heard of, shows up to perform "Since You've Been Gone." [Note: Freda actually sang "Band of Gold" -- thanks to Mary Brewster for the correction in comments]. She seems old... it's a subpar performance, vocally doesn't seem to be in sync with the band, and is out of breath for most of it. Wow, this is pretty bad, actually.

Thelma Houston up next, in a too-small yellow dress to sing "Don't Leave Me This Way." I feel bad for both of them--I mean, we've had Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West on this stage, all performers at the peak of their game. They can't help but look bad and weird by comparison; Thelma's a bit better, but it's still awkward and makes me cringe to watch.

Harry Wayne “KC” Casey, without his Sunshine Band, is up next, in a ridiculously loud red shirt. He also looks ancient and out-of-shape, clumps around on stage with a vocally-weak "Get Down Tonight."I don't know what kind of money their record companies paid American Idol to get on the show tonight, but that was just ridiculous.I have no idea why Fox thinks the audience is going to put up with a sideshow like this; it's part of their pattern of sabotaging the show with really bone-headed, random decisions. Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta will be performing live. Aside from last year's winner David Cook, Archuleta is certainly the next most anticipated alumnus from Season 7 to appear on the show this season. More on Archie in a separate post to come soon.

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Katrina Darrell - American Idol Bikini Girl Pictures

‘American Idol’ is back, as Season 8 premieres tonight! David Archuleta, Season 7 runner-up, told me in an interview last night he can’t wait to tune in!Archuleta hinted that he might be interested in returning to the show as a mentor, because he knows just how the contestants feel. He also says Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks inspired him during his run on the show.

FOX News crews in Los Angeles interviewed judge Randy Jackson last night. He says he saw great talents in Salt Lake City, Kansas City and in Puerto Rico. Plus, the new fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, stopped by FOX News headquarters in New York last week to give us a sneak peek at the show. She told us about one of the hopefuls we’ll see on tonight’s premiere.

“We call her bikini girl because she came in in a bikini which she looked amazing in, but this wasn’t a Coppertone commercial, this was a singing competition. And it’s really difficult to judge someone in a bikini and take seriously what they were singing.”Katrina Darrell, American Idol's Bikini Girl -- who would have stole the show if it wasn't for Scottt MacIntyre -- is from California, so chances are she's not that girl you made out with after a crazy night at Pussycat Lounge.

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