AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11: TOP 13

AKA: THERE'S A RIBBON IN THE SKY FOR WHITNEY'S LOVE

Kristen the Yellow Lab and I want to dance with somebody!  Maybe even somebody named Sir Duke.  After all, what better to celebrate Whitney (RIP) and Stevie night on American Idol?

Here comes some cool cat looking like he's going to a Go-Go! Oh, wait. It's just Ryan.

He tell us that, this week, it will be the boys against the girls! The girls will take on the beltable ballads of the late Whitney Houston, while the boys will tackle the soulful swag of Stevie Wonder. On results night, the judges will be asked to choose between the lowest boy and lowest girl in terms of votes.  Sounds a bit more complicated than necessary but, after all, THIS is American Idol.

AMERICAN IDOL 11: ASPEN AUDITIONS

AKA: IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE 

Kristen the Yellow Lab and I are shushing!! After all, what better way to celebrate American Idol 11 auditions in Aspen, Colorado?  Wait! Who is that adorable tot on the bunny hill? Oh, it's just Ryan.

He's here to tell us that we are in Aspen, the celebrity winter playground, searching for the next superstar.  For THIS is American Idol!

The judges take a powder!

Kristen and I are ready for a lift! Bring on the first contestant!

"Promise you won't knock me off, Kristen!"

AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11: THE SAN DIEGO AUDITIONS

AKA: YOU CAN SAIL THE SEVEN SEAS!

Ship shape!

Kristen the Yellow Lab and I are shipmates!! After all, what better way to celebrate the American Idol Season 11 auditions in San Diego, California?  Anchors aweigh, mateys! For THIS is American Idol!

All hands on deck! Here comes the skipper!  Oh wait, it's just Ryan. He's here to tell us that this episode is filming on the USS Midway, an impressive yet incredibly noisy audition spot.

Three hour tours given here!

The judges arrive, topside!

"Avast ye, landlubbers!"

Steven is  wearing old-timey pilots glasses.... sort of a Red Baron on the junk.

Salty as a sailor!