A quartet of hopefuls stood out on last night's American Idol.

Here's a rundown of who impressed our staff the most in Louisville:

• Joanna Pacitti: Signed to Geffen Records in 2006, released a failed album, released from label in 2007. Sang “We Belong” by Pat Benetar. Grew emotional when judges voted her through to the next round.

• Brent Keith Smith: From Blanchester, OH. Sang “Can’t Get Enough” by Bad Company. Simon eventually relented and all four judges approved him for Hollywood.

• Felicia Barton: Sang "Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae. Hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

• Leneshe Young: Grew up in and out of homeless shelters. An 18-year old from Cincinnati. Sang an original song and grew tremendous praise from all judges, even Simon and Kara. Watch audition clip below.

Sorry, San Francisco.

We love your city, but we weren't impressed by your American Idol hopefuls last night. Here's a rundown of the aspiring singers that were approved for Hollywood:

Tatiana Del Toro: A 22-year old singer/actress from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Belted out “Never Loved a Man” by Aretha Franklin. This look kept on interrupting Simon by breaking into song, which must have entertained the other three judges. They gave her a golden ticket.

Kai Kalama: 26, pictured. A musician from San Clemente, CA that sang “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” by the Platters. Vocal talent not nearly as impressive as his personal story: he has given up his dreams to take care of his sick mother.

Jesus Valenzula: 29 years old, fleet manager from North Highlands, CA. Chose “Nice and Slow” by Usher. Simon instantly said no, but he was overruled by the other three judges again. It's almost like they do that just to have fun.

John Twiford: Has potential. 27, a music teacher from Sherman Oaks, CA. Sang “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder.

Allison Iraheta: Only 16 years old, a high school student from Los Angeles, CA. sang “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin. Didn't see much of her.

Raquel Houghton: Ex-girlfriend of comedian Dane Cook. A waitress/bartender from Los Angeles who sang “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield.

Adam Lambert: Sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Looks like Pete Wentz on Halloween. 26 years old, stage actor from Hollywood, CA.

This just in: season eight contestant Katrina Darrell used her breasts to garner public attention prior to her debut as American Idol's bikini girl last week.

The 21-year-old from California was recently fired from a West Covina, California branch of Hooters, according to Radar Online. The reason? She repeatedly left during the middle of a shift. Let's hope she doesn't do that during Hollywood week!

“All Katrina ever talked about was becoming famous,” a friend said. “Her one aim in life was to make it in Hollywood.”

So far, so good for Darrell. Think she'll make it far on American Idol?

Without a doubt, Lil Rounds had the best voice of any opening week contestant on American Idol.

But Karina Darrell, and her bikini, made the biggest impression on viewers.

Aside from her wardrobe decision, Darrell mixed it up with new judge Kara Dioguardi. On Ryan Seacrest's radio show yesterday, the latter defended the tiff she got into with Katrina over the contestant's rendition of "Vision of Love."

Are you on Team Kara or Team Katrina?

"I love pretty girls," Dioguardi said. "The thing with bikini girl — to be honest, I thought she had a better body than she had a better face.... To her credit, she's gotten so much attention. It was probably a good call to wear the bikini at the end of the day. But we wouldn't be talking about the bikini if she killed the song."

Kara added:

"Of course, I want a pretty girl [on the show], but I'm not just looking for a pretty girl; I'm looking for an incredible voice, great stage presence. I'm a big champion of women. I’m not the kind of woman who’s going to drag a woman down."

Casey Carlson has captured our attention for two reasons:

1. She showed off impressive vocal chops with her rendition of "A Thousand Miles" on last night's American Idol;
2. She has also shown off her bikini body in a calendar whose profits go toward breast cancer awareness.

The Minnesota native posed for Campus Girls USA, an organization that combines breasts with breast cancer. It's a great, charitable idea.

Here's a look at one of Casey's calendar pictures.

Casey Carlson has moved on to Hollywood. Expect her to be a fan favorite.

Last night's season eight premiere of American Idol drew 30.1 million viewers. Here's a closer look at its ratings.

Still Going Strong: With 30.1 million viewers, per Nielsen estimates, the show's eighth-season debut was the night's - and the season-to-date's - number one telecast.

Good or Bad? Compared to the seventh-season premiere, American Idol was off 10 percent, which is approximately the standard decline for even TV's most successful shows these days. Compared to last May's David Cook-crowning finale, the series was down 5 percent.

Where Did It Rank Historically? Tuesday's was the fifth-biggest, or, if you prefer, the fourth-smallest, premiere in show history. It goes down as the franchise's fifth straight premiere with at least 30 million viewers.

Free Tip for Idol Contestants: Work the cougar vote. No demographic watched the show in greater numbers than women 25-54.

After two hours worth of American Idol auditions, we don't think we've seen the next Daughtry or Carrie Underwood.

Still, here are the contestants that impressed us the most last night:

• Emily Wynne-Hughes: From Los Angeles, sang “Barracuda” by Heart
• Stevie Wright: From Phelen, CA, sang “At Last” by Etta James
• Katrina Darrell: From Chino Hills, CA, sang “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey
• Deanna Brown: From Louisville KY, sang “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
• Alex Wagner Thugman: From Studio City, CA, sang “Baby Come to Me” by James Ingram
• Arianna Afsar: From San Diego, CA, sang “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Bailey Rae

Click on the images below for a series of audition pics from last night's American Idol season premiere:

We'll have plenty more on the eighth season premiere of American Idol as the day goes on.

Before we get to the initial round of contestants, though, we wanna know your thoughts on the show's new judge:

What grade would you give the debut of Kara DioGuardi?

We shouldn't have to tell any loyal reader this... but American Idol premieres tonight!

How will new judge Kara Dioguardi come across? Which auditions will be blow our respective socks off, and which will result in total train wrecks? How much sexual tension will exist between Simon and Paula? Or between Simon and Ryan?

Visit our site everyday for the latest American Idol pics, videos and opinions!

We can't wait to go along for the most exciting ride on reality television once again. Won't you come with us?!?

Kara DioGuardi admits it wasn't easy joining American Idol as the show's fourth judge.

"It was a little unnerving," the songwriter told reporters during a press call Thursday. "I didn't know where I was going to sit and when I was going to speak."

However, DioGuardi said she's slowly finding where she fits among Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

"I would say that Paula has a lot of heart. I would say that Simon pretty much tells it like it is. Sometimes he can be pretty harsh, but he's usually right," she said. "And Randy? He's the diplomat."

As for Kara?

"I don't mince words, but I do have a heart."