On Tuesday, January 18th, 2005, American Idol Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson together with guest judge, Mark McGrath, brought families back together in front of the television to witness the beginning of a music career for at least one of 100,000 contestants. Together we watched and listened to a selection of both good and many bad performers as they attempted to sing there way to Hollywood on the premiere of American Idol IV.

In the beginning of American Idol, there was Kelly Clarkson.

Clarkson launched her singing career after becoming the first American Idol three years ago.

In Week One, upon releasing her first album Thankful, Clarkson sold 297,000 records. Her Breakaway album sold 250,000 copies in the first week and has since gone "platinum".

Last week, Clarkson's Breakaway captured #10 in the Billboard Top Ten, after selling more than 66,000 copies.

Then, there was Ruben Studdard.

Studdard won American Idol II beating out Clay Aiken in the most memorable finale-to-date.

Studdard's first album, Soulful sold 417,000 in the first week after its release. His second CD, I Need an Angel sold 96,000 copies in Week One.

While Aiken was the runner-up on the show, his music has had staying power. AI Season Two's first week record sales were 613,000 for Measure of a Man. His Merry Christmas With Love sold 270,000 copies. It was the biggest first week for any Christmas album since SoundScan began tabulating sales electronically in 1991. His holiday success also spawned a television show now available on DVD.

In the third season of American Idol, we watched as Fantasia Barrino, a single mother from High Point, North Carolina, beat our favorite Oakland girl, LaToya London, as well as Jennifer Hudson, and finally sixteen year-old runner-up, Diana DeGarmo.

Barrino's I Believe became a top-selling single last year. She also made Billboard history as the first artist to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 charts.

Her first CD called Free Yourself sold 240,000 copies in Week One.

In addition, the 20-year-old, Fantasia played Aretha Franklin on the TV series American Dreams. She has launched a cosmetic line via M.A.C with two new lip glosses in her honor. And she's designing pieces for the Macy's clothing line called American Rag Cie.

Meanwhile, American Idol III won this year's People’s Choice Award for best Reality Show competition.

According to Billboard, the American Idol I, II and AI III final contestants left standing at the end of each nine-month search have had no less than twenty-three hits.

One person out of 100,000 contestants this year will end up with a record contract and the beginning of a professional singing career.

In preparation for launching American Idol IV, the judges visited seven cities and auditioned 100,000 wanna-be American Idols.

Rugged Elegance has captured the essence of those featured on the first show who are now "going to Hollywood."

On Tuesday, a youth pastor originally from Plymouth Mass was the first we saw who made his way through after singing Stevie Wonder's Isn't She Lovely from his album, Songs in the Key of Life. Simon said, "You have something that Randy doesn't have. People like you." Mark McGrath said, "My mom would love you."

This American family have five does too!

Melissa Walton

Twenty-eight year-old Melissa Walton from Newport News, Virginia will be remembered for her pink Fedora hat, for her sultry rendition of America the Beautiful, and for waving her golden ticket to the world as she screamed "American Idol Baby".

Regina Brooks

Twenty-eight year-old Regina Brooks from Belpre, Ohio, sold her wedding rings in order to stay in D.C. for the audition.

Upon singing Misty by Johnny Mathis, her sacrifice paid off.

The local pawn shop gave her $200. She traded her wedding rings, rather than her karaoke machine and practice CDs, for the #34216 and a gold slip of paper that gives her the opportunity to become American Idol #4.

"A smokey, billowy voice" was the way McGrath described her sound. Regina's husband, Mark and four year-old daughter were brought into the audition room. Mark Brooks, while not thrilled that his wife was there, confirmed that he would support Regina through the competition. Impressed with Brooks' voice and emotionally invested in her story, McGrath gave Regina a "yes". He said, "I'm rooting for you."

Randy called it the most sincere story he has heard. Paula agreed.

While Simon said "no," Randy, Mark and Paula's "yes" vote got her into the next round.

On the way out of the audition room, Mark Brooks was praised as "a good man" for supporting his wife and for supporting their daughter while Regina heads to Hollywood.

After Regina's performance, she said, "It's so nice to finally have a little bit of affirmation. This means more to me than just about anything."

Of all the contestants profiled, Regina made it clear that she wants it more than anybody. And we believe her! Good luck Regina!!

Marlea Stroman

A full-time mom, twenty-one year-old, Marlea Stroman from Syracuse New York came to D.C. to "get a life."

She chose All At Once from Bonnie Raitt's Luck of the Draw album for her audition song.

Randy told her he loves her voice. Randy said, "I think you sound amazing."

"Definitely for me," Randy added when it was time to vote, as did Mark.

Mark said, "Your high register is so powerful and listenable. Sometimes, people get up there and kind of get a little squirrely. But I think it was great."

Paula said, "When you sing you command for all of us to listen to you. Definitely yes."

Marlea didn't need a fourth vote of affirmation but Simon also gave her the thumbs up along with the encouragement to inject a bit of life into her performance.

Sara Mather

Sara Mather sang Rescue Me by Aretha Franklin. Randy was pleasantly surprised by her singing. McGrath and Abdul encouraged her to tone down her moves. Paula called her voice stunning. Mark gave her "double thumbs up." Simon gave her "one thumb up" And with that off to Hollywood the daughter of British parents will go.

Anwar Robinson

Anwar Robinson, a 6th Grade Music Teacher, sang You Are The Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder.

With dreadlocks and a look that reminded Mark McGrath of Mill and Vanilli, all four judges were taken by Robinson's performance.

Randy was impressed by Anwar's ability to sing the melody.

Mark called him a star.

And Simon not only called him "terrific" but "pure."

Constantine Maroulis

Constantine Maroulis, the lead singer in a band called Pray for the Soul of Betty sang Aerosmith's Crying.

Maroulis thought he could bring a little bit of edgy, New York Homegrown Rock & Roll to the competition.

"Rock it bro," McGrath said after Maroulis finished. Simon dissed his loudness. McGrath disagreed with Simon. Mark said that a lot of chicks would dig this guy.

Paula spoke up and said, "I'm one of them."

Randy was impressed that he left his band to be in the competition.

While Simon said, "no" the other three judges said "yes." Since three in favor votes carry the decision, Constantine is going to Hollywood.

Unfortunately, the boys in Constantine's band, especially his drummer, were not particularly supportive of Maroulis' decision to "defect" to American Idol.

Who knows?

Perhaps the twenty-eight year-old Maroulis will help put his band on the map -- and all will win in the end.

Travis Tucker

Dancing machine, Travis Tucker won the judges' hearts and ours when he pounded his hand against his chest and danced his way through Act I of a two-part-performance.

Once again, Stevie Wonder was a great selection for wooing the judges.

Singing Isn't She Lovely convinced Paula that Tucker has handsome looks and a strong voice. She was also impressed by his moves and his humor. We also love his smile.

Simon found Travis to be "very commercial" material.

Randy dug Travis' heart move and change of outfits between acts while McGrath called Travis "a cool cat" with the total package. McGrath especially dug the "windmill" moves at the end of Tucker's Act One.

The twenty-one year-old from Manassas, Virginia goes on to Hollywood with "all that it takes" as Paula says!

John Zisa

Twenty-five year-old, John Zisa also brought his "A" game to D.C.

Zisa's father, who is the mayor of Hackensack New Jersey, may need to begin preparing John's hometown for a Fantasia Barrino "High Point North Carolina-style" welcome in the coming weeks.

John sang James Ingram's Baby Come To Me.

While Randy said "no" Mark and Paula liked his tone. Simon gave Zisa the third nod he needed to receive the golden ticket to Hollywood.

Only one performer did not get our "vote" while Paula, Randy and Mark sent him into the next round. That was 28 year-old, Ian Holmes II from Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Simon called it. There was a lot of "Mariah" in the room. His low-to-high pitch soprano range didn't do it for us. But what do we know?

Randy, Mark and Paula dug him. And that's all that counts -- at least at this stage of the game!

And that's why we love American Idol.

While the judges get the say today. America's vote is what counts in the end.

We look forward to meeting the other forty-two contestants who made it to the next round.

Meanwhile, thanks for the laughs, some nearly as good as when William Hung performed last year.

On Sunday evening, during the Golden Globes celebration, Robin Williams gave an acceptance speech after receiving the lifetime Cecil B. DeMille award.

During his speech, he spoke about "schadenfreude," which means 'shameful joy' or taking pleasure in the suffering of others.

Until Sunday, we had never heard that term before.

On Tuesday night while watching the American Idol premiere, those who didn't make it to Hollywood helped define this term.

These people included:

Leandra Jackson, a 20 year-old from Cleveland, Ohio

Rebecca Nassar, a 25 year-old from Sacramento, California

Davon Wright, a 16 year-old from Washington, DC

Jessie Grazella, a 20 year-old from Philadelphia, PA (bless his forgetful brain)

Melissa Considine, a 20 year-old from Tom's River, NJ (put that girl on What Not To Wear);

Derek Braxton, a 19 year-old from Baltimore, MD (the not-so-fabulous, not-in-the-least-sexy "weird" voiced cousin of Toni Braxton. A more appropriate place for Derek would be on How Not To Act in public, and especially on national television.);

Aven "Storm" Moore, a 19 year-old from Harrisburg, Virginia (beautiful eyes and a diaphragm like no other, but...);

Amanda Hubert, a 17 year-old from Washington, DC (wearing Diana DeGarmo pink and black but that's as far as the similarities went, no matter how "hot" Mark McGrath thinks she is, and no matter how much she thinks God sent her to this earth to sing);

Jillian Bennet, a 18 year-old from Eliot, Maine (who Ryan Seacrest encouraged to go for the Oscar rather than the Grammys - after her embarassing, theatrical, "this is how not to react behavior after not making it);

Angela Kennedy, a 25 year-old from Tampa, Florida (whose Spice Girls comparison was not a compliment coming from Simon);

Brian Bagley, a 26 year-old from Baltimore, Maryland (great dancer, janitor and Paula impressor, but a guy who ended up in the rain rather than the sunny side of the street despite trying to sing it);

Mary Gober, a 26 year-old from Springfield, Virginia (her Hanky Panky ways gave us great laughs, especially hearing McGrath give her kudos for having spanked herself repeatedly through her performance);

Michelle Fisher, a 24 year-old from Franklin, Pennsylvania

(Michelle is attractive but she sounds like she's got the West Nile virus, or something. At least her reaction to losing was classy. An example of how to react after being humiliated in front of millions of people.)

Jason "Represent" Smith, a 29 year-old from Washington D.C.

(Bless his souls, all 5.9& of them.)

Franchon "Boxing" Crews, a 17 year-old from Virginia Beach, Virginia who currently resides in Baltimore ("Hot, black, strong and focused." You said it, girl. You're a class act with lightening fists and a ton of future Idol potential. We're sorry you got knocked out in the First Round, especially with the lead singer from Sugar Ray on the judges panel.)

Mary Roach "Guilbeaux-in-her-dreams", a 18 year-old from Manassas, Virginia (a hairstylist she will be who needs a new set of friends to be honest with her after we listened to her try to sing Carole King's I Feel The Earth Move. At least Mary got one thing right; Mark McGrath is a hottie.)

#35975 (What was with the attire, dude?);

#35792 (Losing the number off her shirt should have been the first sign she would not be taking that number to Hollywood);

#31092, #26706, #32511, #35265 and the "fruited hat" pierced tongue woman singing about the "fruited plain".

As my nine year-old said in between commercials, "I can say one thing about these people. They are certainly entertaining!"

Maybe they should change the name of the early shows to "American Schadenfreude!"

The best part for me in watching the show is listening to my kids giggle to tears.

Pleasure in the midst of other people's pain. That says it all.

Meanwhile, we all cringe when the bad-mouthed "losers" let it rip.

On the other hand, it's a good opportunity to teach our kids "how not to be."

Mark McGrath

Mark Sayers McGrath, who is the lead singer in a band called Sugar Ray, added a fourth dimension to the preliminary judging that made everyone in our media room wish he would stay throughout the entire competition.

We loved his facial expressions and his contribution to the show.

The only thing missing was a bigger taste of Sugar Ray's music.

Tuesday night's two-hour premiere follows a Wednesday night one hour St. Louis Missouri show at 8pm on FOX.

This season, instead of 36 finalists. at the end of the Hollywood Round, the judges will select 12 male and 12 female singers.

In the semi-finals, one group will perform on Monday and the other on Tuesday, with voting on both nights. On Wednesday, two singers from each group will be eliminated until 6 male and 6 female finalists are selected.

Executive Producer, Cecile Frot-Coutaz said, "We could create a group of girl finalists and boy finalists without feeling we left anybody who was good aside."

In addition to having audition judge Mark McGrath on the show, other guest judges this year will include:

Brandy

LL Cool J

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Kenny Loggins

Other Season Four Changes

Other changes this season include:

Raising the age limit from 24 to 28 to encourage diversity.

After watching the premiere, it became clear that raising the age limit also brought more personality to the show. Older contestants with more experience in life make for more interesting, soul grabbing stories.

For those who watched, don't you wonder how many people would have sent $200 to Regina to help her buy her wedding rings back from the pawn shop? I know we thought about it.

The audition rounds will last longer, three weeks versus two.

Performance and live elimination rounds will kick off on February 21, five weeks into the season, compared to four weeks in 2004.

Beginning March 15, the series will go back to twice-weekly airings.

American Idol IV's finale is scheduled to air May 24th and 25th.

Mark your calendars and plan the party now.

Inspire & Be Inspired ®.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "vicarious, Schadenfreude" living - at its best!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King

American Idol Draws 60 Million Viewers in Two Nights: 76 Singers Are "Going To Hollywood"