In addition to his radio show, movie cameos, and countless E! Specials, Ryan Seacrest was back on his home turf when "American Idol," season 11, premiered last Wednesday. 

In the past I wasn't a frequent viewer of the Idol audition episodes. The "bad auditions," were redundant and annoying, and I figured if I wanted to listen to bad singers I could just record myself. 

This year, like seasons past, the premise was the same and the judges, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson and JLO, regained their seats on the panel.  However, one thing I noticed was very different. The majority of the aired auditions were decent. 

It was a refreshing surprise to not have to fast forward through three quarters of unnecessary, not funny auditions. (Anyone remember the pants on the ground guy? Not funny) 

The first episode's auditions came from Savannah, GA. As expected, most of the hopefuls were either southern belles or cowboys. Being a country music fan myself, I was excited to hear some soulful renditions of Faith Hill or Miranda Lambert girl power anthems. 

Disappointingly, throughout the majority of the two hours, everything and everyone was just OK.  

I've come to the conclusion that the judges must hear something different than what comes out of the TV. Those who I thought sounded like they could only just carry a tune, the judges acted like were the next Mariah Carey. 

Right as I thought I was going to cruise through this premiere unimpressed, out comes Phillip Phillips. His country boy demeanor and guitar skills caught my attention, but what made my mouth drop was his unique performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

Since I wasn't completely turned off by any disastrous performances I did tune back in for night two on Thursday, and I'm glad I did. 

Part II in Pittsburgh opened with a very misleading montage of the socially awkward, 22-year old, Heejun Han. Expecting him to be the next William Hung, I cautiously watched him begin to sing Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You." Boy was I wrong. 

Han's voice was actually one of the best I had heard thus far, and subsequently he went through. His audition was followed by an incredible version of the "Family Matters" theme song, a corky, uniquely great "starving artist," a wedding singer that brought all those Adam Sandler stereotypes to rest, and a planking young woman who blew away the judges (I'll forget about the random planking part). 

Thursday nights premiere far over shadowed Wednesday night and left me with hope that this season of Idol may actually have some great singers (maybe).