As entertaining as they can be, I am happy that the preliminary audition shows are over. Now the real competition can begin. In my mind, the auditions allow the prospects to compete with themselves. From here on out, they compete with each other. I'm curious to learn how many have already been bumped due to criminal charges or personal issues. 172 contestants are far too many for me to keep up with.
Let the competition begin and whittle that group down to an interesting and manageable 24 singers!