So we're now two days into 2008's edition of Australian Idol and already I'm reaching saturation point. Is slamming us with six solid nights of auditions a good way to begin a season? Jump over the, er, jump and we can discuss last night's effort.

 

As I mentioned on Monday, the pre-Top 100 round episodes are largely made of filler - just how many wacky AZN dudes can we take? William Hung/Flynn, we hardly knew ye. In fact, there's something decidedly off about the way they keep lampooning Asian contestants; Dicko's "hilarious" quip last night about a hopeful needing "the Hong Kong opera" behind her might have sailed over her head, but it made for uncomfortable viewing.

Once you add to that Kyle Sandilands' tendency to look at young, female auditionees with an expression like a pit bull appraising a side of beef and these early eps are mostly icky.

However, on the plus side of things, last night really came up trumps with the talent and contestant backstories that were genuinely moving. Bianca Young, who discussed her struggle with bipolar, sang Nina Simone to a tee and was - thank goodness - afforded respect and dignity by the judges. The entire sequence regarding pro wrestler David Wallis was also fantastic.

But for me, the highlight was little surfer dude Brodie and his extended family (including his mum, who looked to be battling cancer, and his wildly enthusiastic dad), who had me blubbering like a baby the second he walked on screen. And the boy can sing! (Even if he did choose Superstition, which is a little "done" in the Idol stakes by now.)

Now we just have to sit back and wait for Adelaide's auditions, which means one thing and one thing only: JAMES SPARGO. Join the fan page on Facebook while you wait.

Tags: au | auditions | australian idol 2008 | dicko | kyle sandilands | marcia hines