The Comet’s very own Idolholic, an industry insider who chooses to remain anonymous, is back on the front lines of “American Idol” and reports on the auditions and chooses some early contenders.

As my nom de plume attests, I am addicted to American Idol...not to mention almost all of the other TV singing and dancing competition shows. So, I am obviously excited for the 11th season of my favorite show to commence. But, as has been speculated a lot over the past week (and now fueled even moreso after the premiere’s ratings plummet) can Idol continue to hold its own among the relative glut of similar programs, my dedication notwithstanding? Frankly, after the somewhat pedestrian unveiling of potential finalists—42 in Savannah and 38 Pittsburgh going on to the Hollywood rounds— I am a little shocked that I am actually asking myself the exact same question. It’s still early, so I’ll play along of course and see how the season unfolds before passing any judgment.

Here are some random observations about the notable singers from the auditions:

In Savannah…

Brother and sister Colton & Schuyler Dixon showed up again this year. Only she planned to audition, but when the judges remembered her and asked about him, they brought him in and coaxed him to audition again. Frankly, I remembered liking him a lot last year and was disappointed he did not make the finals. She had been eliminated earlier. Honestly though, she sounded a lot better this year. He was good, but since he was unprepared, perhaps that affected him. The judges put both through and I think they have potential.

Amy Brumfield is homeless and lives in a tent in the woods with her boyfriend, which made for an oddly engaging segment producers did about her that seemed like a cross between Survivor and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She is hoping this opportunity could enable them to make a transition to a more normal life. Naturally, with this type of back story and the attention paid by producers, we guessed she must have a good voice…and she does.

When Lauren Mink, who works with adults with disabilities, enters the judging area, I’m struck that she looks a bit like Gwyneth Paltrow. So imagine our surprise when she sings the title song from the movie “Country Strong.” Randy says she reminds him of Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland. I’m not sure she’s that good, but I did like her.

There was also W. T. Thompson, who quit his job to audition even though his wife is going to give birth to their first child in the not-too-distant future. It already seems clear to me that we’re going to get more than our fair share of Country singers trying out this year because of the 1-2 finish by Scotty and Lauren in 2011.

Alliteration may help us remember two contestants. We learned a new “happy dance” called the “Joy Hop” from Ashlee Altise. I like her voice but I just hope she doesn’t turn out to be a female version of the frenetic Paul McDonald from Season 10. And pawn shop worker Phillip Phillips closed the show and promptly stole it with his electrifying version of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” followed by a completely unexpected guitar version of Michael’s Jackson’s “Thriller.” This guy’s a true original. The Idolholic will be watching him closely.

In Pittsburgh…

A quirky and unassuming Asian singer with a name I frankly could not initially remember, pronounce or spell was really impressive. Hee Jun Han could go really far in this competition if he can harness his confidence. And nanny Reed Grim, who has been singing with his family since he was a young boy, strangely (but creatively) sang the theme song from the 80s sitcom “Family Ties.” Then, we had one sister who “planks” (a yoga move) while the other one, Samantha Novacek, sings. Struggling New York singer Creighton Fraker completely killed it with a standout performance I think people will be talking about. He doesn’t sound like anyone else. And, finally, Hallie Day proved that after overcoming a suicide attempt and finding love and marriage, she will survive in this contest…at least until the Hollywood rounds.