Realized today that we'd reached that point in the "Idol" winnowing process where I'd actually kind of miss anyone who left.

Anyone, that is, but Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington. Not that I hate them or anything -- not the way I hated Scott Savol last season -- but country, it ain't my thang.

But since this is "country night," you gotta figure those two have, if not a free pass, a slight advantage.

And as the show opens, I just want to point out that kissing Teri Hatcher has apparently put hair on Ryan Seacrest's face.