American Idol opened with a recap of the singers we’ve seen so far this season, hyping them as “some of the best talent” the show has seen. After a decade, they still can’t come up with a new line. The city on Thursday’s episode was Los Angeles, and Randy Jackson wore his gold shoes to celebrate.

The online auditioners were sent to Los Angeles this year as well. As we reported, the show teamed with MySpace (because that’s not old and tired at all) to become more accessible than ever. Did it make a bit of difference?

Not with the first audition. The show started off on a rough note, with Steven Tyler predicting the first singer would go to Siberia.

Tim Halperin, 23, is probably going to stay in LA. He’s a huge Jennifer Lopez fan, good-looking and he can sing. Randy Jackson immediately sensed a connection between Tim and J-Lo (he was joshing around, of course). Steven Tyler gave him a quick "yes," but Jackson doesn’t think Halperin is ready. Lopez liked his “nice tone,” and put him through to Hollywood.

Daniel Gomez, 18, and Isaac Rodriguez, 18, went to the auditions together. Isaac dropped out of college in hopes of moving on in American Idol after his audition. Daniel is clearly delusional about his own singing talent. “You’re so far from the melody line…” Steven Tyler had to interrupt him. Randy Jackson thinks Gomez is “relatively tone deaf.” The only thing worse than Daniel’s performance was his BFF’s terrible rendition of “Build Me Up Buttercup.” “You have a nice smile,” J-Lo offered an Abdul-like judgment. Through the power of friendship, the two managed to walk away from their Idol audition smiling. They should totally do a morning talk radio show together.

Day 2 of the auditions was dedicated to the MySpace online auditions. Karen Rodriguez, 21, was one such contestant. She’s got crazy hair, but a melodious voice that impressed the judges. She easily scored a golden ticket to kick off the day.

Tynisha Roches, 25, is from New Jersey, and she showed up to her audition with her own microphone. She paid homage to Ol' Blue Eyes with her TV time by singing “My Way.” Roches messed up the lyrics more than once, but it really didn’t matter -- she's not a singer. When Tynisha wouldn’t stop singing, Randy Jackson walked out. She began chasing him through the room, singing “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.” Jackson tried to wrestle the mic out of her hands before he was forced to call for security. Wouldn’t have happened with Simon Cowell on the show.
 

Heidi Khzam, 23, has an exotic look and gorgeous voice -- though the latter probably wasn’t necessary. She managed to impress both male judges with her sinuous dancing well before she sang a single note.

Matthew Scott Frankel is the CEO of MSFP (Matthew Scott Frankel Productions). His hip hop alter ego is Big Stats, and he considers himself “a force to be reckoned with.” He produces “for millions … a bunch of great artists.” Frankel hasn’t got an ounce of rapping or singing talent, but at least he managed to get his brand out there.

The lively Gutierrez brothers (Mark, 28, and Aaron, 27) were saved for the end of the day. They sang “Lean on Me,” duet style, very wonderfully. Together, the two harmonize so beautifully, it’s a shame they’re moving on Idol (which is just dying to split them up). “I loved it!” Jennifer Lopez cried. Steven Tyler found their performance “Godlike” and “unreal.” The two brothers got their tickets . . . and may now get lost in Idol’s season 10 Hollywood shuffle.
 

The last audition of the day was the best. Cooper Robinson, 59, wore an ostentatious costume and regaled judges with tales his home in Arkansas. He put on a crazy audition, and we’re 100% sure he doesn’t really know what American Idol is. And, it doesn’t matter. Put this man on TV. The show would improve exponentially if they hired him for the panel.

Idol will wrap up its auditions in San Francisco next week. The week will also bring the first of many, many Hollywood Week episodes. Re-familiarize yourself with all the contenders -- read all our American Idol 10 posts.