Reality TV update!

American Idol brought 117 young'uns to Hollywood with plans to whittle that number down to 32 at the end of a five day audition. Day one saw the kids do basically the same thing they did at the initial tryout - answer why they want to be the next American Idol and sing a bit. For the second day, each contestant had to write an original song with an original melody based on one of ten song titles they were given. Needless to say, day two had a lot of pauses and occasional curses. It was also full of contestants missing the point of the exercise - to test musical ability and see how the kids do under pressure, if you believe Simon - and focusing on the lights and nerves. Because those won't be issues when you're on TV, will they?

We're still at the stage where individuals are better known for their persona than their name. So we have Male Model, Scooter Girl, Angry White Girl in Army T-Shirt, Former College Football Player Who'll Allow Us to Reuse All of the Ruben Size-Related Gags If He's a Semifinalist, and so on.

In the end, they cut about a quarter of the group after day two, including a 16 year old from Texas with a Lone Star State-sized ego (which was unchecked by her parents, who were standing with her during her tirade). The remaining contestants then had to do that group song presentation thing where they get into groups, make up dance steps, etc. That'll start tonight's coverage, which is supposed to get us down to the 32 semifinalists.

America's Next Top Model was all about personal style this week, as the contestants got advice from a design guy from Barney's and trash chic designer Betsey Johnson. Highlights include the Barney's guy telling Catie she was dressed in "ho style," causing Catie to cry, and Johnson telling Jenascia that she needs six months of modeling school. Shandi wins some sort of competition that allows her and two of the other contestants to have dinner with last year's winner Adrianne Curry. She gives them some pointers, talks about her career, and smokes the entire time - literally.

After all the talk about personal style, the women then have to copy someone else's style, as they all do photo shoots where they pretend to be someone famous. Xiomara is assigned Grace Jones, which makes her mad at first, and she gets a stern talking-to from Tyra about Jones being a fashion icon, etc. Xiomara pulls it of quite well, actually.

Oh, we also learn that Mercedes has lupus, and the medication is making her hair fall out. She's also pretty fatigued, which is beginning to show.

In the end, it comes down to crybaby Catie and Jenascia, who is now completely neurotic about being "short," thanks no doubt to the constant reminders. Jenascia is let go, meaning at least one more week of Catie bursting into tears if someone looks at her cross-eyed.

The Apprentice doesn't air another new episode until tomorrow, but I've developed a habit of calling the show The Associate when talking about it with co-workers. I'm sure The Donald would love to know I'm confusing his show with a crappy Whoopi Goldberg movie.

Who Wants to be the Democratic Nominee for President? rolls on, with John K. winning five of the seven states up for grabs. John E. wins his home state and almost wins Oklahoma from Wesley. Al isn't the spoiler he thought he could be, while Howard passes all the contests to make a stand in Washington and Michigan. Joe quits, and has anyone heard from Dennis lately?