I have a whole glut of people that would love to join the Mile High Club. But first, they have to survive the toughest room in America...

DENVER
Invesco Field

September 2005. Chris Daughtry was discovered here. Who's next? Victoria Beckham will help us answer that question.

First up, Mark Labriola (28, Aurora, computer consultant), who looks a little like Jack Black. Does he sound... better... than he does? He says that he was taken against his will by his mother when he was 4. Will he take us away with "Tempted" by Squeeze? He's a little overbaked, but he has the energy, which is a lot more than some people have. Posh thought he was a nice surprise. Simon... gets confused by the backstory. The panel give it to him.

Will the panel give it to a very nervous Mario Galvin (25, drug counselor), who has a very queasy laugh and "Jailhouse Rock". That was worth about 7 to 10 years.

How about a smile for the camera, folks? No? Okay... How about one from Kimberly Kerbow (24, Marina Del Rey, CA, college student) and her daughter Amelia. Kimberly will be singing "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson. Amelia will be redoing the take outside. She's got a nice flow with her voice, and it matches the tone of the song. It's good enough for a golden ticket, but she promises no trouble. Awww... It was the beginning of a gold rush.

Will Danelle Hayes (24, Seattle, WA, singer/karaoke host) join in that rush? She wants to get to that next level so she can support her family.  After two years of singing in bars, casinos, and corporate events, she wows with "I'm the Only One" by Melissa Etheridge. Simon likes her, saying that she might've come in just in time. Kara was very moved. Once again, it's a yes all around.

A lot of people, with Posh on the panel, are coming dressed to impressed. Casey James (27, Fort Worth, TX, musician) was just happy to be here, as he was in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. He says the doctor didn't think that he would play the guitar. Not only is he playing (through pain), he's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" for his audition (it's a John Mayer joint). It's a very raspy, very country voice. Simon thought it was a bad audition. The other three beg to differ, as they say that he's got a good voice, but he needs to work on his personality. That said, they tell him to take his shirt off. The things people do for a golden ticket.

Tori Kelly (16, Canyon Lake, CA, HS student) has a fan club coming in with her. One of which has drawings of the judges... Awwwwwwbarf. Tori, on the other hand, has "Gravity"... another John Mayer joint. It's very affected. Kara liked it. Simon hated it. V liked the way she looked. Randy... makes it three for four. All in all, day 1 ends with 15 people through to the next round.

Day 2 starts with Austin Paul (22, Washington, DC, college student), a football player and singer. #42 on his bucket list was "make it to Hollywood". #41... who knows. And once again, John Mayer gets extra play with "Bigger Than My Body". Austin's singing is very play-by-numbers. WAY too safe. Kara thought he was cocky. Simon thought he was annoying. Victoria thought it was arrogant. Randy & Kara both say no. Simon & Victoria... say no as well. Hit the showers, buddy.

Kenny Everett (24, Durham, NC, college student) considers himself the male Mary J. Blige, a figure that brings the community together. With his ragged "Be Without You", he's more like someone who'd make a crowd disperse. Stop Kenny, you're embarrassing yourself. Unfortunately, that's just the beginning of what turns out to be the exact opposite of day 1.

Nicci Nix (22, musician/singer, Florence, Italy) traveled all the way from Florence, Italy to try out for American Idol, 14 hours. Will it be worth the wait as she sings "Something Kinda Ooh" by Girls Aloud? It's very playful, albeit a little off-putting. Simon points out that her singing voice is lower than her talking voice. Four yeses later, and she's through to Hollywood. Mille grazie...

Rounding out the day with Haeley Vaughn (16, Fort Collins, HS student), a fighter from the start, having been born premature and raised on a heart monitor. When she was 10, her father died. She was always sung to by him, so hopefully his voice will sing through hers as she tries to be "the first black pop country singer" (Darius Rucker, much?). She ends the day with "Last Name" by Carrie Underwood.  Not as good as the original, but she's a "cute little thing". She's a very different person, very infectious. Victoria thought she was bubbly. Kara and Randy like that she's very bold in her choice. Simon finds a couple of fans in her sister and her mom. They're brought in just in time to hear the news... Haeley is going to Hollywood. In total, 26 tickets left the judges' room.

And that's it for the audition tour... but we still have one more audition to hear. Welcome... "Bikini Boy" Ty Hemmerling (doesn't matter, don't care, "model"). And the judges high-tail it back to LA on that.

Meanwhile, we have a whole crap load of unseen footage. What're we gonna do with it? I know! Let's make another episode! The best of the rest, next time!

For more info on the Denver auditions, and to see this episode in its entirety, go to www.americanidol.com.