American Idol Kicks Off Season 8

It’s one of the world’s most widespread guilty pleasures, and last night “American Idol” returned to the airwaves with its eighth season.

Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson,
Paula Abdul, Ryan Seacrest, and new Judge Kara DioGuardi found themselves in a sweltering hot Phoenix, Arizona auditioning all kinds of contestants from all over the talent spectrum.

Of the hopefuls that were good enough to move on were Emily Hughes, Scott MacIntyre, Michael Sarver, and Katrina Darell, the last of which smooched Ryan Seacrest before everything was said and done.

And though she had much to prove, DioGuardi showed that she would be able to hang with the rest of the judges’ panel. During one performance she told the contestant, "Honestly, you don't have the chops to sing that song, sweetie.”

Gossip Girls

Enjoy the pictures of "American Idol" host Paula Abdul at the FOX TCA Party and Simon Cowell returing to his hotel last night (January 13).