American Idol Recap

(EndPlay Staff Reports) - The highly anticipated 11th season of "American Idol" is finally underway, kicking off Wednesday night with part one of a two-episode special.

Wednesday’s episode took viewers down South, featuring auditions held in Savannah, Ga. A cast of characters sought approval from judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. Though more than 10,000 hopefuls showed up, only 42 singers received golden tickets to Hollywood.

The episode was filled with both hits and misses. Here’s a quick recap.

The first singer to win all three judges’ approval was David Leathers, who calls himself Mr. Steal Your Girl. He wowed Tyler, Lopez and Jackson with a voice they said was reminiscent of the late Michael Jackson's. Connecticut native Gabi Carrubba impressed judges with both her voice and tap-dancing skills, and will advance to the next round in Hollywood.

Carrubba was followed by a number of talented young singers, until Jessica Whitely, a 19-year-old Ohioan, took the stage with an off-pitch rendition of Charice's “In This Song.” Jackson even questioned whether or not she was actually singing.

Mawuena Kodjo, a West African immigrant who lives in Nashville, also had a somewhat unfortunate audition. He tried to woo judges with a Rascal Flatts song, promising to “blow them away.” Tyler laid it down nicely for Kodjo: “You have the confidence, man, but you don’t have the song.” Jackson said he’d give him a chance if he could rally supporters, so Jodjo and host Ryan Seacrest hit the streets to find fans to help convince judges to let him audition again. Sadly for Kodjo, things didn't quite pan out, with Jackson telling the new followers to “work on their ears.”

Ashlee Altise shimmied up to the stage next, bringing her own dance she called the “joy hop” and singing a funky “Come Together” by the Beatles. Judges were impressed, and Altise joy hopped out with a golden ticket.

Almost all of the contestants chronicled in Savannah had great promise. If this episode is any indicator of things to come, competition will be fierce on this season's "Idol." Tune in tonight at 8 p.m. to see the second part of the premiere special.