Tonight, American Idol boogies on down to Baton Rouge, home of da Dawg! Thousands showed up for the auditions, but before the judging began, Randy got a little touch-up from guest make-up artist, Mariah Carey. And speaking of make up, seems the other judges and Nicki must have done a little of their own after their dust up in Charlotte, as it was panel bliss on the bayou.

First up, we met twenty-two year-old beauty queen, Megan Miller. The Ethel, Louisiana native was a bit banged up after a car accident the night before her audition, but she didn't use her situation as a crutch. Instead, she belted out a soulful version of "Something's Got A Hold On Me" by Etta James, got a unanimous nod from the judges, and she was off to leg surgery....and Hollywood!

Next up was seventeen year-old Charlie Askew from Little Rock, Arkansas. This self-described "socially awkward" guy was anything but as he sang "Breakthrough" by Queen and "Nature Boy" from Nat King Cole. His true-tenor range and tone caused Nicki to ask whether he had gone through puberty, but no one judged this kid as anything but worthy of Hollywood.

Then Randy traveled to the Big Easy to surprise our Idol nominee Maddie Assel, as she was on vacation, singing the blues on the streets of New Orleans in front of Cafe du Monde. Grandma nominated her, and Randy told her to drop dem Beignets and head to Baton Rouge. The 17 year old from Centreville, Virginia sang "Oh Darling" by the Beatles, and Oh! did the judges dig it. Grandma was Mardi Gras-ready when Maddie came out with her golden ticket, giving Ryan a string of beads and whispering some grandmotherly naughties in his ear. The Insider can, however, report that Ryan did NOT flash in exchange for the beads and Grandma did not get to second base.

But then the mojo changed and the evil spirits of bad singing took over. The judges suffered through a string of awful, the rejected cried and screamed, and one guy judged our judges telling them "Ya'll still suck as judges.? He's not going to Hollywood.

But the clouds parted and twenty-two year old, Tennessee native Paul Jolly took the stage and dedicated his audition to his late grandfather. He sang Rascal Flatts' "I Won't Let Go." The judges didn't let him go either and sent him packing for Hollywood. But then, the earlier problems of the day mushroomed.

We met Chris "Mushroom" Barthow. This twenty-four year old from Metarie, Lousiana was part-time astrologer, dancer, and full time song killer. He sang Adam Lambert's "If I Had You." Unfortunately, he mistakenly sang it in the key of flee. Fun guy, that Fungi, but dreams of singing stardom? Dude, are you shroomin'?

The day and the judges were fading and everyone needed a dose of something to keep going. Enter Dr. Calvin Peters, the singing doctor. Seriously, this twenty-seven year old is a doctor back home in Ft. Worth, Texas where he works in a Veteran's hospital. The good doctor took on Maxwell's "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever." It was just what the weary judges ordered, and they returned the favor with a prescription for a next round supply of Hollywood!

The Doc must have infected the arena, as a bevy of Baton beauties, including Michelle Montezeri (19), Breanna Steer(18), and Brandy Hotard (29) are heading to Hollywood.

After the break, the temperature was hot, but the singing was not. That said, things heated up for Nicki when twenty-seven year old firefighter, Dustin Watts, came before the panel. Dustin done good with his version of Garth Brooks' "She's Every Woman." Start your engine, bud! You didn't get hosed----you're going to Hollywood!

And, finally, we closed the day with nineteen year old Burnell Taylor aka the game-changer. The New Orleans native, sang "I'm Here" from "The Color Purple." This guy re-set the bar, and crushed it! The Crescent City gospel crooner is moving on to Hollywood.

And so we said goodbye to Baton Rouge, but thirty-four lucky contestants said hello to gold and a trip to Hollywood. Next stop, big State, big hats, and hopefully big ol' talent in Texas!