It's that time of year again. The time when American Idol settles down with it's Top 24, we start singling out our favorites, and the media starts digging into these people's pasts and presents looking for juicy secrets like they're presidential politicians, too. Other than the expected mug shot discovery, two have surfaced this week that are certainly generating a lot of buzz.

One features Robbie Carrico, who has been called out as inauthentic in his attempts to be a "rocker" week after week thus far on the show. The other, the handsome but otherwise dull David H., who had a great week. Of course, Idol and FOX aren't saying anything about it. In order to not spoil the fun for those who like to avoid this kind of thing, you'll have to follow me to know more.

Once upon a time, January was just a long cold month that filled me with regret and longing. I regretted the holiday over-eating and over-spending. And longed for warmer weather and something (anything) to distract me from the bleakness of winter.

In 2003, that all changed. Season 2 of American Idol appeared on the horizon giving me -- and the rest of America -- HOPE. Now, every January, American Idol triumphantly returns with blaring trumpets and great spectacle to awaken the American viewing public out of our winter stupor.

Joel and I try something a little different this time, limiting our topics to five minutes each. I think it worked out pretty well, so let us know what you think. Topics we cover this week:

• Joel's upcoming interviews: George Takei and Christopher Gorham.
• The new "Five Quick Questions" interview feature.
• Al Roker ... funny?
• What's with all the Paula Abdul talk lately?
• Comedy Central Motherlode contest -- will it make someone's career?
• SNL's best of TV Funhouse is coming! Sweet!
• HUGE I mean HUGE and very spoilery spoilers about not this week's, but next week's Prison Break. I'll likely not post these, so you'll have to listen to know.

Grab the file directly (link), subscribe to our podcast RSS feed (link), or visit the iTunes music store (link).  (Running time: 40:09)