Confession time: I was scared when the call came from on high to help cover American Idol this year. Yes, I've watched it from the beginning and got wrapped up with the whole Kelly/Justin thing like the rest of the country, and unlike the rest of the country, I actually saw From Justin to Kelly (thank you, $5 WalMart DVD bin). After the first few seasons, however, I started to lose interest.

I was right there when Ruben and Carrie won, but was in no way a member of "The Soul Patrol." I didn't really care which David took the crown, and I didn't exactly rush out to see Fantasia on Broadway. After seven seasons, all of the contestants started to look the same to me. Everyone ran together, and no one stood out. I know that Daughtry has gone on to have a decent career, but I couldn't for the life of me tell you which season he was on. It was all white noise.

That is, until Nick Mitchell came on the scene.

Tonight's the first night where everyone is competing against each other. There's no longer guys against the girls. Only the best of the best will survive from here on out. So who do you want to see win it all? Join me tonight at 8pm EST right back here for a live chat with me, and other American Idol fanatics. Again, check back here to this very post at 8pm tonight, and that's when I'll unveil the location for our super secret chat room. Right now it's being chatted up in the pre-show by Kimberly Caldwell and Rosanna Tavarez, waiting for it's big debut. Are you a member of Taylor Hick's Soul Patrol, or one of Mandisa's Mandisiacs? Come back tonight and sound off.

Update:
Come one, come all;  here is the super secret location for our American Idol Chat! Look for me (TVSRyan) in the chat room. See you inside.

Disclaimer: All or parts of the discussion in this chatroom may be posted in a later column on this site.