The New Orleans auditions of American Idol opened predictably -- meaning, slowly. The show celebrated the city and itself before it got around to featuring any singing. Outtakes and footage of the judges was at last followed by the episode’s first auditioner.

There were few bright spots in New Orleans, though with the kinder panel it’s easier than ever for Idol hopefuls to score that golden ticket that will take them all the way to Hollywood. We’re hearing that the Hollywood Rounds will be longer than ever before, and it’s no wonder why. But there were a few in New Orleans who may manage to become more memorable than your run-of-the-mill Idol hopeful.

Jordan Dorsey, 21, is a music teacher. He boldly sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a tough number to pull off under any circumstances. But his vocals were smooth even if his arrangement was a little odd, and Randy Jackson was into it right away. All three judges screamed “yes!” to give Dorsey his shot at Hollywood.

Sarah Sellers, 28, has a great smile and large, pouty lips that drew Steven Tyler’s attention right away. Thankfully, Sarah has more than an interesting mouth going for her. Her voice was powerful and pretty for the judges, and her audition easily became a high point of the episode. “You had me sold the second you laid eyes on me,” Steven Tyler told her. Sarah swept the panel and got yes votes all around to score a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Jovany Barreto, 23, is a huge fan of Jennifer Lopez (his goddess) and Mark Anthony (his idol). He sang smoothly in Spanish, and with a voice that good it doesn’t really matter what the heck he was actually singing. Before he allowed the judges to speak, Barreto took a moment to kiss J-Lo’s feet (figuratively … but we suspect it’s only because security would have stopped him if he did it literally). Lopez put the icing on his day by complimenting his singing. Steven Tyler thought the audition “delicious,” proving that he’ll repeat himself throughout this year. Randy Jackson also gave him a yes. To celebrate his victory, Barreto stripped out of his shirt. Randy and Steven quickly jumped up to join the contestant on the audition stage, revealing their abs at the same time. “What the heck just happened in here?” Lopez demanded of the cameras. We’re still scratching out heads, too.

By the way, Randy Jackson was born in Louisiana. One contestant brought pictures of the judge from his High School days to the audition room. We love the afro, Randy. Jacquelyn Dupree, 24, is the niece of Randy’s old football coach, who came into the room to get a hug from the musician. Dupree then sang “Stand By You” with good tone. The judges loved her, quickly sending her on to the Hollywood round.

Brett Loewenstern, 16, has a look that’s all his own. He sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” strongly for his audition while  family looked on in excitement -- and weirdly, there’s not a redhead among them. If you don’t remember Brett, he’s the soft-spoken, skinny guy with the amazingly curly red hair. “You were fabulous,” Steven Tyler told him sincerely. “That’s the way to nail an audition,” Randy Jackson cried, before all three screamed “Yes.”

Alex Attardo, 18, is a New Orleans resident. He went to Idol camp at the age of 15 and chose “Proud Mary” for his audition. Parents … don’t send your kids to Idol camp. If they can’t sing, then they can’t sing. “I guess that camp really worked, man,” Randy couldn’t keep a straight face. “Maybe we should cancel the camp,” he added in an aside to J-Lo. Steven Tyler took a kinder approach, gently letting Attardo down.

Jacee Badeaux, 15, is an adorable little butterball. He chose the ambitious “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” immediately blowing judges away with his soft, beautiful tone. The panel grinned the entire time Badeaux sang. Steven Tyler liked the “sparkle” in Badeaux’s voice, calling the audition “a thing of beauty.” All three, of course, quickly passed Jacee to the next round.

Paris Tassin, 23, had a baby at age 18. Complications threatened the baby’s life while she was still in the womb. Against advice, Paris continued with the pregnancy and had the child anyway. Other than suffering from hearing problems, today the child is very healthy. Paris sang a Carrie Underwood song with such beautiful tone and depth, it was clear she would move on to Hollywood before the first word was fully out of her mouth. Jennifer Lopez “felt it” and said the song brought tears to her eyes. All three quickly said yes to Paris.

It’s fun to see great performances and watch tears of joy and shouts of happiness . . . but isn’t it better to see the crazy costumes, the horrible songs and all the really funny people? Despite the show’s big jazz band ending, the New Orleans episode was only ho-hum at best.

At the end of the episode, it seems 37 in all will go from Louisiana to Hollywood. And California’s going to have a huge crew of would-be Idols on its hands. Keep track of all the action by reading all our American Idol 10 posts.