We’ve sat through seven audition cities and eight weeks of watching singers vie for their chance to compete on American Idol 9 . On Tuesday, this patience was finally rewarded with the beginning of Hollywood Week. This grueling round of auditions is always filled with drama, despair and dashed dreams. In other words, it’s tons of fun.

Tuesday’s opening Hollywood Week episode was the first to feature now-permanent panelist Ellen DeGeneres , who was called to serve on Idol when Fremantle and Paula Abdul could not come to terms on Abdul’s contract. The Idol wannabes gathered at the Kodak Theater, as per show tradition. One hundred and eighty-one contenders arrived from all over America and all walks of life to sing, cry and perhaps watch their dearest dreams come true. But the road to fame is not easy. As one contestant observed, “there’s hundreds of people here, and I have to stand out.”

Ellen DeGeneres was introduced first to the large audience of contestants, stepping out on stage to bring her trademark wit and charm - not to mention a few words of wisdom. “I do know what it’s like to stand on stage and try to please an entire roomful of people. That is a hard thing to do.”

“I come on, you leave,” she muttered to Simon Cowell when she finally joined him at the judges’ table.

Day 1 began with long lines of contestants as usual, as groups of eight were called forth to stand on the stage. The first contained Skiiboski and cute Katie Stevens, formerly featured in the audition episodes. The latter sang in a slightly off-key, very low register that didn’t seem to suit her at all. “Actually, you’re quite good,” Simon Cowell told her. Skiiboski was the next to step up to the mic. His voice was very pleasing and pretty. “You frighten me,” Ellen DeGeneres said of his dancing. “Don’t get so intense,” she advised. “Sexy and scary is a fine line.” The group of eight contestants was then divided into two groups. Skiiboski’s line was asked to leave, while Katie and others in her line made it through this first difficult round of Hollywood auditions. Thus, it begins.

Ellen’s quips helped to keep the audience in the chairs laughing, but the singers on stage were very nervous and frightened in the face of the judging panel. Andrew Garcia was still brave enough to appear before them with his guitar. He offered up a great performance of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up”  to win over the panel, bringing a big smile to Randy Jackson’s face. “That was genius,” Kara DioGuardi declared. “Paula would be screaming and yelling and jumping and clapping.”

Poor country girl Vanessa Wolfe, by contrast, looked incredibly nervous. Even so, she sang a Blind Melon song with pretty good vocals. “I think you have a unique quality that you should embrace,” Ellen DeGeneres told her. “Those nerves are going to kill ya,” she added as a warning. Of this line, Andrew was called to move forward. Only he would make it through this audition round. Vanessa Wolfe was only one of many who were rejected, and the size of the audience in the theater began to dwindle as the day wore on.

Cornelius Edwards, who split his pants at his first audition and Maegan Wright, whose little brother stole hearts at hers, were the next to face rejection. Amadeo DiRocco likewise could not impress the judges with his vocals. Some of them would not be turned away. Janell Wheeler sang to the judges in her sweet country twang, offering up an entertaining and melodious performance to seal her success in this first round. As Ryan Seacrest said in his voice-over, she was “an easy yes.”

Haeley Vaughn, who aspires to be a country singer, began to have second thoughts about performing with her guitar for this audition. The doubts were unnecessary, as Haeley gave crowds a rousing vocal and impressed the panel. Randy Jackson found her to be “interesting.” Mary Powers followed Hayley to the stage, though her rough, rock sound is decidedly different from the sweet 16 girl who auditioned before her. Both girls managed to make it through the tough audition round to continue their Idol days. Audition standouts Todrick Hall, Charity Vance and Ashley Rodriguez were also put through to the next round, so their anxieties were put to rest for a night at least.

Day 2 dawned with more auditions and agitated performances, not to mention Ellen’s comic relief. This time, Simon Cowell took the microphone to dispense advice: “Don’t be nervous. Don’t be boring. And don’t forget the words.”

Jay Stone was stopped halfway through his song, told by Cowell that it was “ridiculous.” Lilly Scott, who was revealed to us for the first time on this episode, had an interesting look and a very interesting sound when she softly strummed her song for the judges. From her peacock feather earrings to her killer boots, I loved Lilly right away. “Everything about you is refreshing,” Kara DioGuardi found. Lilly was one of two members in her group to make it through this round, though audition standout Jay Stone was given the heave-ho.

Michael Lynche performed while his wife was in labor with their first child, but no doubt everyone was happy he chose to be in Hollywood rather than at her side. His soft, rousing vocals got the audience involved immediately, and Michael truly lit a spark on the dim stage. “Michael, it’s a good day,” Simon Cowell told him, and Lynche was able to breathe a big sigh of relief.

Justin Williams survived cancer and his first two meetings with the judges. Would he survive the second day of Hollywood? Tim Urban, who was not featured during the audition episodes, mumbled around his song as he strummed his guitar, though his vocals were pleasant enough. Justin played piano for his turn in the spotlight. Both performers received loud applause from the watching crowd, but Justin was eliminated from the group of contenders.

Paige Dechausse, Erika Rhodes, sisters Amanda and Bernadette were all featured in early audition episodes, but summarily dismissed during the long stretch of Hollywood auditions. Maddy Curtis sang in a sweet soprano for the judges. Casey James came to the stage to give the crowd a rousing, rollicking performance that got Kara DioGuardi dancing. James made it through this Day 2 round, though Maddy Curtis saw her own dreams come to an end.

Didi Benami was among the next group to take the stage. She sang a Kara DioGuardi song in an absolutely beautiful voice. “I hate to admit it, but I really like that song,” Simon Cowell regrettably noted. Crystal Bowersox was also in this group of auditioners. Crystal got herself a tattoo to celebrate Hollywood Week and her son, whose name was permanently put on her back. She gorgeously sang “Natural Woman,” and though she didn’t quite make this ancient joint new again she did display very wonderful vocals. The watching audience did her background vocals, breaking into applause several times during the number. Bowersox really has something. “You’re real,” Simon Cowell found.

Both women, of course, were pushed through to the next round of Hollywood Week auditions. And so, the two-day Round 1 auditions were called to a close. Much of the dead wood was trimmed away, which gives the viewers the best opportunity of all: Group Night. It’s always one of the highlights of the season, and a truly tough process that causes many contestants to completely break down.

It’s going to be a long wait between now and then. Check out all our other American Idol 9 posts.