When have the auditions been filmed as Simon was busy with PI?
Were they during the week or since Christmas?
How far ahead do America see this series?

Simon was doing a lot of flying back and forth across the Atlantic during the filming of Pop Idol because he was also judging the preliminary rounds of American Idol. AI3 starts in the US on Monday, and here on Friday. I think when the live shows start the performances are recorded on a Tuesday and the results show on a Wednesday. We in the UK get to see both shows on the Friday. So we are only 2/3 days behind.

I am really looking forward to the new series. It's good that we aren't really behind the US.

AI3 got off to a great start last night some truely awful singers!!

I have to agree that American Idol 2 was bar far much better the our own Pop Idol2. (with the exception of Ant & Dec) I managed to get hold of Clay's CD from Ebay absolutely fabulous - can't stop listening to it!!!!! I'm sure I read some where that he had sold more albums tha Kelly & Ruban had together (but I could be wrong). Wonder if he is going to release anything in the UK?

Well if he does he will have to release This Is The Night or new single The Way, coz Invisible was done by D-Side here.