"Right now," the judge said, "this is where it gets serious. There are two hundred of you here, but only forty spots in the live shows where the audience gets to vote."

"You'll have to earn those spots," the second judge said. "We're going to make you work. You'll sing like you've never sung before in different styles and in different ranges."

"We may stop you in the hall and ask for a song." The third judge gave an evil grin as she said her part.

"We don't leave this ...