Reality Check: Who Ruled Week One of Idol? (Hint: Not Kanye and Kim!)

Could American Idol‘s farewell season wind up having the deepest, most exciting pool of finalists in recent memory?

While Week One of the audition episodes made such a scenario seem possible, this week’s Reality Check season premiere features a sobering reminder from my cohost Melinda Doolittle: Great singers can sometimes disappear without explanation during Hollywood Week.

Nevertheless, Melinda and I choose our early standouts — and also use our imaginary veto power to take Golden Tickets away from a pair of teenagers.

We also dish two uncomfortable audition incidents we wish had never made it on air — and yep, one of ’em involves Kim Kardashian.

Press PLAY below for the full Reality Check experience, then share your thoughts in the comments!