Season 7 kicks off

The dream factory is open for business. Season seven of “American Idol” kicks off in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love has the largest crowd turn out for auditions in the show’s history.

First up is Joey. He lost 204 pounds. He’s a little bit cheesy, but he’s got a good backstory. So, he gets his time in front of Randy, Paula and Simon.

He selects “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5. He has a pleasant falsetto. Simon is nervous about him for some reason. It’s unanimous, though. Joey is the first to be Hollywood bound.

“He looks hungry,” says Simon in a parting shot before we go to commercial. So much for the softer, more kinder Simon.