So are Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres, replaced with the star power of Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Original judge Randy Jackson remains. The first, two-hour episode accentuated the positive, an indication that producers are setting a different tone. Past audition shows have seemed a procession of train wrecks, narrated by Cowell's biting putdowns. But on Wednesday, the first three contestants shown all made it through to Hollywood. And the New Jersey auditions ended with two emotional stories: the daughter of a cancer survivor from Staten Island and a boy from the Bronx who kept to his dreams despite time spent living with his family in a homeless shelter. Both are only 16, and both were given go-aheads by the judges. J.Lo in particular had a difficult time becoming J.No. She seemed in agony the first time she was shown rejecting a contestant. "Oh, my God, I hate this!" she complained. "Why did I sign up for this? I want to go home." She got up to hug a contestant who was crying upon meeting her.
