Dispatches From the 'American Idol' Auditions Vol. I: Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey

We couldn't (legally) make Intern Mike Singer audition for American Idol, so we did the next best thing: we sent him out to check out the auditions. Intern Mike has landed safely at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, home of the New York Giants, alleged final resting place of former Teamsters bigwig Jimmy Hoffa, and the gathering place for thousands of Idol hopefuls.

Intern Mike reports people sleeping in the grassy areas in the parking lot of the Continental Airlines Arena, and some pretty disappointed folks from his bus, who were too late to register.

More details to follow as Intern Mike gets inside.