The competition is getting more and more intense on American Idol, aired locally on Q Channel 11 every Wednesday and Thursday at 6 PM.

This week (week of February 1, 2010), with the airing of the Denver auditions and the "Best Of" special, dubbed as "The Road to Hollywood," the auditions phase comes to a close. All Idol roads will then lead to the Hollywood Round and, of course, Ellen Degeneres' debut as this season's fourth Idol judge.

The start of the Hollywood Round marks the Emmy and People's Choice Award winner's first appearance on American Idol, joining resident judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and Simon Cowell.

The beloved comedian and host endeared herself to Pinoy fans even more after she brought on to her show Ellen four Filipino musical acts-and counting! Ellen was the first to feature Charice Pempengco on American television through her show. She has also featured Arnel Pineda of Journey, Fil-American duo Rin on the Rox, and Rhap Salazar.

American Idol has consistently been a major TV event and a cultural force around the world. This season, one of the most hotly-anticipated contestants is 23-year-old Andrew Garcia who wowed the judges during the Los Angeles auditions.

The bespectacled crooner from Moreno, California sang his own soulful version of Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning" which had all four judges, including guest judge Katy Perry, practically swooning. Simon called him "a genuinely, genuinely, good, good singer." Andrew is married to a Filipina. According to some websites, Andrew joined his Fil-Am musician-friends last year in several fund raising concerts for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

Will Andrew Garcia and the other audition front runners survive the Hollywood Round? How will Ellen affect the dynamics among the Idol judges? Who will stand up to notoriously acerbic judge Simon? What surprises are in store this week?

Don't miss American IdolA, the biggest talent show on television, this Wednesday and Thursday, at 6PM (with same day replay at 8:30 PM) only on Q Channel 11!

PHOTO COURTESY OF Q CHANNEL 11