Los Angeles: Ad Town One in a series

Spotted during Tuesday night’s “American Idol” premiere (yes, I watched, and don’t deny it, you did too): A Coke machine, smack dab in Union Station.

Aspiring L.A.-Based David Cooks, Book Your SF Trip Now

“American Idol” announced its audition dates last week, and L.A. isn’t among them. Angelenos looking to make it to Hollywood, dawg, will have to speed up the 5 on Thursday, July 17, as tryouts for next season will take place at San Francisco’s Cow Palace.

Auditions are also set for Louisville, KY; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; Kansas City, MO; Jacksonville, FL; East Rutherford, NJ; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I guess it’s too late for me, as the show is looking for “men and women 16-28 years old as of July 15 who are eligible to work in the U.S.”

Interestingly, they’re not allowing people to camp out before hand; instead, wristbands will be distributed starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday July 15, until 8 a.m. the morning of July 17. (So what’s to stop folks from camping out before the 15th instead?) Good luck, and please, make an ass of yourself so you at least get some primetime broadcast TV time.

"American Idol" vs. the Lakers

I can’t remember a time when two major, nationally televised events were taking place across the street from one another. But Wednesday night, “American Idol” fans mixed with Lakers fans, as the “Idol” finale went live at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live, across the street from Staples Center — where the Lakers met the Spurs for Game 1 of the Western Conference championships.

I managed to find $10 parking (not an easy feat, but there it was, not to far from $30 and $25 lots), and parked mostly among Lakers fans. Hiking to the Nokia, guys selling Lakers caps were standing near others passing out free T-shirts touting “Idol” finalist David Cook (still not sure why, or who those people were).

Inside, I got my first taste of the Nokia. Damn, it’s huge. And lacking in much character. Two Kodak Theatres could fit in there, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. The theatre may have been built to be acoustically perfect, but it’s quite plain inside.

I got there late, but still caught the Idols as they performed with Bryan Adams, Graham Nash, One Republic and George Michael. I swear the screaming was loudest for the Jonas Brothers, and clearly I’m now old, because I have no patience for them.

In the end, the right contestant won — David Cook, the “rocker” who provided much of the season’s more interesting performances. Oh, and across the street, the right team won as well. Traffic heading home was a breeze as well, as both the Lakers playoff and Dodgers game were still going on.

(Above, the L.A. Times home page looks a lot like downtown did Wednesday night, with “Idol” and the Lakers side-by-side.)

Castro Confusion

Something about the juxtaposition of these two radically different stories on the L.A. Times home page cracks me up. Yes, we’re talking about Cuba above, but no, Fidel Castro was not voted off “American Idol.”

Retro Friday: M.C. Skat Kat, Where Are You?

If this week’s “American Idol” debacle was any indication, clearly Paula Abdul is still in need of help. I nominate M.C. Skat Kat to lead the intervention.

Retro Friday: M.C. Skat Kat, Where Are You?

If this week’s “American Idol” debacle was any indication, clearly Paula Abdul is still in need of help. I nominate M.C. Skat Kat to lead the intervention.

Eagle Rock Picks Its "American Idol" Contestant

Looks like they’re rooting for Ramiele Malubay at the Eagle Rock Plaza. (Ramiele’s from Florida, but as you know, Eagle Rock boasts a large Filipino population — and don’t count that big vote out nationwide.)

Yes, I’ve started watching (hey, it’s my job, people). Not sure any contestant has my vote yet, but David Cook’s rendition of Chris Cornell’s version of “Billie Jean” was the only interesting performance last week.

"American Idol’s" Leaving Hollywood, Dawg!

L.A. Live’s Nokia Theatre has just lurred away another major TV event, but this time from another recent development — Hollywood and Highland’s Kodak Theatre.

“American Idol” announced Wednesday that its two-night finale would be broadcast live this year from the Nokia — after six years at the Kodak.

Announcement comes just a few days after the TV academy announced that the Emmys were officially leaving the Shrine Auditorium for the Nokia.

Seacrest stalkers, take note: “Idol’s” finale will air Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21. Fox says more than 7,000 people will squeeze into the Nokia to watch.

And So "Idol Season" Begins…

Kind of hard to believe, but “American Idol” is already in its seventh season. The reality show returned Tuesday night, and so far the good and the bad seem to be evenly divided. Did you watch? Do you care?

And most importantly, which Princess Leia impersonator did you prefer:

The chubby guy who proved people will do anything to be on TV, or the (I assume) stand-up comedienne portraying a borderline mentally handicapped “Star Wars” fanatic?

Who Should Be Franklin Avenue’s Angeleno of the Week?

Taking votes and suggestions right now… here are a few of the contenders:

Former L.A. Times opinion editor Andres Martinez, who was shocked — shocked — to discover that his romantic involvement with P.R. exec Kelly Mullens, who works with Brian Grazer, left some questioning his decision to tap Grazer to guest-edit the Sunday Current section. (To be fair, I think this whole scandal has been blown way out of proportion.)

After Dark Films CEO Courtney Solomon, who was shocked — shocked! — that those gruesome “Captivity” billboards found around town had been put up without, ahem, approval.

“American Idol” fan Ashley Ferl, the 13-year-old Riverside girl who hit her 15 minutes of fame after continuously bawling in the audience of Tuesday night’s show. Ferl has already capitalized on her moment in the spotlight by appearing on the “Today” show, while the L.A. Times is obsessed with her.

(Pics: LA Observed, Defamer, Fishbowl LA.)