If ratings from Tuesday night's debut of American Idol were any indication, America doesn't like the nicer Simon Cowell.

Viewership was down about 13 percent from 2007, and Idol suffered its worst ratings debut in four years. But don't be too quick to judge. Idol's adult demographic is relatively well educated (Don't laugh. It's actually true.), and many of those folks will be diverted by presidential politics.

Heck, I peeked at cable coverage of the Michigan primary Tuesday night. I won't lie. It's some of the best reality TV going.

Yet, my take on the initial figures is irrelevant. Here's what we all want to know: Would Simon's nice streak last a second night into the new season?

Yes, but he had reason to be kind as Jessica Brown, 24, kicked off night No. 2 -- this time from auditions held in Dallas -- with an "interesting" version of The Pretenders' hit "I'll Stand By You." What made Brown stand out though wasn't her talent, it was her story.

She is a meth addict.

With pock marks and scars on her face showing the devastating effects of a terrible drug, the Longview, Texas, native talked about her addiction, her recovery and her babies.

The old Simon might have made a comment about Brown needing to wear extra concealer once she gets to Hollywood, but he left it with, "You made the song interesting."

What has happened to you, Simon Cowell?

Have to admit: I like the nice approach, personally. Just don't think it's good for business.

Kady Malloy, 18, of Houston, gave Simon even more reason to be nice with a rendition of his favorite song of all time, "Unchained Melody." But what made Malloy super interesting was her ability to comically mimic Britney Spears voice.

Simon not only said she gave Idol judges the best audition yet, he added: "I've got a feeling about you."

Always a good sign for a potential finalist. Look for this one to be in that group of 24.

Of course, night No. 2 offered its share of weird acts, one of which was even advanced to Hollywood. Kayla Dawn Hatfield, 24, told the story of a bad car accident six years ago, a wreck she shouldn't have survived.

Like Brown, this Campbell, Texas, native bore the scars of her past on her face but still brought out the best in Cowell. Dressed like a gypsy, Hatfield howled some Janis Joplin and advanced with a 2 to 1 vote.

Did I say one weird act advanced? Make it two.

Oklahoma State junior Kyle Ensley -- an international business, political science double major -- offered Idol fans a schpiel about wanting to get into politics, even his desire someday to be the governor of Oklahoma.

Then in glee-club fashion, he nails a Queen song. Well, as much as an amateur could nail a Queen song in glee-club fashion.

Judges said he was surprisingly good with Simon noting that he was "not as bad as I thought you were going to be."

However, Cowell ribbed him further: "You won't do weird things with your hair like Clay Aiken, right?"

Douglas Davidson, 28, from Austin, gave perhaps the weirdest audition in seven seasons with his version of Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer." What made Davidson's misadventure so odd is that he walked around in circles, mumbled to himself and noted that when he used to sing as a child, his father told him he hated him.

Not as in, "I hate you, you're so good," but as in, "I really hate you," he said.

Funniest moment of the night. He was escorted from the audition room by security.

Muskogee, Okla., one of my many hometowns over the years came to represent in the form of 18-year-old Colton Swon, a modern-day country rocker. Colton belted a song from the country band Little Big Town, and Paula oddly noted that "Boondocks" was one of her favorite songs.

Why do I have a hard time believing that Paula Abdul listens or has ever listened to any country?

However, Simon offered this assessment: "I think there's a lot of guys in bars singing like that all over the country."

Might not seem to bode well for a fellow Rougher (if you're from Muskogee, you'll get it), but my gut hunch says Colton makes the Top 24.

All in all, night No. 2 offered less drama than Tuesday, a weird assortment of Dallas-area transvestites, and with the exception of a couple of singers, quite a bit less talent than Philadelphia. Don't forget though that Seattle didn't impress in Season 6 but went on to produce last year's Top 2 -- Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks.

While Malloy might have been the best auditioner yet, the most unique and potentially interesting musically might have been Pia Easley, 24, from Chicago. With odd carvings in her hair and what looked to be a tattoo on the side of her head, she wailed on a Gladys Knight tune called "I've Got To Use My Imagination."

The judges noted that this model and backup singer didn't come with the typical "beaten puppy" lack of confidence that previous backup singers on the show had possessed.

Melinda Doolittle, anyone?

Truth is, Easley wasn't as good as Doolittle by any stretch of the imagination. However, her upside is pretty big. Potentially. She has commercial and modern and hip (almost literally) written all over her.

Perhaps that's the theme of Season 7 so far. It's all about the upside. While neither episode thus far has wowed, and although it's strangely "nicer" than previous Idol seasons, there is an upside to this year that makes me think -- still -- that good things are to come.

But don't call me a true believer just yet.