Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe are welcomed, but Ellen is nowhere to be seen at Mondrian bash

"SATC2" takes New York, Rob Dyrdek takes downtown L.A.

HOLLYBLOG: The show got more full of itself, the contestants have figured out all the angles

And the music on the 24-minute-overtime Idol Give Back -- even more depressing than the taped stories

Still, once again Glambert is the most dramatic moment of the night

And more tasteless tomfoolery from Ryan

COMMENTARY: He's judging the judges, putting the contestants emotionally on the spot ... what is he, trying out to replace Simon?

Oh, for the good old days -- two hosts, Clay & Ruben, no Oprah interrogations

Alternative way to vote: sign a petition to bring Alex Lambert back, like Demi did