Judge Simon Cowell dishes on the new season of the talent competition.

"American Idol" fans have to take the good with the bad, especially during the audition shows of the blockbuster FOX reality series, returning tonight at 8 p.m. on FOX with a two-hour look at the Philadelphia tryouts, followed on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m., with auditions from Dallas.

So how does tell-it-like-it-is judge SIMON COWELL rate the City of Brotherly Love?

"I think [Philly] was the first city, which is probably a good thing for the contestants because, I think, that you are naturally kinder to the first couple of cities you go to," he says. "I don't think it was an incredible city. I can't think of one particular highlight at the moment, but that applies to most of the cities I go through. It's quite difficult to remember an awful lot weeks after you've done it, so maybe it's just my old age."

While Simon may not remember what happened in which city, he does assess the kids who make it through to Hollywood this season as stronger than last season: "These people just look more current; they sound more current. They're definitely individuals and, I think, three of four of the contestants we've got this year would have gotten recording contracts even without 'Idol." I think they were that good."

High praise indeed from the man famous for his cutting remarks to those who audition, but then again, it isn't the first season of the show and people should know what to expect.

"I hope that people, A: realize I know what I'm talking about, and secondly, that it's actually more cruel to lie to someone or give them false expectations rather than tell them the truth," Simon says, when asked about his pointed critiques. "If they're hopeless, there's no point in saying, as PAULA [ABDUL] would say, 'Take up singing lessons, and you'll become MARIAH CAREY,' because it doesn't work that way. I'm quite comfortable with most of what I've said on the show throughout the years. If people disagree, that's all part of the fun of the show."