Fox's "American Idol" is back for its audition phase, which is always the most entertaining part of the show to me. Once the good singers are all picked and there's no weird, totally random performers, I could care less.

But even as I acknowledge that, I also feel some guilt. The part of the show I enjoy most is also the meanest, cruelest TV of the year. You can easily argue that anyone who auditions knows what they're getting themselves into. I've suggested that before, but it's nothing more than a rationalization, particularly when it comes to the most socially awkward people who attempt to sing.

"Everyone has their own unique story to tell," host Ryan Seacrest proclaimed at the start of Tuesday's show. Let the rationalizing begin!

The judges have been much kinder this season, even to the worst singers, so it's not their comments I'm talking about. It's the decision of the producers to include some of the auditions for national broadcast.

I don't object to "Idol" showing auditions by the harmlessly weird, such as 44-year-old Renaldo. Nevermind that he's too old to compete, his white pimp hat and endless singing of "I am your brother, your best friend forever" was amusing. Perhaps he's a bit deluded, but I didn't sense that he had mental problems.

That can't be said for all the would-be competitors. The woman Tuesday night with the Princess Leia hairstyle was so socially awkward, it was painful to watch her. You'd hope the people who love her would have stopped her from embarrassing herself, but sometimes those people are too close. They want to be supportive, misguided as that support may be.

But when it comes to Princess Leia or the Gulping Guy who auditioned last night, I can't help but think the "Idol" producers should step in. There are plenty of borderline personalities auditioning. Would the show really lose anything without showing auditions by the likes of these two? Sometimes society's most vulnerable members need protection from themselves.