MAKING A POLARIZING FIRST IMPRESSION

Adam's effortless ''Bohemian Rhapsody'' — hands-down the best vocal from the weak San Francisco audition telecast — may have received the dreaded ''theatrical'' critique from Simon, but all was not lost. The thinly veiled put-down gave Kara a redeeming moment, as she hastily (and testily) rushed to Mr. Lambert's defense. And bonus points to Adam for copping to having seen Paula in concert when he was a grade-schooler.