The wait is over, it’s on to the finals!

Syesha, I appreciate how you carried yourself during courtesy week.
Too bad you didn’t step it up and go out with a bang.


Last night I bumped into a friend that I hadn’t seen for a while and he mentioned my blog. It always makes me happy to know that people are actually reading this thing. At times it feels like I release these things into cyberspace and no one reads them. Anyway, my friend commented that I talk a lot about American Idol. At this point it’s the only TV show that I keep up with weekly. While life is too often described as busy, I do enjoy the 90 minutes of Idol. Plus it is the only show for which I cannot avoid a spoiler. With other shows like Lost or The Office, I can generally change the channel or change the subject quickly enough. But Idol is everywhere and it only takes a single sentence to ruin the surprise. I do love the Idol and want to experience with the rest of my friends.

With that, the show does have some areas that are lacking. There is a great article in last weeks Entertainment Weekly that gives suggestions for improving the show. I completely agree with the overhauling that is suggested. If you want, take a minute and give it a read. Fox announced that they are cutting the results show to a half hour next season. Hopefully this means they will cut the horrible Ford commercials and the group numbers. I heard Seacrest say that he wasn’t sure how they’d cram all that show into 30 minutes. Really Ryan? We’re talking about you saying a name. It could actually be done in 15 seconds.

Okay, enough about programming issues, on to moments that made me laugh from last week’s Idol. Syesha does a crappy rendition of Fever and Ryan Seacrest makes sure that we see the “classic chair”. Syesha’s performance of Fever was her giving up and not trying to be relevant. She was giving a Broadway Audition rather than creating a case that she is a potential pop star. The most laughable moment though was David Archuleta’s pathetic attempt at exuding street cred by singing “Boo”. It made him seem pathetic. The news that is swirling about his father is also making him appear less like an Idol and more like a Von Trapp child. (More on that at the end of this post.)

The finals are working out to be everything that I expected and what everyone wanted. My feeling is that if Archuleta wins, the show will end up loosing fans and followers. The tween crowd is going to tune in, no matter what. But my feeling is that the 22-32 demographic will not buy it and many will tune out. My prediction is that when the finalists perform with other pop stars Archuleta will look lame and out of his league, while Cook will be in step with whomever he is paired with. Again, let’s hope that justice can beat 13-year-old girls.

I stand by my Prediction that our next American Idol is…

1. David Cook

Trouble in the Archuleta Family?

In the event that you haven’t heard about David A’s daddy drama, here’s a little video that helps paint the picture.

If you don’t want to watch a video then the combination of images below gives a representation of the personality dynamics between David & his Dad. (Note the German Flair!)

David is Kurt Von Trapp; young, naïve and totally dependent on his parent.

David’s Father is a tyrant that is barking orders and annoying everyone around him.

(Note: Anytime you want to strengthen your argument, throw in a reference to the infamous Führer)
(Note: My last note was dripping with sarcasm. Don't do that, it's annoying.)

I don’t judge idol like “Drunk Paula”

My guess is that MC Skat Kat introduced Paula to some
shady substances and she hasn’t been the same since.



Over the last few weeks I have received a lot of slack for my failed Idol predictions. While a few of them have been in the way of comments here on the blog, they have poured in over myspace, facebook, gmail, phone, and in person. I hit the wall today when a friend at school asked “Are you as drunk as Paula Abdul when you make your predictions?” If I wasn’t at seminary, I very well may have tackled my friend. Sure it was funny, but it cut me deep, cut me real deep.

Let me give you a window into my process of blogging and predicting. I usually watch American Idol either late Tuesday night when I get home from school or late Wednesday night when I get home from hanging out after work. If I watch the episode Wednesday, I will watch the results show immediately after. Then, Thursday I write the Idol blog for next week. I am sure you can notice that my predictions are ALWAYS posted before that week’s performance.

SO, my prediction doesn’t take in mind the show that immediately preceded the nationwide vote. I don’t have the time at that point in my week to turn around an article that fast. Maybe I will start adding a short addendum to the articles after I watch and see the need for an adjustment. But please keep my timeline in mind when you read my Idol Blogs and tearing me apart when you see me. Okay enough about my defensive response, let’s move on…HOW DRUNK WAS PAULA TUESDAY NIGHT!!! Oh my goodness.

I understand getting confused with the new format of the night, but that was not the problem. Paula is clearly on something and an embarrassment as a judge. From what I’ve heard from “insiders”, she is constantly late and consistently unprofessional. Apparently the other judges and host are tired of her shenanigans. While Ryan’s forced comments standing up for Paula did give the appearance of a “family love”, I am sure they’d all like to see her go.

As Idol hits a ratings slump and does some retooling, I think they should look to that middle seat. She is just a washed up pop star and they are a dime a dozen. Hey, here’s a crazy thought… bring in Britney. Now THAT would make good TV! Maybe this regular schedule would add to Britney’s recovery from whatever mental illness she has. While some may say she isn’t that talented, I’d encourage you to listen to a Paula Abdul record; they are on the same level vocally. I’d much rather see a modern wacko than an out-of-date drunk on Idol.

Your Thoughts?