Intro

Wow! I’m the author of a blog!

I’ve tried not to stick my neck out too far and throw my opinions out there in writing ever since the summer before 9th grade, when I wrote a self-righteous diatribe to all my friends extolling the wonders of true love and informing them all that despite what they might have thought, they hadn’t, and wouldn’t ever, experience life even in the minutest degree until they were in a “committed relationship” (he dumped me at the end of summer, a week before school started up again). Needless to say, I never heard from those friends again. . . hmmm. . . .

Ever since then, I’ve heeded my grandmother’s advice to remember that the written word is lasting and has a way of popping up again when you least expect, or want, it. I write all my emails very carefully, scrutinizing them for the smallest iota of sarcasm, spite or patronization. I’ve made a habit of writing responses, saving them for a few days, then going back a few days later (after I’ve hopefully cooled off a little) to revise and rewrite, until all the venom has been removed.

Then again, those emails mostly involve work and people I have to be around every day and occasionally need stuff from. This is for fun, I was asked to write my honest opinions (something most people except the very brave don't ask for more than once)!!

So, here's a little about how I feel about Idol this year so far. . . several of the female performers are very good but have some issues: little Miss Paris -- great voice, but I'm not sure emotionally she'll be able to make it to the end, Mandisa, fabulous voice but unfortunately not the pop star image, Ms. McPhee also a beautiful voice but there's something unpredictable about her. Guys: love Elliott's voice, but again, not the pop star image (but close your eyes next time he sings --- it's a better experience that way), Ace --- hey, he's gorgeous and because it's all the American public voting from here on out, he'll definitely make it to the top three, unless he does something horrendous sometime during the next couple of weeks, Chris has a fabulous voice and is a great performer, but again, not the idol image. He'll end up with a contract, but he won't win.

A couple of things that are bothering me. . . it seems that, at this point last season, the good singers were getting great. This year, it doesn't seem as if anyone has gotten any better. Are they not being voice-coached? And, is the show not offering wardrobe help? They all look like they're wearing their own clothes still!!

Well, we're at the point in the season that is the most exhilerating and nerve-wracking for me, only because I SO don't trust the American public, or at least the part of the public that votes each week. I'm convinced that, just like in political elections, a lot of people leave it to others to vote, thinking their vote won't mean anything. I'm also convinced that some people vote for the goof (i.e., Paula and Randy sending the space-case guy to Hollywood)!

And, let's face it! There's got to be at least as many people voting as there were horrible singers in the tryouts. You know, the people who kept us riveted to the screen night after night, who sang their hearts out, convinced that they were the next American Idol. Well, SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE VOTING!!! If they can't hear how horrible THEY sound, how can they judge how good someone else sounds???

I have to say, leaving it to the public each year really, really worries me.