Idol Thoughts, March 28: Closer to Perfection

When I started writing this column I decided to call it “Idol Thoughts” because, during the season, I spend a great deal of time thinking about American Idol. I wouldn’t say that the show consumes me, but I really do focus a lot of my energy and attention on all things Idol. This season is certainly no exception, but I find myself struggling at times to come up with tantalizing material about which to write. This is particularly odd since this really is the best season ever. Maybe that’s the problem. It’s too perfect!

Think about it. So far this season, nothing unexpected has happened. Last season’s top 12 round started off with a bang, when Mario Vasquez abruptly quit the show after having made the top 12. The speculation surrounding his sudden defection was pretty much all people could talk about and somewhat overshadowed the first week of the competition. People are still talking about this! Idol is all about controversy, and while we had the delightful Brittenum twins to talk about during the audition rounds, since then, it’s been smooth sailing.

There were no real disappointments during the selection of the top 24, and while I would have much preferred Gedeon over Bucky (think how well he would have done with both Stevie Wonder and the ‘50s), the top 12 brought no real surprises. Melissa’s elimination was totally predictable, even she knew it was coming, and although Kevin’s elimination was a surprise, it was exactly what should have happened. When was the last time that an underdog was actually eliminated at the exact right time? Never, that’s when! Normally, these people last two or three weeks too long, and by the time they are eliminated, they have been ripped to tiny shreds by Simon and maligned by all of Idoldom. Kevin was spared all of that. He should be extremely grateful.

Even the performance shows have been nearly letter-perfect. Last week, every one of them picked the right song, and no one was horrible. In fact, even the worst of them were better than some of the better contestants in other seasons. It’s bizarre, I tell you. I was thoroughly entertained by the entire show and was left wanting more. The same thing happened during Stevie Wonder week. I loved watching Stevie with the contestants, and again, enjoyed almost every performance. I don’t recall ever watching a performance show this early in the competition and being so completely satisfied! Okay, I wasn’t thrilled with Kevin, but he’s gone already.

In previous seasons, I have had one or maybe two favorites, and enjoy following them through the competition. I invest in these people and take their success or failure personally. They become my main reason for watching the show. For example, while I knew pretty much from the start that Fantasia would win season three, the show just wasn’t the same for me once George was eliminated. That’s just the way I am!

This year is different. While Taylor is still my favorite, I can’t deny that I am also rooting for Mandisa, Elliott, Paris, Chris, and even Katharine. It feels weird! I can honestly say that there is no one left that I really dislike. That’s never happened before either. See what I mean?!

All of this is really bothering me. It’s too perfect. We all complain when the weaklings survive too long or when the wrong people are eliminated. We continue to wonder why Jennifer Hudson and Constantine were cut when others so much less worthy were allowed to continue on. I still can’t believe that LaToya didn’t make the finals, and that Nikki McKibbon lasted longer than Tamyra! But as upsetting as these unpredictable eliminations are, that’s one of the reasons the show is so much fun to watch. You never know what’s going to happen, and the resulting outrage keeps us all on our toes and gives us lots to write about.

I can’t see how anything like this can possibly happen this season. The only person left who could possibly be a real spoiler is Bucky, and he would have to have an enormous surge in popularity in order to beat out any of the contenders. It’s pretty much a mathematic impossibility.

This is not to say that there won’t be a few mini-shockers along the way. I think Ace and Kellie will outlast Elliott, which is a shame, and Kellie may even make it to the top five over Katharine. But is this outrageous? Does it have the same impact as Jasmine and Diana beating out LaToya? Certainly not. While you may find Kellie’s country bumpkin act annoying, the girl can sing.

Part of me hopes that I am completely wrong, and that from here on in, we will be shocked out of our ever-loving minds every week. That certainly makes it easier for me to come up with a column every week. But maybe it’s time that all the right people make it through to the later rounds and we have a top five that really is the best! Wouldn’t that be something?

Donna Reynolds is a freelance writer based in Syracuse, New York. While entertainment sustains her emotionally, she earns her daily bread by writing and editing web copy. Check out her new website at www.idolthoughts.net. Donna loves mail, so shoot her an email at foxydonna@earthlink.net.

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