Idol Thoughts, May 23: Power to the People – Right On, Right On!

The final performance show is only hours away, and Idol fans are gearing up to watch, and then vote for their favorite. When we started out on this journey some four months ago, it would have been impossible to predict the twists and turns that we have experienced this season, and few would have predicted a Taylor/Katharine finale. But whatever the outcome, this season has galvanized fans as never before, and American Idol is more popular than ever.

For those of us who have watched every season, this is a mixed blessing. While it is comforting to know that we are not alone in our obsession, it feels as though our “secret” society has suddenly issued open enrollment, and the doors have been opened for anyone who wishes to enter. Media has picked up on the show as never before, and it seems that anyone who has access to a computer has an opinion. All this interest is great for the show and will ensure massive success for the winner, but I miss that feeling of exclusivity that used to be part of the Idol experience.

We are left to wonder, then, why has American Idol lit a fire in our collective consciousness like never before? Certainly, there are more important issues that warrant our attention. The same war that began during season two continues on with no resolution in sight. The price of gas has more than doubled since the show debuted in 2002 ($1.22 per gallon), and may triple before the summer is over. Natural disasters have destroyed millions of lives worldwide, and we have been eyewitness to human suffering that defies description. We worry about personal privacy issues, while at the same time, wonder whether terrorists will strike again. To say that we are living in troubled times is an understatement.

The answer is fairly obvious. American Idol offers us an escape from our daily troubles, and a chance to live out our own dreams vicariously. It gives us an opportunity for our voices to be heard and to form like-minded communities with a single focus. We feel empowered and united in our quest to push our favorite to the top. And we vote because we genuinely care about the outcome. This is democracy in its most basic form. No, the winner of American Idol will not make a difference in the grand scheme of things, and once the show is over, we will be forced to refocus our attention on more important matters. But for four months, Idol has given us a welcome respite and a chance to unite for a common purpose.

If you doubt this, consider Taylor Hicks and the collective known as the Soul Patrol. When Taylor auditioned, Simon dismissed him, saying that “they” would never put him through. Simon couldn’t or wouldn’t see Taylor’s potential, and focused instead on his perception that Taylor was simply not marketable. Week after week, Simon ignored the voice of the people and continued to delude himself that Taylor was but a passing fancy. But viewers saw something different, and rallied around Taylor with a fervor that has now surpassed Clay-mania from season two. Taylor’s fans were determined to get him to the finals and to prove, once and for all, that ultimately it is the fans who decide the winner, not Simon, not the producers, and not the media. All through the competition, there’s been a rekindling of that old-fashioned “power to the people” spirit that only those of us old enough to remember the 1960s have ever experienced. And, I have to say, it’s been a blast!

This week, more people will be watching than ever before. We will sit at the edge of our seats as Taylor and Katharine perform on Tuesday, and then power vote furiously. Some of us will text message for the first time in our lives! We will be on pins and needles for 24 hours, waiting for the results show on Wednesday, and then, at the appointed hour, we will sit and watch for two hours as Idols past and present prance about on the stage. When Ryan announces the name of the winner, some of us will celebrate wildly, while others will weep. And then, on Thursday, we will all wake up with an Idol hangover and began the process of re-acclimating to life as we once knew it!

No matter who wins, we are all better for the experience. We have had a chance to reach out to one another and form virtual communities that will endure long after the results are announced. Real friendships have been forged, and as we have seen from past seasons, these relationships will get stronger as our “chosen” one continues his or her career. People who may have never participated in an online community are suddenly Internet savvy, and this knowledge will continue to enrich their lives. And maybe, just maybe, this experience will serve as a model for more important campaigns, and once again, we the people can find our voice in the political arena. Because, as important as Idol may seem today, tomorrow looms large on the horizon.

My best wishes to both Taylor and Katharine as they hit the stage tonight. Relax and enjoy the moment, because no matter what happens in the future, this is going to be a night that you will relive in your minds for the rest of your lives. No matter who wins, you are both winners, and after this experience, your lives will never be the same. Know that you are not alone on the stage and that millions of us are up there with you. And, when Wednesday comes, in that moment right before Ryan announces the name of the next American Idol, feel the power of what you have accomplished this season and let that carry you through whatever the outcome turns out to be.

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.

Be sure to sign up for the RealityNewsOnline/FoxesOnIdol e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on both sites! For all of our articles, check out our sections on American Idol on FoxesOnIdol, American Idol on RealityNewsOnline, as well as articles on Nashville Star and Canadian Idol. Also make sure to check out RealityNewsOnline for recaps and articles covering other reality TV shows.

For even more news about American Idol, be sure to check SirLinksALot - American Idol!