Guilty pleasure time: I enjoyed almost the entirety of the American Idol season finale. There were some slow spots--Paula's off-key roast of Simon Cowell--and some truly bizarre things--Janet Jackson sounding so much like Michael that it really freaked me out! And I cannot at all believe that America voted for a guy who couldn't get more than 20 percent of the song in tune most weeks over a gal who was "really good" on her bad nights.
We witnessed the end of an era with Simon leaving after tonight's final show. Honestly, I think that despite his protestations that the show will go on, there is probably only one more season left. Without his cutting wit and utter brutality, who will keep the contestants grounded? Certainly not Randy "Yo Yo Yo Dawg" Jackson, Ellen "Wanna Dance" Degeneres, or Kara "you're so commercial" DioGuardi. Not that there is anything truly wrong with those judges and the role they step into each week, but someone needs to keep a level of honesty and Simon usually did that.
There has been a lot of complaining about the level of talent in this season's batch of wannabes and that criticism was well-founded. None of the top 12 was even in the same league as Crystal Bowersox most weeks. There were occasional flashes of brilliance in a sea of mediocrity. Crystal was a beacon of hope and light in all that mess...yellow, crooked teeth, dirty nest of dreadlocks and all. She is a true artist where there are few and she probably has little commercial viability these days, unfortunately.
In the 4 previous seasons I have watched Idol I have purchased the winner's albums and I still enjoy them all. I can't see myself buying Lee DeWyze CD, though...he has something big to prove before I will spend my hard-earned money. Namely, that he can carry a tune...actually that he can carry a whole album of tunes! If I could reserve Crystal's CD on Amazon today, I would, though...she is that good. No offense to Lee...he seems like a very nice, humble guy...I just don't think he sings well.
Worst Idol season yet? Maybe. Glad it's over. Definitely. Will I be back next year? Probably. I will also tune in for Simon's next act: X Factor. It could pick up where Idol has dropped the ball...finding the best undiscovered talent in this great nation of ours.
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