Let Me Join the Masses

Up until this year, I've never been one to watch American Idol until they have culled it down to the top twelve. Even then I usually don't care to watch the first six or so get the boot. This year, however, we have been watching. I even watched the auditions.

Apparently they've changed things since the last time I payed any attention. Instead of two hours or so of so-embarrassing-I-can't-bear-to-watch-it programming, they managed to show people who actually had a shot. Yes, there were a few this-person-actually-thinks-they-can-sing-but-holy-cow-they-must-be-deaf moments, but for the most part I was only embarrassed approximately once each evening, which is saying a lot, since I used to not be able to watch it at all.

Really, how can these people not know that they sound awful?

Anyway.

I haven't caught up this week yet for a variety of reasons, the least of which is not the fact that we are moving. To Russia. Holy Smokes. Also - there's a thing called the Olympics on, and I try to watch what little of that interests me each evening.

Have you seen the ice-dancers' folk music costumes??? CA-RA-ZY.

What is the point of this post? Oh, yeah. I actually have some favorites. Based on the little we have seen of them thus far I have a couple of the girls I like and definitely one guy. Will I vote? Um, no. I haven't ever done that, either.

One thing that bothers me is that AI chooses some of these people for human interest stories that we all get to follow throughout the audition process. The up-side is that if you make it, you probably already have a good fan-base who will vote for you. The down-side, aside from the obvious with those who do not make it, is that all of the people who don't get highlighted in any way are already at a disadvantage going into the "America votes" shows.

I know everyone signs a release and surely they know going into it that they might not win the lottery in this area but it all seems unfair to me.

Then again, life is hardly ever fair, is it?

I can say that my favorites have nothing to do with the home-life or any other extraneous information given through the highlights; rather, I like a few who had some really strong (in my opinion) performances during Hollywood week. And usually the judges and I agree, especially Simon.

You can hate him if you'd like, but dude knows what he's talking about.

[Except (apparently, because I wasn't watching) with Jennifer Hudson...]

Then again, there were some faces in the "Here's who made it" segments that I felt like I hadn't seen at all, so in the end the producers, etc. ARE deciding my favorites for me simply through exclusion.

Those who were left out certainly have a lot more pressure on them during these short all-girl and all-boy weeks...

Anyone reading this have an opinion about all of this?

Does anyone even read this?

Heavy questions, people, HEAVY.