Oh POOH!
Oh well, at least I made it ONE day into the New Year without watching American Idol!
Season Nine of American Idol begins on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Therefore, I thought I had at least twelve days to remind/cajole/command myself NOT to watch.
But on Saturday night, January 2, 2010, as I rustled up dinner in my kitchen, I flipped on the TV. Bad idea. I didn’t even have to switch channels. Immediately Simon, Paula (two of my favorite people), and Randy popped up on the screen.
This was a re-run of an old show. You’d think that would be easy to turn off since I’m pretty sure I have seen every episode of AI since Season 2. But not the case.
I was so pleased NOT to see Kara (ugh—big mistake adding her to the judges’ table) and once again saw the chemistry/camaraderie among the original three judges. I like watching S, P, and R interact. It’s entertaining. Those three were a great team.
In the re-run show, a singer named Deborah tried to impress the judges. She was a wanna-be cross between Melissa Etheridge and Janis Joplin. She was lanky; had frizzy long hair, tinted granny glasses, and a gruff voice. She said she had been a singer in bands since she was a kid. She claimed to be 27 years old, but she looked ten years older. (I guess singing in a band ages you?)
I thought she sang OK, although I couldn’t understand everything she said. It also appeared she tried too hard to dramatize her singing with body movements. Deborah was very earnest in her desire to be a good singer. She also seemed genuinely nice and was polite to boot.
Paula said Deborah was “interesting,” and gave her a YES to go on to the next round in Hollywood. Randy was flummoxed, “I don’t know man…” Simon was as ornery as ever. He said he could judge her singing better if he didn’t have to look at her.
You should have seen the look on Deborah’s face. (Simon’s comment was hard to hear.) But she took it in stride. She still had that pleading “pick me—pick me” look on her face.
Paula didn’t appreciate the snarkiness of Simon’s comment and told him that he said the same thing about Clay Aiken. Then they got into an argument about whether or not Paula was even at Clay Aiken’s audition and how could she have known what Simon had said.
This put Simon in an even worse mood and he voted NO. So along with Randy’s NO, Deborah was sent packing. As she left the room, she thanked S, P, & R for the opportunity. I felt bad for her.
Simon and Paula continued their verbal tête-à-tête, which ended when Simon got so miffed he left the room—leaving Paula and Randy to judge the next guy by themselves.
Oh, how I miss those days….
I think part of my affinity for American Idol is the nostalgia factor. I’ve watched it for so long it seems “natural” at this point—for lack of a better word. Maybe it reminds me of halcyon days gone by? Maybe it gives me a sense of connectedness I lack? Maybe I need to get a life?
Whatever the reason, it will really bug me if I can’t go cold turkey and get off this TV drug. AI, I wish I could quit you!
Consequently, ONCE AGAIN, I am resolving to STOP watching this show. I need all the help I can get.
