My New Year’s Resolution for 2010 was to go cold turkey to end my addiction to American Idol. I kept this resolution—sort of. I did not watch the show on TV. But I did watch some of the performances online and posted comments on the Idol Chatter blog (of USA Today).
Luckily this season’s group of contestants was a lackluster bunch—lacking talent and lacking personality. That made the show so much easier to ignore. Having watched every single episode from Season 2 through Season 8, I thought the AI withdrawal would be painful. But it wasn’t.
If I got to pick the winner this year it would have been Siobhan Magnus. She had the most pizzazz, the wildest fashion sense, and a powerful voice. I guess America didn’t agree. She ended up in sixth place instead.
Tonight I watched the finale because I heard that many of the former contestants were scheduled to appear. I feel like I know these people. I feel like having bought quite a few of their CDs that I have helped them achieve their dreams. Watching dreams come true is a cool thing.
That’s what Idol has always represented to me: young Americans pursuing their dreams. That satisfied me on an emotional level. On an entertainment level, most of the time the show was a delight — the bad singers included. (I could have done without TPTB manipulation.) Also, with my “crush” on David Cook (who I learned to download for), I learned a lot about myself (like I would like to be 21 again for just a minute…but that’s another blog…). My fierce defense of Adam Lambert solidified my inner-militant gay rights stance.
Mr. Simon Cowell, best judge on American Idol ever was and ever will be.
The best part of tonight’s show was the Farewell Salute to Simon Cowell, REALITY JUDGE EXTRAORDINAIRE. After nine seasons, Simon is leaving the show. The montage of Simon’s “greatest moments” was bittersweet. I think Simon is irreplaceable.
The first time I got a load of Simon I couldn’t believe his snarkiness and bluntness. I thought he was putting us viewers on. But that was his brand of honesty. I also loved his sense of humor, his smile, and his genuine encouragement when he did give it. (And before he made so much money he just phoned it in…. oh well, I guess everybody can burn out.) I loved Simon’s interaction with Paula and I really loved her return to the show tonight to roast Simon AND sing his praises.
Now that both Paula and Simon are gone, AI will never be the same for me. I think I can finally say good-bye myself—once and for all. To Mr. Simon Cowell: THANKS for the memories. When you weren’t petulant, obnoxious, bored, mean, self-indulgent, full of hooey, biased against the Irish, or childish, you were brilliant. And always entertaining.
For me, American Idol ended on a memorable yet sad note. Nothing pitchy about that.
P.S. Crystal should have won tonight. Typical.
