Thursday, February 21, 2008

Why, yes, I do watch American Idol...

OK, I'll admit it.

I've watched American Idol since season 2 and look forward to it every year.

I know a lot of people mock AI, or they watch just for the awful auditions. I don't. I actually love watching the top 12, seeing people struggling to get a break in an industry that is unforgiving and short-memoried. I always have a favorite, though I'll admit that my favorite rarely wins. But you know what? It's a chance for people to be noticed. It gets them noticed in an industry with thousands upon thousands of hopefuls. What they do with it after the show is completely up to them, but I think anybody in a creative field can appreciate what it means to get a door cracked open for them.

So after the first week of the top 24, who are my favorites?

In the men, it's easy...

David Archuleta. He's one of the babies of the bunch this year, but he's by far the most talented and engaging of the four young men. He makes you want to pick him up and put him in your back pocket to take home. And oh yeah, he can actually sing!
Michael Johns. Ah, our Aussie. There's been some controversy lately because he used to front a band, and for some reason, some people seem to be of the opinion that you shouldn't have already tried to have a career at this in order to be on the show. Idiots, that's what I think. But anyway, this guy is good. And hot. And he's going to get a lot of women voting for him, because of that combination.

In the women...

Ramiele Malubay. She was the only woman of the night to give me goosebumps. I've loved her from the start, such a powerful voice coming out of such a tiny little package.
Carly Smithson. Poor Carly is one of the others getting flack already, simply because she had a record deal when she was 15. Nine years ago. For a company that's no longer in business. The important thing is, she doesn't now. She owns a tattoo shop in San Diego, for goodness sake! But this Irish girl knows how to belt. She had my favorite song of the night, and my second favorite performance. Even if she doesn't win, this is going to get her another record deal, I'm sure of it.

And my guilty pleasures...

Jason Castro. It's not because of the dreads and the fact that I wrote a vampire last year with dreads. Or because he's so pretty to look at. I love his shy eyes and simple style.
Amanda Overmyer. I love this girl. My only problem is, she should be fronting a band like Chris Daughtry is instead of trying to be a solo artist.

I have my suspicions about who's going to leave tonight, but I'll keep those to myself. I've been burned before, so at this point, we'll see...

1 comment:

Cathy M said...

I'm actually really enjoying this season so far. My favorites are Ramiele and David, though my favorites don't usually win either.