RANDOM THOUGHTS ON AMERICAN IDOLAmerican Idol is my de-stressing therapy. The contest. The contestants. The host. The judges. All combined makes for a nice evening of easy watching, easy listening and forty-five minutes before bedtime routine. This has become my personal ritual even long after a particular season has ended as the tape recorded VHS copies provide the continuity.
My first encounter with American Idol was during my visit to the US in September 2002. Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, being the first season’s finalists graced the cover of most entertainment magazines. I bought an AI DVD on sale and was hooked on the show from then on. The three judges – Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul are a source of amusement to me – not to mention the singing contest itself. Didn’t manage to catch any of the Season 2 episodes, therefore, didn’t have any affinity at all with Clay Aiken, Reuben Studdard, Josh Gracin, Kimberly Caldwell, et al. Wasn’t able to tape any of Season 3 episodes either. This was memorable for that audition bit with eventual winner Fantasia poking fun on how big her mouth is, but her talent is much bigger. First time two Fil-Ams made it to the Top 10 - Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco. Jasmine made it to the Top 3, overpowering Jennifer Hudson and La Toya London in the votes. There was an episode when the top three best singers were in the bottom three: Jennifer, La Toya and Fantasia. Jennifer, of course, eventually auditioned for Dreamgirls for which she later won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Season 4 is the first complete season that I taped and watched religiously. Although I liked Carrie Underwood and her simplicity, I rooted for Bo Bice. His was the very first AI contestant CD I bought, even if he was only the runner-up. I liked his rendition of “Inside Your Heaven” more than Carrie’s. Simon predicted that Carrie would outsell all other Idol contestants. Prophetic! Constantine Maroulis was an early favorite but he didn’t last long. To me, the season with the most talent was Season 5. The roster: Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennet, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Mandissa, Lisa Tucker. Even Melissa McGhee and Kevin Covais. Everytime I hear Elliott sing, I am moved by the purity of his voice. Taylor Hicks, the winner, made me smile everytime he performed. Katherine, hmmm. And Chris D? Didn’t he come out to be the best-selling artist of 2007 on the basis of his fourth place finish which shocked even the most loyal fans of the season? Chris Richardson made my Season 6. Melissa Doolittle, too. Though, it held the record of 74 million plus votes in the finale – the contest between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis was not at all that thrilling. Contrast that with Season 7’s final encounter between the two Davids: Cook and Archuleta. Though it seemed Archuleta received the better nod among the judges, it was David Cook who took the crown. And his overwhelmed reaction onstage moved a tear or two – would you believe it?
My favorite American Idol alumni? Hmmm. Kelly Clarkson. Bo Bice. Carrie Underwood. Elliott Yamin. Chris Daughtry. Kellie Pickler. Chris Richardson. Melissa Doolittle. David Cook. Now, let’s put that in order of personal preference. Let’s see: David Cook, Bo Bice/Elliott Yamin (both second to me so I put them alphabetically), Chris Richardson, Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Doolittle, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler.
For a while I feasted on the whole Chris Richardson selection in my iPod and even made a video collection of all his performances notably "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying", "Smooth", and "Geek in the Pink". Elliot's "Moody's Mood for Love", "Knocks Me Off My Feet", "Open Arms", "Heaven", and "If You Really Want Me" are still constant fares in my musical menu. Chris Daughtry received the fewest votes during the Elvis Presley week, but his "Suspicious Minds" and "A Little Less Conversation" are favorites along with "What A Wonderful World". And who could forget Anwar Robinson's "Moonriver"? Even Mario Vasquez, who dropped out of the race before Season 4's top 24 aired gave a memorable rendition of "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" Season 1's Christina Christian's "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" and Tamyra Gray's "A House Is Not a Home" were also great performances. So were Katherine McPhee's "Over the Rainbow", Carrie Underwood's "Alone", Constantine Maroulis'"My Funny Valentine" and "Bohemian Rhapsody", Melissa Doolittle's "As Long As He Needs Me", Fantasia Barrino's "Summertime", Ace Young's "Father Figure", Lakisha Jones'"And I Am Telling You", Jordin Sparks'"I Who Have Nothing", James Blake's "Time of the Season" and "You Give Love a Bad Name". Even Lisa Tucker's "I Am Changing" and Paris Bennet's "Midnight Train to Gerogia". Jasmine Trias made her mark with "Inseparable" and Jennifer Hudson's "Neither One of Us" also underlined her Motown power. Coming from totally undiscovered talents, these eclectic selections are good to collect for the sake of posterity.
So what’s there to like about the current winner David Cook? His cocky-like countenance bordering on confidence and arrogance, which I am sure does not reflect who he is as a person. Plus his rock-y renditions of “Hello” “Billy Jean” and “Eleanor Rigby”, his ballad-ic “Music of the Night” which I thought was tender, piercing, and pleading. Even his rendition of Mariah’s “Always Be My Baby” has a certain grunge twist to it. Plus the celebratory “Time of My Life” of course. I like his chubbiness, the way he danced during group choreographed performances, his hair and clothing style, the way he strummed his guitar, the way he looked at the judges and the awe in his eyes as he thanked the fans, his self-assertion against Simon during the first three performance nights, his whole package.
Ah, yes, I have these selections in my iPod, too. Right now, he croons..."Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor...grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender..."
