1.28.11

I was in New York in 2002 when I caught the buzz around “American Idol.”

Kelly Clarkson won over Justin Guarini and their faces were all over the magazines splurged on every corner of Times Square. Another talent, who got eliminated in the top 4 round, was Tamyra Gray who everybody thought would get the title. I bought the DVD of the show and from then on, got hooked. I also bought a VCD of their cheesy “From Justine to Kelly” film which was a disaster. And I also bought the Kelly’s “Thankful” album and voted “Beautiful Disaster” as the song I would listen to over and over again.

More than the participants and the winners, the show was also about the judges who were composed of Paul Abdul, Randy Jackson and the incorrigible British judge Simon Cowell, who I liked a lot – his honesty, often mistaken for brutality, is what the show is about. What can one expect from a stiff-upper-lipped British?

The local cable showed delayed telecasts of Season 2, which I never saw. Reuben Studdard eclipsed Clay Aiken, even as the sale of the latter’s debut album eclipsed the former. Clay symbolized the “geek” dark horse who went on to win the audience’s heart.

In spite of two Fil-Ams taking part in Season 3 – Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco – I also wasn’t able to see the entire show, save the finale which had Fantasia Barrino outsinging Diana DeGarmo. Two other sensational singers were eliminated earlier on: La Toya London and Jennifer Hudson. Jennifer went on to do “Dreamgirls” for which she won an Oscar Best Supporting Actress award. It was said that her rendition of “And I Am Telling You” took a bit of something from Beyonce Knowle’s act.

Then, Season 4 came. From the beginning I was rooting for Bo Bice, the rocker (over the other rocker Constantine Maroulis). His soulful rendition of “I’ll Be” was an instant hit with me. I didn’t even know the song prior to the competition but learned to like it after his take. Simon prophetically predicted that not only Carrie Underwood would win the competition but she will also outsell all other American Idol winners. How could he have known that? Of course, he was right. Still is.

Season 5 was my favorite if only because of the many, many talented artists that took part – and most of them landed a recording contract. Mandisa, Bucky Covington, Paris Bennett, Ace Young, Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, Katherine McPhee and the eventual winner Taylor Hicks. Chris was upset in the last 4 round but went on to become the top-selling artist of this season. Taylor was a joy to watch every time he performed no matter how bad he was put down by Simon. One notable fixture of the show who has now passed away was Elliott’s mother.

Chris Richardson was my favorite in Season 6. In fact, I collected all his audio and video performances and downloaded a post-Idol digital recording of an R&B tune, “All Alone” which I thought could have made it to Billboard if it were properly marketed. Jordin Sparks won the title over the beatboxer Blake Lewis. But it was Melinda Doolittle, a back-up singer, who was earlier touted to claim the honor in spite of strong opposition from an equally talented LaKisha Jones.

Hands down, David Cook rocked the Season 7 show. His show-stoppers “Eleanor Rigby”, “Billy Jean”, “Hello”, “Always Be My Baby” and even the Phantom of the Opera song, “Music of the Night” were digital hits. He set a Billboard record by having the most number of songs in the Billboard Top 100 immediately after the show. His final opponent, David Archuleta also had a share of some shining moments onstage, particularly his emotionally-charged “Imagine” rendition. Here, one memorable moment was the judging of Paula Abdul. After one song by a contestant, she said something like, “Compared to your first song…” which immediately made me (1) cringe in my seat, (2) feel embarrassed for her, (3) question if they were really serious about their job as judges. It was a mental lapse, but something unforgiveable for such a responsibility.

Though Adam Lambert elicited the only standing ovation ever given by Simon Cowell after singing “Mad World”, it failed to win him the Season 8 crown. Was it his super flamboyance that gave the votes away to eventual winner and much simpler Kris Allen? Kris, whose performance of the song “To Make You Feel My Love” made me download all the versions of the song from Adele to Bob Dylan to Ronan Keating to Trisha Yearwood to Kellie Clarkson. And a new judge was added to the panel – Kara DioGuardi. I felt that it was a way to inch Paula out the next season.

True enough, Paula was let off the hook in Season 9 and was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres. The dwindling ratings failed to take a positive turn as slowly, slowly another example of “the only way to go when you’re on top is down” became even more apparent. The talents this year nowhere came near the previous seasons except perhaps for runner-up Crystal Bowersox who failed to charm the voting public. Instead, the winner was the oh-so-boring but slightly good looking Lee DeWyze. I didn’t even bother to check on their albums after the show.

And this season, Simon Cowell left the show as did Kara DioGuardi. In their stead, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez were put in along with resident 10-year judge Randy Jackson.

I am keeping watch.
Yes.
Only because, as I mentioned earlier, of
Jennifer Lopez.


REFLECTIONS
Leviticus 1-4

What is the difference between an herd and a flock?
flock = a group under a leader / a large number
herd = a group of animals of one kind kept together under human control

Burnt, grain and fellowship offerings are to be without defect, without yeast.

Leviticus 3:17
‘This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.’

* For Israelites only?

Leviticus 4:27
If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’S commands, he is guilty.

*Unintentional sin does not free anyone from guilt.