Just thought I'd express my thoughts after actually seeing "American Idol"!I feel totally manipulated,but I figure if the manipulation is done this well,bring it on! It was FUN! I thought that the Kelly deserved to win based upon talent alone,and I guess others felt the same way.Justin was excellent as well,but has always seemed to me a little too polished and slick.He was absolutley magnanimous as the runner-up,and it's pretty much a sure bet that he's got a bright future ahead.
Kelly,whether slickly packaged or genuine,came across as someone who has benefitted and grown from the grooming and packaging that has occured throughout the "American Idol" process,while maintaining an extraordinary singing ability.She was also a cocktail waitress at one point,so we have that at least in common!:)The one moment that seemed slightly suspicious to me was when the 10 finalists did their second production number and Kelly and the U.K.s "Pop Idol" were thrown together for a duet.Not only did they appear to be the product of the same cloning experiment,but I wondered if perhaps the footage might be used later as "American and U.K. Idols Sing Together!"(And this was before Kelly had been anounced as the winner.
Other than the crappy songs written for the finalists (and soon to be released as singles),most of the show was extremely well done,and Kelly seemed genuinely surprised and humble,eventually surrounded by her fellow finalists,all but obscuring her in mutual emoting and camera-hogging.My prediction is that each of the five female finalists will have successful show-biz careers,while,of the guys,only Justin will not fade into obscurity within a couple of years(or by the time the NEW "American Idol" is selected.And isn't it nice to see Paula Abdul again?(Have to admit to loving the single "Rush,Rush",which reminds me of an affair I had at the time.The video was well done,and cast Paula and Keanu Reeves as Natalie Wood and James Dean in a mini-Rebel Without a Cause.Don't know if they show it anymore,though it's probably VH-1 material!)

Well,as tends to be the case,I've gone some time without updating this thing! And,amazingly,there's not too much new to say!We're nearing the anniversary of 9/11,which is kinda unbelievable.Having moved in the past year,the differences for me seem more pronounced than they might have otherwise.I do know that I am more news-oriented in this past year,which seems to be a good change.paying careful attention to the posibility of war with Iraq.Seems that each day we get some new spin.
Here in Atlanta,we are having the big West Nile Virus scare.In order to produec higher ratings,local news seems to feel that it's their job not to simply report the news,but to present it in as fear-producing a way possible.I think that if something is ACTUAL news it will not wait until after the commercial break to occur.Something we did learn from 9/11.
Have to admit to a guilty pleasure,which has been watching "American Idol"!I tried to not watch,and then I got caught up one evening,but swore I'd not take it seriously,but now I really hope kelly wins! Yes,I'm another victim of the hype.(I still think we'll see Nikki's family on "Jerry Springer" some day,possibly trying to cash in on her fame!)Though the contestants are both great performers,IMO,the songs manufactured for their final outing were so awful that I wished they could at least have had a choice in material!
My favorite radio personality,Art Bell,is presumably returning to his radio program this evening!And that's all that's new for me,so without further ado,Back to the Couch!