Ratings show the median age of an American Idol viewer is in their early 40’s. However it’s widely accepted that it’s kids who are doing the voting.
Idol voting is a moot point here in Canada because only Americans are allowed to do it. So we watch, we develop our favourites and we leave the selection up to the US of A. For the first time in Idol history, two country-flavoured singers made it into the top 2: high school kids Scotty and Lauren:
Given the choice, America tends to vote in the most bland, safe and milque-toast contestant at the end. Rocker James, my favourite, got knocked out when it was whittled down to the top 3. Remember flamboyant and ridiculously talented Adam Lambert versus personality-free warbler Kris Allen? Kris got the crown and where is he now? Adam has had several hit records. In other words, winning isn’t everything. Scotty got the title last night but Lauren will probably have a huge hit if she is still allowed to record this song she sang on the finale. It absolutely killed and had the judges calling her a shoo-in to win. That was the kiss of death! But at 16, she’s got more talent than she probably knows what to do with. She’s a sweet kid and I hope she and Scotty both have big careers. And this is a hit country song if ever I’ve heard one.
PS. Oprah signed off yesterday. I wish I had PVRd her second-last show because I found the last one unwatchable for its self indulgence. But then again, I’ve never been an Oprah-ite. I respect her, I admire her but her “retirement” won’t create a vacancy in my life.
“I’ve never been an Oprah-ite. I respect her, I admire her but her “retirement” won’t create a vacancy in my life”, exactly!