American Idol or American Idiot?

I was going to wait until the halfway point, but after the last two weeks of disappointment, I can no longer hide my internal anguish over American Idol.

I’m pained. I’m truly pained. This season had so much promise. We finally had a group of contestants in which more than half deserved to be there. In the past, we were stuck with eight or nine that were OK and three or four who were absolutely phenomenal. But this season we have stormed past mediocrity and we have reached the threshold of “almost great.”

Then Mandisa was eliminated. And Katherine McPhee was in the bottom two one week. And Elliot Yamin, perhaps the best male vocalist in American Idol history, has been stuck in the bottom three the last two weeks. Meanwhile the doe-eyed Ace Young is still in it and it took five weeks to eliminate the heinous Bucky Covington.

You’re always going to have a bunch of mediocre singers that get by on other factors—e.g., looks, personality, overzealous red neck fan base, etc. I feared Kevin Covais "Chicken Little-itis" would take hold over America. But after he was eliminated the second week, I drew a quick sigh of relief.

And then I remembered the Pickler. Kellie Pickler. Is she really just another dumb southern blond or has she pulled the calamari over our eyes?

I get that American Idol is a reality show. I understand that casting interestng people makes for a more interesting show. But is it too much to ask for twelve contestants that can really sing? Give me talent. Give me greatness. Give me fantastic vocal skills. The show perpetuates the idea that to be successful, you must be somewhat talented but more importantly, cute and dumb. 35 million people watch American Idol. If any show could take a stand against image, American Idol certainly could.

The proof is in the calamari (okay, enough calamari jokes). America chose Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, and Fantasia Burrino, and even gave Clay Aiken a gay “Claymate” fan base. Now I’m not saying any of these individuals are ugly (because they are not), but they don’t exactly fit the ideal image—whatever the hell that is. While America has--for the most part--chosen the most talented contestants in their respective seasons, I fear the fate of Season 5. Look at Mandisa, and, soon, Elliot. Do we put too much stock in appearance or can’t vocal talent be enough?

Seven contestants remain: Chris Daughtry, Katherine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Elliot Yamin, Ace Young, Kellie Pickler, and Paris Bennett. Eliminate Pickler and Young, and then we’ll have a serious competition. But I’m sure the votes will speak differently in the coming weeks.

As you may know from my previous post about American Idol, I am a card-carrying member of both Team Chris and Team Elliot. And I still predict that Chris will be Season 5’s American Idol. Here are the rest of my predictions:

• Within the next three shows, Ace, Elliot, and Paris will be eliminated, but in no particular order.
• The final four will consist of Chris, Katherine, Taylor, and Kellie.
• The final two will be Chris and Katherine (or Taylor).
• Chris will be crowned American Idol.

Now let me clarify that I do not agree with most of my predictions. If I could have it my way, Kellie would be next in line to hear Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day” as her Idol clip package plays on the big screen. (Hell, I would've eliminated her in the previous round.) Ace would follow and then Paris. If the final four consisted of Chris, Elliot, Taylor, and Katherine, I probably would not care about the outcome. I would be content knowing that the four most talented contestants made it this far, and rightly so.

Do not disappoint me, America! Mobilize yourselves and vote for the best! (That means vote for Chris, Elliot, Katherine, or Taylor! Down with the Pickler!)