American Idol?

Okay, slight deviation from cooking and reviews. I’m going to admit here a guilty pleasure of mine. I love American Idol. Love it, love it, love it. I’m not a reality TV fan at all. Actually, I despise all of the other reality shows. To me though, AI is a throw back to the grand old days of the variety show. Ed Sullivan. Carol Burnett. Hell, even Hee Haw. Shows that after you watched them you felt good. You didn’t just watch 10 corpses get autopsied in grisly detail. You didn’t just watch 3 girls raped then killed of one by one. You didn’t just watch Glenn Beck trash the real America for the nth time. You watched singing, and laughing, and genuine entertainment. THAT’S why I love American Idol.

Tonight’s show did not disappoint. From a killer Allison/Cindy Lauper duet, to Danny singing with Lionel Richie. Every part, with the exception of the “best losers” bit, was spectacular. Of the musical segments, I would buy that album right now. Kris and Kieth…wow. Adam and KISS? Come on!!! That’s entertainment people. We need to do all we can to get more variety shows on TV. Vote with letters, vote with your blogs, just let the industry know we want more.

Now, on to the winner. If this show was about who was the best singer right now, it’s a toss up between Kris and Adam. I really think they got the final 2 correct. Danny is something else when he gets into the R&B groove, but I do think they got a great final 2. If the show is about who is the best over all entertainer proven from week to week, Adam gets the nod hands down. And I’m not taking anything away from Kris, only pointing out that from week to week, Adam had everyone rocking.

So why am I upset? Why the American Idol? with the ?. I’ll tell you why. My Dad taught me one thing that has served me well through these many years. Yes, many. “Never judge a person for what they are, judge them on who they are.” Tonight, I think America forgot what this show is supposed to be about. About finding the best singing talent America has to offer. Instead we voted for the underdog, or in some cases, voted against the gay guy with the nail polish.

Before I die I have one wish. One strong wish. I wish everyone could listen and learn from my dad. Like or dislike people based on WHO they are, not what they are. Pro or Anti Abortion. Christian or Muslim. Gentile or Jew. Gay or Straight. Republican or Democrat.

It’s not about liking ALL gays, or ALL straights , or ALL Muslims, or ALL Christians. It’s about taking the time to understand who someone is, who THEY are inside. For better or worse. Don’t listen to some air jockey on the radio. Don’t take anyone else’s word for it. YOU take the time to learn about somebody before you cast judgement on them. And even then be careful with how far you cast. Remember, you’re only judging for yourself.

Sorry for the ramblings. Love me or hate me, but at least take the time to know me first.

Peace.

Gregor