I've been enjoying this season of American Idol thanks to Tivo. I've watched most of the shows with my family and we skip the commercials, cutting the viewing time in half, or so it seems.
It's a strong cast this time around and there are several people who have enough talent to be worthy winners. Last year, I picked Jordin Sparks to win from the first time I heard her sing during the early auditions.
This time around, my top choice is 17-year-old David Archuleta. The guy has an incredible natural talent as a singer and entertainer (once we get past the "golly gee, aw shucks" shy smile and head bobbing mode). His version of John Lennon's "Imagine" literally gave me goose bumps. I also liked the way he skipped the first verse that says, "Imagine there's no heaven..." I have problems with that verse myself and when Randy asked him why he skipped it David just said he liked the other verses better. Very smart of him. I think he had theological problems with it but didn't get into it with the judges, which was wise. If he doesn't win, it doesn't matter. He is a future star. You can bank on it.
Second, in my opinion, is Michael Johns, another gifted singer with charisma. The only question is whether he really should be considered an amateur since he was in a band that was signed for big bucks to a major label, then later was dropped. Other than that caveat, Johns has a soulful voice and plenty of star power.
Third is David Cook, a real musician who has come up with some innovative arrangements, in particular his total remake of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Bold and creative with a great ear, a decent voice, and genuine musical talent.
Fourth, in my rankings, is Brooke White. She has a limited vocal range but a lot of style and charm, and would make a good folk-pop singer along the lines of a Sarah McLachlan or Sheryl Crow or of course Carly Simon and Carole King.
One other thing of note is that I really think Simon Cowell is right 90% of the time, although he does not always deliver his comments with compassion. He can be brutally honest but I give him credit for telling it like it is.
I think one of society's problems is that everybody is raised to think they're all stars, above criticism, and at least Simon sets them straight.
Paula Abdul rambles and speaks so incoherently at times that I wonder if she is on some kind of medication. Randy is a pretty good judge of talent but sometimes gets sloppy and says the same thing over and over, "kind of pitchy" or "that was all right," making his comments so generic they are meaninguless.
That's my spin on this incredibly popular show. What a modern day phenomenon.
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My other TV vice is "Survivor" (well "The Amazing Race" is my favorite but it's in between seasons right now). I don't really like the current cast of Survivor very much but Ozzy and James are definitely two of the most physically gifted and honest competitors ever to appear on the show. They just don't have a lot of personality. I honestly don't care who wins this season. I always liked Ami and was sad to see her go last week. She seemed like a genuinely nice woman and managed to look pretty even in the midst of those nonflattering camping-in-the-jungle conditions.
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I love The Amazing Race the most. I've applied three times to be on the show and don't know what's wrong with their selection process but I've never even gotten a call back from them...
You can only apply one time with a specific partner and I am sure that each of my three co-applicants would have made a formidable team.
It really is the show's loss that they didn't pick me and my pastor -- the Holy Toledo team -- over the dingbats they wound up with last season. The only reason I can think of is that maybe we were just so good the producers are afraid we'd blow away the competition.

Toledo, Ohio
April 5, 2008