American Idol Review

Magic happens when an average person gets a chance at stardom
Movies have successfully played upon this theme for years.  Whether your thing is pro golf tours, beauty pageants, Nascar races, Dancing with the Stars, The French Open . . . we all want to see the Wild Card take away the crown.   Each season, CBS's American Idol gives 16 talented singers that chance . . . IF they can prove themselves under enormous pressure.   

Format  of the Show
Following nationwide auditions, a small selected group perform one song live, each week, for the viewing audience.  Power to the people - at the close of each show, there's a two-hour time slot for public voting by phone or text.   3 judges (a producer, a singer, and a television mogul) have critiqued each performance during the show;  whether or not viewers agree is half the fun.   The next night, one sad wanna-be gets sent packing on live tv, while the remaining contestants breathe a sigh of relief.  The season ends with 3 finalists, then a two-person showdown, and a new American Idol, who's guaranteed a record deal. 

Why Idol is worth watching
American Idol is based on real talent.  (Let's put that talent in a pressure boiler and see what rises to the top without imploding.)  Yes, sometimes the public lets a less-than-stellar crooner stick around too long for reasons none of us can gaige (looks, charisma, sex, genre, age).   But I've yet to see a show where the last 3 or 4 contestants (or 5, in Chris Daughtry's case) didn't have real abilities.   By the time Idol has only 10 of its original 16, you start to witness true artistic growth, in terms of confidence, flexibility, showmanship and intuition.   This is enormously  satisfying.  Plus, vocal superstars make guest appearances. 

Accept the Trade-Off
If you're over 25, the silly banter between the "mean" judge Simon Cowell, the "sweet" judge Paula Abdul, the "hip" judge Randy Jackson, and host Ryan Seacrest can make you feel momentarily embarrassed you're watching.   That doesn't change the fact that it's fun to choose your favorites, watch them grow as performers, and cheer them on as they try to literally change their lives.  TiVO (see my review) allows you to watch Idol whenever you want.  

Libby's Hot Tip:  If you postpone your viewing, be prepared for a spoiler:  online, on TV, or in the papers the next morning . . . Idol is big news.   

Dreams DO Come True
Idol fans watch their favorites score big in the real world, after the show wraps.   Winners Carrie Underwood , Fantasia, and Kelly Clarkson have scored practically every music award possible;  Daughtry is selling his (GREAT) album at a blistering pace, Jennifer Hudson took home an Oscar for Dreamgirls, and is there anywhere Clay Aiken hasn't appeared?   Albums just keep on coming:  Elliott Yamin, Katherine McPhee, Bo Bice, winners Taylor Hicks & Ruben Studdard.

The Bottom Line:  Libby Loves It!