Chris Daughtry. Adam Lambert. Now, James Durbin.
In a lot of folks' opinion, mine included, each was the best of the best of their season. None of them won and only Lambert made it to the finale. Why can't the best performers win American Idol?
The best of the best - those who are great, rather than merely good - well, they tend to be different. The greatest don't grow in the middle of the road. Their lives, their views, and their beliefs don't mirror Middle America. Like their personalities, their staging and performances tend to be over the top.
Since that's how I describe my writing style, I can relate to their over the top styles, even if I only wish I could relate to the performer's overall "greatness." But the bottom line is that the middle of the road is where most of America can be found.
And those folks in the middle - they want an Idol who is like them. So, invariably, that's what they get. The winner of American Idol will be a good singer, a good performer - but not a great one.
At least this year, I was hedging my bets. I voted for James each week, but I also voted for Scotty who is from "right down the road" in Garner, North Carolina. I think that Scotty has a good chance to win Idol, if the curse of my support doesn't ruin his chances. If he wins, I'll be very happy for Scotty and his family. And I'd think he deserved to win - out of the crop that was left.
But the finale won't be the same without the best competing against each other. A James Durbin/Scotty McCreery finale would have been a battle of the best. I think Scotty will be diminished by not having the chance to go against James in the finale.
There's always next year. Is it possible that America will ever recall that if the best of the best didn't win we wouldn't have electricity, the telephone, or penicillin?
James will have a great career without Idol. Most Idols have if there are the "real performers". Durbin was a real performer. Scotty will has a great career to look forward to as well hopefully will have the contract with the win. Lauren has years yet to mature...but certain has the talent. Haley has both maturity and talent...but has to mature with performance and PR. She will do very well in her career...as will the others. Once you have made the final 10...the exposure in itself...sets the pace. So fans...relax and enjoy the show!
K - I know you're right. Mentally, I know. Emotionally? I still feel like James was cheated. I watch the show but it has a history of robbing some of the more talented performers who don't happen to be "mainstream."