I’m concerned about American Idol this year. This is the first time I’ve watched Idol from auditions to the finals—I hopped on the Idol bandwagon last year when Katharine McPhee won me over early on in the show, after the many times my mother and sister asked me to come watch Idol with them. I didn’t expect to get sucked in, but I’m now one of millions. This year, I don’t know if we have any big standouts yet from the audition footage. Sure I have laughed and cringed during the auditions, but nothing that really made me go, ‘I’m going to commit to buying that artist no matter what.’ I have said about a few, ‘they are going to get a record deal no matter what.’ I’m interested in seeing these kids grow with the show, if they can stand the pressure with doing so in front of millions of people around the world.
American Idol is a amazing phenomenon—I don’t remember Star Search being this big. It crushes every show in its path; no new show can overpower Idol. I think people would watch it over the news and the president. It probably rakes in as much as the Super Bowl, advertising dollar-wise, and it’s a marketing dream because it has sold itself over and over again. The show functions on three factors: the hosts banter with the ‘talent’ and each other, the ‘talent’ having talent and the individual stories of your favorite contestant that you get wrapped up in. Right now, I’m keeping a eye on the humble backup singer who was on the Memphis audition tape, I would love to see her star rise, and the girl in New York who didn’t tell her father she was going to Idol and tearfully got her golden ticket. I want to give props to my favorite Idol columnist Dave over at his American Idol blog. We bonded naturally at our disdain of Kellie Pickler last season and I’m sure we will find a Pickler this season to throw up about.
This weekend, I get to partake in some Super Bowl fun with the Colts versus Da Bears, watching commercials deliberately and some great musical entertainment throughout. Stevie Nicks is playing the pre-Super Bowl show, along with a performance by Cirque Du Soleil and DJ Louie Vega. Billy Joel is singing the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” becoming the first person to sing the National Anthem at two different Super Bowls. And as the world knows, Prince is playing halftime! That will be amazing and I know so many non-football fans who are tuning in just to get a Prince fix.
This is Rob Hinkal and Heather Lloyd, known as ilyAIMY (I Love You and I Miss You), my favorite band of all time. Look for my review of The Fifth Circle here soon. There is nothing like seeing ilyAIMY live, and here is a great performance of “Hands” at Victoria Station Cafe in Putnam, CT on Jan. 20, 2007. A special improved bonus of Heather rapping a montage of pop and rap hits: this is a must see.
Thank you for reading; make your moment your breakthrough.
