The Thing About Me and TV - My American Idol Review

Happy Friday!  I see by the date that it has been two weeks since I've written anything here.  I'm chalking it up to this...we are living in a world where we are bombarded by opinions, words and images nonstop and there comes a time when we must stop the madness.  Sometimes we just have to get quiet and stay quiet.  The Bible says it this way, "Be still and know that I am God."*  Being still is not exactly glorified in this culture but I believe in it.  Sometimes it's of my own volition, other times I believe God imposes it on me. In other words, He shuts me up for awhile.  It's a good thing and that's where I've been.

We've passed the mid way point of January.  I think it's too early to call it mid-winter knowing how slow Spring is in approaching and I could use a few more good snow storms before it's all said and done. Can I get an amen?  Any other winter lovers out there with me?

I'd like to say I have something deep and meaningful to share with you today, but I don't.  What's on my mind is completely trivial. You see it's about tv and what's more trivial than that?

When the boys are home (and even when they are not), I'm subject to one sport contest after another.  Is there no end?  Nothing inherently wrong with them except they are long and not very interesting to me.

I'm not by nature a tv watcher.  TV bores me.  I can't sit still for a long time and most often after I have watched it I feel dumber.  That said, I do love the Hallmark channel during the month of December, because what woman doesn't want to watch one cheesy, predictable Christmasy movie after another?  Predicting the outcome....conflict, making up, a proposal, a kiss once it finally snows....is half the fun.  Since I'm being honest, I also enjoy Say Yes to the Dress when I can catch it, but other than that, not a big fan of the current options.

When the kids were little, Scott and I were addicted to one tv drama, The West Wing.  And I mean junkies.  It played on Wednesday nights. That's always been a church night for our family so, I would bring the kids' jammies to church and have the workers put them on before we picked them up.  We would hurry through friendly conversations (I regret this), race home and throw the kids into their beds warning them not to disturb us, (also regret) and be planted on the couch by the time the clock struck 9:00 pm.  When the show was winding down for good, I remember repeatedly promising Scott, "Never again will I be addicted to a tv show."  And I haven't.

I have stayed true to my promise for many, many years up until a friend introduced me to this gem...Downton Abbey. 

Oh how I love it.   However, that's not what I want to talk about today.

It's American Idol.  I have nothing invested that would even rank me a great fan of this show and mostly could take it or leave it but something has changed.  We were latecomers to the AI craze, not starting to watch it until late in the season that Mandisa was competing in.  In later years, we'd only watch only the last 8 or 10 episodes if we remembered it was on (which was hit or miss). 

Before I go any further, you need to know I have no musical training, ability or knowledge (except what I like to listen to) - just ask Scott, none.  Still, you may not be surprised to discover I have had an opinion or two about the show.

For example, last year was the absolute worst! Because of the poor casting and catty drama between two of the ridiculous judges, it made me embarassed to be a woman so I simply refused to tune in. 

Another year, I shook my head in disgust when I saw who they chose for at least one "mentor".  Seriously?  When Disney has formed you and your career and you are just on for the ride and extremely YOUNG, you are not a mentor, which was proved soon enough when her "advice" was heard.  Duh.

Ah, but then there was a shining light - when Harry Connick, Jr. arrived.
I'm so glad I happened to catch that show.  He was so charming and funny, but more than anything else, SMART. Talented. Mature.  He can play, compose and sing.  An expert in his field for sure. I said out loud to whoever was in the room, "Now here's a guy who knows his stuff.  He should be on the show every week helping these kids."  Even I, in the midst of my gross inadequate knowledge of anything musical, could see this.

Then he was on again last year (I tuned in only briefly to hear what he had to say) and I said - out loud again - "Harry Connick needs to be a judge!  It would turn this show around.  You don't need drama and outlandish (bad) behavior to make it entertaining.  You need someone like him!  I would even watch it again."  Then I heard that Randy Jackson was leaving and said, "Now is their chance - they have to get Harry!"

Well, unless you never watch tv either, you probably know that it happened.  They made Harry Connick, Jr a judge!  Scott and I couldn't wait for the first night.  We sat like lumps on the couch eating cutie oranges both nights this week - 2 hours each - a record for me. 

Funny, self-deprecating, firm, but kind, honest and intelligent.  The guy knows music.  Did I mention he's funny too?  A blogger I read said this, "Harry Connick, Jr. is a game changer for AI."**  I couldn't agree more. 

So, I guess the reason I have subjected you to this LOOOOOONG post is to get to this part.  Here's what I said out loud last night after the show, "I don't want to have to say this every week, so can we all just agree that I had this idea first and I was right?".  Not bad for someone who doesn't watch much tv or know anything about music. ;)

Because here's the thing... it's not that I HAVE to be right, it's just that I HAPPEN to be right (a good amount of the time) just ask my family.

It feels good to get it off my chest. I believe we will be tuning in as much as we can this year.  But we won't be bringing Ally's pajamas to church. She's big enough now to get herself ready for bed while Scott and I ignore her and crack up at all of Harry's jokes.

I'm also quite pleased that I got all the way to the end of this (yes, it's the end - hallelujah!) without mentioning that I think Keith Urban is wicked cute.  I didn't think it would be appropriate. His genuine kindness, however, saved whatever integrity remained of last year's AI and I wish I had his highlights.

 Oh and JLo does a good job too even though I'd like her to wear more clothes at times. I think at one point last night she was wearing a size 4T denim shirt. :)

Your thoughts on my brillant casting idea?  Do tell and enjoy your weekend.

*Psalm 46:10
**Melanie Shankle aka Big Mama