I have been an avid "American Idol" fan since its inception. I loved that Kelly Clarkson won the first one. I thought Clay Aiken should have won the second one (statistically he and Reuben were virtually tied, and the winner was probably a artifact of the phone voting limitations). While I think highly of Reuben, as a singer he simply isn't good enough to sustain a career with it. And, during the third season, even though I initially didn't care for Fantasia's style of singing, I eventually came on board and thought she was a worthy winner. So that tells me American voters get it right ... eventually.
"American Idol" is the only reality show I watch. I have always had a fascination with great singers. I am a competent singer, but could never have made it as a featured artist. So, to see these young women and young men letting it all hang out, singing from their souls, gives me chills. Some of them are unbelievably good.
This year is almost over, with 5 contestants left as of last night (May 3, 2005). There has been controversy, but one of them will emerge as the winner and have their first dream fulfilled, the beginning of a professional singing career. Where it goes from there depends on how good they really are. Making a living as a singer is a tough business, there are so many good ones.
(As an aside, my good friend and neighbor Larry had a chance meeting with Simon Cowell last fall, at a grocery store in London. They spoke a minute, Larry found Simon to be very pleasant and congenial, not at all like the persona he adopts on the show.)
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