I was pretty sure that this would be the year I'd bail on the show. But, that hasn't happened. I'm enjoying it more than ever. I really like the new judges. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are too positive with their comments but they're obviously enjoying themselves and that's good to see. There have been some really interesting contestants. I never thought Paul, Casey, or Haley would win but it was fun to see them stick around as long as they did.
Best of all, there have been plenty of contestants who annoy me. My favorite part of watching the show definitely is heckling the contestants I don't like from the safety of my home. Poor little Thia Megia gave me plenty of opportunities to announce "I can sing better than that" after her early performances. I'd then demonstrate exactly what I was talking about, usually to a chorus of boos from the rest of the household. Pia Toscano's performances always sounded great but, as soon as she'd finish her song, I'd start in with how she'd proved once again that she'd made a deal with the devil, trading her soul for looks and a good voice. See where that got her? Whenever Jacob Lusk sang, I'd make gagging noises and ask who in America could possibly be voting for this guy? I'm still wondering about that.
Finally, there's Lauren Alaina. She just annoys the hell out of me. I can't really put my finger on it. I don't know if it's:
- The fact that she won't use her last name (although, if I were on American Idol, I think it might be better for me to just be Michael Joseph)
- Her hair
- Her mom
- The blank eyes and frozen smile that seems to be her primary expression
- The lack of any emotional connection to anything I've ever heard her sing
- That "yo-yo arm" thing she does whenever she sings a slow song
- That she's still on the show!