The media has been all about trying to 'tear down' the hit TV show 'American Idol' lately, saying that their viewers are diminishing and that ratings are sliding. That may be rediculous. It is still, by far, the biggest show on TV today, and if overall television viewing is down because of the strike, then it is only natural that 'Idol' will follow that curve. Who cares? It is a phenomenon and a real force in popular music. It used to be that A&R folks at record companies chose who got a record contract, and many mistakes were made on both ends...giving artists a break when they were destined to flop...or passing on real talent with lame excuses, only to have another label see the real potential of that artist, take a chance, and prove all those others wrong. Now, more than ever, the monster talent contest 'American Idol' is spinning out Grammy Award winners, Oscar Winners, and big, big, selling artists of every genre in American Music Culture.
Now, American Idol on Fox is long enough in the tooth to produce its harvest year after year, and those who end up in the top 10 have a real good chance of making it big, and some way beyond big...like Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, or Kelly Clarkson. Some fizzle like the very popular winner a few years ago, Taylor Hicks (my personal favorite) who's album is actually very, very good, but the songs don't fit any radio station format to get air-play, and without air-play the masses don't hear his music. Hicks was told that, by the way, but didn't listen...now he wishes he did. Last year's winner, young Jordin Sparks has alreay had a couple of number one hits, including the catchy "No Air".
As a huge fan of the show, I am proud to say that I predicted a 'David and David' finale way back when there were 10 left. That is, perhaps not too hard to predict, especially when you follow the show and see the talent of each of these 'Davids". Both, I think, will be superstars. Archuleta, 17, will grow as an artist and I think will be loved by millions for years to come. David Cook, 25, from Kansas City, Mo. is the most original of the idols with his ability to arrange and take a song like 'Eleanor Rigby' by the Beatles and make it his own with a very cool arrangement. Cook is the real deal. He's going to be a real star, if he isn't already.
Who's going to win, then, and what does it matter? To each of them, becoming the "American Idol" is truly no big deal either way. Whomever comes in second could easily be a bigger star down the road. It's only going to be for the moment. Then there is the big American Idol tour this summer. And in between some of the shows, the artists will finish cutting their deals, and slip into studios and start their own album projects. Kristiy Lee Cook, 24, will cut a country album. Michael Johns, who was voted off way, way too early will cut a rock album, and Syesha Mercado, who came in third, will work on a sound not unlike Beyonce or Alisha Keys. Carly Smithson will definitely do a big ballad and rock album.
I don't know who will win between the Davids...Cook or Archuleta, but I'd kinda like to see Archuleta win since he was a true amateur coming into this competition.
But either way, as good as these two guys are, one 17 and one 25, you'd better watch the finals on Fox next week....as Simon so 'Old-Fashionedly' said..."it's going to be a real humdinger!"
