what do you think?

I am an American Idol junkie. I went through a phase of denial early on, pretending I couldn't be sucked in by any form of reality t.v., but there gets to be a point where you have to admit the truth. And when you are a die hard fan that rarely misses an episode, I think it's safe to say that point has been reached. Something in me loves watching, season after season, the good and the bad, and though I can't pin point exactly what it is about the show that draws me in, drawn I am. I want to know what it is about Idol that has made it a facet of our culture. I'm not saying it is universally loved, because I have no doubt that there is a huge contingent (maybe even many of you) who can't stand it, or are over it, or never got into it to begin with. But we're heading into the 8th season here and it continues to be the biggest show on the air. What else has had a run like that?

I guess it's possible that the show's success has to do with it's the pure entertainment value. Or maybe it has more to do with a universal love for music? Or it could be the human connection that the writers work so hard to achieve week after week between the viewers and the individual contestants? Or maybe the draw has something to do with the fact that the show is frivolous and all of us need a dose of frivolity every now and then to balance out all the junk we deal with each day. Or perhaps it's a combination of them all instead of one single thing that makes it what it is. I guess that's the most likely option. And I guess these questions are spurred on by a curiosity that stems from that small part of me that really wanted to be a psychologist, and had I actually pursued that path, maybe this whole topic would be of more interest. Or maybe I would understand human nature well enough to know what it is and move on.

Okay, I'll put the deeper musings aside and turn briefly to the specifics of last night. For what it's worth, here's my analysis. I like the new elimination system, which although much more brutal, spares us from watching the worst of the talent week after week. And at this stage, it's pretty easy to pick out the front runners. To me, hands down, Danny took the night. I have to admit I was already in his camp when I heard his story, but that aside I think he is tremendous. I also really liked the second guy, Ricky Braddy. I don't remember him being highlighted up to this point, but he stood out to me last night. The girls had a rough night of it, but I feel like the Memphis girl, Alexis Grace, rose above all the rest, and I feel confident she will go on tonight. What do you think?

And finally, I'll end on a completely non-related note with this picture I took today at the park. I really love this one. American Idol and all the silliness aside, these girls are the highlights of my life.