I'm not an avid America Idol fan. After the awe-inspiring first season featuring the musical talents of the one Miss Kelly Clarkson, idol has been a disappointment. Contestants win and then end up doing nothing; their shining careers are over shortly after they have started. The feedback, critiques, and buzz phrases of the judges quickly became boring and overdone. Finally, the audition process became an awkwardly uncomfortable parade of non-singers who were hoping that they were so bad, that producers will give them their own reality TV show or help them release their debut album.

After hearing about the switches on the judge's panel, I decided to give Idol another try. In some ways, this latest season is the best yet. The judges have thoughtful and insightful commentary to give thecontestants as opposed to Paula's pointless, though hilarious, drug-induced feedback and obnoxious clapping.  Steven Tyler now provides the drug-induced commentary yet oddly enough I can follow him better than Paula. The contestants represent a unique and interesting makeup of the musical landscape of America. We have your stereotypical pop ballad singers, the country folks, and your rock fans. However there are also unique and "indie" performers that are in the competition this year. Individuals who can play multiple instruments beautifully and have a distinctive voice that makes them stick out from the rest.

One issue that I do have with the new American Idol is the judges' unnecessary commentary about how dumb the American public is when it comes to music. Every time a performer goes up and does anything other than sing a Mariah Carey song, the Judges begin a long diatribe about how they hope that "America gets it ...". What the hell does that mean? If Casey goes up to perform a Nat King Cole song while playing the cello it does not confuse me nor does it send me into a state of hysterics because he didn't perform a pop song, in fact I rather enjoyed it. Michael Buble is not a foreign artist to me nor do I believe that somebody performing Michael Buble is delivering us an avant garde performance ... it's someone singing Michael Buble. Come down to the Patio for karaoke and invariably somebody will be singing him.  

I may have the musical tastes of a 13-year old pre-teen girl, but I can still recognize and appreciate talent and good music when I see and hear it. So dear American Idol judges ... shut up ... and let America decide. I hear that is how democracy is supposed to work ... or something. 

Last night was the season two premiere episode of Drop Dead Diva. The highly acclaimed show - which I am determined to make a cult classic - did not disappoint viewers last night. The episode began with main character Jane breaking into the song "Would I lie to you" by the Eurythmics. Suddenly there was Jane, Judge Paula Abdul, and the rest of the cast putting on a full scale large group choreographed number. I was also happy when I saw the two heartthrobs of the law firm wearing police uniforms - what, I have a thing for men in uniforms; they give me the vapors ;)

Here is a video of the opening number to the episode.