I am not ashamed to say that I cried tonight, and not because Sally and Susan refused to go to bed before American Idol was over.
Honestly, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that American Idol represents all that is good about America today. And I know, yadda, yadda, there’s a lot wrong with America. The streets are not paved with gold, or cheese, and I am not a gazilionaire, award-winning author.
What is right with AmericaN IDOL
Friendship: Though they might never have met in real life (I picture David A ordering a sarsaparilla at David C’s place of work), David C and David A seem to genuinely like each other.
Facing up to Mistakes: When Simon apologized to David C tonight, my heart overflowethed: Simon, God loves you very much, and he is SO proud of you tonight.
Good Sportsmanship: I might not have appreciated rocker-chick Amanda Overmyer’s style, but at least she never skulked around with a tire iron.
Democratic, Free Elections: With a simple nominating system that takes a mere 19 weeks rather than seventeen years, and a vote-counting method that rewards enthusiasm and participation, there’s no need for the Supreme Court to step in. Amendment #28?
Element of Surprise: Fireworks on the 4th of July, A 4th Indiana Jones movie, children being solidly potty-trained by age 4: These things are all quintessentially American, but not necessarily surprising. David Cook winning by 12 million votes after auditioning by accident, never playing it safe, getting trashed by judges and almost shown up in the final contest: Surprising.
Youth! Energy! Hard Work! (Truth! Beauty! Love! Freedom!). Amen.
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P.S. My dad was embarrassed to tell me that he wanted to watch the show last night (I hope they caught tonight’s, because most of it was fantastic). He said he’d even told his parents about it. My grandparents are lovely, conservative, white-bread, middle-Americans (in a good way) who still watch Lawrence Welk on public television. And I have to say that I think American Idol, as a variety-talent-feel-good show is the Lawrence Welk of the 21st century. Also in a good way.
P.P.S. American Idol bringing out that crazy Renaldo guy singing “You are My Brother” was The.Most.Awesome.Thing.Ever. God bless America!
Tags: america, american idol, david archuleta, david cook, democracy
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Jane, I’m in Cincinnati; I thought SLC was beautiful from what I saw of it during the Olympics.
IRL sounds good, should planets align and all that…
Dropped you a note via email a week or so ago…I often find real mail drowning in my Spambox so don’t know if my email reached you.
That’s a whole new level of crazy. Wow.
I KNOW. Wow.
Very well written – you said all I have been feeling but am to tired to even attempt to express. Victories like David Cook’s last night are sweet indeed. I think he is the real thing – did you see how many times he wrapped his arm around David Archuleta – even when singing his victory song? An absolute gem.
Christys last blog post..All is Right With the World
We should have had an AI party last night! Karin and I watched it together. We were both singing or humming, “You are my brother. Best friends forever” this morning. I really like both Davids!!! Both seem so sincere and I’d buy tons of songs from both of them!
Did you find the David Duet? I couldn’t find it and I don’t remember which song it was. I also liked David A’s “Apologize” with One Republic. I’d love to download that too!
YAY YAY, great post!!! I 100% agree, thanks for sharing! WHOOOP WHOOOP for David Cook!!!
What a great post! It really did look as though the Davids are really friends. Loved the sasparilla comment – too cute.
Mamacitas last blog post..David Cook Brought. it. Home.
I was so mad that my DVR cut off the victory song…I really wanted to watch him sing! I must admit, I was rooting for David A. and even tried to vote for him but the line was always busy (I guess I am a lazy voter because I must not have tried hard enough to really stick with it). In the end though, I really think David C. was the better idol.
“Facing up to Mistakes: When Simon apologized to David C tonight, my heart overflowethed: Simon, God loves you very much, and he is SO proud of you tonight.” – I agree with you completely! I felt my heart melt listening Simon’s apology!
ps. great blog!
Paulyns last blog post..David Cook, the new American Idol