Real Kato Blog: Television: American Idol

Okay, I admit it... this year, I've been caught up in the whole "American Idol" thing. Here are some thoughts.

The contestants on "American Idol" are a mixed bag. There are a couple this year who seem like they could be genuine stars: Fantasia Barrino (by far, the best of the bunch) and La Toya London. Everyone else seems like a wide-eyed "Star Search" contestant, happy to be on television, not quite ready for the big-time. Simon Cowell seems to get this; I don't know that the other judges, or the majority of the folks who phone in their votes, do.

Jon Peter Lewis finally got the boot last week. He had the right attitude, but didn't have the talent; that was sometimes painfully obvious. John "One Trick Pony" Stevens should be next to go, especially if the theme is hard rock or something like that. That poor guy just has no soul or rock-and-roll in his blood. His Dean Martin shtick is spot-on, but it just doesn't translate to other genres of music. His woefully off-key renditions of "My Girl" and "Crocodile Rock" proved that.

I'm just waiting for Fantasia's coronation. She's got "superstar" written all over her. It'll be nice to have a North Carolina girl make everyone forget Clay "Easy Listening" Aiken. La Toya should win second place; she has the most vocal talent as well as the most class. Now, will mainstream America implode if two black women turned out to be the finalists? (Jennifer Hudson is making a strong run lately too.) Or have we finally grown up?

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