From Brittani to Kelly

As a confessed Idolite who, sadly enough, has not missed one moment of coverage since June 11, 2002 (when Brian Dunkleman was psyched about the sweet hosting job he'd just scored), I feel this blog gives me an ideal platform to espouse some of my theories on the show. Ergo what follows is -

Idol According To Me

Season 1 - The 'Moment Like this Theory':

Without Kelly Clarkson, the show would never have survived to season 2. Simon Fuller, Fox et al are incredibly fortunate that out of that first pitiful talent pool arose the best all-around entertainer the show has seen to date. Without Kelly, would millions of people have tuned in to see a Justin Guarini (are you kidding me? this was the best they could do for second place? he wouldn't even make it to Hollywood these days)/Tamyra Gray (talented and seemingly sweet, but lacking star quality) final? Um. No. No, they wouldn't. And with the painful vocal stylings of the J-trio (RJ, AJ and EJay - anyone remember them?), not to mention those of Jim Verraros, without a Kelly performance to look forward to each week, I'm pretty sure America would have changed the channel for good by week 4 or so. Clive Davis should get off Kelly's back and remember how much money she's made him, not just from her own work but from everyone who has been lucky enough to follow in her Idol footsteps. She pretty much singlehandedly created the market for these people. Come on, Clive. She'll make hits again. This is a girl who beat a Beatle for a grammy. Would it kill you to let her do one the way she wants to?

Subsequent theories soon.