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American Idol boring? Verne Gay doesn't think so

Verne Gay | Off Camera

March 25, 2008

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Good heavens, here we go again: Another rant about "Idol."

I witness these anti-"Idol" outbursts every season (and quite often, I'm the one performing the outburst). They loom on the horizon just as the Hollywood rounds are getting under way. They steam closer to shore when we've got the top 24 in place. And by the time we're well into the top 12, the anti-"Idol" forces storm the beaches, with mouths foaming, sabers rattling and looking to slay the nearest hard-core "Idol" fan who still thinks the show is good.

Their complaints go this way: "' American Idol's' become dull. ... The contestants are boring. ... The routine is predictable. ... Simon always says the same stuff. ... Paula's an idiot ... The songs are terrible. ... The performances are robotic. ... Who cares?"

Well, I do.

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I'm tempted to tell the ranter to just turn the channel (except that's a perilous option when a rerun of "The Housewives of New York City" is lurking on that other channel). "Predictable?" "Dull?" "Routine?" "Idol" is what it is. What would you have Simon do? Put on a tutu and then pirouette onstage while delivering his denunciations? That wouldn't be predictable, although it would be insane.

Fact is, "Idol" is bound by certain rules and routines that are unchanging and aren't supposed to change. The joy derived comes from those little unexpected moments that bring you up short, and make you realize: Maybe "Idol" isn't some bogus competition, but really is about a nobody who had a big dream and who is about to either have that dream realized - or dashed on the rocks.

This season has had its share of such moments. The nearly flawless David Archuleta (who actually forgot some words to "We Can Work it Out"). The tattooed Carly Smithson, who was once a contender and coulda been somebody. Now, she can maybe be somebody again. Or Chikezie, the wild man with the gorgeous voice, or Brooke White, of angelic face, or David Cook, who may be better than Chris Daughtry (I think he is), or Jason Castro with the dreads, or Syesha Mercado, who would have been a front-runner last season but this season is lucky to still be in the hunt. That's how good this top 10 is.

So what am I to think? That this may be the best "Idol" top 10 in three seasons, but that it's "boring?" Or that we have in Archuleta one of the best "Idols" ever (some might say the best ever, but Melinda Doolittle was and ever will be). Yet, it's still "predictable?" Please.

And let's talk quickly about the judges. Simon may be a blighter, but he comes about his opinions honestly and openly. And so do Randy and Paula. I actually think all three have dispensed better counsel this season than any season before. They're holding this top 10 to a higher standard, and there's nothing wrong with that, either.

So here's to "Idol" - better than ever.