found the link from idolforums.com and i find it interesting coz it talks about KAT

American Idol 5
For Me It's About The Talent: Am I Alone?

Commentary By Jillian Kuras
March 30, 2006

Since it's debut in June of 2002, American Idol has become one of my favorite reality shows. And based on it's ratings, I'm not the only one. Why do so many people watch American Idol? Some watch purely for the entertainment purposes. They love the bad auditions and love watching every day people make fools of themselves. They love watching young people with big dreams be pounded by the judges. And nowadays, they probably love watching Paula Abdul act like an idiot. But me, that's not why I watch.

I hate the auditions. I hate watching people with no talent pretend they know how to sing. I usually can't stand the judges and their useless comments, especially Paula Abdul. So why do I watch? Simple. For the talent. And I'm beginning to think I'm one of the few people in America who do watch for this reason.

When AI premiered season one, it was actually called American Idol: The Search For A Super Star. That was the official title. And I truly believe that the producers and judges did everything they could to make sure that title came true. And clearly, it worked. Kelly Clarkson is the biggest star to come out of the AI phenomenon. And rightly so. I believe that if Kelly Clarkson did not win season one or if she didn't become as successful as she has, AI would not be around today.

So what has changed? Why is becoming a superstar no longer important to the people at AI? Easy. Money! AI became such a huge hit after season one that it didn't matter what happened to the contestants after the season ended. When one season wrapped it was far more important to begin focusing on the next season than it was to actually help the winner achieve success. Who needs a million dollar recording star when you have a multi-million dollar show?

Keeping the fans coming back season after season was easy. All the producers had to do was promote the contestants that would keep America talking (and watching). Having actual genuine talent was no longer required. American Idol has morphed over the last few years from a simple show whose main purpose was to find some undiscovered talent to just another reality show. Most of you are probably saying so what but it makes me sad. And bored.

There are plenty of other reality shows out there with absolutely no purpose other than entertainment. AI was one of the few that actually had a purpose, and a damn good one. I miss the days when having talent came first.

Fast forward to season five. Suddenly, being able to sing seems to be taking a back seat to be entertaining. I'm sure the producers are absolutely giddy after last night's results show. Lisa and Katharine are probably two of the best singers in the top ten. That doesn't matter though. All that matters is that the contestants who are the most talked about will be back next week. So the talking (and the watching) can continue.

Let's quickly access. First of all we have Kellie Pickler. Sweet, adorable, my mom abandoned me and my dad's in jail Kellie Pickler. Oh that Kellie - she's so funny! What's a minx? What's a ballsy? What's calamari? Haha, I'm so funny, don't y'all just love me? And you know what? People do love her! The girl can't sing to save her life. Who cares if the prize of this contest is a recording contract? Stick that pretty little face on a CD cover holding a plate of calamari and wearing a mink coat. America will buy it, I promise you that. Just look at Jessica "is this chicken or tuna" Simpson.

I am not a singer but I've been a dancer my whole life. Music and dance go hand in hand so music has always been a big part of my life. Even though I have my favorite types of music and singers, I can genuinely appreciate every style. That is one of the reasons I love AI so much.

Growing up, I was smart enough to know that all dancers had both good and bad aspects to their dancing. I also knew that there were people in my class who were better than me in some areas. Let's say that I was in a competition with these people and let's say the grand prize was the best dance job on the planet. If I was allowed to continue on in the competition week after week while other more talented dancers were cut, I would be so embarrassed! Never mind embarrassed, I would be mortified. I would feel guilty, uncomfortable and just humiliated in general. So why is it that the contestants on AI never seem to feel this way? Does Kellie even realize how bad she is? Does she even know that Katharine could out sing her if she was standing on her head juggling knives with her feet?

If the producers of American Idol truly cared about finding another big star like Kelly Clarkson they would only have to make one small teeny, tiny change in the show. Limit the voting. So many people love to vote on looks, personality, likeability, etc. And as luck would have it, those are the people who have nothing better to do than hit redial for the whole two hours.

If FOX would just limit the amount of times a person could vote, I truly believe a huge chunk of the problem would be solved. Sure, they wouldn't be able to say "We received over 40 million calls last night!" But, talented people like Katharine wouldn't have to sweat out it in the in bottom three while people like Kellie and Bucky are allowed to relax over on the couches.

So who do I think should win AI this year? Simple. Katharine McPhee. She's the only contestant who has everything. First of all, the girl can sing her butt off. Her voice has power, tone, control, and every thing else that makes up a good singer. She's an excellent performer with an engaging personality. I vote for Katharine every week and I will continue to do so.

I'm not one of those pathetic people who hit redial for the entire two hours. I have a job, two in fact, and I have much better things to do with my time. I pick my favorites, usually the night the top 12 begins, and I support them throughout the season. I always decide who I want to win early on as well and so far, my favorite has at least made it to the finale. Season one it was Kelly, season two Clay, season three Diana, and last year Carrie. If Katharine doesn't make it to the finale this year, it will be the first time I won't have anyone to vote for throughout the season.

I think you should only vote for a person if you plan on buying their albums and tickets to their concerts. For me, only Katharine, Ace and Lisa apply. And maybe Mandisa. Elliott is a distant possibility as well. I think Chris and Taylor have talent, but they are not my style. I would never buy their CDs and never pay to see them in concert, thus, I would never vote for them and I do not want them to win.

I put Mandisa and Elliott down as maybes. Mandisa has a lot of great qualities to her voice, the most noticeable being her power. She has her weaknesses too though. She continues to struggle with her lower register. There is also a fine line between belting and screeching. Sometimes I feel she crosses that line.

It will also depend on what type of album she makes. So far, I have really liked when she has sung diva ballads. I also like when we see her personality in songs such as the Heart song she sung in the semi-finals. I absolutely hated her choice this week though. If she makes a gospel R&B album, I definitely will not buy it.

As for Elliott, I like his voice and think he is a good performer. I am just not seeing him as a star or having the "it" factor. I think he has potential though. So I will continue to be patient with him.

That leaves Kellie, Bucky and Paris. It's hard for me to judge Paris because I have no idea what type of a singer she is. She has sung everything on the show from country, to R&B, to soul, to pop. She's done everything decent but nothing outstanding. I also find her attitude to be just a little too over confident, bordering on cocky.

I've already been clear on my feelings about Kellie so we are down to Bucky. I like Bucky. He seems like a nice guy with an honest, genuine personality. Can he sing? Not a chance. He would have trouble finding gigs in local bars.

With eight weeks left in the season, it seems clear that America has bought into the reality show hoopla. After last night's result's show, it's obvious being funny and entertaining is far more important to America than having talent. Not for me though. I have always voted for who I think is talented and who I would like to see win the recording contact at the end of show. And I will continue to do so. I just hope I'm not alone.


Jillian Kuras is a 23 year old dance instructor and nanny from Massachusetts. Other than reality TV, she enjoys The OC, Gilmore Girls, Lost, everything Harry Potter and of course, the Boston Red Sox. She can emailed at Jillian@RealityTVCalendar.com

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