I am an unabashed fan of American Idol. I've always thought I love it because it involves music, singing, real people, competition, conflict, and audience involvement.
But after Chris and Phil went home last week, I found myself thinking, "I don't want any of the others to leave. I like them all." As I thought about them, it hit me. What I like most about the show is that it's so dang wholesome. The kids are not only talented, but also likable. They are the kind of young folks you would be happy to have as sons or daughters. There's no creepiness or "bad boyness" or "bad girlness" evident, as with so many pop musicians. These kids seem genuinely nice.
Sometimes "nice" is nice. (Okay. Simon is not always nice, but he does keep the show grounded in reality. He's usually right.) It's nice to have a show that families can watch together. In an increasingly specialized world of music where parents often have not even heard of the bands their kids are listening to, it's nice to have music that different generations can talk about and share together.
And who can resist the thrill of seeing young people make it—and feel that you played some small part in their success? It's addictive. It's wholesome.
It's nice.
