Kidd’s Blog

I grew up in a home that talked politics. At times it was annoying but as I look back, it made me more aware of the issues than most of my friends and it helped me to learn how to express an opinion, which has helped me in my job a lot.

That’s why I feel like such a loser when it comes to the Presidential race. I am still hopelessly, desperately undecided. And I don’t just mean Obama and Hillary. I mean McCain too. I think they are three pretty good candidates compared to what our choices have been lately. I like Hilary because of her experience in the white house. She knows how the system works. Will she sometimes do things that are a little shady? Probably, but all in the name of getting the job done. As for Barack, I love his freshness, his spirit, and his JFK-esque persona. I think he would be the first guy to bring everyone into the process. And then there’s John McCain. I have a bias towards war heroes, especially POW’s. I don’t think McCain would have been so quick to rush into Iraq. When you’ve been to war I think you’re a lot less knee-jerk when it comes to starting one. I also like that many republicans don’t agree with his policies and he doesn’t care. I’ve found the more the “party” supports you, the worse you’re going to be as a leader.

So, interesting dilemma. Kind of like watching a game where you don’t care who wins and you’ll be happy with any outcome. Should I not vote? Or do I need to split hairs and find ONE to support? Don’t know. I’m a loser.

American Idol is in a little bit of a slump.

Last year’s season was the first ever that didn’t have higher ratings than the season before.

Previous winners Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks both just got dropped from their labels, so did runner-up Katherine McPhee. Last year’s winner, Jordin Sparks, released an album a few weeks back and debuted at #10. That’s the worst debut of an American Idol winner EVER.

Chris Daughtry is the biggest star to come out of Idol in the last three years

Chris just talked a bunch of smack about American Idol in Rolling Stone. He said, “It’s in a state of decline and if they don’t do something about it, it’s probably not gonna last too much longer. I’m sure that’ll be used against me, but that’s the truth, you know?”

Somebody leaked on the net all the finalists names for this year. After doing some research, there are quite a few of them who’ve already done professional work and failed.

Take this girl…Carly Hennessy.

MCA records put millions into her and her album sold 300 copies.

Then there’s this girl you saw on the show last night.

Kristy Lee Cook

She’s managed by Marty Rendelman (who gave us Leeanne Rhimes) and she had a big contract with Arista Records)

Those aren’t the only two professionals in this amateur competition who make it to the final 50. You’ve got a songwriter who worked with Patti LaBelle, you’ve got a guy who actually got nominated for a Grammy, and you’ve got a guy who dated Britney Spears.

Idol says, “Yeah…some of our finalists have experience. But its harder and harder to find undiscovered talent…and besides that, some of them don’t tell us everything they’ve done before we pick them.”

Here’s a quote from Ken Warwick, the producer: “If they walk through that door and they sing well, then they will go through to the next round. End of story.”

So Michael Jackson can get on the show? How about Britney?