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America, you watch American Idol because it is entertaining, amusing, surprising, sometimes annoying, good clean fun. Maybe you like to goof on the contestants whose only goal is to get their fifteen outrageous minutes of fame. Or you like to scan the auditions until you find the diamond in the rough. The one you proclaim to others will be the next American Idol.

I wish I could say I don't watch American Idol. That I have so many more interesting things to do with three to five hours a week then sit and watch Ryan Seacrest make small talk with American Idol hopefuls and laugh at his own jokes about Simon Cowell.

But, alas, I can't because not only do I watch but I vote - A LOT!

Let me state is hasn't always been that way. I didn't watch the first season, though my daughters were glued to the set. I didn't watch the show at all until I was begged to come watch this "amazing rock singer" by the name of Chris Daughtry. It was love at first sight. So I watched, and I voted and I knew there was no way any of the other eleven hopefuls could beat my American Idol. And then the unthinkable happened. Chris Daughtry was voted off. I was on a class camping trip (no TV) with my younger daughter that dreadful night. My sister called me on my cell phone just before the announcement was made. Neither one of us could believe it was down to McPhee and Daughtry. And then my sister shouted, OH NO!, Chris is off. It was awful. It took me weeks to recover. I stopped watching then and there. And in actuality, that season was a mockery of the contest. Come on - Taylor Hicks? Nice guy but, if in all honestly, most of us have an uncle who can sing as well as Taylor Hicks and can't wait show off his vocals at every family wedding.

The next season, I didn't watch. I would not let anyone lure me to the TV set to "just watch this one person, please".

But alas, the following season, I let my defenses down and took a peek at David Cook. He was sincere, talented, humble and good looking and I was afraid to get involved. But, I watched him sing "Little Sparrow" and I was hooked. Happily, I was rewarded for my devotion. David Cook took the golden ring.

Season 8 - Adam Lambert. They are synonymous. I came in late, as usual, not watching the audition shows or even the Hollywood try outs. I started with the final thirteen and waited with great anticipation each week for Adam's performance. This year's performers divided my daughters and me. They split between Kris and Danny while I never waivered from the amazing Adam Lambert. When Danny was ousted they united behind Kris. In contrast, Adam brought my sister and me closer. We texted, emailed and talked every Wednesday about the performance the night before. I voted more times than I care to admit and, even though I know Adam will be a star, it hurt when he lost to Kris Allen.

American Idol has grown in popularity as it has improved in content. Singers and songs from eras past are on the show and the younger generations get a glimpse of music from days gone by. Some of today's hottest performers now appear on the show giving themselves exposure to a large group of people who would otherwise never hear them sing. The finale is always entertaining and I missed the "Give Back" show this year. American Idol never disappoints when it comes to sheer entertainment

Will I watch next year? I don't think I will. I absolutely must have better things to do with my time; I mean it is on at least two nights a week.

I will read more, write more, exercise more anything but get wrapped up in this show. That is, of course, until someone says "You gotta see this guy (or maybe girl) he is so good!

Learn more about this author, Trisha Mcfadden.
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