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I was like you at the beginning. I hated American Idol. I thought all the judges were idiots, and the whole thing seemed very cheesy. It looked like some flashback to Star Search and Solid Gold Dancing. We also were never going to find another Janis Joplin or Aretha Franklin in the bunch.

But then it grew on me, somewhere around season 3. I was embarrassed and didn't admit to anyone that I watched it. It was my little guilty pleasure, and I found myself watching these young singers find their way. Some went down in flames and some were pretty impressive. It was kind of like watching the Oscars where you point and laugh at the person in the ugly outfit, and then root for the underdog to go home a winner. That's how I look at American Idol: cheesy, ridiculous, "don't take yourself too seriously" fun.

People need to realize the '60's are in the past. We can't bring Jim Morrison back from the grave, and we can't bring John Lennon back either. That era is dead and gone, and can only be found on the classic radio stations. Yet, there are a million and one baby boomers and college students who smoke too much weed who will consistently state that music was so much better back then. Yes, it was. But there are so many times I can play the Beatles "Yellow Submarine", and we all can agree that we sometimes crave something new.

American Idol may not be perfect, but it gives us something new that isn't manufactured completely by the record companies. If we complain about today's music, the fault lies with them. But if you don't like the next American Idol, well, that's because you didn't vote and teenyboppers did.

As the season goes on, we would all love to fast forward through the pathetic performances, the ridiculous outfits, and those moments where they completely forgot the words to some of the most memorable songs. We are, however, left with those few moments where there was a performance that blew us away. It does happen occasionally. In the end, at least there is someone left with some talent. I can't say that for most of the acts that are on MTV these days.

Learn more about this author, Stephanie Joynes.
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