American Idol Premieres Without Paula

Yikes.

Okay, my worst fear became a reality last night when Paula really wasn’t on the first episode of the most popular program on television.  I knew this was probably going to happen, although I had hoped the whole thing regarding her exit was a nightmare, and that somehow when January 12th came around, I could exit the rabbit hole and return to normalcy, whatever the hell that may be.  However, what I want and what I get are two very different things. 

Okay let’s get to the nitty gritty.  I do not like Victoria Beckham as guest judge.  I hated her turban or headband or whatever that thingamabob that was on her head.  I really don’t understand why she is famous.  She is a former Spice Girl, yes, but did that have anything to do with music?  Wasn’t that successful T & A marketing?   I certainly don’t think she is qualified to judge singing, even though she made a ton of cash singing with an all girl group.  Perhaps, she is only still famous because she is married to the world’s most famous soccer player.  Anyway, she is too skinny, too British and too snobby for her to be an American Idol judge.  She lacks warmth.  She lacks humanity.  These are both things Abdul had in spades.

The first show was the Boston auditions.  There were some sorry souls singing. One of the best segments of the show was the piss off between smug Andrew Fenlon, who I actually think wasn’t as snarky as the judges thought and Kara, who seems to be so offended by him, that her head was spinning like a kid’s pull toy.  Apparently the whole thing was a bit of a hoax on his part to get recognition and not really be an authentic audition.  I also thought for a joke Andrew Fenlon wasn’t a bad singer.  Still I am wondering what role Kara will try to play this season in place of Paula’s attention antics.  Tough Cookie?  Cheer Leader? Mamma DioGuardi? Mentor? Cougar? Sputtering Fool?

Let’s keep an eye on Benjamin Bright, who seems to be the closest thing we have to a local this season.  Benjamin Bright is originally from Central New York (Rome area), but was educated at Crane School of Music in Potsdam.  He currently teaches Elementary music education in the Plattsburgh, NY area.  Benjamin made it through the Boston auditions and has his golden ticket!  Keep on trucking, or should I say singing and make us Upstaters Proud.

Stay Tuned, the addiction continues, tonight – Wednesday, January 13, 2010 on Fox at 8:00 pm!