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Pop&Circumstance: Blair’s American Idol Season Nine Awards

By Blair Thill, blairthill, on February 19, 2010 12:33 AM

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger – (Photo courtesy of americanidol.com)

When I came to college freshman year, I thought it was part of my mission to become “cultured.” I didn’t exactly know what this would entail – probably something along the lines of discussing the works of Nietzche in a coffee shop – but I did know what it wouldn’t include, and that was watching American Idol. The Ryan Seacrest-hosted series represented culture for the masses, something many people look down upon. I assumed no one in college would watch something that intellectuals scoffed at. I was partially right. I didn’t meet anyone that owned up to their love of the singing competition.

But then Gilmore Girls, my more prominent Tuesday night love, went on hiatus … and I was subsequently sucked back into my role as an “Idoloonie” (term coined by EW’s Michael Slezak) as soon as I heard Chris Daughtry. And the funny thing was, as soon as I started watching again, casual fans, die-hards, and AI virgins alike started coming out of the woodwork to watch with me. Because there’s a reason between 20 and 30 million Americans watch this reality show every week, and it’s not the reality part. It’s the fantasy of being plucked from obscurity and shot to fame in a few short months.

Anyway, all of my preceding words are necessary to the understanding of my Idol worship and the reason behind dedicating this blog post to the analysis of our newly minted Top 24. In order to do that, I’ve decided to rip a page out of our high school yearbooks and use superlatives to highlight the Season 9 crop of talent.

Most Likely to Succeed: Andrew Garcia

Why the AI producers decided to cap Hollywood week with a cliffhanger that tried to convince us that Andrew Garcia might not get into the Top 24 is beyond me. Let’s be honest: during week one of the Hollywood auditions, Andrew Garcia wasn’t just in the Top 24, he was easily in the Top 2. As soon as the consummately cool father lent his criminally smooth vocals to departed judge Paula’s smash “Straight Up,” changing it from an 80s confection into an acoustic jam, Idol chatter could talk of no one else. His group was one of the few successes of group day, and his sincere cover of Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” was robbed of more screen time. If Garcia can keep bringing the heat with his own unique take of popular songs, I just don’t see what’s stopping him from going into the Final Five.

Best Blonde: Didi Benami

This was a tough category, Didi, so give yourself a pat on the back. It’s hard to remember if any of the Top 12 girls AREN’T blonde, so it’s a great sign that you stood out – so much so that the producers decided to let us know you went through on the first day of semifinal announcements! And you deserved it. I wasn’t sure about you during your first audition because you seemed like one of those girls who cried at the drop of a hat. I hate those girls. But when you channeled that nervous energy into the Kara DioGuardi penned “Terrified,” not only did you demonstrate your potential as a singer/songwriter, you also showed that Kara can actually write music that belongs in the 21st century (unlike poor Kris Allen’s stale “No Boundaries”). That’s no small feat.

Most Likely to Crash in the Semis: Haeley Vaughn

Vaughn seemed like a great idea at first with the judges intimating, “She could be the Black Taylor Swift!” I agreed with them at first. But then I heard Haeley butcher Gwen Stefani’s “Sweet Escape” (which I already hated) and Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” (which I love). I hope Haeley can pull it together since this season is lacking in both African-American singers and country enthusiasts, but I just don’t see it happening.

Most Likely to be Seduced by Kara: Casey James

It all started when Casey auditioned in Denver and Kara practically forced him to take his shirt off before she let him through to Hollywood. Was it embarrassing? Yes. Did he deserve to go to Hollywood no matter what? Absolutely. Casey came alive in Hollywood. He got the chance to show us what he really does: down home blues. His cover of the standard “I Don’t Need No Doctor” showed a grittiness not usually seen on the Idol stage. It also brought out a side of Kara only previously reserved for Season 8’s Matt Giraud … only worse. Kara has commented on his hottness, whether she likes his hair up or down, the color of his eyes, basically anything objectifying. It all culminated in a hug upon his invitation to the Top 24 – a hug which Kara enjoyed way too much.