American Idol Season Ten - Does Anyone Care?

I believe the title says it all. I fully intended not to post about last night's performances. Why? Because, much like the show, I felt I was simply repeating myself every week. After the results show, however, I felt compelled to at least say a few words about the overall health of the show. Here's a quick recap of last night's performances for you all.

Will.I.Am made his weekly appearance, Jacob was over the top, Haley growled, Casey can't really sing, Lauren was solid, Durbin's a much lesser Lambert, Scotty referred to himself in the third person and claimed he wasn't being country when he so clearly was, Pia is a great vocalist who won't have much of a career post-Idol, Stefano's voice is weak, Paul is pretty cool if you keep the guitar in his hands and the judges seem to think they're all bound for stardom. There, that sums that up.

My bottom three prediction was Jacob, Stefano and Haley with Stefano going home. Well, I got two out of three, with Pia thrown in for Haley. As you probably know by now, Pia was the "SHOCKING ELIMINATION!"

A) When there's really no clear favorite, is anyone being eliminated really that surprising?
B) If asked before tonight, would you have predicted Pia to win the show?

The answer to both of those questions is a resounding no. She's a nice singer, probably the best pure voice this season, but she was a balladeer on a show that's become increasingly more about personality over the past few seasons. Oh, and the judges and their outrage over Pia's ouster? You're the panel that chose to save a stand up comic with an upright bass a couple weeks ago. How's that decision looking now?

Nigel, I say again, what happened to your "we're done caring about having a balance between boys and girls, we just want the best finalist group we can get," statements a few months ago? You chose to make it an even five and five and add wild cards. Five contestants eliminated, all girls. There's what America thinks about your balance. And I might add that some of those eliminated contestants were two of the three judges' wild card picks (Stefano, who is the weakest overall contestant remaining on the show being their one remaining wild card). That's a pretty good indication of how your viewers feel about your judges.

This season's production tweaks and judging overhaul has not proven very successful. Love her or hate her, Kara Dioguardi usually gave real opinions at least. Steven Tyler is completely useless, J Lo comes across as fake far too often and Randy is the same throw away he's always been. Sorry to say it, but it's the truth. I did enjoy the opening auditions with this panel, but when it came time to give harsh but true criticisms, they've fallen beyond short.

All that being said, I'll probably finish out the season. I am, however, seriously contemplating making this one my last. My wife will be thrilled to read that last sentence. Baby lock them doors and change the channel....