Diagnosis: Idol Apathy

American Idol is strange for me this year because I don't have a favorite. The singers are good enough, but I haven't been voting because no personality or performance has reached out and grabbed me like Crystal Bowersox or Adam Lambert did in the past. I keep waiting for one of these contestants to draw me in, but so far it just hasn't happened.

Having said that, I do not think Pia should have been the one to go home last night. Her voice is pretty flawless, although her ability to engage and entertain the audience does need some work. Hopefully, she will get a chance to improve on that in the future.

Stefano has a good voice, but now that the judges have ordered him to keep his eyes open in order to connect with the audience, it's hard to watch him struggle through a song. He ends up with those eyes slitted half-shut, looking awkward and uncomfortable. Not a good thing, as it totally distracts me (and I suspect, him) from the singing. Just give in, dude...better closed eyes than squinty ones.

I'm not a big fan of Paul's either, whose tone is a little too squeaky, smile is a little too sleeky, and vibe is a little too cheeky for me. Besides, Rod Stewart has already filled that slot. As for Jacob, his pipes are definitely a cut above, but his onstage presence can be off-putting, and he occasionally goes way over the top in his vocal riffs. Thanks to the judges, Haley seems to be forcing that whole growl thing a bit; and James Durbin, though unarguably good, is no Adam Lambert. Lauren is cute and talented but hasn't quite come into her own yet, while likable Scotty seems to have his genre down pat. Casey (the judge's big save) is all over the place; he's done some things that were top notch and some things that almost made me cringe. He may have what it takes (jury's still out on that one) but still needs to overcome the performance anxiety or whatever it is that makes him try too hard at times. (I do think his last two performances have been more in keeping with his early, interesting ones.) By the way, is it just me or was his reaction kinda creepy the night the judges saved him?

Here's the thing. None of them are bad singers (quite the opposite). But none of them are wowing me, either. That's the funny part about American Idol this year. Pia was in my top three, yet my emotions are only marginally involved in her exit. I'm sorry about it; I don't agree with it, and it puzzles me. Yet, I'm not mad or even particularly disappointed. And feedback from friends and family tells me I'm not alone in this.

I can't help but wonder if the judges are partially responsible. While I do like their personalities, along with the kinder and gentler approach they use, there still needs to be some actual judging involved (ie. frank assessment and targeted criticism). Sometimes Lopez hits it dead-on, but those times are less frequent of late. For the most part, the judges' feedback is so generic and their approval so easily won that it becomes easy as an observer to just slide along with them into fan oblivion. Apathy reigns.

I've had fun with Idol in the past and am hoping my interest level kicks up a notch in the next few weeks. I'm definitely trying to get there. But I won't be holding my breath.