Taylor Hicks: Idol Blues asks, is there to be Fro-Patro? (no, that's not a typo)

Of course I watched American Idol last night. My day comes to a screeching halt at 7:00 p.m. for this program. I cannot fight it, I am an addict. This year the auditions have been largely an American Idol blooper fiesta. Most contestants being provided face time are the 'definitely nots' to go on to Hollywood. I still haven't decided why this year seems to be concentrating on the odd and delusional over talented, but then perhaps I'm just forgetful and this has been the standard. I have one friend that likes Idol just for the audition phase and then when that part of the American Idol experience is over he tunes out until the end to see the winner. I just can't understand that thinking, yet we are friends. I guess it is his sad and twisted sense of humor that captivates me.

One contestant from last night stood out, Chris Sligh. He's a rather round chap with a fluffy mop of poodle curls. Chris performed Seals', "Kiss from a Rose". He did a good job, and Paula Abdul was fittingly moved to stand and seal clap for him. I don't think she's been this excited about anyone else we have seen televised so far.

I had heard buzz about Chris Sligh weeks ago and checked out his myspace.com. He's a blogger, too, his site you can find here, Musings on American Idol in this blog he talks about that should he be accepted into the American Idol competition, his fan base would be the Fro-Patro. Last night, while his singing was good, that wasn't all he brought to the Idol parque stage; he was actually funny. Many wanna-be contestants enter the audition interview attempting to be funny by wearing wacky ensembles, or foisting some sort of gimmick. Chris Sligh just brought his curls and his wit. Simon Cowell asked him why he wanted to be on Idol, and Chris's response, "I want to make Hasselhoff cry" referring to the ending of season five when The Hoff shed tears while Taylor Hicks belted out his assigned song, "Do I Make You Proud?". The producers, ever vigilant for a good television moment cut to the Hasselhoff footage. Chris, explaining his looks, made a comparision of himself and Christina Aguilera saying that when he looked in the mirror that is how he saw himself. A stroke of comedic evil genius.

Wandering off the topic of Chris for a moment, I've had a decent record in selecting the A.I. winners. The only season that gave me a hiccup was season two between Clay Aiken and Reuben Studdard. I was voting like mad for the big man, but thought Aiken might take it. Turns out it was the closest race in the show's history. It has been disappointing, Studdard's lack of commercial success. I blame it on his relying and trusting management that did not have his best interests at heart. Criticisms have arisen over his lack of success because he is overweight, but I point out the great Luciano Pavarotti as argument; a sexy talented, big man. To review my other past choices, Kelly Clarkson, season one, then in season three - Fantasia won it with "Summertime"; season four - Carrie Underwood, I knew she was going to win it but my heart belonged to Bo Bice. Of course, it is apparent who I selected season five.

Fittingly, the American Idol boards and MJ's Big Blog are aflutter with fans already trying to map out their favorites. We've got folks naming fan bases and the final 24 haven't been announced. From what I've seen so far, the jury is still out for me, who I'll be rooting for - I haven't seen all the ones that have moved on to Hollywood. I've blogged about some of the contestants that we viewers have seen so far which have caught my attention at my other blogspot, Observations from a Cluttered Mind.

Returning to the original topic of this post, Chris Sligh, it is interesting to see 'certain' folks that played a part in the success of Taylor Hicks, venturing to his side. Remember the goldfish guys, (of course you do) they portrayed Lamont and Ray? These two guys were huge proponents that helped to push Taylor through to his win. Well, it seems they may be approaching Chris to see what they can do to help him. I'd ask Sligh, you got cats, dogs, hamsters? Hamsters would be the ideal virtual pet, the whole hamster habitrail environment would leave open all sorts of internet fun. "Wheel Talk" a segment in which the furry cagemates held question and answer while working out on their wheel, naming one possibility. There are some cute hairy, fluffy varieties on the market, too. This way while 'Daddy' Sligh is away doing Idol the two hammies could keep all the fans interested with stories of 'Daddy'.

Whoa, wait! What am I reading here? (Not to mention it has come forth from these fingers on the keyboard.) Fro-Patro (no it's not a typo)... hmm, Soul Patrol, the goldfish guys, morphing into hamster pals? Perhaps it would be all too similar. (you think?)

Then there are these questions to consider: would the Soul Patrol get offended? would the American Idol public just be bored by the similarities and the sameness? Whereas imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery the opposing idiom, familiarity breeds contempt could turn Sligh's Idol run into more of a comedic spoof on Season 5 than an out and out bid to become a successful artist. Or maybe a guy like Sligh, wanting to make Hasselhoff cry has this in mind all along. Evil genius. You go Chris Aguilera, I can see the resemblance.