So Long, American Idol
It began as a summer replacement show on Fox in 2002 and became one of the most successful American TV shows. Although I stopped watching it a couple of years ago (when it seemed that the show was more about the judges than the contestants), I'm offering my Top Ten favorite Idol performances here:10) "I Think I Love You" by Constantine Maroulis. He channeled David Cassidy and rocked it out.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP1Ils2hhbI9) "Whole Lotta Love" by Adam Lambert. Yes, he should have won Season 8! Lambert brought something edgy and exciting to an otherwise middle-of-the-road series.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhjixkuKYVo8) "Baba O'Riley" by David Cook. Cook, like Chris Daughtry, took mainstream songs and turned them into unique, memorable performances.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tirzRCxvq247) "Weekend in New England" by Jennifer Hudson. She didn't win Idol, but went on to garner an Academy Award (Dreamgirls), a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a SAG award, and a Grammy!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds8CuV-LQ1w6) "A Change is Gonna Come" by Adam Lambert. Blue-eyed soul, certainly.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytvTK-xAcIA5) "I Walk the Line" by Chris Daughtry. Doing a cover of Live's version of the Johnny Cash classic. Another non-winner of AI who has found success.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaBEPjSz0K04) "A House is not a Home" by Tamyra Gray. It was Bachrach week on Idol (Season 1), and this performance was stellar (even if the video is not).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gppj5h2okM3) "It's a Man's World" by Joshua Ledet. This preacher's son was so good, he made it into my Top Three twice.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Snay_fh20U2) "Walk On By" by Kelly Clarkson. She was Idol's first winner, and this performance sealed it for me.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBeyvYkRY44And my all-time favorite performance by an American Idol contestant1) "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Joshua Ledet. Goosebumps!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0CxOTheRJk If you watched, who was your favorite?