A Triumph Unexpected

I woke up to a very jittery Wednesday. I tended to the usual stuff as if everything were fine when in all honesty I found it very hard to compose my inner self. As showtime approached, I realized I was not as panicky as I was hours ago. Then at last, Ryan Seacrest was on my TV screen.

As perceived, Casey James was not at all comfortable with his Sinatra song "Blue Skies". It might not have been a performance to rave about, it wasn't all that deficient as well. His first time singing live on national television without the guitar was a feat all of his fans applaud him for. But what is to be commended is the decorous behavior he portrayed on stage after half of the judges reviled his performance.

Casey James advocates everywhere were stunned at the critiques Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi rained on him. Cowell, popular for his adverse comments, granted criticism everyone isn't new at. DioGuardi's on the other hand was startling. American Idol junkies know for a fact that she had a fixation on Casey since he auditioned. She requested him to remove his shirt which Casey kindly obliged. She, along with her fellow judges, sidetracked his very first performance on the Idol stage during the semi-final round while Casey unwaveringly finished his song. After a raucous week of harassment and cougar allegations, DioGuardi called Casey's voice "dirt" on his next performance. It was a very pathetic justification of her week-ago enchantment to prove to her husband who was in the audience that she is not what others claim her to be, a tease. Her stance wounded Casey's image as a musician that a lot of people deemed his appearance as the only reason why he is on the show and why many vote for him.

However, what transpired last Tuesday was, to many - outrageous, unwarranted and disrespectful. A supposedly constructive criticism resulted in an insensitive remark. DioGuradi asserted that Casey's voice is like that of a lamb. A week ago, she was enthusing on his Shania Twain performance and even exclaimed that he could be at the front of this competition as long he shows his vulnerability as a singer. DioGuardi's credibility as a judge has become dubious and discreditable. Politics is indeed paradoxical.

All the media reviews predicted Casey to be the one eliminated next. His fans were worried they might not see him next week. Even Casey himself said that he is the rightful one to live. As the show progressed, we saw a side of Casey James that left us all in awe. He revealed a suave performance during the group numbers. He definitely stood out from the rest. Why then didn't he bare it on performance night? Mockery does trigger fire.

Little did he know that in connection to the scorn DioGuardi left, his fans including casual viewers and fans of the other contestants caused a tumult of votes his way. As Ryan Seacrest announced the bottom two, screams of exhilaration were heard from his fans. The American Idol Forum, Twitter and Facebook networks were flooded with scores of victory cries. He was not even one of the two with the least votes. An astonishing accomplishment from his fans and all those who thought that DioGuardi needs a lesson in manners.

Millions of viewers approve that Casey James merits a slot in the competition. Many agree of his talent and modesty. Kara DioGuardi should learn from this guy. As the saying goes, "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down."

The Scare Factor

It's a Tuesday. Tuesdays have clearly been one of those usual days. The evolution of these past Tuesdays has been immense. "Ginormous" is the word in Simon Cowell's dialect. This day would only mean one thing for me - Performance Day.

So it's American Idol. Just another reality show that is failing to attract viewers this season. Not in my book. I've waited for what feels like an eternity to watch another live show. To once again indulge myself in a Casey James fix. The top 5 will take on the songs of Ole Blue Eyes himself, the Chairman of the Board - Mr. Frank Sinatra. Hearing this from Ryan Seacrest last week, I was very much thrilled. I grew up listening and singing to Sinatra songs. Elegant and timeless as Frank himself.

However, after a minute of nostalgia, it hit me like a ton of bricks. How is Casey going to do? Will this week's theme spare him from being one of the nethermost? He slayed his song, "Don't" on last week's Shania Twain songbook. Everywhere I read, people placed him at the top of their list with that performance. I never doubted his talent but to tackle a Sinatra song takes a lot of poise and a great deal of expectation from the millions of people watching this show. Casey has more of a bluesy country rock vibe. Would he hit it off with a Sinatra classic? That's when I went into research.

I came upon Casey James's pre-Idol music and discovered a talent that is very much fitting to be this season's winner. I was blown away! His talent is beyond everything I've heard. This guy is not only flexible with instruments, but could take any song and make it his own. His own music itself speaks of artistry and flair. As I went back to watch his performance on "Jealous Guy", I said to myself, this gent would definitely rock a Sinatra song. So why was I tensed last week?

I have enough faith in Casey pulling through with his song this week. My worry stems from the shocker every Casey, Mike and Siobhan fan felt last week. America got it enormously wrong. Aside from Casey getting all the nods; Mike belting out a solid performance; and Siobhan having the pimp spot and the judges' approval after a long time of scrutiny - they were your bottom 3. The other half who were safe gave middling performances with the exception of Aaron who was vocally amazing but still displayed dull showmanship. All I could say were a series of simple grunts. Siobhan may have gotten the boot but it doesn't help from not distressing over Casey. He has been a recurrent guest in that alarming position for two consecutive weeks now.

It's this point in the competition where everything is getting crucial. It doesn't matter at all if a contestant gives a bland rendition. Each contestant has very solid fan bases now. Those supporters vote like it were a career. Complacency shouldn't be entertained. His fans should rally this time. There are also a number of casual voters so another approval from the judges is what Casey needs. This is what I'll be expecting for later. I have decided to be more optimistic and anticipate better results come Wednesday. And I'm absolutely sure he is going to get it.

Under A Spell

It's been 3 months and counting. I've been marveling at how someone so simple could actually leave an amazing drift on me.

So here's the deal: I do have a list of shows that I simply adore and constantly follow. Some I'm practically passionate about and some merely just for entertainment purposes. American Idol falls under the latter for the sheer enjoyment it brings.

On it's 9th season, the show has been paramount at discovering new talents who later on become household names. A very clever idea in my opinion. So for 6 seasons now, I've been attached. Attached in the sense that it's entertaining and a bit funny at times. I would watch the auditions and have a blast at the not-so-gifted ones. The auditions always humor me. I would click on the show whenever I'm home or whenever I remember it. Sometimes I do remember but would often agree on watching the replay the next morning.

It's definitely fundamental for a perpetual viewer to pick and root for a noteworthy contestant. Some would applaud a variety even. For me however, it's been tradition to single out a favorite and make certain to have a "second-best". I'd normally settle on those two and watch their performances whenever I can. I wasn't really crazy about the whole thing. The only season I enjoyed the most was when David Cook won. Of course he was my anointed one. I knew he'd bag the crown. Cook was in a different level from all of the others I've heard and seen. A genius.

But looking back, I wasn't as fixated as I am now. How ironic could it be when all of media land has been writing about the current season being the worst? Unbelievable! And by far, I do admit that it is. Yet, one man has had me since he auditioned. His name - CASEY JAMES.

He had a mediocre audition. Forced to strip off in front of the judges, his body isn't eye-catching. He doesn't have the most outstanding vocals of the bunch. He may have had enough experience being in a band, he seems a bit rigid on stage. Not to mention his charming personality, killer smile, entrancing baby blues, fine stature, stunning locks and is the best guitar player the show has ever had.

Casey James is indeed attractive. Physically, any girl would swoon. Thing is, I don't normally go gaga at alluring men. What drew me to him was something unexplainable at first. Was it his song arrangements? He definitely knows what songs to choose and how to fix it up. Not quite though. It took me a few performances and interviews to determine what it is. Ultimately, it hit me. The thing that set him apart is HUMILITY. A trait which is very resounding in him. Here's a handsome, talented, nonchalant young man at the top of his game, yet so unassuming of his success and influence on people. The enigma that is Casey James.

Every time I watch him, he exudes modesty. He always looks back at where he came from and never wastes an opportunity to tell his family and friends how much he loves and appreciate them. He talks about his family in a very distinctive way. He treasures his friends. And he never hesitates to say thank you in the most sincere way I've ever heard.

The effect he has on me is inexpressible. Now, it's been a habit to mind every American Idol show. I undeniably look forward to seeing him in the finals.