American Idol

The August 3rd show will leave but one American Idol. Will it be Justin or Kelly? The show, which featured want-to-be superstars, began with 121 finalists being picked from 10,000 auditions that were held across the U.S. this past spring. Each week contestants appeared on the show and were criticized by three judges; Randy Jackson, an experienced musician and A&R man; Paula Abdul, 80s pop icon; and Simon Cowell, a BMG music executive. The television viewers, however, are the ones with the power. Home viewers call in and vote for their favorite singers each week.

Now we are down to two. Justin Guarini, 23, and Kelly Clarkson, 20, will battle it out on September 3. The one remaining will in fact be an "American Idol" and will receive a major recording and management contract. The key to remember is that the audience can be very fickle. Talent has not always won out over favoritism, as displayed when Tamyra Gray, one of the most talented singers in the top 10, was voted off and ex-stripper Nikki McKibben was left safely standing. McKibben’s talent does not rival that of Gray or of the two remaining contestants. It simply comes down to who the home viewers prefer.

But what does all this mean? Just because the winner will receive a recording contract does not a star make. Haven’t we seen this before with O-Town and Eden’s Crush from Pop Stars? Haven’t heard much from them. Are we to believe that American Idol will spawn the next Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake? Hopefully it will serve the purpose of getting those most deserved of stardom out into the spotlight and their voices heard.