I wonder what the odds are in Vegas on the American Idol finale.
A poll on People.com shows that 66% of the people who voted think Jordin Sparks will win. I wonder what a Blake Lewis upset would pay.

UPDATE 9:39 a.m.: In our own poll on Fresnobee.com (scroll down the home page -- it's on the left-hand side), the vote is much closer. Jordin has 19%, Blake has 15%. But the real winner is "I really, really ... really don't care" with a whopping 65%!

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 9:02 AM | Permalink

Last week's column on reality television was sent out by a couple of news services and it got good play judging by the emails that landed in my inbox on Saturday morning. It's interesting to me that these kind of topics generate the biggest reposnes from readers. A column I wrote on rude cell phones users got a similar response from around the country. But a column on an important public policy issues, health care reform, for example, will get only a fraction of the reaction from readers.

Here's a sampling of emails I got today from readers on reality television:

Dear Mr. Boren,
Today I enjoyed reading your article "That's Entertainment?" in the San Antonio Express-News. It struck a chord with me. This past week I was discussing with my wife (Cindy) the American Idol show and was puzzled how many see this show as "entertainment" and whether some contestants on the show have really been screened for their talent or just placed on the show for laughs. I am 51 years old. I realize my age group is not the targeted market for shows such as American Idol and radio pranks. Perhaps people my age are perceived as "now to old" and they do not know how to have a "good laugh". Whatever the case, all I know is, count me in; in the minority of those who can't wait until reality TV and radio pranks run their course. I realize things and people change but I do hope there are plenty of others out there (of all ages) who's basic notion of "good entertainment" is not based on Reality TV shows such as American Idol and radio pranks which end up hurting someone.

Regards,

Simon Castillo, Jr.

Continue reading "Reality television" »

Posted by Jim Boren at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last week, while I was on vacation, my mother, my daughter and I went to Pismo for an overnight getaway.

Wednesday night, we did the usual things you do in Pismo - had a nice seafood dinner, walked on the pier, ate ice cream and watched the skateboarders and a trick bicyclist. But we made sure we were back to our hotel room in time to catch the results show of American Idol.

When the two contestants who received the lowest number of votes were revealed, we were a little surprised, but not too worried. Rocker Chris Daughtry and crooner Katharine McPhee - "Don't worry," I told my mom. "Chris isn't going home."

Minutes later we were absolutely floored when Daughtry was sent packing. Many people, including the odds makers in Vegas, favored Daughtry to win the competition.

Our grieving continued the next morning. We listened as Meredith Vieira on "The View" wailed about the injustice of such a talented performer not making it to the finals.

But Star Jones quietly called Vieira on the carpet: "Did you vote?"

Just like in the bigger elections that shape our city and our nation's path, we can't complain about the outcome if we don't take part in the process. Do you vote? If not, don't complain about who's running things or how they do it.

And for the record, I voted.

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)