Welcome to Idol Watchers 2014, Season 13!

Hello, Idol Watchers!  Welcome to a new year of Idol mayhem.

This year, I'd like to try a new format for sharing our love of America Idol.  I'm going to post our same ol' Idol report, but I'll be using this blog instead of the Facebook "note" format.  After posting a blog about a show, I will link it to my Facebook wall and tag all the Idol Watchers.  I hope you like the new format.  If not, too bad, it's what I'm doing. :D

Also, I'd like to let you know that the next two results shows (Thursdays 2/27 and 3/6), I will be unable to write a timely blog about the show due to prior commitments.  However, I will watch the show on delay and report back to you--maybe not that night, but eventually.  After 3/6, I should be able to be the reliable writer to whom you've become accustomed.

In this first post, I have tagged all the former Idol Watchers, plus a few new folks I thought might enjoy the discussion.  If you are tagged but would rather not be tagged this year, please tell me.  I don't want to spam you to death with Idol stuff all season.  If you are not tagged, but would like to be, please tell me that, too.

What are the *Idol Watchers* rules?  I'm glad you asked!

• Be nice to each other.  You can tear apart an Idol Watcher’s favorite contestants, researched theories, and stalwart opinions until he or she is reduced to tears, but don’t tear apart the Idol Watcher.
• Comment.  I am no authority or expert.  I merely get the ball rolling, and you make it fun with your comments.  Disagree with me?  Say so!  It makes the show more fun. You may comment on the Facebook link or directly on this blog.  Most people will comment on the Facebook link... that's my guess, anyway.

After much thought about the current season and its past episodes, I have decided that this season is going to be one to watch.  Here's my reasoning:

1. Judges. After last year, there is only one direction this show can go with judges: up.  The loss of Mariah and She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was the first step on the Road of Progress; hiring JLo and HCJ to join Keith was the second.  I LOVE both the chemistry between the judges and the individual personalities they bring to the show.
2. New Look. You may have noticed the efforts to which Idol has gone to update the show: the nonlinear story-telling, the multiple-screened shots, the deeper look at contestants as people.  Idol is terrified of jumping the shark.  Last year's efforts didn't work, but this year's might.
3. Raw Contestants. This year's contestants seem to be less polished and more malleable.  I believed the judges picked them with the intention of molding them into the best specimens they can be.  I didn't agree with all the choices, but I'm excited to see the growth of this year's contestants.

My only true complaint this year was that horrible Rush Week.  I watch Idol in order to see good music.  Rush Week's format did nothing but promote nerves and weak performances.  Boo.

Mom "hiding" from bad singing

I know Idol is starting to become passé among many, but I continue to love music and the fresh performers who deliver it.  Idol gives me that every time, in spite of the judges, or the format, or the angle.  I also love the opportunity to hang out with my husband and my Mom as we report to you from Chez Cobb.  I hope you'll come along for the ride.

Oh, wait... what was that?  Do I have a prediction?  As a matter of fact, I do.  The final two will be Malaya Watson and Caleb Johnson, with Caleb taking home the trophy.  Write it down.