From the Midwest redneck author of "The Rooster Crows at 4am!," "Lizard Poop!," and "The Philippines Expat Advisor"
Phillip Phillips Is The New American Idol
Just out. Phillip Phillips is the new American Idol beating out, at least in this household's humble opinion, the better singer by far, Jessica Sanchez. Jessica, a 16-year-old Filipino-Mexican-American, is tremendously gifted and should have no problem garnering her own recording contract. 
Now don't get me wrong, I like the Phillips kid, but I also thought Joshua Ledet, who got the boot last week, was a better singer. Trouble is, you've got millions of teen-aged girls in America making this a popularity contest and voting for the cute guy they have a crush on.
No female has won the American Idol title since Jordin Sparks did in 2007. I honestly refuse to believe that the best talent wins every year.
My Filipina asawa and I started following American Idol again last year after not viewing the popular reality show since the days Ellen DeGeneres was a judge. And when Simon Cowell departed, that left the judge's panel with no one willing to make some honest criticisms aside from Randy Jackson on occasion.
But when Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined the show last year we decided to give it another try. I like both the new judges. Tyler is crazy, but Lopez might leave the show now that's it's given her career a much needed boost.
I'm glad last year's winner was Scotty McCreery, but to be honest, I felt this year's Top Three were the best in the history of the show. Will we watch next year? I don't know. It's getting old. But again, so am I.
I agree Dave, I believe that Jess was the better performer,,but then again i wear pants and just might be slightly biased
To be honest, Scott H, the fact that her Mom is a Filipina did not influence my pick for her as the favorite. I sincerely feel the girl has much more talent than the guy. Of course, the fact that she is also attractive might have influenced me as it did when Fil-Am Jasmine finished in the top three.
But hands down, Jessica has a much stronger and powerful voice than Jasmine, too.
I don’t watch this show but read reviews on Jessica and of course there’s youtube, yeah! she’s talented
I agree, Mayet. But of course the top finisher doesn’t always gain the biggest fame later, as Jennifer Hudson has proven when Fantasia was the winner in the season she competed. I think Jessica has a long career ahead of her. I wish the kid Philip good luck. He’s talented and has his own unique style, no doubt about that.
I got disgusted when Fantasia took top honors and I think we finally quit watching after season 5 (I think). The show just became to mundane and like you said, it’s fairly easy to identify the demographic voting block. And when you can vote early and vote often, it’s just more and more like politics. For now, I just wait until they hit the radio waves.
(I did tune in late in the season the year that Carrie Underwood won. She was just to good to not pay attention to.
I like Phillip, and I look forward to his future music, I like Fogerty and Bob Seiger, etc. However if I was the record label, I would want Jessica! Her huge vocals are going to appeal to a much larger group of folks, she can do anything from bubble gum pop to Whitney Houston, she is going to sell a lot of music if she can handle success. It was fun to watch..
Randy, I think I might have quit watching after the Fantasia season, also. My asawa continued to watch it on another tv. Man, did you see that outfit Fantastia had on the season finale the other night? My asawa couldn’t believe it. I tried to avert my eyes during the whole duet with Joshua even though I like him.
We did watch the Carrie Underwood season. That was one year they got it right. What’s interesting is that American Idol never tells you how many votes each individual received. Don’t know if we’re watching next year or not.
Lee, I like the kid, too. He’s unique and seems like a good guy. In fact, I liked all of the final three this years. Nobody in that group had an attitude. I love Fogerty, Seger and also, some Cash tunes Phillip covered. But I agree, if I was a record label I’d put my money on Jessica. She’s got the voice and the look. And the girl’s only 16! She’s got a bright career ahead, but like you stated, only if she can handle the success.
I am not sure if I will watch next year. Time for Randy Jackson to do something else. JLo was in the dumps until AI. Same for Steven. I understand everyone is watching “The Voice.” I like the UFC better. More fun to watch someone beat the other up. Frank Mir broke a guy’s arm the last time he fought. He is fighting again this Sunday (Philippine Time.)
I doubt that I’ll be watching, either, Gary. I tried watching “The Voice,” but I didn’t care for it. But my asawa likes it along with those CRAPPY dance programs.
Man, I’ve got to get another TV so I can watch the UFC, Gary. That Frank Mir sounds pretty tough. Haven’t had any security guards over at our neighbor Jesus’ place for a couple of days so I could use some excitement around here. 
Maybe Jesus is out of ‘magic’ water!
Things have been escalating, Randy. Another two security guards here the other day with some seemingly irate folks outside of his house. I’m still waiting for the manicure lady to give us the latest poop.
BTW — Frank Mir is really good with a gun also. He says protecting his family is something he must do. If I remember right he has a AK-47. He can shoot a tight group on full auto.
The last gun I shot was a .50 cal. Wow, could that thing kick! I really enjoyed my ACP. I like handguns better than long guns. I am left eyed so it is easy to shift the gun to my left side.
Phillip is going into the hospital right away. He has been singing in pain for the whole season so maybe his voice will get stronger after he heals.
Whew! I think our neighbor Jesus might be needing Frank’s help soon, Gary. Mir sounds like one tough dude.Things have been heating up lately in the ‘hood.
I shot a machine gun about 15 years ago over at my former landlord’s place. He had quite a collection of weapons, and was a big guy to boot. Someone tried to serve me with divorce papers (my American wife that booted me out after nine months) at “The Farm,” my landlord and landlady’s place out in the country. My landlord told the guy I wasn’t home. I was. My landlord always had loaded assault rifles by the front door. The server left.
Hope the PP kid gets better. He does have his own unique style, and I wish him well. Seems like a nice kid.
Dave,
I’ve never really watched American Idol. But would have been nice to see Jessica win. Filipinos should be proud of her. I used to shoot a .50 Cal when i was in the Marines. We used an old deuce and a half for the target. We shot it so much that it turned white hot. We would fill a 55 gal drum with brass. Take care,
Jessica is quite amazing, PapaDuck, and should have a long career ahead of her. The Mayor of Samal, Bataan, Generosa de la Fuente, where Jesssica’s Mom is from, stated the following: “No matter what happened here, Jessica Sanchez is the winner in our hearts. For Filipinos everywhere, she was the winner.” Amen to that.
.50 Cal sounds pretty awesome, PapaDuck. Got to shoot an array of weapons when I was in training as Security Police back in the Air Force many decades ago. My poor asawa joined the Citizen’s Army Training while in high school in the Philippines and only had rifles made out of wood. She’s never fired a real gun in her life. Maybe THAT’s a good thing.