LIII: Colouring Hippos

Right now the only non-Jeopardy shows I seem to be watching are American Idol and The Big Bang Theory. (This is if you don't include The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, whose PVR'd episodes I attempt to catch up on during weekends.)

The top ten ladies performed tonight and one of the things Simon said made me chuckle to myself. Paige Miles, who has an awesome voice, said in her pre-performance video that one of the things she likes to do that few people know about is colouring. She likes to colour in a colouring book, especially to relax before the show.

Later Simon, when critiquing Siobhan Magnus, one of my favourite female contestants on the show, praised her for her cool get-to-know-you video in comparison to doing something silly like colouring hippos. Like always, I don't remember the exact words he used...but it was priceless.

I don't like it when contestants on reality shows do the following in their videos:

• talk about their volunteer work - it makes me think you are just trying to gain brownie points from America, which means you are being sneaky and thus undermining your goodwill
• try to get your pity (undeservedly)
• mention religion
• (often on Jeopardy) talk about the tricks their cats can do. You get a few seconds to talk about yourself on Jeopardy and you waste them on your cat?! Guys, please stop me from ever becoming one of them!

I love it when contestants:

• reveal something quirky (not boring quirky like colouring!), e.g. Jermaine Sellers saying "I rocks a onesie!" and jumping around in a bright green dinosaur onesie on American Idol last night
• tell me something interesting that I've never heard before
• have funny anecdotes, and ergo:
• make me laugh

But of course, talent, passion, and good song choices take precedent over a bad video any day, and I am positive this season of American Idol will not disappoint...as soon as they get rid of the weaker ones.