Now we’re well into the final 12. American Idol 2006 is in full swing, and as Randy Jackson says, “we got a hot one, dog.”

As my wife and I sit down to watch it each night, we can’t help but be drawn in. Even my kids, who are 3 and 4 ½ love what they call “the singing show.” Among all of this interest, I am baffled as to why?

Every year, it’s the same format, same motley crue of judges, same Ryan Seacrest. And the banter between Seacrest and Simon Cowell is predictable; we see it coming a mile away. Paula Abdul is always the soft one, commenting on the sexiness of guys like Ace Young, making us wonder who was really telling the truth – her or Cory Clark. Randy Jackson offers his “it was aaaiight,” or “it was pitchy in a few parts.” Or he shouts out to the “dog pound”, requesting their guffales, chortels, and choodles. I am really not sure what Jackson is saying – next year I want a Jackson language decoder key. And Cowell, well, he’s always honest, sometime brutal, and uses the word “appalling” way too often.

I still ask myself why am I – and most every pocket of American demographics – tuned into the show that takes singers with guts, ambition, a bit of talent, and some stage presence and turns them into International Pop Icons?

Well, I’ve thought long and hard about this. And I think it comes down to one thing. Transference: we all see a little of ourselves or the person we wanted to or thought we could have or might have liked to become in one contestant or another. And it gives us the one chance to share in their dreams to be the next American Idol – the next pop icon.

Look at in on several levels.

First diversity, There’s an Idol with whom all of us can relate. We have Ace Young, the young, probably too good looking to be taken seriously as a talented singer, probably better as an actor 25 year old. He must draw the younger and middle aged women. My wife even said,” he’s good looking.” Not able to offer a contradicting viewpoint because I would, of course, be wrong, all I can say is “you know what, you’re right.”

Next let’s look at Mandisa. Yeah, she’s large but the girl can sing. Reminiscent of Aretha Franklin, she has a beautiful smile. We can’t help but be drawn to her.

And Bucky Covington. He’s got that raspy, kinda of southern, kinda Texas swagger. There are no other blonde long haired guys who wear cowboy hats, so yes, he is representing some demographic.

Katharine McPhee has a beautiful voice and smile and is very poised; her talent is obvious. The theater geeks adore her.

Paris Bennett has so many looks that I question if it’s really the same person. She can really put on a show. I really used to think she was cute, but now I think she’s spunky and excited to try to win this thing.

Taylor Hicks’s dance moves are… well, I am not sure what they are. He’s like Joe Cocker or Bob Seger on too much caffeine or something. He’s kind of an anomaly, but is very likeable and has an appeal.

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