LMFAO here. Amazing piece of writing there, kid. That's the single most right-smack-dab-on description of each one of those people that I have ever read.

I love Kelly, Clay & Ruben, (you can't HELP but love them--it's their defining feature) but put them all together in one group and it really is too much. A person could O.D. on decency just looking at them.

Missing teeth, possession busts, hippie hair... Yup. Bo would make for a refreshing change of pace. Time to start power-voting for the Bice-Man.

Thank you, Sandra. I wrote that from a secret place I rarely visit in my near-40 dad-hood. The early 20's life I had, even while training to sing opera, that was, shall we say, perhaps not dissimilar to Harold Bice, Jr's as detailed by TSG.

I totally agree with you too - what's not to like about the folks I named? Nothin'. They all seem like real sweethearts, the friends or significant others you wouldn't think twice about bringing home to maw and paw.

Bo's the dude you want on your side in a barfight, though, and I think it's too cool that we could finally have an American Idol with that kind of cool on his side. A win by Bo might even rejuvenate the tiring genre.

Well said , Steve. They really are the kids next door compared to Big Bad Bo.

Do you think you could find it in your heart to just use Clay's name, like you do the others? He's the only one that is singled out as a runner-up. Like that matters at all. It only mattered on May 21st 2003. The real world decides who makes it and who doesn't after that.

BTW, a second runner-up is a fancy way of saying third place, not second.

Mike - thanks... as to changing how I referred to Clay, I won't go back and do it on this entry, but I will in the future.

However, something that I hope is clear by now is that I consider even Idols I like and root(ed) for equal targets of opportunity. I thought Constantine had the most overall talent of this bunch and could have won - I was wrong about winning, of course - but I still didn't mind noting that he blew his "rocker credibility" out of the water by singing a David Cassidy cover really well. If I'm pulling for one remaining contestant it's obviously Bo, but I still didn't mind poking fun at him being named Harold.

I think Clay was the best voice I've heard on the show, all things considered together, and will always be puzzled that he didn't win over Ruben. That said, he still isn't going to get a free ride if I let myself poke fun at others. Not fair.

I refuse, even with Bo in this instance, to totally fall into that gushing fan-trap I see all over the web, for numerous different types of celebrities. I wrote a review here drubbing a group called The Ten Tenors, and their fans went apeshit about it, slamming me every which way to Sunday. I wrote another recent article detailing what I thought certain Idols got right, and some Clay and Constantine fans loved it and linked it on their forums. To The Ten Tenors lovers I was a jealous musical idiot, to the Constantine and Clay fans I was an OPERA singer who performed a pleasing (to them) dissection of their favored star's qualities, thus confirming their fandom.

All of this means to say that I prefer to not be pinned down on any of this. I hope Bo Bice wins this, because he's the first Idol contestant who just looks like he could kick your ass or hang out and get drunk and holler, if you choose. (Vonzell, the blackbelt, could kick our asses, but, I'm making a point) - meaning, Bo is Real. And he's a fellow crackah.

But I still reserve the right to make fun of him being "Harold" on paper.

I think Paula has probably indulged in a doobie or two with Bo backstage, because she sure as hell acts stoned during the show. You couln't have put this in better perspective my man. Rock On Bo!!

funny Steve, and obviously the producers didn't hold the drug busts against him because THAT WHAT ROCKERS DO, BABY.

Steve, I agree with your assessments, but do flip flops count as special soled shoes because Clay has been known to wear them in concert. I agree he isn't the guy to take drinking with you unless you need a DD and that is fine, that is great.

TSG's report came as no surprise to me because remember Bo did state that he couldn't remember the 90's. Reading reports of his life since these arrests he actually mirrors Clay's, a lot.

I hope that this won't hurt his chances, but does anyone else find the timing a little too convenient?

Great take on things Steve! when I saw the whole hoo haa on this yesterday, my first thought was Hold The Front Page, a 25yr old rocker touring with rock bands for 10 years has been arrested for drugs, I would have been more surprised if he hadn't. I am sure just the length of his hair gets the cops attention. I loved your final sentence LMFAO

I am in U.K. and find your whole alcohol law archaic, de criminalise drugs, and go after the guys who are making millions from selling the stuff.

I think the timing is perfect! it was surely going to come out, and this is the best time, he has a solid fan base now, and it is not too close to the final, they can do something on tuesday to show him being a good boy at church to keep all the bible thumpers happy, he should be okay, he has a kick @ss voice. I think AI has his back on this one.

I, too, agree with Steve that this new information only solidifies Bo as a true rocker! :) He is the winner in my book, no matter what happens.
And I will say again, for the uptenth time...I WILL BUY HIS ALBUM. (regardless if he wins the whole thing or not!)
Peace Out!

so let me understand this, to be a legitimate idol, you need to do drugs. Wow if only the parents had known that. the ones who spend big bucks sending their kids with talant to a vocal coach, just imagin the time wasted, and the kids could have enjoyed it more, the ones who are still with us I mean, I guess there would be a few left for you have for drinking/fighting buddies.
Having got that off my chest I do appreciate a man with a sense of humor, I also enjoy a drink now and then.Just am not into the drugs/rape/shootings kind of street cred scene, but then that's just me.

he wasn't talking about singers in general but specifically rockers; and there is a certain element of tongue in cheek, I would guess

"...here is a certain element of tongue in cheek, I would guess..."

I appreciate you saving me the trouble there, Eric. Coming from me it would have ruined the joke.

Yes, that certain element is strongly present, but I'm still rootin' for mah bwah! (that's cracker for "my boy.")

Steve, you're a nut! :)

"Steve, you're a nut!"

Ahh...the refreshing sound of someone getting IT.

;-)

Thanks, Steve. I enjoy and appreciate your often humorous take on the whole Idol phenomenon.

I'm from Canada and our best Idol judge Zach said it often and said it best in my opinion. He says that "it is what it is". The competition, the performances and the contestants. Bo is what he is. Unabashedly a rocker and in your face. This is what gives him the cred in my eyes.
Of course I don't expect all of the contestants to be rockers or to be anything but what they are. I admire Clay for also just being what he is. Unabashedly and without artifice or apology.

That may be why I'm not sorry to see Constantein go. He was not authentic anything. He tried too hard to be what he thought the viewers would want and was not "Constant"-ein or authentic.

Constantine was consistent in his energetic artificiality, which I quite came to appreciate

oohhh sorry, I disagree with using the word "cool" when you are talking about drugs. It's not cool. It's stupid. So by your logic, in order to be a rocker, you must be stupid.

I am glad then, that Constantine is not a "real" rocker by your definition, if that means he must also be stupid.

Missing those brain cells yet? :)

Dar, I suppose if I were Jonathan Swift and this was my modest proposal, you would be taking me to task for proposing that an answer to famine is to eat the children of the poor.

As the father of 4, I do not in any way actually promote the use of drugs. You have simply proven you lack one iota of a sense of irony or humor. I like Bo, and hope this doesn't affect his chances.

You are obviously one of two people out of the 16 or so who have posted a comment here who didn't get the joke. That tells me that the majority did, thank goodness.

LOL .... You are really funny Steve. I LOVE the last comment you make ... :)

I agree w/ you on the whole Bo situation. People really need to get over themselves! ... I'm not advocating drugs ... But I won't condem a 29 year-old rocker if he's done it. Especially considering that he HAS redeemed himself. I really don't see what the whole fuss is about too.

And, I don't know about you, but to me, Bo trully seems like the most grounded contestant of them all--and the most talented IMHO.

I still remember when he sang "Whipping Post," ... that really left me speecheless! ... I've been his fan ever since ... and always will be!

Take care, and thanks soooo much for the laugh ... I really needed that ;)

Thanks, Sarah. I think "Whipping Post" was one of his best moments yet, too.

And y'know, I was just thinking. He did get busted at least once in Huntsville, Al. Y'all ever been to Huntsville?

I'd be gettin' stoned, too.

constanteen i the best singer if that is how you spell his name but eh i love your rockin roll.. ROCK ON MAN !!!dont stop

I j read something on the tv that say that bo bice it dead. IS THIS TRUE???

No that is not true!!!! I love the way Bo sings and I agree with dar, drugs arn't cool and this file report is just a rumor.