The other night, the American Idol controversy popped up in conversation and I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.  Can you say, “Cliffhanger?” As season finales go, this one was

perfect! With the blogers a’blogging, this ‘unscripted” reality show will be summers beach buzz amongst its young and free frolicking demographic, this shows bread and butter audience. All of these kids and twenty-somethings seem to be caught up in, “The rules were broken” type of hype that is causing them to take up arms (and texting thumbs) like a grass roots effort to save the whales!

     Again, what a perfectly played (dare I say ‘scripted?’) ending to Season 8!  This sets the show up for an annoying number of commercials, ad’s, talk show appearances, and all of the other hyped marketing shenanigans that come out of what we lovingly call Hollywood. All of this will culminate in a great buildup to what I am sure will be a highly anticipated (and highly rated) premier of Season 9 this fall. 

      I’m enjoying the “controversy” simply because it is such a wonderful marketing plan - and season ending cliffhanger. Don’t believe me? Think I’m not taking it seriously enough? Well, your right! I don’t take it seriously at all, but I do enjoy everyone’s fervent passion that the world is ending because of it... The next time you’re out with your twenty-something BFF’s, listen for it and try not to laugh. Watch for it on the internet, the checkout aisle magazines, and listen for the gathering cicada like buzz that will lead up to the fall premier! 

     The good news for all you Idol fans, can you think of any better marketing for either contestant?  Both Adam and Kris will be the talk of the summer - and as the saying goes, “The only bad press, is no press...”  Long after the ‘Winner’ on American Idol has been forgotten, their record sales is all that will matter in the end. 

     Congratulations Adam and Kris, and American Idol, all of you won the publicity game.