Why American Idol Will Never Be The Same Again

American Idol is part of our TV viewing habits at home(Batangas, Philippines) during these summer months. But the experience of watching it will never be the same again for me.

The first time I watched American Idol here in our flat in Singapore felt a bit surreal. Sitting alone at the couch while eating Hokkien noodles using chopsticks, I watched the show at Mediacorp Channel 5 and it felt, well, different. No, it's not the lackluster performances this season, or Ellen Degeneres sitting there as one of the judges, but the viewing experience itself is not the same as it used to be.

The intro tune accompanying the twirling AI logo at the beginning of the show brings back memories of me comfortably watching AI at home in Batangas. Hearing that tune every single time never fails to bring a little bit of homesickness in me. Back at home, I usually watch AI either at Star World or QTV. Now, I had to wait for the replays at Mediacorp 5 because I couldn't watch it on the same day due to conflicts in TV viewing schedules (the owner of the house watches TV Patrol by the time AI is shown). I also had a favorite spot at the sala while watching the show: left side of the living room at the corner of the wooden chair nearest to the TV set. Yvette, my niece, always watches with me and she usually roots for someone who happens to be not my favourite. When it was David-David season, she loved David Archuleta while I cheered for David Cook. Last season, she loved Glambert while I was rooting for Kris Allen while my dad favoured Danny Gokey. Yvette always tries to annoy me, always saying that her favourite contestant is better than mine and I would prove her wrong and a playful banter would ensue. Here in SG, I watch AI with no one to talk to and it's damn sad.

Now, I just take comfort in the fact that by the time of the NBA Conference Finals, I will be in Batangas, sitting in my favourite spot at the wooden chair nearest to the TV while cheering for my dad or my brother's favourite team like what we usually do every year.