Can We Talk About Idol?

I don’t know of any other show I’ve watched consistently for two decades. While there have been seasons I’ve lost interest, I always notice when it’s time for Ryan Seacrest to give his now infamous, “This . . . is American Idol.” But something different is going on this season. It has to do with God.

I think it also has to do with Carey Underwood and Jelly Roll. Here’s why. Carey is a committed Christian (see her 2021 album “Savior”).

Jelly Roll is on a very public journey with God – see forthcoming post on “Jelly’s Journey With God”. His most recent hit song, actually isn’t even his. It’s a song by worship artist Brandon Lake that features Jelly. They performed it the other night on Idol.

Idol plays on Sunday and Mondays. That put the show’s feature presentation introducing the candidates America would vote on, right on top of Easter. How did the show respond? They made it a faith night with the majority of music focused on spirituality, particularly Christianity. CeCe Winans gave a show stopping performance with her song, “Today Could Be the Day.”

It should also be added, there’s another influential person bending the show’s center of gravity towards religion. It’s 18-year-old Canaan who shared in his audition that he wants to be a preacher.Keep your eye on that kid, he could take home the whole show and that’s not even the most important thing in his future, I’m sure.

And last but not least, Carey ended the show with a powerful rendition of the old-time hymn “How Great Thou Art.” While I”m not expecting a television show to usher in revival, I will say, after twenty years of following Idol, this season seems to be pointing to something more than just the fame of the judges and talented contestants.