Well Maple Leaf they must be doing something right if it's the top rated show. It appeals to someone - perhaps not the average Mudcatter. And Lauper did fret the dulcimer - but she waved her arms around a lot too. As far as Adam losing there are reports that the vote wasn't close. He DOES have an amazing set of pipes but he tends to screech a bit in every song. In the long run the result is probably better for both of them. It frees up Adam to do whatever he wants. I think both of them are supposed to be on Larry King tonight.

At least the program promotes live singers. The contestants don't prerecord their songs. However some of the guests perform to backing tracks and I think that's just wrong.

One other thing. It seems as if most of the front runners were level headed modest young kids. Lets see what 10 years in the music business does to them. The movie "A Star is Born" comes to mind.