I'm asking for a wailing, I know, as my TV tastes can be almost disturbingly pedestrian, but for the sake of promoting a girl from my hometown—Albemarle, N.C.—I make the following confession: Tonight, I'll be watching
American Idol and rooting for 19-year-old
Kellie Pickler. After her performance last night, the small town Southern belle—Albemarle only got liquor by the drink a few years ago—conceded her performance was below par and didn't flinch when the judges said as much. Pickler is humble, honest and hard not to like, and here's hoping that ridiculous guy with the gray hair (Taylor?) gets booted off tonight instead of her. Pardon me, I'm scheduled now to return to planet Earth.