I wasn't sure what I was going to write about today. My choices were American Idol, the NBA playoffs, Kenneth Lay, Lloyd Bentsen, Al Gore, or the fact that Cate Blanchett is set to play Bob Dylan in a movie.

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Aw, who am I kidding?

How 'bout that Taylor Hicks? Yes, I know I said that Chris Daughtry would win. But if you remember, back in February, I did pick 4 of the final 6 correctly. And if you remember, at the same time I said my favorite is Taylor Hicks. I ain't no bandwaggoner!

I know a lot of people dislike the show. However, I find it to be quite entertaining. I disagree with critics who pan the contestants for their perceived lack of talent. Most critics I've read wouldn't know talent if it bit them on the ass - especially Doug Elfman, of the Chicago Sun-Times. Elfman rails on Hicks and Katherine McPhee, but was impressed with Prince and Mary J. Blige. Not meaning to insult Blige, but was she even sober? Prince was, well, Prince. But since the release of Purple Rain, 22 years ago, does anybody even care about him? And speaking of being inebriated, did Elfman even hear Toni Braxton's voice? All I heard was the guttural sounds of a career in the toilet. She sounded horrible.

Elfman is that kid you knew growing up who would always take the side of the "cool" kids, regardless of who was right. He waxes poetic about all things safe and preaches righteous indignation about things unpopular. He's the one who builds up the tower just to watch it fall and then tells everyone that they're idiots for falling for it.

I truly hate people like that. Okay, hate is too strong a word. I truly dislike people like that.

Anyway, I was very impressed with the medley of Burt Bacharach songs, and was quite taken with the fact that after all these years, Dionne Warwick can still sing. Take away the joke that was Kevin Covais (I bet singing What's Up, Pussycat really helps HIS career take off - not!) and the medley was enjoyable.

I even enjoyed the mock awards presentations. But I do draw the line at seeing tears roil down the face of David Hasselhoff. He should stick to acting with underwater sea sponges and starfish.
All in all, I was happy Taylor won. He seemed to really enjoy himself and was very humble in victory. His smile is infectious and he always had a good time. For the first time ever, I may actually buy a CD from an American Idol performer. 'Course I'd probably do the same for Chris Daughtry as well.

So, who's surprised I didn't write about Enron?

By the way, tough loss by the Mavericks last night. I had a feeling before the game that they might lose game one. But they lost game one to San Antonio as well and they came back. Phoenix played their type of game all night and Dallas never adjusted. I still believe the Mavericks take the series, but in 6 games, instead of 5. Dallas' bench is to strong for the Suns over a long series. While Phoenix goes 7-8 strong, Dallas can go 10-11 and wear out Phoenix in the end.

Oh, and while I didn't vote for the Dukakis/Bentsen ticket in 1988, I didn't because of Dukakis, not Bentsen. Even though he was a Democrat - and you know how I feel about Democrats - he was an honest and selfless politician who stood for all that's right about America (unlike many current Democrats). Of course, most people will remember his favorite quip to Dan Quayle about Quayle not being Jack Kennedy, but as a Texan, I remember more of his career and though I later began to disagree with his politics, I never stopped respecting him.

Al Gore, on the other hand...

And what the heck is Cate Blanchett doing in the role of Bob Dylan? I mean, he looks like a guy, he acts like a guy and he sounds like a guy - at least a guy with a bowel obstruction, but still! Apparently, Blanchett will portray Dylan as he was during his "androgynous phase".

Huh? Must have missed that one. Is that like having Clay aiken perform Elvis in his younger years and Ruben Stuggard as the "fat" Elvis? Darn theses American Idol metaphors!

I don't know I'm getting all upset by it. I mean, after all, the likeliness of me actually paying $10 to watch a movie in which I won't understand a word of dialogue doesn't do it for me. I wonder who Hollywood would get to portray Taylor Hicks.

Celine Dion?