As for season 10, sob stories are just getting way out of hand. Their life story has nothing to do with their singing, it gives people sympathy votes, that is not what the show is about :banghead:
First, where are you finding the smilies,
CapsuleNeo? - I want them! Ever since the format changed, I haven't been able to find them.
Second, I agree with you about the sob stories. But the winner has only rarely been one of those sob story people (I think. Correct me if I'm wrong), so maybe people really tend to reject it, overall. It's a big part of the show, though. And it may be my least favorite part. I agree it should be about the singing.
And yes, it's great people have raised so much for Adam's charity. As he's an Aquarius (the water bearer) this seems an appropriate charity for his birthday, too.
Debra Byrd was interviewed on the radio in Cook country:
Tanna -How was David Cook? ‘Cause he’s from Blue Springs.
Byrd: David Cook goes under the list of extraordinary.
Tanna: Wow.
Byrd: Yeah. It’s just that simple.