Was this the intent?

I admit it. I watch the train wreck that is American Idol. I usually zip through the show (thank you, TiVo) and stop to hear the songs and the judges' comments. Paula's are completely worthless. Randy's are somewhat meaningful, but now and then... Only Simon's have any real value, in my opinion. He is honest, albeit brutally so at times, but he doesn't sweet talk the contestants like Paula does, and he doesn't gloss over their flaws. He calls it as he sees it. Anyway, I digress. This season is kind of weird, Sanjaya insanity aside. For those of you who don't watch the show and have no clue who Sanjaya is, he is this year's contestant who has no business being this far along in the competition. There is one every year. Unfortunately, it's gotten out of control this year, and I'm afraid Sanjaya will be in the competition way, way too long.

Anyway, there are two kinds of contestants this year. There are true amateurs - kids who have only sung in church or in a school musical or choir, and then there are the pros. One of the contestants, who consistently outshines all the others both in vocal and performance quality, has been a backup singer for Michael McDonald, Anointed, Mandisa, Aaron Neville, Jonny Lang, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Alabama (band) and CeCe Winans. Given that résumé, shouldn't she be an amazing vocalist and know how to perform? And she's not the only pro in this year's contest. So, is it fair to the others? And does this change what American Idol was supposed to be all about? I think so. One thing I used to like about the show was watching the kids go from being really good singers, albeit a little geeky and awkward, to really amazing performers. This season, that has been the case with only two contestants - Jordin Sparks, a 17 year-old who sings like nobody's business, and LaKisha Jones, a single mom who has undergone an amazing physical transformation along the lines of Clay Aiken's, though her singing has always been incredible. The rest of the contestants are virtually unchanged from when the contest started, both as far as singing ability and appearance are concerned. They are either good or not, and that hasn't changed. One contestant I really like is Blake Lewis. This kid is going places, no matter where he finishes in the contest. He is unique, talented, cute, and can dance. Oh, and he's from the Pacific Northwest. So is Sanjaya, but let's not mention him, okay?

So, is it fair to let "pros" compete? Does it change the original intent of the show? It makes me hope the amateurs win.