Let's Never Speak Of This Again

I'm going to get right to the point: "American Idol" is making me like JLo. I know; there's a lot to react to in that statement, so let's unpack it. Yes, I love "American Idol." Whatever. Get over it. (Please?) This isn't to say I don't think the show is a shameless pile of manufactured drama, it's just...you know, there's singing and stuff. So far this year, it's been business as usual at AI, including of course the requisite down-on-his/her-luck-and-just-needs-a-break character whom AI highlights during the audition process. Usually, it's the young guy whose parents don't support his music career, or the young girl who's been living out of her car because dammit she has a dream. This year, it was Chris Medina, whose fiancée was in a car accident and suffered severe, traumatic brain injuries 2 months before their wedding. Medina has stood by his love, singing to and caring for her, and then of course bringing her to his AI audition. I'm not going to be cynical about that part because he seems like such a good guy. For the producers, of course, he was reality-show gold. And last night JLo had to tell him he wasn't in the top 24. She struggled for the right words, bless her heart, and then when Chris left, JLo lost it. She really cried -- like, tears and stuff. And that's what has been winning me over; she seems genuine. Which is hard for me to process, because, you know, I be fooled by the rocks that she's got. You can watch it all go down in the video above. And in case you question JLo's sincerity, just remember: it is impossible that she is acting. Trust me. I saw Gigli.