Two nights into “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) is too early to start reading tea leaves, but who can resist?
The audition phase is more notable for Olympics-style background pieces and heart-tugging biography than actual performance. And at least one “star” has already emerged.
How country is Vanessa Wolfe? The bridge-jumping singer from the tiny rural town of Vonore, Tenn., makes Kellie Pickler look like a debutante. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to root for such a nervous and enthusiastic performer.
No one watches “Idol” as a barometer of economic conditions, but even this distracting series has to acknowledge hard times. Vanessa wasn’t the only contestant to talk about shopping at the dollar store. She bought her performance outfit there for $4.50. The peculiar Skibowski also extolled the emporium, likening his appeal to the dollar store in one of many incomprehensible rambles.