After years of answering these questions, I realised that because I am an outsider to the culture, I have sought to learn all that I could about English culture.  If I was born here, would I bother as much?  Are there aspects of American culture that I know nothing about?

In this feature, I will look at particularly English phenomena and with my outsiders view-point try to get to grips with it and to understand it a bit more.  Hopefully it will be interesting to both the English and non-English alike.

Facing facts  – last season was terrible.  The talent was mediocre and the judging panel just didn’t gel.  Now Simon is gone, Ellen has left and many tour dates have been cancelled.  It’s hard to imagine how the show is going to gain back it’s strength.

Watching the season finale, I realised that Paula was more important than anyone thought (especially the producers).  When Paula came back, the show came alive again.  Through the clips they showed of the early seasons, I remembered why American Idol was great.  It was never just about finding new talent, it was about the relationship between the judges.  Simon, Paula and Randy had great chemistry.

The last season was primarily dismal not because the contestants weren’t up to the show’s usual standard, but because the judges weren’t.  Whether Ellen and Simon genuinely did not like one another (as is rumoured) I don’t know, but their personalities certainly didn’t click.  As for Kara, she tried to flirt with Simon and generally fill-in Paula’s shoes, but it just didn’t work.

Now the only original judge left is Randy.  He doesn’t have the strength of personality to carry the show.  There are many big names currently being attached to Idol: Jennifer Lopez, Elton John Harry Connick Jr. and Jessica Simpson, to many a few.  It is difficult to imagine the show with them on it. I don’t think that anyone can bring back the magic.

Maybe it’s time for the producers to call it quits.  Let the show go while all us fans can still remember why we liked it.

Until then, here is my thought for the day:

Ed Westwick must be the greatest actor ever.  Chuck Bass is such a unique and credible creation, I often forgot he isn’t real.  While many actors in real life come across in their interviews as similar to their fictional alter-egos, Ed is clearly nothing at all like Chuck.  Watching him on ITV2′s Hot Desk last night, the only apparently similarity is the same smouldering eyes.  I have a whole new appreciation for Ed Westwick and the work he does on Gossip Girl.

How many of you in your internet groups actually listen to the station and how many of you joined because all your other friends on Facebook did?

I have absolutely no sympathy for fans of 6 Music.  I think the Director General of the BBC has made the right call, and the BBC should scrap the channel.

Although, I am a music fan, after a few listens, I avoided 6 Music.  I found it to be indulgent and inaccessible to the masses.   It advertises itself as showcasing new artists and celebrating past greats.  I feel the Radio 1 and Radio 2, each in their own way, manage to do this in a manner that can be enjoyed by the largest number of people.  I do not feel that 6 Music completely fulfills the Reithian principles, and I do not think it is right for license fee money to be spent on the enterprise.

The victims of the BBC cutback that I do sympathise with is everyone at the Asian Network.  Admittedly, the only time I have listened to the Asian Network is on the bus when the driver puts it on.  However, I believe that it provides a vital service by creating a national platform for the Asian community. 

While I feel that it is the BBC’s responsibility to reach from every community in Britain, I do not believe it should have to cater to individual tastes.

I let out a little sob when I read this.  The MTV logo is icon.  MTV helped define my childhood and teenage years.  One of the touchstone moments of my life was when we finally could cable tv in our house (September 1984) and my sister and I could watch MTV everyday not just when we went to Nana and Pop-Pop Hallman’s.

I know that MTV has not really be about the music for a long time, but this final acceptance of this fact by the network executives feels like the death of something wonderful.

It was a totally unexpected reaction for me.  I never really had an opinion about Ellen, but I think she completely fill the gap left by Paula and will totally regenerate the show.

I can’t wait until the season starts!  Roll on January!

Yesterday I saw a pair of artfully ripped leggings.  WTF!  How many fashion don’ts do you have to cram in an outfit!

Stop this crime against fashion before it gets any worse!  Join me in the fight against leggings!

Think of this period like Lent.  Only instead of giving up sweets or chocolate, you’ve given up money.

I’m already planning my End of the Recession Day Party. 

I wonder if they have any greetings cards…