The Washington Post notes a lack of diversity in “American Idol.”

For five years, the most wildly popular talent contest on American television has been dominated — thoroughly, totally and completely — by kids from Southern Hicksville, USA. Seven of the eight top-two finishers in the first four years were from states that once formed the Confederacy, and five of the seven remaining finalists this season are, too.

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Bubba!

Home towns of winners and runners-up: Burleson, Tex. Columbus and Snellville, Ga. Birmingham and Huntsville, Ala. Chapel Hill and High Point, N.C. The lone outsider in the top tier, last year’s winner, Carrie Underwood, only emphasizes the point — she hails from Checotah, Okla. (pop. 3,400). This is Merle Haggard, “Okie From Muskogee” territory. We say that in the good sense.

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But how is this even possible? Can’t anybody in Detroit sing anymore? Can no one in Gotham knock out a show tune better than Clay Aiken? Dialing L.A . . . Hello? Hello?

 

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