I wrote about Harry Connick, JR last December. On the heels of having met him, it was very easy to write “When Harry Met Sally” (you can read that here). Now that American Idol is in fully engaged in Season XIII, Harry has become the weekly topic of fans. He is the newest judge addition and he speaks to his passions with honesty and integrity. He has remained true to who he is in everyday life as a husband, dad and celebrity. In the show, he speaks with a parenting heart, a heart that is often misunderstood. You can hear American Idol fans booing his responses to the contestants.
The Love of Harry
As a mother of several kids I ask myself: what, if my kid were on that stage, would I be thinking if Harry was judging them? Integrity is often lost in our society–especially in TV. Harry has challenged the lyrics being sung by young girls; he has challenged clothing choices. And alas, he is a father to three daughters. Last December, he shared that he believes he will judge in a manner in which he parents and guess what he does? Week after week, he brings a father’s heart to that judging table. He also brings an element of instructional intelligence that get’s mocked. This is just the kind of judging influence I would wish on my children. Is it a bit harsh? Not really. We just have watered down ethics so much that his honest feedback makes it appear that way. I have yet to boo the TV screen as I watch. I dare to say that Harry is a bit of a misfit among the American Idol stage. He is not that guy who is playing to the top ten pop culture of teeny boppers. He is not the guitarzan man, or that female pop artist dancing and jiggling on stages world wide half dressed. He is classic, jazzy, movie, middle-aged hunky man of musical intelligence. He is bringing a completely new twist in judging and finding his place at that judging table.
In the 2nd week of March, fans of American Idol finally saw Harry take that stage as the gifted musician he is. I saw Twitter explode with positive tweets over and over again. Within 24 hours the IdolTweethearts decided we wanted to highlight Harry for our next #IdolPreParty. Kellie McNulty had the graphic made, Harry’s managing company providing signed CD’s for our giveaway, and IdolTweethearts has prepared Social Media savvy communications to get the word out.
I sat down to my computer and literally spent 3 hours watching YouTube video’s of his past performances as well as his guest spots on dozens of talk shows. Take a minute and watch his performance on the American Idol stage. I personally fell in love with Harry in the movie “P.S. I Love You”. This past week, even more than meeting Harry face to face, I got excited for American Idol.
Now, American Idol is having some serious growing pains. Growing up music in America the past 13 seasons has had its ebbs and its flows. The struggle is still there in gaining a fair share of the viewing market. However, meeting Harry, watching his judging style, and then investing some serious YouTube hours, I think that American Idol just might gain momentum on this guy. I think Americans are really wanting to bring back elements of integrity and it’s not to say that Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez on are not contributing, it is that building of a team, and the addition of Harry that is rounding out that judging table.
The Love of Harry is not about a dreamy love affair with a man you can’t have. It’s about the love of honor, integrity and bringing a higher gauge of moral to American Idol. The IdolTweehtearts love Harry. We loved when he tweeted out that he was having lunch with us.
We are honoring him this week with the hashtag #TheLoveOfHarry and we will talk about him during this weeks #IdolPreParty. Sadly due to his commitments during our #IdolPreParty he will not be joining us, but let’s just say he will have his phone and be looking in on what we all have to say about him. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @HarryConnickJR and follow his official Twitter fan sight, too. @HCJrFanClub
