The Challenge

With the Ladies performing tomorrow, I want to repeat the very interesting challenged posed by Anonymous:

I would like to issue a challenge to all Ray's Idol Musings blog readers. Which one of the female contestants is he going to unOBJECTIVELY declare his unwavering support for? Each season there is some young cutie he threatens to run off with. Who will it be this time? Ray, hold off a couple weeks before you announce your hottie of the season. Let us have some fun trying to figure out which one will defy your NT logic and turn you into a mushy Feeler.

First, let me say that irrational affection is not given easily nor a given in any year. And it may take weeks to develop. As is the case with irrational affection, it is not so much a given as it is a captivation. I also don't think it is a pattern as much as the possession of key, and often subtle, elements. Ah, that sounded pretty objective, didn't it? See, it has to be somebody that can somehow, some way, get past my usual detached, clinical mentality the way that music does at times. Somebody like, say, Hannah Storm on ESPN SportsCenter. However, I do think there is a possibility (or even two or three) in the group. I stress possibility.