Popular culture Archives • Denison Forum

Today in Popular culture

AMERICAN IDOL – “916 (Grand Finale)” – The Top 3 finalists give their all for the last chance to earn America’s vote. Alicia Keys serves as guest mentor and performer, plus special performances from other music legends and today’s top stars. MONDAY, MAY 11 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) HANNAH HARPER, LEE ANN WOMACK

Why did Hannah Harper win “American Idol”?

Jim Denison, PhD

My wife and I don’t watch many television shows regularly, but for some reason, American Idol is one of them. In the early days, I’ll admit, I found Simon Cowell’s sarcastic critiques of the various performers paradoxically entertaining, and the…

2026 Copyright Denison Forum. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Permissions. Designed by circles+co.

Search

.archive #nav-above,.archive #nav-below,.search #nav-above,.search #nav-below,.blog #nav-below,.blog #nav-above,.navigation.paging-navigation,.navigation.pagination,.pagination.paging-pagination,.pagination.pagination,.pagination.loop-pagination,.bicubic-nav-link,#page-nav,.camp-paging,#reposter_nav-pages,.unity-post-pagination,.wordpost_content .nav_post_link{display:none !important}.single-gallery .pagination.gllrpr_pagination{display:block !important}img:is([sizes=auto i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-start-btn:not(.vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-custom),#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-speak-now-btns a,#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-thanks-box a,#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-send-btns a{margin:10px;padding:calc(20px / 2) 20px;border-radius:50px;color:#fff;background:#0274e6}#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-start-btn:not(.vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-custom):hover,#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-start-btn:not(.vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-custom):hover svg,#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-speak-now-btns a:hover,#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-thanks-box a:hover,#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-send-btns a:hover{fill:#0274e6;color:#0274e6;background:#fff}#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-start-btn.vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-custom{cursor:pointer}#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-start-btn-icon svg{width:18px;height:18px;fill:#fff}#vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-de4898a054eddb88145cb67339921bd4-1 .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-start-btn .vmwpmdp-wpvoicemessage_gravityforms-start-btn-caption{font-size:18px;line-height:1.3}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important}:root{--wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;--wp-block-synced-color--rgb:122,0,223;--wp-bound-block-color:var(--wp-block-synced-color);--wp-editor-canvas-background:#ddd;--wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;--wp-admin-theme-color--rgb:0,124,186;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10--rgb:0,107,160.5;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20--rgb:0,90,135;--wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{--wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--huge)}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}.has-fit-text{white-space:nowrap !important}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal !important}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:var(--wp-admin--admin-bar--height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:0px}}h1:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h2:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h3:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h4:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h5:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background,h6:where(.wp-block-heading).has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em}h1.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h1.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h2.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h2.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h3.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h3.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h4.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h4.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h5.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h5.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h6.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h6.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]){rotate:180deg}.is-small-text{font-size:.875em}.is-regular-text{font-size:1em}.is-large-text{font-size:2.25em}.is-larger-text{font-size:3em}.has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:left;font-size:8.4em;font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:.68;margin:.05em .1em 0 0;text-transform:uppercase}body.rtl .has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:none;margin-left:.1em}p.has-drop-cap.has-background{overflow:hidden}:root :where(p.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em}:where(p.has-text-color:not(.has-link-color)) a{color:inherit}p.has-text-align-left[style*="writing-mode:vertical-lr"],p.has-text-align-right[style*="writing-mode:vertical-rl"]{rotate:180deg}.wp-block-quote{box-sizing:border-box;overflow-wrap:break-word}.wp-block-quote.is-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)),.wp-block-quote.is-style-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)){margin-bottom:1em;padding:0 1em}.wp-block-quote.is-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)) p,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)) p{font-size:1.5em;font-style:italic;line-height:1.6}.wp-block-quote.is-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)) cite,.wp-block-quote.is-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)) footer,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)) cite,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large:where(:not(.is-style-plain)) footer{font-size:1.125em;text-align:right}.wp-block-quote>cite{display:block}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#0693e3 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,#fcb900 0%,#ff6900 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,#ff6900 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px #fff,6px 6px #000;--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px #000}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}.is-layout-flex>:is(*, div){margin:0}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid}.is-layout-grid>:is(*, div){margin:0}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important}.woocommerce form .form-row .required{visibility:visible}:root{--wvs-tick:url("data:image/svg+xml;utf8,%3Csvg filter='drop-shadow(0px 0px 2px rgb(0 0 0 / .8))' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 30 30'%3E%3Cpath fill='none' stroke='%23ffffff' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round' stroke-width='4' d='M4 16L11 23 27 7'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");--wvs-cross:url("data:image/svg+xml;utf8,%3Csvg filter='drop-shadow(0px 0px 5px rgb(255 255 255 / .6))' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='72px' height='72px' viewBox='0 0 24 24'%3E%3Cpath fill='none' stroke='%23ff0000' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-width='0.6' d='M5 5L19 19M19 5L5 19'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");--wvs-single-product-item-width:30px;--wvs-single-product-item-height:30px;--wvs-single-product-item-font-size:16px}.searchwp-live-search-result .searchwp-live-search-result--title a{font-size:16px}.searchwp-live-search-result .searchwp-live-search-result--price{font-size:14px}.searchwp-live-search-result .searchwp-live-search-result--add-to-cart .button{font-size:14px}.section-1180{padding-top:60px !important;padding-bottom:60px !important}.section-1180 .image-wrap-center img{max-height:600px}.gfield--width-full,.field-width-full{width:100% !important}.gform_confirmation_message{font-size:1rem}#searchwp-form-1 .swp-input,#searchwp-form-1 .swp-select{border:1px solid #ff7543;border-radius:5px}#searchwp-form-1 .searchwp-form-input-container .swp-select{border-top-right-radius:0;border-bottom-right-radius:0;border-right:0}#searchwp-form-1 .searchwp-form-input-container .swp-select+.swp-input{border-top-left-radius:0;border-bottom-left-radius:0}#searchwp-form-1 input[type=submit]{border-radius:5px}#searchwp-form-1 .swp-toggle-checkbox:checked+.swp-toggle-switch,#searchwp-form-1 .swp-toggle-switch--checked{background:#ff7543}#searchwp-form-1 *{font-size:20px}#searchwp-form-1 input[type=submit]{background-color:#ff7543}#searchwp-form-1 input[type=submit]{color:#fff}#searchwp-form-1 input[type=submit]{font-size:18px}.searchwp-live-search-results{opacity:0;transition:opacity .25s ease-in-out;-moz-transition:opacity .25s ease-in-out;-webkit-transition:opacity .25s ease-in-out;height:0;overflow:hidden;z-index:9999995;position:absolute;display:none}.searchwp-live-search-results-showing{display:block;opacity:1;height:auto;overflow:auto}.searchwp-live-search-no-results{padding:3em 2em 0;text-align:center}.searchwp-live-search-no-min-chars:after{content:"Continue typing";display:block;text-align:center;padding:2em 2em 0}