During our Mother’s Day visit to my parents’ house, the topic of conversation naturally turned to American Idol. Why? Because they know we’re watching, and we’ll be buying tickets to the tour. (So right! I already bought the tickets during the pre-sale! Secret word: POPTARTS.)

“Who’s your favorite?” asked my dad.

“We’ve been David Cook fans pretty much all along,” I said, adding charitably, “although I think all the top 3 are very talented.” I figured they probably really, really liked cute little David Archuleta.

“Oh, David Cook is definitely the best,” Dad answered. “He’s a rock star.”

This, coming from my 80-year-old father, made me smile. Talent is talent.