“American Idol” saved some of Season 23’s best auditions for last during Sunday night’s episode. The evening’s final performer, Canaan James Hill, walked away with this season’s third platinum ticket - but not before causing judge Lionel Richie to leap from his seat.

Talk to most people about reality television, and you will almost certainly receive mixed reactions, at best. Even those who like it do not necessarily like admitting to it. For my part, the long-running singing competition "American Idol" qualified as a guilty pleasure -- at least 17 years ago.

He graduated high school early, an accomplishment that was motivated by his desire to pursue a preaching career — “So that I can go forward with my gift and do what God has called and chosen me to do,