Question:  How many fans of Josh Groban does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer:  456.  One to change the light bulb, one to say that she did it in a way that insults Josh Groban, France, and all that is good and right, and 454 to discuss the implications of the first two people.

So, a few posts ago, I wrote about Josh Groban’s new Christmas release, Noel.  And I mentioned that he insisted on singing a song in French and that I thought this was a bad idea. 

It seems that another fan googled the word “Grobanite” and it brought her to humble theologygirl.  She thought the Noel post was funny, so she reposted it on the Fan Club message board.  (Yes, of course I’m a member of his fan club.  And you probably feel this way about Death Cab for Cutie or someone else so quit judging me.)

This was okay, many people came to my site for the “review” (it was posted in the “news” forum).  Most thought it was funny.  However, the fact that it was on the fan board violated a sacred unwritten rule--thou shalt not criticize Groban in any way. 

And one might construe my opinion as criticism.  Just like many other entries where I make fun of his other songs might be construed as criticism.  They haven’t found those yet though, which would probably explain why they still let me be a member.

Anyway, certain people responded to this, my innocent post.  Which led to a major spike in readership not unlike the BoingBoing referral day (shout out to TJIC for that--word, brother).  This was a fun surprise today until people started thinking I was a patriotic zealot (as I must not like the French songs because the French didn’t support us going to Iraq) or that I hate all French speaking people.

Well sure.  I can see how you would get that.  Since I mentioned before how I thought Groban’s “Lullaby” lyrics were silly and inconsistent, and I do in fact hate all people who sleep.

And I made fun of “Remember when it Rained,” too, because I don’t like people with emotions either.  Well, people with emotions who sometimes end up in the rain.  Jerks, all of them.

So, at the end of the day, I am now one of those people who hurt others (nay, entire nations!) by saying I didn’t like two of Josh’s songs.  And there is much debate in the fan community about this.  Some say I am entitled to my opinion, some say that I shouldn’t write things like that because it hurts people.  And still others say no fan of Josh would speak against any of his music.  The fact is is that people in Josh Groban fandom (in any fandom?) are vilified when they dare have a sense of humor about the thing they themselves love. 

I say I probably shouldn’t read those fan boards any more.  But let’s face it, without them I wouldn’t be able to change a light bulb.