This is topic Didn't know I was invested....an American Idol revelation... in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :
 
I saw American Idol in my mock way, and when the 3 "divas" were in the bottom three I was shocked.

Then I was very shocked that I cared enough to be shocked.

I feel the worse for red head...he so looks like he doesn't want to be there.

A call to all 14 year old girls, "Let him go!"

[ April 21, 2004, 11:25 PM: Message edited by: Alexa ]
 
Posted by Aeroth (Member # 6269) on :
 
Having the unofficial group of incredible talent as the bottom three was one outrage I doubt that American Idol will be forgiven for. This was definitely a bad case of "opposite day."

Thank goodness that Latoya wasn't the one to be voted off. The loss of Jennifer is indeed a big tragedy, but if it had been Latoya or Fantasia, I wouldn't be surprised if Simon stood up and yelled out, "WTF?!"

So yes, to those of you who still tolerate reality shows, there is no more reason to respect American Idol.
 
Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :
 
I taek that back. I hope redhead wins, just to make a mockery of the show. I liked what I read somewhere about it being an "over-glorified kareoke contest." Maybe if the least talent wins, it will expose it for what it is. [Taunt]
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Well, I think part of it is the whole problem with the voting mechanism. After all, there's no point in voting for somebody you think is safe; enough people will vote to KEEP them safe.

So you should always vote for the person that you like but think is more likely not to be anyone's actual favorite.

If EVERYONE votes this way, however, you'll get a situation like the one described above.
 
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
I am done with it.

Not only should the "bottom three" not have been the bottom three, but the way they played it was humiliating to everyone. I was truly disgusted and saddened that they could hurt people that way. I know, I should not be surprised or shocked, but I am.
 
Posted by Traveler (Member # 3615) on :
 
They should change the voting so that you vote for the ONE person you want to be voted OFF the show. I think the public is too lazy to call in for the top 5 or 6 people they want to keep.

I think people just assumed that Jennifer, Fantasia, and LaToya were all safe and so only voted for a few.
 
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
Yeah, but the cell phone sponsors love it, since they get money from the text messages.

-Bok
 
Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :
 
I never even thought to call in and vote for more then one contestant. I actually never voted, but my spouse is getting invested in the show and wants to vote next week.

I think the teenage girl population is going to do to "Red-Head" what they did to Titanic: take a two dimensional work (that is good in its’ own superficial sphere) and make it out-shine other works of art that are far better.

Real assessment of talent is not a skill or desire I bet the average voter possesses. Why should it be? A lot of popular music right now requires little talent. It IS a popularity show. After someone wins, other people will add in the clothes, the music, and everything else that makes a pop icon.

Maybe there will be a backlash and everyone will vote for Fantasia. I hope so. I would have more respect if the contestants actually had to write their own songs.

The humiliation of both the top four and bottom three was horrible, but like a passing an accident on the freeway, I am going to watch at least one more week to see how this will change performances and remarks.
 
Posted by PaladinVirtue (Member # 6144) on :
 
"Maybe there will be a backlash and everyone will vote for Fantasia. I hope so. I would have more respect if the contestants actually had to write their own songs."

Huh? Adding way too many "whoas" and "yeahs" and ear spliting "Yeeeeaaaahhhss" is hardly writing ones own music.

I do agree with whole-heartedly though. It would be cool to see real musicians out there. Not just performers.
 
Posted by Rohan (Member # 5141) on :
 
I think it's the judges' fault for even allowing that red-headed Jon Stevens into the top 32 in the first place. He is really, so, so terrible. Simon likes to say that he "could've seen that is any Holiday Inn in America" or "any high-school production in America" but I tell you, Jon Stevens wouldn't even make that high school production and no Holiday Inn would hire him. Oh, man! I feel a little silly caring so much (a feeling some of you have expressed) but, it just tweaks me to see such a no-talent hack raised above far superior ability. why oh why don't they have the option to vote against someone? [Wall Bash]
 
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
 
I refuse to watch any more out of protest.

Those three were absolutely the best the show had to offer.

Jon Stevens has needed to be voted off for sooo long. It's a travesty.

Off the subject did anyone else think John Peter Lewis would have made a great hobbit?
 
Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :
 
I feel bad for John Stevens. He knows he is not in the same league. He must feel so bad and so guilty. I bet he dreads performing. He seems like a trapped monkey to me. Poor boy. Anyone think this could consitute child abuse?
 
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Alexa and Belle(and everyone else), I agree.

Poor George was crying because he KNEW Jennifer was better than he was, and he felt guilty. it was by far one of the saddest things I have seen on tv. True cruelty.

I also thought Simon's comment to John Stevens(as much as I don't care for his music)was appalling and cruel. (He said he remembered who he looked like: Stanley Laurel)(He looks much more like a young Bill Clinton.) Truly, though, that was just plain mean.

I feel guilty that I added to their pain by witnessing it.
 
Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :
 
Who is Stanley Laurel? I tired to do an image google search at work, and it came back: "Pornography Block, Level II."

oops
 
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
 
What I find interesting is how on the website even the corporate people are upset at the loss of Jennifer...how could such a blunder happen... *sigh*
 
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
 
Paladin:

I had the same reaction to Fantasia. I didn't see her performance this week so she may have relapsed. But I do have to say her rendition of Gershwin's "Summertime" at the movie week show was exquisite -- absolutely amazing.

With a good producer, I think she could be a major talent.
 
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Laurel and Hardy. He is the skinny, goofy-looking one. the dumb one. It was NOT a nice comaprison at all. I do think he looks like a young, innocent, sweet Bill Clinton.(to me, that is a compliment)
 
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
 
Alexa:

Stanley Laurel -- part of the orginal fat man/thin man comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Laurel was the thin man -- gangly, awkward, nervous.

Why info on him would be blocked is a mystery to me.
 
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
http://members.aol.com/oxford0614/pictureshow.html

Scroll down a little.
 
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Here is an article from today on Yahoo.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=494&ncid=762&e=8&u=/ap/20040423/ap_en_tv/tv_american_idol

Interesting. Three people I spoke with independently today mentioned the voting might be racially motivated. Could this be? I tend to think it is more what Tom D. says about the way the voting works.
 
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
 
Did Jennifer Hudson's race change between a few weeks ago, when she had the highest number of votes, and now?
 
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
 
Dobbie: Nope. But Fox, inspired by the success of The Swan, is looking into a reality tv series based on that premise. As the Maury Povich and Jerry Springer shows have proven, there are no lack of folks out there who hate their own race. And, of course, Michael Jackson proves that it is technologically possible.

While there have been some whimpers of protest from the few remaining semi-ethical mangers at Fox Corp., the project has been given the green light for fall production. After all, as one marketing exec. noted, "This could be an important step in creating a colorblind society. If anybody can change race -- then race won't matter. It'll become as unimportant as if you are a Pepsi or a Coke drinker."

Apparently, this exec has not read "The Sneetches."
 
Posted by Brian J. Hill (Member # 5346) on :
 
I also feel sorry for RHJ (red-headed John.) He was allowed in the top 32 because he was cute, and therefore would bring ratings. Plus, there are lots of singers who suck at first, but after a few weeks when their confidence level goes up, they actually prove they can sing. I think that's what the producers were hoping for. That's not what they got.

Face it: American Idol isn't based on talent. We've been extremely lucky so far that the eventual winner has turned out to be talented as well as popular. But as long as everyone is going to be allowed to vote for whomever they like, regardless of the qualifications of the candidates, we will always run the risk of the winner being as inept as the junior high class president.
 


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