Amer Idol Thoughts

[riverside6]

How about Robin Williams name? Ivan Yackinoff. Yeesh, I wonder what Fox thought about that!

I forgot about Kimmel, he was awesome.

[dukepsy1963]

As you age, make sure you keep that "tatooed" arm taut...could be trouble ahead.

My choices based on talent (and I don't think this year is particularly sterling in that regard):

David, Michael, Carly......in no particular order. As for charisma, none seem to have it IMO.

[SoCalDukeFan]

As you age, make sure you keep that "tatooed" arm taut...could be trouble ahead.

My choices based on talent (and I don't think this year is particularly sterling in that regard):

David, Michael, Carly......in no particular order. As for charisma, none seem to have it IMO.

There may not be a Carrie Underwood in this group but there also no Sanjaya.

I hope that Carly and Syesha both survive this week but think one will go. I doubt if either has given their best performance yet and want to see it.

The other 7 should pay Kristie Lee Cook to chose their songs for them.


SoCal

[edensquad]

Man, to me, Michael was better than Carly or Syesha last week... and waaaay better than Kristy EVERY week! Sure didn't see that one coming.

[Olympic Fan]

Nice job on the poll, guys -- the one and only contestant that didn't get a single vote from us was the one who got voted off. Wow, we really have our finger on the pulse of America.

I include myself in that sarcastic comment -- I never thought for a moment that Johns would be in the final three, much less the one eliminated.

I've only been watching Idol the last couple of years, but judging from the reactions of the judges, the audience and the contestants (not to mention Johns) that was the biggest surprise I've ever seen on the show. Carly and Sayesha, who were also in the bottom two (as expected), were as stunned as anybody when they both survived.

Very cruel twist at the end when Seacrest announced that Johns was the low vote getter, then mentioned that last year during "Idol Gives Back" week nobody was eliminated ... he paused a second and then said, "But Michael Johns WILL be leaving us." Cold, man.

[micah75]

Very cruel twist at the end when Seacrest announced that Johns was the low vote getter, then mentioned that last year during "Idol Gives Back" week nobody was eliminated ... he paused a second and then said, "But Michael Johns WILL be leaving us." Cold, man.

That was indeed cold. Sometimes it makes you wonder what's going on behind the scenes.

[Tommac]

That was indeed cold. Sometimes it makes you wonder what's going on behind the scenes.

I like Ryan Seacrest but I thought his ending comments were cruel and tacky torward Michael Johns. It's all about suspense and ratings. Johns was my favorite, now I'll have to find another to pull for.

[blublood]

Along the same lines, I'm really starting to wonder if the producers (or whoever) aren't meddling with these results or skewing the votes to get the result they want. I'm sure there are some federal laws governing contests and whatnot, but I'm equally sure that there are ways around them when millions of dollars in ad revenue are at stake.

[JasonEvans]

Along the same lines, I'm really starting to wonder if the producers (or whoever) aren't meddling with these results or skewing the votes to get the result they want. I'm sure there are some federal laws governing contests and whatnot, but I'm equally sure that there are ways around them when millions of dollars in ad revenue are at stake.

I may be wrong, but I believe the rules say the producers reserve the right to change or alter the results if they want, but they have stated that they never have done that.

That said, what reason would they have for voting Michael off if he was not due to go? If, as seems to be the case, many felt he was among the top 2 or 3 contestants remaining, doesn't it hurt the integrity of the show to vote him off? I cannot see how yesterday's result helps Idol.

I had figured one of the favorites might be in the bottom three (though I thought it would be David Cook), but never felt that person would be voted out. I am betting that the fans of Cook and Archuletta (the two favorites now that Johns is gone) go OT next week to make sure those guys do not get voted out. Cook, especially, will benefit from this ouster as he and Johns had some overlap in terms of fans. There are no other really legit "rockers" left in the competition (maybe Carly, but she is not a league with DCook) and the 2 other guys left are both appealing to teeny-boppers, not rock fans. To some extent, this may assure David Cook of at least a top 3 finish-- so long as he does not turn out more massive stinkers like he did this week.

Back on point- I am still stunned that Johns was voted out. Wow. I agree that Ryan's slow reveal of the "we won't be keeping him around even though last year we kept folks around on the Idol Gives Back Week" was very poorly done and just looked cruel.

I think there is little question that Michael Johns will have a successful career ahead of him as a singer. We'll be hearing him on the radio in the next year, I guarantee it.

--Jason "the look on Carly's face when Johns was voted off was priceless-- she was stunned" Evans

[Lavabe]

That said, what reason would they have for voting Michael off if he was not due to go? If, as seems to be the case, many felt he was among the top 2 or 3 contestants remaining, doesn't it hurt the integrity of the show to vote him off? I cannot see how yesterday's result helps Idol.

---

Back on point- I am still stunned that Johns was voted out. Wow.

Older, foreign-born individual... I am not as stunned. Although his earlier songs were not great, he really did well in the last three weeks. And I believe you're correct in having him competing directly with Cook for the same audience. Looking back at it, I am not stunned, but I am GREATLY disappointed.

Cheers,
Lavabe

[blublood]

I may be wrong, but I believe the rules say the producers reserve the right to change or alter the results if they want, but they have stated that they never have done that.

That said, what reason would they have for voting Michael off if he was not due to go? If, as seems to be the case, many felt he was among the top 2 or 3 contestants remaining, doesn't it hurt the integrity of the show to vote him off? I cannot see how yesterday's result helps Idol.

Well, I think this thread is a case in point - we're talking about Idol. We're talking about the results and how unfair they were. Would we be doing that if just another mediocre singer had been voted off like everybody expected? Probably not.

Speaking from my perspective, I haven't watched the show this season and I couldn't care less about Michael Johns. But - because he was voted out and people seem to feel almost universally that this is outrageous, I'll probably youtube him just to see what all the talk is about. Then I may get curious about these other singers. Then if one of the other singers catches my interest, I'll probably watch the show at least once or twice (not more than that because of our seven-month old!) and that definitely does help Idol.

It just seems kind of suspicious to me that every season of Idol follows exactly the same format: early rounds - people sing. Some are good. Some are awful. Some are bizarre and probably need medical help.

We pick finalists. But one of them has a dark, terrible secret! Antonella has R-rated pix on MySpace! Whatshisname was a gay stripper! Frenchie was in porns!

But the show goes on. Some singers are good. Some are awful. Some are inconsistent. Then, just when you think you've got it all figured out - someone unexpected goes home! Hey, that's not fair! Controversy ensues.

Finalists are picked. We debate their relative merits. One is chosen. Applaud, America! Don't forget to buy their album, even though 90% of albums by previous Idols have really, really underperformed. Dreams can come true. Never give up. Believe in yourself. Blah. Blah. Blah. Fade to black, at least until next season. I wonder what will happen then?

[Tommac]

Cynical but I believe unfortunately true. Wish it were not so.

[Olympic Fan]

I have no idea if the vote is honest or not. Hey, I don't believe the 2000 presidential vote count was honest, so I'm sure not going to put my faith in the Idol vote count.

(PS, just explaining my beliefs -- if you want to debate the 2000 presidential vote, I'll be glad to do it with you on the PPB. I don't want to hijack this thread).

All that said, I think Idol is missing the boat on their voting system. In the two years or so I've watched, I've never voted and never really felt strongly enough FOR any candidate to spend 50 cents or however much it is to vote.

But there have been candidates that I dislike so much that I'd vote AGAINST them. I would have voted against Sanjia last year ... I'd have voted against Jason Castro the last 3-4 weeks.

They'd get a lot more voters if they'd have a number to call and vote against a specific candidate. They could subtract the against votes from the for votes ...

How about it?

[JasonEvans]

I have no idea if the vote is honest or not. Hey, I don't believe the 2000 presidential vote count was honest, so I'm sure not going to put my faith in the Idol vote count.

(PS, just explaining my beliefs -- if you want to debate the 2000 presidential vote, I'll be glad to do it with you on the PPB. I don't want to hijack this thread).

All that said, I think Idol is missing the boat on their voting system. In the two years or so I've watched, I've never voted and never really felt strongly enough FOR any candidate to spend 50 cents or however much it is to vote.

But there have been candidates that I dislike so much that I'd vote AGAINST them. I would have voted against Sanjia last year ... I'd have voted against Jason Castro the last 3-4 weeks.

They'd get a lot more voters if they'd have a number to call and vote against a specific candidate. They could subtract the against votes from the for votes ...

How about it?

Ooooh-- that would be kinda fun. It would certainly add an interesting element.

FWIW, you do not have to pay to vote. The phone calls are free. It is only the texting that costs money to vote.

--Jason "I have probably only voted a couple times in my life-- Chris Daughtry and Blake Lewis are the only folks I can recall voting for" Evans

[edensquad]

I have never understood why the brain trust at American Idol makes these singers sing outside their "format." I mean, c'mon... Reuben is never gonna make a hard rock record, Kelly Clarkson is never gonna record an R & B record....Carrie Underwood won't make a rap record... and they shouldn't have to sing songs outside their comfort zone... What pop star can you think of who had to sing a Dolly Parton song to get a pop deal??? Correct answer: nobody except AI contestants.

Kristy, mediocre as she is, should get to sing country every week, (until folks wise up and realize she isn't that good), Syesha should get to belt out diva songs, Brooke should get to resurrect Carly Simon, etc. Why in heavens is it relevant to judge singers based on what they are not comfortable with???? I want to see them at their absolute best... and judge from there.

That is all

[awhom111]

I have never understood why the brain trust at American Idol makes these singers sing outside their "format." I mean, c'mon... Reuben is never gonna make a hard rock record, Kelly Clarkson is never gonna record an R & B record....Carrie Underwood won't make a rap record... and they shouldn't have to sing songs outside their comfort zone... What pop star can you think of who had to sing a Dolly Parton song to get a pop deal??? Correct answer: nobody except AI contestants.

Kristy, mediocre as she is, should get to sing country every week, (until folks wise up and realize she isn't that good), Syesha should get to belt out diva songs, Brooke should get to resurrect Carly Simon, etc. Why in heavens is it relevant to judge singers based on what they are not comfortable with???? I want to see them at their absolute best... and judge from there.

That is all

I have never felt more pained than the time I had to listen to John Stevens sing for Latin night. It just seems to be a good opportunity to bring in a famous artist for the all-important cross-promotion. At least this year they have had a little more freedom.

[Dukiedevil]

Well, I think this thread is a case in point - we're talking about Idol. We're talking about the results and how unfair they were. Would we be doing that if just another mediocre singer had been voted off like everybody expected? Probably not.

Speaking from my perspective, I haven't watched the show this season and I couldn't care less about Michael Johns. But - because he was voted out and people seem to feel almost universally that this is outrageous, I'll probably youtube him just to see what all the talk is about. Then I may get curious about these other singers. Then if one of the other singers catches my interest, I'll probably watch the show at least once or twice (not more than that because of our seven-month old!) and that definitely does help Idol.

It just seems kind of suspicious to me that every season of Idol follows exactly the same format: early rounds - people sing. Some are good. Some are awful. Some are bizarre and probably need medical help.

We pick finalists. But one of them has a dark, terrible secret! Antonella has R-rated pix on MySpace! Whatshisname was a gay stripper! Frenchie was in porns!

But the show goes on. Some singers are good. Some are awful. Some are inconsistent. Then, just when you think you've got it all figured out - someone unexpected goes home! Hey, that's not fair! Controversy ensues.

Finalists are picked. We debate their relative merits. One is chosen. Applaud, America! Don't forget to buy their album, even though 90% of albums by previous Idols have really, really underperformed. Dreams can come true. Never give up. Believe in yourself. Blah. Blah. Blah. Fade to black, at least until next season. I wonder what will happen then?

You might be right on some of these points, but I actually STOP watching when people I'm interested in get voted off. As soon as Cook get's voted off, I'll stop watching this year as well. And I think he will. I don't think rockers get enough of the voting audience even though a lot of the people who like rock have more buying power.

I guess my point is 14 year olds (who like pop) have nothing better to do than vote.