The 'American Idol' thread

[Brenden]

Next week I'm gonna be sad to see anyone go, they all have actual vocal ability.

[PaulDA]

Ok, everyone:
VOTE FOR VONZELL TONIGHT!!!

[dgp11776]

[worldofcm]

Yeah, that was in the context of feeling very tense for her, but he thought she gave a good performance.

I agree with Bloop here.  That is how I took it as well.

[worldofcm]

[PaulDA]

[murlough23]

So, Ryan Seacrest was on Leno last night. Jay just berated the guy for basically betraying other men by being a "metrosexual" and making women expect other men to like shopping and grooming and all that stuff... I'm sure it was in jest, but I have to say Ryan looked a bit uncomfortable with it, which made it one of the more hilarious celebrity interviews in recent memory. Ryan also got in some less-than-friendly jabs about Simon Cowell (though he maintained that they were friendly). I think the funniest moment was when Jay compared Ryan to Heath Ledger (the previous guest who was sitting beside Ryan) and said they looked like the before and after shots for some sort of men's grooming product.  

Why is it that the host and the judges are far more interesting to me than the contestants on that show?

[MJanke]

Ok, everyone:
VOTE FOR VONZELL TONIGHT!!!

Umm. No.

My fingers do the walking for Carrie Underwood.

[Aaron]

Vote for no-one!

[dgp11776]

Vote for no-one!

ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[bloop]

Vote for no-one!

That's my option, although I do watch the show and have favorites.  I don't know - I'm more interested in how the kids are voting nowadays.

[PaulDA]

That's my option, although I do watch the show and have favorites.  I don't know - I'm more interested in how the kids are voting nowadays.

I didn't vote all season but tonight I am redialing and voting for baby V for TWO hours.
Go Vonzy.....go Vonzy!!!!!  

[NinjaRob17]

I watched American Idol for the first time this season, and if I actually cared that much, I'd want Bo to win.

[PaulDA]

Well, I just voted for Vonzell over 500 times in two hours.....that was crazy but I enjoyed it. Hopefully her fans will vote in clumps and Bo's and Carrie's will slack off, thinking they are shoe ins.
Anyway, here are my standings for tonight's songs:

1. Vonzell #2
2. Bo #1
3. Vonzell #3
4. Vonzell #1
5. Carrie #1
6. Bo #2 (acapella)
7. Carrie #3
8. Bo #3
9. Carrie #2

[MJanke]

1. Vonzell #2
2. Bo #1
3. Vonzell #3
4. Vonzell #1
5. Carrie #1
6. Bo #2 (acapella)
7. Carrie #3
8. Bo #3
9. Carrie #2

Sorry Paul. You're Vonz-affection is blinding you.

I love Carrie (and don't like Bo), but I can be objective and recognize that Bo's second performance was absolutely stellar. His first one was also great. He clearly won the night.

The final two are going to be Carrie and Bo, though. I'd rather see The Vonz - I love her, but she's just out shined by B&C. I'm sure she'll have a great chance at a recording career anyway, though. The rest of my thoughts on the show are blogged.  

[PaulDA]

1. Vonzell #2
2. Bo #1
3. Vonzell #3
4. Vonzell #1
5. Carrie #1
6. Bo #2 (acapella)
7. Carrie #3
8. Bo #3
9. Carrie #2

Sorry Paul. You're Vonz-affection is blinding you.

I love Carrie (and don't like Bo), but I can be objective and recognize that Bo's second performance was absolutely stellar. His first one was also great. He clearly won the night.

The final two are going to be Carrie and Bo, though. I'd rather see The Vonz - I love her, but she's just out shined by B&C. I'm sure she'll have a great chance at a recording career anyway, though. The rest of my thoughts on the show are blogged.

I admit that Bo and Carrie have larger voter bases, but that is because there are more people who like country and rock as a whole than soul. For a black person to win, they have to garner a lot of the white vote, as Fantasia and Ruben did. But when they won, there were no clear cut country or rock artists. the vast majority of whites like rock and country over Vonzell's type of r&b.
We may just be surprised tomorrow night if baby V's fans vote in droves and the others slack off.
.....Also, while I thought Bo's accapella performance was good, it wasn't great.
It was just ok. And his last song, 'Satisfaction' was not good at all. Like Simon said, you could see that at any wedding or small bar in America.
.....Carrie was good only in her first song.
She does have a very powerful and nice voice, but the girl is as stiff as a day old corpse and has absolutely no personality while singing. She is very boring to watch, and when she does attempt to move a bit, it comes off as stilted and unnatural.
.....Vonzell, on the other hand, is the complete package:
Voice, looks, personality, movement, charm.
.....It is obvious that the shows producers are subtley trying to sway the vote in Bo and Carrie's favor. You could tell by the way Clive Davis was reacting to Nonzell. He said she didn't sing 'Chain of Fools' with soul. Which was a ridiculous statement.  I don't think the judges would agree to do something like that and indeed, Randy countered and said it was one of the best vocal performances of the whole year and he was right.
It's not a racial thing, it's economics. They want a country and/or rock star to come out of this because Fantasia hasn't sold that well, and Ruben is faltering, so they figure it's time for a change.

[bloop]

And his last song, 'Satisfaction' was not good at all. Like Simon said, you could see that at any wedding or small bar in America.

Actually, I don't think Simon had a problem with the performance.  He just didn't much care for the song choice, probably because Paula chose it.

[PaulDA]

Actually, I don't think Simon had a problem with the performance.  He just didn't much care for the song choice, probably because Paula chose it.

You're eally getting into this stuff, ain,tcha?

Next two to get hooked.....MURLOUGH and WANDERER!! 8-)  

[MJanke]

I admit that Bo and Carrie have larger voter bases, but that is because there are more people who like country and rock as a whole than soul. For a black person to win, they have to garner a lot of the white vote, as Fantasia and Ruben did. But when they won, there were no clear cut country or rock artists. the vast majority of whites like rock and country over Vonzell's type of r&b.

It's just not true. You know who buys the majority of urban music in America? White people. There are more white fans of R&B/hip-hop/urban acts than there are black or any other race. More white people like urban music than country music. Those are the numbers.

So black people don't have to "win over" the white vote. Fantasia and Reuben winning were not white people abandoning their rock/country roots - it was just voting their preference. And Vonzell not having as big of a fanbase this time around is just a reflection of Bo & Carrie's strengths and early-season success (when fanbases were formed and Vonzell wasn't as strong).

[PaulDA]

It's just not true. You know who buys the majority of urban music in America? White people. There are more white fans of R&B/hip-hop/urban acts than there are black or any other race. More white people like urban music than country music. Those are the numbers.

So black people don't have to "win over" the white vote. Fantasia and Reuben winning were not white people abandoning their rock/country roots - it was just voting their preference. And Vonzell not having as big of a fanbase this time around is just a reflection of Bo & Carrie's strengths and early-season success (when fanbases were formed and Vonzell wasn't as strong).

.....Vonzell doesn't sing 'Urban' music.
She sings classic R&B.
.....The only 'Urban' music that is popular among whites, and that is only teenagers and a few twenty somethings, is rap and this nonsense from Ashanti, Jo Jo, J. Lo and other mediocre talents that passes for R&B today.
.....The average older white person does NOT like black music.
They like rock, country and easy listening.

[murlough23]

Next two to get hooked.....MURLOUGH and WANDERER!! 8-)

Over my dead body.

[PaulDA]

.....The average older white person does NOT like black music.
They like rock, country and easy listening.

Let me clarify here.
I think older whites do like black music like Motown and some other mild soul, but not as many as like country, rock and easy listening.

[PaulDA]

Over my dead body.

No, no.....actually, I see a softening up here.....
stop struggling and just immerse yourself in AI.

[murlough23]

No, no.....actually, I see a softening up here.....
stop struggling and just immerse yourself in AI.

Hell no.

NP: "This Is the Countdown", Mae

[amalgamate]

i liked vonzell...i'm kind of sad to see her go.

Next week is going to be insane. I think the voting is going to be almost as close as it was between reuben and clay. CRAZY haha.  

[Brenden]

Though by now, it really doesn't matter who wins, their careers have all been helped, and they'll probably all be forgotten in a year.

[PaulDA]

Though by now, it really doesn't matter who wins, their careers have all been helped, and they'll probably all be forgotten in a year.

I doubt they'll be forgotten in a year.
Kelly Clarkson is an establishe star, as is Clay.
Fanatsia is building momentum.Any of the three this year are as good as they are in their own style.
Vonzell will be snatched up immediately by a record company.
She is as beautiful as any female singer out there and her voice is three times as good as most of them. For every Christina Aqulara or kelly Clarkson who can really blow, there are dozens of mediocre so so talents like Jo Jo, J. Lo, Ashanti, Chrisyian Milian, Brandy, etc.

[PaulDA]

i liked vonzell...i'm kind of sad to see her go.

Next week is going to be insane. I think the voting is going to be almost as close as it was between reuben and clay. CRAZY haha.

If you go by the AOL polls that they do every week, Bo has about 52%, Carrie had about 34% and Vonzell had about 14%.
Depending on where Vonzell's votes go, Bo is probably the favorite to win.

[amalgamate]

i liked vonzell...i'm kind of sad to see her go.

Next week is going to be insane. I think the voting is going to be almost as close as it was between reuben and clay. CRAZY haha.

If you go by the AOL polls that they do every week, Bo has about 52%, carrie had about 34% and Vonzell had about 14%.
Depending on where Vonzell's votes go, Bo is probably the favorite to win.

yeah, but i'm not sure aol is a good representation (you should've seen some of the polls for the presidential election). Also you can only vote once on aol. Carrie's fans maybe more diehard and vote more than bo's, who can say for sure. I have a feeling it will closer than 52 to 34 (that ratio..i mean). I can't see a lot of vonzell's votes going to bo, and carrie's fanbase is probably more young and rabid, so they may vote more than bo's fans who are probably generally older. (i don't mean a lot older..but older than say, 15).

But i think bo is the better performer...but carrie is just so pretty (not that that's the only thing she has going for her..but *sigh* haha)

alright, anyway, bo tends to bring it when the pressure is on...he sang better last night than he did tonight.  

[BenBarrett]

Bo is a great performer, but I just don't see him selling a lot of albums. Carrie will be a huge star no matter where she places, and Vonzell has the talent to bring a major record deal as well. I still think Nadia was the top female vocalist, though (and prettier than Vonzell).

My prediction to win: Carrie.

[PaulDA]

Also you can only vote once on aol.

On this particular poll you can vote as much as you want to.
I voted for Vonzell about 25 times.

[amalgamate]

On this particular poll you can vote as much as you want to.
I voted for Vonzell about 25 times.

yeah, i saw that this morning! There was a different poll in aol before where i could only vote once. I voted a bunch for carrie this morning on this specific one.

we shall see how it goes. Seems like bo does have the advantage right now though.  

[murlough23]

If a poll allows you to vote as many times as you want, it's not a poll, it's a tenacity contest to see whose drooling fans can click a stupid button the most times. I can't believe that any of you take this crap seriously.

[PaulDA]

If a poll allows you to vote as many times as you want, it's not a poll, it's a tenacity contest to see whose drooling fans can click a stupid button the most times. I can't believe that any of you take this crap seriously.

.....Murlough, those of us who love AI and those who hate it should realize one thing, as I'm sure you have: AI is in business for one thing, to make MONEY.
Money from the sponsors, money from the artists royalties and concerts, money from anything connected with AI.
.....The main reason the show is as popular as it is, is because people can vote repeatedly, hundreds of times in one two hour span. If they suddenly changed the rules and only allowed one vote per phone, interest would drop and so would ratings. .....The high ratings let them charge astronomical amounts to advertisers.
Just like every show on commercial TV, AI's first priority is to make as much profit and draw as many people as it can.
.....The AOL poll is probably done the same way because they know fans are used to voting repeatedly and it just generates interst in AOL's web site, where people may also see advertisements and such.

[MJanke]

If a poll allows you to vote as many times as you want, it's not a poll, it's a tenacity contest to see whose drooling fans can click a stupid button the most times. I can't believe that any of you take this crap seriously.

Dude, chill out. I'm sure there are plenty of things in life that you go all fan-boyish about. No need to be insulting just because this isn't one of them.

[murlough23]

Murlough, those of us who love AI and those who hate it should realize one thing, as I'm sure you have: AI is in business for one thing, to make MONEY.

I don't give a rip what its reason is. Since when is money a viable excuse for an unfair contest?

The main reason the show is as popular as it is, is because people can vote repeatedly, hundreds of times in one two hour span. If they suddenly changed the rules and only allowed one vote per phone, interest would drop and so would ratings.

Well, boo hoo. I don't particularly care. Integrity is more important than making money. That's why this show is so reprehensible. All they care about is money, and I can't believe you'd defend them for this.

Just like every show on commercial TV, AI's first priority is to make as much profit and draw as many people as it can.

Is it OK for Desperate Housewives to sex it up and rely on dirty mud-slinging and otherwise promote immorality because more people will watch it and it will make more money?

No, of course it isn't. So don't use such logical fallacies to defend a detestable practice on AI.

Dude, chill out. I'm sure there are plenty of things in life that you go all fan-boyish about. No need to be insulting just because this isn't one of them.

I never said being fanboy-ish was necessarily a bad thing. I just think it's patently ridiculous to have a system that allows such gross misrepresentation of public opinion. Contestant A getting more votes than Contestant B ends up having nothing to do with whether Contestant A was actually liked by more people. It just has to do with whose fans have the most tenacity. These contestants are being judged by the efforts of their fans, not by their own efforts. it's all about politics and lobbying, not about the actual music. That's disgusting. All of my other complaints about AI aside - even if this were a show that actually cared about artists being artistic and their finalists were all wonderfully creative, I would still have serious issue with such a voting system.

Similarly, I take issue when street teams or groups of fans in general for any band (including bands which I like) are instructed by the band or their management to deluge radio stations with calls or place as many votes as possible on a web pool in order to make their band come out on top. Yes, I realize that it's an unfair system and everyone else is going to vote multiple times. Tough. We should have better principles than that. And I've told fellow fans of these bands that there's no point inundating everyone with music that their votes are saying they clearly don't want to hear.

I'm not insulting you, I'm just questioning your judgment. I thought people at The Phorum cared about actual quality in the music they listened to, and didn't get caught up in seriously flawed popularity contests. You can say it's just a TV show, but it clearly isn't - we see how it directly affects the music industry as these people become instant - if somewhat ephemeral - celebrities. It's like the 80's all over again, but worse.

[bloop]

Whoa!  Leave "Desperate Housewives" out of this!

I don't have a huge problem here, honestly, and I care more about integrity than most.  If the goal is to ascertain the tenacity of fans of a particular artist, that's fine with me.  Besides that, it would be cost prohibitive to really run a completely fair race.  We can't even do that for the Presidency.

[murlough23]

Whoa!  Leave "Desperate Housewives" out of this!

Sorry. I had to watch the trailer for its season finale like 10 times last night, so it kind of reminded me of how much I resent that show's existence. And it served as a good example.

bloop, you're usually the type who doesn't see "popular" as necessarily equal to "good", and they're going a step beyond the stupidity of normal popularity contests with this voting system, which affects which artists get out into the mainstream and rack up hits and become big-selling artists. You don't see that as a problem? Or have you just resigned yourself to the fact that truly artistic music is always going to have to exist in the background while stuff like AI gets all the attention?

[bloop]

I've just accepted reality, I guess, and I don't mind the more artistic music having a smaller audience so long as it's still commercially viable.  I'd jump at AI improving its voting system, but I think part of the problem really is logistical.  "One person, one vote" would be hard to do given the number of ways one could find around any system I'm conceiving (short of a real election).

"Desperate Housewives" is just one of those few shows I actually enjoy watching with my wife.

[PaulDA]

I don't give a rip what its reason is. Since when is money a viable excuse for an unfair contest?



Well, boo hoo. I don't particularly care. Integrity is more important than making money. That's why this show is so reprehensible. All they care about is money, and I can't believe you'd defend them for this.



Is it OK for Desperate Housewives to sex it up and rely on dirty mud-slinging and otherwise promote immorality because more people will watch it and it will make more money?

No, of course it isn't. So don't use such logical fallacies to defend a detestable practice on AI.



I never said being fanboy-ish was necessarily a bad thing. I just think it's patently ridiculous to have a system that allows such gross misrepresentation of public opinion. Contestant A getting more votes than Contestant B ends up having nothing to do with whether Contestant A was actually liked by more people. It just has to do with whose fans have the most tenacity. These contestants are being judged by the efforts of their fans, not by their own efforts. it's all about politics and lobbying, not about the actual music. That's disgusting. All of my other complaints about AI aside - even if this were a show that actually cared about artists being artistic and their finalists were all wonderfully creative, I would still have serious issue with such a voting system.

Similarly, I take issue when street teams or groups of fans in general for any band (including bands which I like) are instructed by the band or their management to deluge radio stations with calls or place as many votes as possible on a web pool in order to make their band come out on top. Yes, I realize that it's an unfair system and everyone else is going to vote multiple times. Tough. We should have better principles than that. And I've told fellow fans of these bands that there's no point inundating everyone with music that their votes are saying they clearly don't want to hear.

I'm not insulting you, I'm just questioning your judgment. I thought people at The Phorum cared about actual quality in the music they listened to, and didn't get caught up in seriously flawed popularity contests. You can say it's just a TV show, but it clearly isn't - we see how it directly affects the music industry as these people become instant - if somewhat ephemeral - celebrities. It's like the 80's all over again, but worse.

You really take this really seriously, don't you?  
This show is a way for people to achieve their dreams.
If the fans are happy and the contestants are happy, what is the problem?
In my check up today my doctor asked me if I watch Americn Idol!! He said he's voting for Carrie.
.....As much as I love Vonzell, it was no sweat off my brow that she was eliminated.
After all, she has been seen by tens of millions of people for many weeks and has probably been seen by dozens of producers and record execs.
No tears here.....if she or anyone else can't make it after this much free exposure then they need to hang it up.