I have something to say about Mandissa leaving American Idol

[Maraya1969]

this week. I hope there are some closet Idol fans here. Last week she started her song with a bit of preaching about how Jesus saved her from so many trials in her life and then sang some gospel song.

I think that lost her a lot of votes. Simon called it, "indulgent". I found it pompous. If someone went up there and sang to Mohamed the country would have been up in arms.

These fundies make their own problems. And if one of them reads this they will probably think: "Pray for her because she is lost and will ultimately end up in Hell" The leaders of this church had and have their own agenda when they came up with this dogma and I think it has more to do with gaining followers than real sincere beliefs. It reminds me of the Catholic Church's ban on contraceptives. That will surely keep the church going with all the big families it creates.

There are many different ways to interpret the Christian Bible. This faction has chosen a way that seems to fill their own particular needs rather than the teachings of Jesus.

I do not mean to offend anyone and I am not bashing the Christian religion. I am bashing the fundies who think everyone that is not like themselves is headed for Hell and use that as a way of feeling superior to them.

[qanda]

1. I disagree

To call her a fundie is to assume a lot about her. Just because she chose to sing a gospel song does not make her anything but a person who sang a gospel song. I write, sing and produce gospel music. There are many Christian Liberals who love gospel music and love to sing gospel music. I may have missed something, but I didn't hear her say anything about anyone going to hell.

[Maraya1969]

3. It was really the preaching before hand. And the going to Hell thing

is exactly what these fundamentalists believe. I don't think liberal Christians get into that one. I grew up in a Methodist church and there was never any talk of Hell. But when I got to a Southern Baptist college EVERYONE was going to Hell except those that were "believers"

There is a lot of gospel music that I love and I don't have a problem with. But now that I think of it, it is usually the stuff that I sang in church as a kid.

But you are right in that she did not specifically say that some people were going to Hell. It was my assumption based on my experience that drew me to that conclusion.

[qanda]

4. I was raised in a fundamentalist church

My mother still pastors a church in one of the most conservative Christian organizations that exist-- the Church of God out of Cleveland, TN. It's very true that the beliefs are exactly what you say. However, I'm still trying to figure out when Mandisa said that anyone was going hell. If I remember correctly she said something about lifestyles and everyone got into a tizzy thinking she was bashing gays-- I still don't get it. Perhaps I'm just not cynical enough, but I thought her speech beforehand was explaining the meaning of the song and encouraging people in as few words as possible to be free from the things the bind them. I have my own opinions on whether it was the proper forum for to make that speech, but I don't think she was making a judgement on any one.

[Maraya1969]

5. You may be right. I did make a clarification at the last paragraph.

[ernstbass]

2. I didn't like her "preachiness"

It put me off and I think it contributed to her loss.

[Duer 157099]

7. I had the same reaction n/t

[Patiod]

6. Vertical stripes contributed to her loss

No one, man or woman, looks great in horizontal stripes. Kate Moss doesn't look great in horizontal stripes.

Didn't hear the preachiness, but it sounds as if it was out of place. I know evangelicals, though, and they feel that if they DON'T take every possible opportunity to bring people to Jesus, they will regret for the rest of their lives -- they worry over chances they missed, and what better place to bring people to Jesus than national TV? It's not a mindset you can argue with, but it seems the people have spoken.

It sure as hell wasn't her voice, which is magnificent.

[babylonsister]

9. What a riot, Patiod!

My mom always told me, stay away from horizontal stripes; what were the stylists thinking?
Having said that, I thought she was the most talented of the bunch and am sorry to see her gone.

[AngryOldDem]

8. Don't agree

You hear the same type of stuff from athletes after a big win, and you've heard the same type of stuff when people win awards, such as at the Grammys.

What did Mandisa in -- and what is beginning to truly piss me off about American Idol -- was making her sing a type of song that she was no way suited to sing, and she not getting the proper credit for trying to make a decent attempt at it. It is one thing to want to provide a challenge and see how the talent can adapt. But I think you have to take into consideration the singer's natural style and ability, and factor that in to the final outcome, phone vote or no. If they do a passable job with material they are not familiar with (as Mandisa did) that should be good enough to pass to the next week. This is especially true if they have just one week to learn and retool a song for their particular performance.

The show began to try my patience with the Stevie Wonder week. Nobody can sing Stevie Wonder but Stevie Wonder. Almost all of the contestants were bashed because of "poor song choice," or "just sounding bad," or whatever other insult Simon etc. could come up with. The "poor song choice" rap seems to have become the common theme. My question is, if they have these "big name" stars coming in to coach these amateurs, wouldn't they do well to teach these beginners a little bit about music theory and how to choose the "right" song? Or how to make a particular song "theirs"? Shouldn't that be part of the professional growth process?

None of the women who are left can hold a note against Mandisa. I predict that we'll be hearing from her long after this year's flash-in-the-pan has come and gone. True talent, like class, tells.

[Maraya1969]

10. I agree with you about the songs. Maybe that is part of the entertainment

value, trying to see how well they can tackle different venues. Tonight they are doing Rod Stewart, (?) and I hope the songs include his latest old crooner type songs.

[AngryOldDem]

11. I admit I'm looking forward to Rod Stewart ,

...and, I must say that I did kinda enjoy the Queen salute last week. Kellie Pickler did a great job with Bohemian Rhapsody.

I've never been much of a Rod Stewart fan, but I guess he does a good job singing the classics.

[Goblinmonger]

12. Ick

I really didn't like it. I thought it was "pitchy" (why don't they just say she was awfully flat for a good portion of the song?), NOT a country song as she tried to make it at several points, and WAY ABOVE her voice--it's a rock opera for god sakes.

I was pissed that Bucky got kicked off. I liked his song. And could Paula Abdul be any more stupid "I liked how you took that song and make it country." Hello, Paula, anybody home? Queen did that song as a southern rock anthem just like Bucky did. God she is stupid.

[AngryOldDem]

13. I give her credit for even trying it

I almost fell out of my chair when I heard she was going to do BR (my favorite Queen anthem, by the way). I thought she'd destroy it, but she really didn't. (This is what I meant in my earlier post about Mandisa. Give them credit if they TRY to make unfamiliar material work.) Actually, doing Queen was kind of asking a lot out of these people, just as the Stevie Wonder night did, and to some degree the country.

Bucky did kind of get the shaft, but I've never really cared for him anyway. And yes, you're right, he did do that song the way it was intended. I also don't get the beef about Ace (I think it was Ace) doing "We Will Rock You." Just how many ways can you sing that particular song, anyway?

[Goblinmonger]

14. I will give her credit

for trying. I guess when it comes down to it, I just don't like her. Either her "dumb blonde" bit is an act and it ain't working on me, or she IS that stupid which makes me dislike her equally as much.

And BOY did she stink it up yesterday. I seems to be a race to the bottom for her and Minnesota girl. I fear Ace will be gone which is an injustice given Pickles and Corn-Fed.

[AngryOldDem]

15. I don't think it;'s an act with her

I think she's really that stupid -- "Ballsy? what does that mean??" Please. She did have the weakest performance last night so if there is any sense to the voting...