AMERICAN IDOL (spoilers)

[lost-in-nj]

ok if the blond Kelly Pickler wannbe does not go home tonight

then I KNOW it's fixed
and I will be even more frightened for the future of America then before......

she was awful

I don't know names but the last two guys will be the last ones standing.....
they blew me away


lost

[Symarip]

1. People still watch this show?

I never did. Except for Sanjaya. That kid was amazing.

[bigwillq]

2. It's the top-rated show in America

:)

[Symarip]

13. Yet another reason for me not to watch it

It's bad enough there's a fixed competition loosely based on musical talent which passes on television as entertainment. Couple that with the fact Americans eat it up and ask for seconds like it's OMFG REEL LIFE. Fuck that. I'd rather watch re-runs of Get A Life (the only show on Fox ever worth a damn).

[mvd]

14. All it is is good escapism for me

I don't take it too seriously.

[Symarip]

16. You're still perpetuating the stupidity

Even if you have no attachment to the show, watching it fuels the fire. There are real musicians in the world who would give their left (insert appendage) to get that kind of media exposure. The whole show is hackery, at it's finest. Paula Abdul herself is just barely above a one hit wonder. My former leadsinger had her emotions crushed three times by their bullshit try out experience. Not to mention it's full of ringers (some of whom already have had big time record deals in the past).

I wish the show ended with Sanjaya getting a tiara and Paula Abdul carted off in a paddy with a one way ticket to looneyville, where she fucking belongs. The show doesn't even really produce show stopping popstars anymore (whatever the fuck that is). What happened to Ruben or the dude with the silver hair? Nothing. Because the show doesn't live up to it's own hype. The whole premise is an insult to the intelligence on anyone who's managed to graduate middle school. Name That Tune had more meaning.

[mvd]

17. Everyone has their opinion

I don't think I'm perpetuating anything. And I have definitely enjoyed the music that some Idol contestants have put out, so it's not all bad.

[Symarip]

26. Whatever gets you through

http://votefortheworst.com/auditions?page=9

AUDITION MYTH #4: "The good singers always make it through."

As we previously mentioned, the first round of auditions takes place in front of a group producers at a table, who likely aren’t even very qualified to judge a competition (then again, this never stopped Simon, Paula, and Randy). Each singer tries out with 3 other singers for these producers. After singing for a mere 15 seconds, you are told whether you’re moving on or going home. The producers are usually only on the lookout for people with stories that will sell on TV or people who will make incredible fools of themselves. One auditioner figured out that there are good tables and bad tables, meaning that it's possible that the bad tables just pass on everyone and won’t let anyone through to the next round. What if a good singer gets stuck at a bad table? Well, good luck next year!


~ Sounds like wholesome goodness to me.

[blue_onyx]

29. Paula's had 6 number 1 songs

so she's more than "barely above a one hit wonder." There have been some talented people who have come from AI. Yes, I don't think the show is always fair and does push certain people while giving other the shaft but the music industry is not any fairer.

[mvd]

31. That's true

The show is not perfect. And it seems there haven't been as many good singers lately. But it at least gives some talented people a chance while being entertaining. Even VFTW isn't ignoring it.

[Symarip]

32. Apples and Oranges

Of course, talented people have come from and will continue to come from American Idol. It's part of the pageantry. I don't care one way or the other what pop talent comes out of Idol, because it's inevitable something so big will eventually catch. The process is what's bullshit (coincidentally, the process is what people tune in for).

The music industry isn't fair, but the same industry never claimed to find America's unearthed talent and put them on a tv show. American Idol does. American Idol also claims that the process of elimination is done by your vote. The fine print of their disclaimer has them singing a different tune - they can change the vote process or stop it in order to suit their needs.

As for Paula Abdul... She may have charted 6 times in the late 80s for a relatively short period of time, but has done nothing since except make a mockery of herself (which is pretty hard to do when you look back on the wonder that is 'Straight Up'). She's a failure at everything she touches on her own.

[mvd]

33. Not really

I think the process could be improved. But just because it isn't doesn't mean I'm not going to watch it. I think this year is slightly better than the last two years, too.

[Shell Beau]

38. I would not call Paula a failure.

She has numerous credits to her name. Most involve choreography, but she certainly is no failure.

[Symarip]

39. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Paula_(television_series)

[Shell Beau]

41. Here you go!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Abdul

Looks like a decent career to me. Grammys, Emmys, multi-platinum albums, etc.

[Symarip]

45. Ok

Here's another chartbuster. What's the difference?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_Said_Fred

[Shell Beau]

48. There is a huge difference. Paula orginally started out as a dancer.

She has done extremely well in that profession. Her singing career was short lived, but she did well while it lasted. She is wacky and odd at times, and I, by no means, am Paula fan, but to call her failure is silly.

[bullwinkle428]

63. And who gave you permission to trash Right Said Fred??

:hide:

[Symarip]

64. Trash?!

I was trying to start a RSF revival.

[mvd]

47. I think all the judges are qualified.

"Straight Up" is a terrific pop song. I disagree with them more than the Dancing With The Stars judges, though. :hi:

[Shell Beau]

35. Some of those "real" musicians are on the show!

There are some seriously talented people on there. Sure, some are on there for ratings, but there are also people who have real raw talent that just want to make it.

[Symarip]

37. So fucking what?

They make it because they're allowed to by their handlers and the public is fooled into thinking they have a direct hand in it. All the while we sit and watch and think it's an actual competition of elimination. It's not. It's an insult to the public's intelligence. It's an insult to real musicians who cut their teeth and actually try to garner true fanship. It's also an insult to talent they turn away because they don't fit the 'idol mold'.

So, basically, America is sold on a karaoke contest that isn't a contest at all because it's fixed. That's like setting a video game to computer vs. computer and cheering for the result.

[Shell Beau]

40. I think the public has a huge hand in it. They are the

ones who will be buying the album that is put out, so it will have to be someone they like. I don't think the competition is perfect. There are some flaws.

Why do you care? You don't have to watch it.

[Symarip]

44. I don't watch it

But as a musician, I find myself increasingly saddened this is how American musicianship is peddled to the public. It would be bad enough if it were an elimination competetion (sad in itself, since couldn't there very well be 2 American idols in the world?). Come to find out, the whole shibang is smoke and mirrors with ringers, public deception, fancy editing, and alot of glitzy outfits.

It's not a competition. It's a lie. What irks the piss out of me is when you alert people to all of the above they act like the messenger is the one pissing in pool. Hey, I'm just telling you. You can watch what you want but good people are being blatantly hurt and humiliated over America's fascination with this show. Somehow, though, it's all gravy because the end result of entertainment justifies the people who are completely shit on to get there.

Disgusting.

[Shell Beau]

49. I can understand that as a musician you feel disgusted by it.

People get hurt in the industry all day long. Probably worse than in this show. At least some get some exposure.

[Symarip]

52. One doesn't excuse the other

Probably? Are you fucking kidding me? What's worse than exploiting people for entertainment? Oh hey, it's all good, at least they get some exposure.

Hey, at least those kids in the sweatshops get paid. If it wasn't for us buying their products they wouldn't have a job at all!

[Shell Beau]

53. I don't hear many of the contestants complaining.

[Symarip]

54. They can't

They sign waivers. And like you said, some of them are more than happy to be picked up for some exposure. Better to be a pet than cattle, I suppose.

[Shell Beau]

55. Tell me this, and be honest, if you knew your band

would get signed if you went on the show, and you would get tons of fans, would you do it?

[Symarip]

56. You're missing the point

If I knew my band would make it by jumping through those hoops, then it's not a competition. This isn't some bullshit rant about how much I think Jennifer Aniston is over-rated. And you're misreading my anger: I'm not complaining about pop stars becoming pop stars. That shit's going to happen, regardless of Idol or not. And yes, the music industry is unfair and just plain fucking weird. I get all that. I'm disgusted by the 'competition' - which it's clearly not. Read the link I posted above. It's rigged. Even on Wikipedia, if you read deep enough, you'll see this show is far from what it appears. I know people who have been shot in and shit out of the American Idol machine and trust me, it's nothing like what you see on TV.

This show is fucking over musicians in the name of entertainment. Pure exploitation. And they hide it all in contracts and fine print disclaimers so America doesn't have to feel the burden of perpetuating something so horrific. If Idol was clearly the competition it pretends to be, you'd never see those horrible singers in the beginning. But America wants it's guilty pleasure so they can have a laugh. American compassion, at it's finest.

As the show progresses we have to pretend that out of those early stages, a couple shining stars appear like diamonds in the rough and they go on to compete with each other. Oh yeah? So just how does (hold on, I have to go look this up) Kelly Pickler make it to the top 10 or whatever? Even fans noted that Sanjaya's sister was a far greater singer than he ever was. Well duh, because, it's part of the plan - they've already decided who's going to win. They need a Sanjaya to make a Jordan Sparks shine. If that wasn't sad enough, they stick in ringers - some of whom already had big time contracts and plenty of money thrown at them. I don't even have to mention the votes don't count or are only counted when they feel it necessary. Some competition, huh?

So it's not a competition. It's a lie. And it ruins people. Regardless if there are talented people singing their hearts out.

[Shell Beau]

57. Ok. Fair enough. I can't say I have ever really

thought that deeply about the show. Maybe I am too trusting of a person. I want to believe that the votes matter. But I do notice how some of the better singers don't get picked to be on the show. I always assume that maybe I thought they were better than they really are. :shrug: You have valid points I will say.

[mvd]

59. He does have some good points

I see no reason for us to feel guilty about watching it, though. I know it doesn't have the highest standards. Also, the people know when they try out now what they are getting into.

[mvd]

58. So you are saying they rig the votes?

I wouldn't be surprised, even though I'll continue to watch the show.

[Symarip]

60. I have an insider friend who works in reality television

I should tell him about the lounge. He'd fit right in with you tv watchers.

Anyhow, it is and it isn't rigged. Well, it is. Here's my understanding of it. Idol can stop the vote counting whenever they feel like it. And they can disregard the vote all together, when they feel like it.

The Sanjaya season, they agreed internally to let the vote determine the season outcome because ratings weren't doing so hot from the last season and there was real talk amongst die hard viewers of not getting a fair shake on their votes. According to my friend, Idol has rigged the outcome for every season prior, minus season 1. Everything was great until Sanjaya took off with the vote. So they took control of it again and first, knocked him to the bottom three (for show) and then the next week, kicked him off completely. No coincidence, right before the Idol Gives Back week.


Edited: I have a friend WHO works, not 'that works' :)

[mvd]

61. Does he have an opinion on if this season and last season..

they are exercising control of the votes?

[Symarip]

62. Since moving from CA I haven't kept up with him

He has some really funny stories about The Real World: San Diego from way back when. I got to have lunch with him regularly because they put the house right next to my Navy base. If you ever watch that season, you'll hear alot of shouting kind of muffled in the background because drunken sailors would try to disrupt taping.

[mvd]

3. Last night was a backwards night for me

I thought Adam, Danny, and Kris were the best, with Lil Rounds, Matt, and Alison having average nights. Megan was the worst again, though. She's last on DialIdol, so we'll see.

[blue_onyx]

4. I think Anoop is going home

Megan was the worst but she wasn't even in the bottom three last week. She has support coming from somewhere. I liked Adam, Kris, and Allison last night. I think the bottom three will be Anoop, Scott, and Matt.

[mvd]

6. I thought Alison picked the wrong song

She did sound a little like she was dressing up, because the song just didn't allow her to get her bluesy vocals around it. I love the song, but Gwen Stefani has the poppy voice for it.

Vote For The Worst has supported Megan, but I don't know if they have even gotten someone this far - there's a chance she goes because she wasn't even memorably bad.

[blue_onyx]

18. I didn't get the "theme" last night

They said contestants had to pick songs that were popular downloads so we could see how they would fit in the "current" music environment. Yet, Megan picked Bob Marley, Anoop sang a 5 year old Usher song, Allison sang a 13 year old No Doubt song. Matt was the only one to sing a recent song and he did a pretty bad job, IMO. I original heard that the Idols would have to pick from the Top 100 songs on iTunes...that would've been a better theme.

Allison didn't do great but I still think she sounded pretty good. I wouldn't be surprised to see Megan leave but I think she may stick around another week. Anoop was so bad and weird. Kara was right...it almost seemed like he was doing it as a joke. Does he not know how ridiculous he looked? I think the judges were wrong about his vocals....they weren't very good.

[mvd]

21. Alison has a good voice so she wasn't awful, but in my opinion it was her worst performance

As for the theme, I guess it was top downloads overall? :shrug:

[blue_onyx]

25. I doubt it was top downloads overall

Some of the songs were released years (or decades) before downloading was popular. I believe the top downloaded song in history is "Crank That" by Soulja Boy. Most of the top downloaded songs would've been released in the last 2-3 years.

I think the Top 100 on iTunes would've been a good theme. The judges were right....Adele's song "Chasing Pavement" would've been a better choice for Megan. I could see Allison maybe singing "Thinking of You" by Katy Perry or "Sober" by Pink. Vote for the Worst recommended "Single Ladies" for Adam...I would've loved that.

[mvd]

30. Hmmm.. I was thinking top downloads at this time

That could include new and old, but the selection was still strange.

[Shell Beau]

43. They had to be top downloads on iTunes!

[blue_onyx]

65. Well, most of the songs weren't "top" downloads

"Don't Speak", for example, was released in 1996 while iTunes came out 2001. It doubt a 5 year old song was a "top" download. I don't think it mattered whether it was a highly downloaded song or not...as long as it was on iTunes, it was fine. So the theme was basically whatever song you want.

[Shell Beau]

5. I hate that Megan is doing so terrible because I think she has

an interesting voice. My fave last night was Kris. He was great. Then Adam and Danny. Everyone else pretty much sucked.

[mvd]

7. I think if Megan picked jazz, she might be ok

Definitely a niche singer, and I still don't know if I'd like her voice.

[Shell Beau]

9. It is kinda quirky. It is one of those love or hate, I think!

[azmouse]

11. If Megan goes through to next week I'm hitting the mute button when she sings.

Her voice is making the neighbor's dogs howl. :(

[gbate]

34. It's not that I hate her tone, but she has terrible pitch.

[Goblinmonger]

67. Yep

It's like she never really lands in the pocket but is about an 1/8 tone or so flat. Drives me nuts.

And girlfriend CANNOT dance.

[mvd]

12. Yes - I think Jesse was the one with the quirky voice that I'd love

But she didn't make the top 13. :-(

[Shell Beau]

15. I don't remember Jesse!

[mvd]

19. She did "Bette Davis Eyes"

:hi:

[Shell Beau]

23. Oh yeah! She was great. I thought she should've made it.

[blue_onyx]

20. I liked her too

I gave her a vote and was disappointed she didn't make it. She did screw up during the wild card show...although I think the judges already knew who they would pick, even before the contestants performed.

[mvd]

22. I agree - her wild card song wasn't so good

But I think she had proven she deserves a second chance more than Megan did.

[azmouse]

8. Kris really surprises me.

I didn't care much for him in the early rounds but now... wow! he's really good!

[Shell Beau]

10. I never even noticed him before really.

And when I heard he was singing that song, I thought "oh no" because it is my FAVE song. But he did it justice.

[suninvited]

24. Megan was awful

but, if she goes through it will not be because the show is fixed. There is a website called votefortheworst.com, that encourages callers to call in and vote for the worst singer. They have a huge following; their goal is to keep the worst singer in for as long as possible. They are supposedly responsible for the Sanjaya disaster and they claim responsibility for Taylor Hicks being the winner in his year.

American Idol has tried legally to stop this site, but of course there is nothing they can do about it. I think it is kind of funny.

I thought Adam was really good last night.

[mvd]

36. Except more solid singers like Alexis can go in their place

That's what I don't like about VFTW. I think they actually just give Idol MORE publicity.

[Shell Beau]

42. I loved Alexis in the beginning, but she lost her spunk.

I hated her rendition of Jolene.

[mvd]

50. I agree - her song choices got worse

Still left too early, though.

[dbackjon]

27. I just don't get the love for deadwifeguy

I think he sings awful - screams, is off pitch most of the time.

But, he is being pimped as one of the finalists, along with Adam.


Kris is the best, IMHO.

[suninvited]

28. I thought he was excellent last night, too

several of the men were, though. It was the best I have heard him sing, yet.

[Shell Beau]

46. I like Danny. A lot of people like him. He has a different

kind of voice. The most talented to me is Adam. He was great last week. He was good last night, but the night belonged to Kris, IMO.

[mvd]

51. Often Danny does sound overwrought, IMO, but last night he was good

:hi:

[blue_onyx]

66. Danny is my least favorite

Calling him "my least favorite" is a nice way of saying how I feel about him. If he wins, this will likely be my last season of watching the show.