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Blood & Pasta: American Idol is manipulating you

2011 March 26
tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
by TopIdol

Casey Abrams will regret grabbing that cougar in the American Idol audience

I have yet to watch Thursday’s American Idol results show in its entirety (blame booze & the fact I can follow it via Twitter on my phone) but as you all know, Casey Abrams was going to be eliminated. But then he was SAVED. And then Ryan Seacrest announced the Top 11 would be going on tour — a decision made long before Casey Abrams allegedly received the lowest number of votes.

Today TMZ reports Casey Abrams collapsed after the show, and that he received another blood transfusion on Thursday. So what exactly is wrong with Casey Abrams? A hemorage?

“American Idol” contestant Casey Abrams — who got voted off the show Thursday and won a save from the judges — was so overwrought with emotion after the show, he began hyperventilating and then fell to the floor in the hallway.

We’re told “A.I.” staffers helped Casey up and put him in a chair so he could calm down.

Ironically, his song choice Thursday was “I Don’t Need No Doctor.”

Our “Idol” spies tell us … Casey felt horrible that the judges used their save for him, saying “I feel really bad that other [contestants] might have to go home now because they [the judges] used the save on me.”

Casey had a rough day Thursday.  He got a blood transfusion in the morning because of ongoing problems with internal bleeding.

Also a big fat lie: That was not Mamma Langone’s pasta given to Gordon Ramsey during Wednesday’s live show — at least according to Stefano via Twitter (as reported by MJ).

UPDATE: Stefano Langone tweets about Thursday night’s food incident–where Chef Ramsey turned his nose up at his mom’s pasta:

Ohh for the record. It was not really my mothers food. It was all staged, and he kind of made himself look like a jerk for nothing

For the record!!! You can say what you want bout me, I don’t care what it is, but if it has to do wit my mom, my family don’t even mess

My moms looked upset cuz she was made to look bad for something that really had nothing to do wit her… sorry I’m venting now haha

Wouldn’t really surprise me. Now look for Stefano to be one of the two contestants who goes home next week. But more importantly, do you believe Casey Abrams actually did receive the lowest number of votes?

Sure, sure. He went first. His performance was nothing extraordinary. Dial Idol had him pegged last. Then again, how is Dial Idol even relevant anymore when so much of the voting is done via texting and Facebook, and oh, who the hell uses dial-up internet anymore?

There are lots of theories circulating on whether or not Casey’s illness is/was staged, or if this was all a big put-on because Idol has no idea how he will be able to cope with the rigorous schedule of the show, the tour, yada yada yada. American Idol is desperately trying to regain its status as a relevant, pop culture powerhouse capable of turning contestants into superstars. Children who grew up with the show no longer care, as they have not cared for some time. Plus…we all know who REALLY does all the voting.

While Stefano Langone’s Italian-American cooking momma did not really make everyone food, this was an ethnic stereotype American Idol wanted to run with — this is not the first time the show has attempted to capitalize on the nation’s fascination with Jersey Shore. But as well all know, embracing ethnicity is one of those things that won’t get you very far on American Idol.

Jacob Lusk may have received the greatest accolades from the judges during Wednesday’s Motown show, but middle-aged white women don’t vote for black men. Nor do they vote for women. Jacob Lusk is also from the Los Angeles area, hardly one that gets behind their local American Idol contestant. Why does the South produce so many winners? Community organization. Pride in one’s state, one’s country, one’s faith, pride pride pride.

Haley Reinhart, like Jacob, also performed during the middle of the show. Some people believe leading off is the kiss of death, but Idol stacks the middle with those they don’t really care about. Who is voting for Haley Reinhart? All of Milwaukee, a city where Naima Adeapo also hails? You could throw Wisconsin into the mix as it is in the midwest and largely rural, but the only American Idol winners not from the Southern U.S. are David Cook (Kansas City, MO) and Lee DeWyze (Chicago, IL).

Jacob Lusk’s gigantic voice isn’t going to sell pop albums. He’s also a black man and while he has not explicitly said it, come on. He’s gay. Jacob Lusk is a brilliant performer — check out The Awl’s incredible Divanalysis of Lusk’s Wednesday night performance — but he’s not a pop star. And middle-aged white women do not vote for black men, let alone gay black men. The LGBT population has never had an easy ride, but gay black men continue to face an especially sad journey and limited acceptance within their own communities. Even if you’re a straight black man on Idol, you’re screwed — thankfully last year’s judges’ save kept Michael Lynche around longer, but the real reason he was “voted off” to begin with was because middle-aged white women watching Idol don’t vote for black men, even if they’re the proud new papa to a baby girl and bust out the guitar to sing the occasional John Mayer tune.

Middle-aged white women DO, however, go apeshit over Idol’s gay white men more so than the straight ones (see the Glamberts and the Claymates) likely because it is easier for them to justify (in their own minds) naming themselves keeper of [insert body part] here and writing horrific slash — even if their prior experience with “gay culture” is likely limited to a hair salon they once went to, Jm J. Bullock, and Will & Grace reruns.

Allison Iraheta is La Princesa del Mariachi

Ethnicity has never played well to the majority of American Idol viewers. Would Allison Iraheta, one of my all-time favorite Idol contestants, have gone as far as she did had she played up her Hispanic heritage a la last week’s eliminated contestant Karen Rodriguez? Allison, who like Lusk is also from Southern California, had the OMG SHE IS ONLY 16 factor going for her to separate her from the competition. (Not to mention an out-of-this-world voice.) David Archuleta also had youth and the Church of Latter Day Saints on his side, so his Hispanic background became null & void. Jason Castro made it to fourth place during the same season because he did not look Colombian. Those bright blue eyes, the sandy-blond dreads, not to mention the fact his family sought to loose all their “ethnic trappings” upon moving to Texas. I do not know how much Spanish Archuleta speaks, but I seriously doubt Jason Castro and his other Idol-loving siblings know anything other than the few things they may remember from a required high school course. The addition of Jennifer Lopez to this year’s panel led to increased attention upon the Hispanic female contestants, but Karen Rodriguez was still the second person sent home. And lest we forget La Lopez really only publicly embraced her own roots as a Puerto Rican once Gigli and the Bennifer fiasco made her an absolute joke.

During season 7, Iraheta was also smartly positioned as the boys’ little sister, which probably earned her a decent share of votes along the way. But when it mattered most, and when Allison Iraheta knocked it out of the park during Season 7′s Rock Week — Allison’s duet with Adam Lambert to Foghat’s Slowride is probably one of my all-time favorite Idol performances — it was Danny Gokey who made the Top 3 even after bastardizing Aerosmith. If you’re a white and you have a penis, you’re always ahead of anyone else on American Idol. (Another sad fact? Adam Lambert and Season 5′s Elliott Yamin remain the show’s top Jewish finishers.)

But American Idol needs Jacob Lusk, just as they so desperately need a female frontrunner. They need to tell you how awesome Lauren Alaina and Pia Toscano are because this is what they want. They cannot admit they’re fully aware the most ardent fans of this show are not voting for the powerfully-voiced black man, nor can they show the world the girls aren’t getting nearly as many votes as the white boys. For the first two weeks, we only had FEMALES in the Bottom 3. Obviously for the big THESE PEOPLE GET TO GO ON THE TOUR episode, the drama & suspense factor had to be blasted on high. Better throw a boy into the mix for suspense AND to show that well, you know, someone is voting for the girls.

Idol needs another Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood because by and large, the female winners of this show do not attract the highly-visible batshit crazy element as so many of their male contestants. Clarkson and Underwood sell records, even Daughtry was unable to match the success of his/their debut with their sophomore album. What will David Cook sell with his next studio effort? Even Adam Lambert, the heavily-annointed sparkly god of all things American Idol, was unable to clear Platinum in the United States with For Your Entertainment. For the guys, a lot of this really does hinge on the fans and when a bunch of scary older ladies are requesting songs ad nauseum, going after any blogger or journalist who says anything negative, combined with the fact radio stations and record labels now know American Idol is more detrimental to one’s career than anything else. It’s a golden ticket to disappointment. Let’s ask Lee DeWyze in a year or two how he feels about winning?

Today’s plucked from obscurity superstars are discovered via YouTube (see Justin Bieber). American Idol is still on MySpace. Their desired audience is barely watching TV because they’re too busy playing games on Facebook and texting their friends. American Idol was something they watched as children with their families. How many teenagers are still sitting down with Mom (& Dad) to watch American Idol every week? It’s about as cool as…MySpace.

The conspiracy theorist in me believes this week’s bottom 3 included Lusk, and probably Naima, whom I just adore and believe to be the most marketable in the pop realm of any female on the show at this time, because you know, she’s “out there” and is really into Africa and stuff. Africa. It’s kind of ethnic and stuff, even with Angelina Jolie adopting all those babies. But throw a sickly Casey Abrams into the mix and you have instant drama, yet we can’t forget a Simon-less Idol is a kinder and gentler one, so let’s have all Top 11 contestants go on tour. NO ONE CRIES. EVERYONE IS HAPPY.

If there was any male solidly in the Bottom 3, one would have to go with Stefano Langone. His take on Lionel Richie’s Hello was straight up cruise ship lounge singer performing for a shipboard wedding. This especially did not win him any points with David Cook fans, many of whom are, in fact, batshit crazy, yet I do agree with them on the fact no other contestant should take on Hello after Cook’s beyond-brilliant alt-rockish rendition of the song during the Season 7 semifinals. This single performance changed the landscape of the show. Being a musician became just as important as having the vocal chops, and Cook’s fellow contestants were forced to up their game based on Cook’s rock-solid performance early on. (The Hollywood Reporter’s Shirley Halperin agrees about the importance of David Cook’s Hello in American Idol’s 10-season history) No Idol contestant has ever played the game as smartly as David Cook.

Back on topic. So who’s currently “winning” this whole damn thing? Don’t count out Paul McDonald, who is impeccable Idol cougar bait if I’ve ever seen it. He’s in his mid-20s, therefore old woman believe it is acceptable to talk about doing all sorts of nasty things to him. He is a WGWG and not hideously unattractive although that never stops them). He’s from Tennessee. He has an interesting voice and reminds them of Rod Stewart. Even if I really to see what his teeth look like underneath a black light, I actually like Paul McDonald. Because I actually DO like him, I already feel bad for the guy since it does seem as if he really does have zero idea of what happens to guys who go on this show. Here’s a great idea, 19 Entertainment — how about putting Paul McDonald and Crystal Bowersox together on a cross-country small venue tour? Hell, getting Bowersox at SXSW was one of the best post-Idol moves I’ve seen, but I’m betting manager Gina Orr (formerly of Jive) was behind that coup.

But who is REALLY winning? Most likely babylockthemdoors Scotty McCreery. Aiken E. Newman is a fine, upstanding young man from North Carolina. He likes Jesus and baseball. He is 17. He sings country and only country. He’s geographically ideal — remember COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION — and he’s also a surefire moneymaker for 19 Entertainment even if he just makes the Top 5. He’ll get a record deal in Nashville and will be touring with Sugarland next summer, a la Danny Gokey and now Casey James (last year’s 3rd-place finisher). Securing a country-singing male is now necessary every season after American Idol realized that yes, there might be a decent-sized audience for a Bucky Covington. Of course, country-izing Danny Gokey will always make me laugh because no matter how many albums he makes in Nashville, that boy will never be country to me. — (Side note: Still convinced Gokey went country because Kris Allen told them to shove it upon the suggestion that he was quasi-country as he is from Arkansas and plays guitar. Kris Allen is cool like that.) American Idol needs a country boy because while he will never be the cash cow, he will produce a positive ROI and keep those viewers below the Mason-Dixon Line happy.

Scotty McCreery looks a bit like Clay AIken

Presenting...Aiken E. Newman

But that Scotty McCreery, well golly gee, he really is country. And the people voting for contestants on this show like that country music. He’s also young. More than anything, American Idol needs a young winner…if only to convince themselves those crazy old ladies with the homemade quilts and boxes of Triscuits and puffy-paint-on-posterboard signs crowding the barricades to the tour buses while sweltering underneath the hot summer sun are not the ones determining “the stars” of their aging talent show.

Just as they want you to believe they love black people, and tan people, and even the Jews…American Idol wants to manipulate. (They SAVED former Hebrew school attendee Casey Abrams! You do know the real reason the Christian Right is always behind Israel. Same thing. Kind of.) They want it to be somewhere between 2003-2005 and they will do anything they can to convince you of this fact. Even with high ratings, American Idol lost its relevancy awhile ago. It’s a pop culture relic of the early 00s. People might watch, but they don’t actually care. Just because you still have a MySpace profile doesn’t mean you ever log in.

from → American Idol

  • cb

    Ooh, I love conspiracy therories. Don’t usually believe them, but love hearing them. I’m sure the show is edited/scripted/arranged to skew things as much their way as they can. Probably carefully worded “bottom 3″ too. But not straight out putting the wrong people in the bottom three.

    I’m wondering if the type of viewers that would be Casey fans either don’t vote often or thought he was safe and didn’t vote. I thought that’s what happened to Chris Daughtry – everyone thought he was safe. I’ve been watching for all 10 seasons and I rarely vote. Except for that time I was provided with a new cell phone and chicken sandwiches ;)

    I’m also wondering if Casey has something like IBS or Crohns disease.

    And TI, thanks for reminding me how much I like Cook. Where is that next album?

    • JaneRochester

      Casey tweeted about two weeks ago, just after his first hospitalization, that he has chronic ulcerative colitis.

  • Pam

    I am a “sometimes” conspiracy theorist, and this time, I’m on the bandwagon that Casey was not actually in the bottom 3. Stefano and Thia, yes, but I think that Haley was actually in there as well. I want to like Haley, I really do, but I think she’s just struggling too hard to be liked. I think her best week was when she sang LeAnn Rimes, and I don’t even like country music! I also think that the contestant with the lowest number of votes was either Stefano or Thia, but they need both of them on the tour. Stefano because he’s cute and non-threatening and Thia, because they need to continue to tell us that she’s the youngest contestant ever on the show. So they put Casey in there, knowing that using the save in this way would make for exciting TV. Plus, they change the tour up a little bit, which will generate more interest in it.

    I have to take exception to the stereotype of a middle-aged woman, which I’m probably considered since I’m 44, even if I don’t want to admit it. I will vote for a black man (gay or straight) and for a woman (gay or straight, ethnic or not) if I feel they are worth my vote. However, Jacob is not marketable as a pop star. If this was Gospel Idol, then hell yeah – I’d vote like crazy for him. But he is wrong for this show. I do vote for Naima. I love her ethnicity, her fashion style, and her fearlessness. She’s not the most polished vocal, but those on this show who have the polished vocals are boring beyond belief.

    I have said since the beginning of this season that I think Scotty might just win the whole thing. He’s young, sings well, and is All-American country. Plus, the kid just seems likable. He plays sports and seems comfortable in his own skin. He’s not trying to be something he’s not. He seems like the kind of kid that my teenage son would hang out with, and like the kind I wouldn’t mind my teenage daughter dating. Plus, my 10 y/o daughter loves him and my dad, who watches the show, really likes Scotty. He definitely is one who crosses all ages.

    I do think that people are ready to move on from this show. It’s time for something fresh. They’ve tried to make changes, but it’s just not the same. It’ll be interesting to see if X Factor will offer something new.

    • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

      I wish The X-Factor would just get PAULA as a judge.

  • ross

    Well, if you want to talk theories, it seems kind of obvious to me that women did better on Idol before intruments were allowed (and will do better this season, now that there is only limited use of instruments).

    Prior to season 7, four of the six Idol winners were women.

    It’s not that women don’t play instruments, or don’t do well on Idol, if they play them. It’s that men in the pop or rock field generally do play instruments. So the amount of male solo singers, divas, call them what you want, is never as huge as the number of female singers who do the diva thing or the solo singer thing. This is true in both real life and in Idol land.

    How many male solo singers are big in pop or rock? Yet there are several women I can name. (Not that these women don’t play instruments, ever – but just that they’re successful as solo singers.) Men are generally more successful fronting bands.

    I think this season there has been an obvious effort to make it a more of a girls’ year by eliminating instruments most of the time.

    • On The Edge

      This theory may have some merit. Season 7 my favorite girl was Brooke White. I woul have been totally fine with Cook losing to her. Not surprisingly I’m also a fan of Carole King, Tori Amos, Alicia Keys, and GWPs (girls with pianos) in general. Sadly Brooke let her nerves get the best of her; still bought both her albums plus her iTunes EP. I wonder if she had shown more confidence if she would have finished higher? Does the general public prefer their female singers to be sans instrument? I remember radio directors telling me to never put two female singers back to back on the playlist; that listeners didn’t like hearing a woman’s voice for more than a few minutes (I also thought it was a STUPID rule). Does that play into it?

      Sorry if this reads like rambling…TI’s site doesn’t translate well to the iPhone.

      • JaneRochester

        Wow. Listeners don’t like hearing a female voice for more than a few minutes? That is so depressing. Guess I should take Adele’s latest album off its loop on my ipod, eh?

        • On The Edge

          Gotta love the good old fashioned sexism from the old radio guard (please tell me you could hear the sarcasm from where you are). I do have to agree in one respect…I flipped stations one day and found Monica Crowley (conservative talk radio) and I sure got sick of her after a few minutes!

          • ross

            I’m just saying there aren’t a lot of male solo acts in pop or rock, are there? (Maybe there are, I don’t know.) Like if Chris Daughtry went out as a solo singer, that wouldn’t make sense. Who are the male equivalents of Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Britney, Pink, Miley Cyrus, etc.? I guess you could say Michael Buble, Josh Groban are solo acts. There are a lot of country guys who are solo-billed, as well as a lot of r&b guys.

            Anyhow, in a roundabout way I’m saying back in the day when intruments weren’t allowed, more females won probably because it was harder to find a greatly talented male performer who was the same type of solo artist.

          • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

            I want my Amy Winehouse back.

          • jukejoint

            In the old days, there was James Taylor and Neil Young and Rod Stewart. They’re still making money off their records, I think, and touring and all that good stuff. I think Elton John, this week’s mentor, is another example. And after them, Billy Joel and Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. More straight pop, we’ve even had two generations of Iglesiases, when I could’ve done with none. Plus people like Springsteen, Tom Petty and Elvis Costello who were associated with one band most of the time, but known for their solo stuff, too.

            Currently, I notice Bruno Mars and Ray LaMontagne (who I believe just got dropped by his label) as solo acts people like from different parts of the spectrum. Jack Johnson. Sufjan Stevens. Jason Mraz, of course. Chris Brown, till he had his, er, troubles. Jason Derulo? And don’t forget the Bieb. Is Ne-Yo still cool? Drake, Taio Cruz, Usher, Kanye, Eminem… One of the Jo Bros (Nick? I don’t know them apart) is certainly the equivalent of a Selena Gomez if not a Miley Cyrus.

            I always wondered why Idol didn’t promote contestants like Nikko Smith. He was R&B, he sang okay, he could dance okay, and he had major connections, what with being the son of St. Louis Cardinals great Ozzie Smith. But they had their eye on Carrie that year, the third girl winner in the first four years of the show. We’re still only 5-4 boys to girls, so I don’t get what the big outrage is. To me, it’s all about who they cast and who they want to promote. I don’t honestly think Kat McPhee was all that popular with voters her season, but Nigel talked her up endlessly, and she got all kinds of attention for her “Over the Rainbow” and her clothes and her boobs and her weight and everything else they could think of except the 900-year-old boyfriend. Meanwhile, they gave Elliott the “thanks for playing, you poor unfortunate goat-boy” routine, with lots of good comments early to keep him around, but then terrible positioning and talk about his sweat and his teeth later on to get him out. He’s had the best r&b boy voice I can remember on the show, even though he’s white, and got a hit pop single that suited the market nicely.

          • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

            Elliott Yamin also has a gigantic Japanese following and has done decently releasing independent stuff. I recall really enjoying that one song he put out, even though I’m not a big R&B fan. And yes, in spite of my cruel cold heart, the scene of him and Mamma Yamin in the back of that convertible during his homecoming still chokes me up every time they play it during the Idol homecoming episodes. Another thing awesome about Yamin? He’s been known to stick it to his over-zealous frauen when necessary. He also dates some model. Guy hasn’t done too badly for himself for a third-place finisher on American Idol.

            Being the son of the greatest shortstop of all time hurt Nikko Smith. No one likes to vote for those who have such a pedigree, in fact, I’m shocked Jordin Smith won with her father playing in the NFL. Ayla Brown was on her way to BC on a basketball scholarship and the daughter of a then-state senator.

            Personally, I’ve never understood why we haven’t heard more from Nikko Smith. Even when I go home, I don’t recall ever seeing him play anywhere. But I still think he could be pretty marketable. Also to note: My brother-in-law still swears he got booted because that show aired the night of the Cardinals season opener. Honestly, its a viable theory if I ever heard one.

  • jukejoint

    Several years ago, I was discussing whether Idol was rigged/manipulated/scripted beyond an inch of its life with my husband, who has never seen an episode of this nonsense in his life. He gave me this look, like just a little arch of the eyebrow, but mostly deadpan. And he said something like, “It’s reality TV. Of course it’s fake. This is the first you’re thinking it’s all scripted?”

    The “What’s wrong with you and what happened to the person with a brain I married?” was implied, not out loud, but still…

    I think when Nigel is around, it’s scripted within an inch of its life. What the contestants know is a different question, but they certainly know the ones that aren’t favorites of the producers are not allowed the same song choices as the ones that are, that certain backstories and storylines are pushed while others are ignored, that certain people sing late in the show far more than the others, that some get tons of screentime and attention while others get none, that Nigel will use every trick in the book to push his agenda, from gospel choirs to special lighting and talking up whoever he wants in his tweets and radio spots. He’s admitted in the past that he puts people in the bottom three just to mess with viewers’ heads and make for better TV. If it was already pre-determined that all 11 would go on tour and the judges already had their instructions that tonight’s bootee would be “saved,” then why wouldn’t he pretend that Casey was at the bottom for maximum drama?

    In terms of singing order, so far Scotty is the big winner. He’s never sung in the first half of the show. Scotty just may be your Chosen One right there.

  • muzikizmi

    One of the rules that is different for this season, is that the Universal music producers can sign anyone they want, regardless of where that contestant places. My guess is that one of them wants to make a jazz record with Casey, and that is why he was saved. They want him to get a few more weeks of free TV, before he gets booted again.

    After watching some youtubes this morning, I think Jimmy Iovine is already drawing up plans for James Durbin’s debut album, so I am not going to stress over his spot in the lineup.

  • cimi

    Sorry– “one trick pony?” I haven’t read past that comment yet but seriously? “one trick pony?
    Adam was thee only reason I watched that year. He put a very hard to stop grin on my face each and every time I saw him on idol. And even these 2 and 1/2 yrs. later, he STILL puts that grin on my face. Perhaps you didn’t watch the intelligence of his interviews after the show? His articulateness and quick wit? To me, Adam is more than “a one trick pony.” He IS the most interesting entertainer I have ever had the pleasure to view. It aint all about his high voice for most of us “older gals” (i’m 46) , it’s about listening to him speak and hearing his brain. And there is something else about him that I still quite haven’t put my finger on yet. Now, as much as i really, really like this fella, he does do some dorky, nerdy things, as do the rest of us, at times. But all in all, if was to be stranded on a deserted Island, I would take him and Jesus with me!

    • Westie

      Every fan of every other Idol can say the same. Just because his whatever turns the crank on your whatever doesn’t mean he’s the best thing ever on Idol. He is in your eyes but others will disagree and be as right in their estimation as you are in yours.

      • muzikizmi

        Westie, I want to frame that post. Brilliant.

      • Blue Eyes

        Westie is exactly correct. Also depends on your taste in music. Some people like a loud screaming voice, some people don’t and there’s no right or wrong.

    • ross

      I never really could enjoy watching Adam being interviewed, so it’s definitely all a matter of taste. I seem to feel I’m seeing through what he’s saying. It’s not necessarily insincere, but it’s on the glib side. I always seem to be able to predict what he’s gonna say.

    • Daf

      Jesus, after reading cimi’s comment, especially this phrase “it’s about listening to him speak and hearing his brain”, I think I’m hearing my brain, too. After reading over two years of their inane comments and viewing their blubbering ass licking, I can hear my brain sloshing around in my skull, like their insanity got into my brain and turned it to mush. WTF is it about these women fans of American Idol contestants who think that THEIR favorite is the end all, THE BEST, compared to the others? I don’t get this shit, at all. It’s starting again this year with Willy Whispers (Paul), the women are getting all hot and bothered by him now, too. Blech.

      • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

        I’ve also never understood the Adam Lambert is a brilliant interview bit. I’ve never found anything he has to say particularly original or witty. Its not a knock against him, that’s just not who he is. I don’t feel like he ever offers up anything deep or ponderous when talking to the press.

        • On The Edge

          The only time I’ve really liked Adam in interview situations is when he was with Kris. I swear to FSM I’m not a shipper, a slasher or any of that. But yes, I liked their friendship and their comraderie. I even liked how they would tease the shipper nuts, knowing they’d flip out.

          • JaneRochester

            I agree. Adam & Kris together were all kinds of fun. I miss those days.

            Poor Paulie Whites. He’s sooo screwed.

        • ross

          I’ve also never understood the Adam Lambert is a brilliant interview bit. I’ve never found anything he has to say particularly original or witty.

          Exactly. I don’t mean it as a knock, either. It’s just that I don’t get it.

          • DeeDee

            I don’t think it is that he is very original or witty but rather what he does say is expressed articulately. I also enjoyed his interviews with Kris because I think they brought out the best in each other. Adam seemed more real and sincere, and Kris more relaxed and able to let his personality shine through.

          • ross

            The original poster talked about “quick wit” and “intelligence” and I think that’s what we were responding to – as for articulateness I don’t see anything extraordinary there, tbh, but I’ll give him articulateness if you insist. lol. Anyhow, Noel Coward he isn’t, imho.

          • Burgundy LaRue

            Adam speaks well. But he isn’t a great conversationalist. Very few are, so it’s not a knock against him. Adam does a good job with the fluffy interviews and that’s it. Nothing more is expected, nothing more is given.

          • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

            Yeah. He’s not at asshole, he’s just not some extraordinary interview. The two are unrelated. There are lots of people who give much worse interviews, as there are those who give great ones.

        • B York

          Ross pegged it perfectly. Adam comes across as glib in every interview I’ve heard.

          • ross

            He’s an average or good interview, so it’s just a WTF? moment when his fans claim it’s fabulous, that’s really the point, I think.

      • Pandora

        And for FFS, the Glamberts are back on the Knoll on TWOP too. Another site to avoid for a while…

        • DeeDee

          Those Glamberts are way more annoying than Adam Lambert could ever be.

      • B York

        Willy Whispers (LOL) is playing to the key AI demographic. Why else would he send the BSC this gift: “Outside, I’m masturbating…” ;-)

    • FreeDavidCook

      Now Adam really is a one trick pony but that James Turbin is filled with all sorts of moves and variety. He’s a multi trick pony even if some of the tricks suck…

      • Daf

        Right on, FreeDavidCook, right on! Now THERE’S a true rockstar. Perhaps Lambert should take some lessons from James in the rock god department.

        • Gene

          Looks like James Durbin is already attracting delusional Idol fantards. He is just one of Top 11 American Idol contestants, and he hasn’t sold one album yet. Branding him a “true rockstar” is ridiculous when he hasn’t accomplished anything in the music industry. You’re assuming that James is even going to be successful as a rock artist? If he does the music his metal rock band did before Idol he has no chance for radio play after Idol. If he changes his style I don’t know but fans of metal rock are not going to embrace someone coming off of idol.

  • ross

    I wouldn’t have voted for that performance. I don’t think it’s a stretch that someone who was bad ends up with the least number of votes.

  • JaneRochester

    I’m as cynical as the next bastard, but I don’t believe that Idol would lie about someone being Bottom 3 or going home. Payola was a lot of years ago, but its taint lingers. However, I pay vigilant attention to Ryan’s words, because I *do* believe that they put people on the stools who aren’t Bottom 3, but if he doesn’t call them Bottom 3, then TPTB aren’t technically lying.

    As for persons of color having trouble rising to the top, I don’t know why that should surprise anyone. The viewing audience is mostly white, and American Idol watchers (like serial killers) tend to target their own kind.

    Good for Stefano, calling out those twerps in defense of his mom. That took some balls.

    My husband watches the show with me from time to time, and he commented the other night about the whole “the cute guy always wins” thing. That got me thinking, and I’ve decided I don’t agree.

    David Cook was far & away the strongest performer of his year. There was no competition in S7. S8 was a tougher race, but Kris really was the best-rounded and most interesting performer–there is no denying Adam has talent, but he was closer to a one-trick pony than Kris.

    Last year, between Crystal and Lee (Casey gave it a serious college try, but he’s too much a musician rather than a singer), Lee played it smarter both in song choice and demeanor. None of those issues have anything to do with what a person looks like.

    But it would be miiiiiiighty interesting to see how it all played/plays out if it were a one person/one vote universe.

    • caspar

      The viewing audience is mostly white Yes, well, the United States is still mostly white, so this shouldn’t be a huge surprise. It will take a ‘special’ non-Caucasian to win Idol, but somewhere out there is a singing version of Obama.

      I don’t think ‘one trick pony’ was the issue with Lambert. It was that unlike Cook or Kris, he came to the show fully developed, showed it immediately, and didn’t really have anywhere to go from there. ‘Growth’ is very big meme on Idol, and Lambert didn’t do his homework.

      • caspar

        I should have mentioned that Idol’s AA audience as a percent of the total is close to matching national demographics. And I bet a big chunk of those viewers are also middle aged ladies. Thus the voting for Jacob, Fat Mike, Chikezie, etc- all old school R&B stylists.

  • suew

    Top Idol, the question I have after reading this great stuff is: Do middle aged white women vote for black men? :) I jest.

    I have no doubt A.E. Newman will win the thing – he’s just your All American country boy who happens to have a big deep voice for singing country music. The south, who judging from information like Kerry Kersch’s book and whatnot (not that I’ve read it or anything), can rally around anyone and get them voted in. Especially with help from AT&T and Chicken restaurants. I’m sensing there will be large voting parties in the South for Newman.

    I think Casey was in the bottom three. If Idol was skewing the results for dramatic purposes, and it was ever leaked out, which would inevitably happen what with TMZ and whatnot, the show would lose any credibility it had with viewers. Plus, as much as I like Casey, it wasn’t his best performance, and he had the unfortunate position of going first. If I was watching the show for the first time this season I might not have voted for him. I did, however, vote for him a number of times, because I totally dig his, dare I say it – artistry? Not to mention, he’s not handsome in a conventional way, so your middle aged demographic probably is voting for Paul instead of him. If Casey look like, say, David Cook or Kris Allen, he’d probably be at the top of the heap every week.

    • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

      TMZ also released the crap about the haunted mansion. They have a very seemingly tight relationship with Idol, as the stuff that’s leaked to TMZ about the show during the season never really does anything against the show’s reputation.

      Oddly enough, Kerry Kolsch is rooting for Aiken E. Newman this season…I know, I know. Makes complete sense, doesn’t it?

      • JaneRochester

        Ummm…no. Makes no sense. Where does she lurk? I gotta see this. I think.

      • Miz

        OK, that is the funniest thing I’ve heard yet! Personally, I think TMZ’s ‘source’ is Ryan because the type of junk they report sounds like the BS he pulls out of his ass.

        • Miz

          Funny being KK and Scotty love … not TMZ.

        • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

          I agree. Like last year’s Seacrest talking Bowersox off the ledge parking lot story.

  • http://princessleia04.livejournal.com SarahBeth

    This is probably one of my favorite posts that I’ve read lately.

    My entire twitter feed went NUTS when Stefano sang Hello – and didn’t even do anything good or interesting with it. Hello is what made me sit up and NOTICE Cook. He owned that song, as well as most things he sang – also on my short list of his are Eleanor Rigby, Billie Jean, Always Be My Baby, and World I Know. Oh as well as Music of the Night.

    I firmly believe that by the time that the kids get in to see the producer that week, they have a VERY short list of songs that have been picked for them – they never ever see the full list, as they have in years past.

    If you’re going to try to do something that someone ELSE has made iconic on the show, you need to at least do it well.

    • suew

      I completely agree. Interestingly enough, David Cook’s “Hello” was the song that first hooked me on Idol. I was in the hospital recovering from surgery, flipping the remote, and happened upon Idol. I had never seen the show before. After seeing Cook sing “Hello”, I was a fan from then on out.

      • http://princessleia04.livejournal.com SarahBeth

        I had never watched Idol before S7 either, except in passing. I had actually seen Cook sing All Right Now the week before and then saw him talk back to Simon – and I didn’t think he’d be around much longer. But he definitely made me curious – I saw him sing Hello the next week and I was DONE. But I also really loved the entire top 10 that year (Actually top 12) – it was a really well rounded group – everyone was great and there were only a few who got onto my last nerve (Syesha, I’m looking at you) and I actually went to the tour that year and had a blast. :)

        • suew

          I agree! The top 12 was great that year – I keep waiting every year for it to compare and it just doesn’t. I went to the tour that year too – and justified it by taking my 13 year old niece (but would have gone anyway). The group had alot of energy, as well did the crowd. I compare it with last year’s tour which I also went to see and the crowd was nowhere near as into it – and also lots of empty seats.

        • Burgundy LaRue

          I remember Cook talked back to Simon. I remember giving a really smart reply to Seacrest when asked about what did he think about criticism coming from Simon or something like that. Cook’s response? “I don’t.” I LOVED that, but figured that he would be shown the door after that.

          I believe someone saw how well Cook was doing with the voting, and told him to cool it with the sarcasm, because he was pretty chill after that.

  • barado

    Yeah, I can’t believe Casey was even in the bottom three, – not that he didn’t deserve it, but because of the voters’ demographics and history as you said.

    As for Stefano, I think I read that the producers pushed “Hello” on him and he didn’t even know the song. Confirmation, anyone? They must really hate Stefano, even more now that he debunked the Gordon Ramsey thing so publicly.

  • spinningfasterandfastertonowhere

    I have always said that many women see American Idol more like a dating game show than a singing contestant….lol Like their own version of the Bachelorette, and their vote is like the rose.

    The rest of the contestants are just fodder. They are the chaffe to be sifted out before their love interest wins the prize of their rose…I mean the title of American Idol.

  • caspar

    I find it very easy to believe Casey really was bottom. I voted for him once; his last 2 performances have been ugly in every way. In fact, I started to see him as kind of a posturing jerk with very little self awareness.
    I’ve been voting for Naima and James, who are by far the most entertaining and (to me) likeable and promising singers/performers in the group.But I don’t expect them to last too long, they’re too odd.
    Final 3 will be Scotty, Pia and probably Old McDonald, ugh.

    TI, what I like about Idol is that it’s one of the last successful community kinds of entertainment out there, thriving despite the distractions of cyberspace. I mean, it cuts across all levels of society. You watch it , hillbillies watch it, Hillary Clinton watches it, Ann Althouse watches it. I can talk to my 23 year old colleague at work about it- yes, there are young people still watching it. I like the, dare I say, democratic aspect of it.

    • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

      I definitely agree people still watch it. But they don’t about it like they used to. You’re not always going to work or school and talking about what happened on Idol last night anymore. Its not as constant.

      • ross

        That’s so true, because I remember five years ago everyone I worked with talked about it (and I didn’t, because I didn’t watch it). Now no one there talks about it or watches it (except me).

    • spinningfasterandfastertonowhere

      There was a story that Scotty has caught the attention of Simon and not any other contestant. I think Simon realizes that he needs a young STRAIGHT teen male contestant on his new show X-Factor for his show to have a chance at a successful winner.

      Archie started off OK, but then it became clear that later on Archie found girls icky. AI for a couple of years has been dominated by older frauen viewers/voters who do not want young teen boy singers, and won’t financially support their choice. Teens will buy everything and it is about the bottom line and the shows credibility after the show ends and the winner is crowned.

      • JaneRochester

        I’m confused. Why would Scotty be on X-Factor?

        • spinningfasterandfastertonowhere

          uh…he isn’t. But I believe Simon is seeing how he would do on the show because he is interested in how placing a young male teen, like a Justin Bieber type or similar, would do on X-Factor. That is why Simon is asking for groups and R/B and Soul singers, especially young teens, to audition for X-Factor.

      • Miz

        I think the story was that a reporter asked Simon if he hated anyone on this year’s AI. He said he wasn’t paying attention and he didn’t know any of them. There’s only one person whose voice he remembered (not a negative or positive) and that was a young man with a really deep voice.

        That the voice stood out is no indication of what Simon is looking for on XFactor.

  • Miz

    I thought Stefano said the food that Ryan had and pushed on that ass, Ramsey, was a prop and not his Mom’s. His Mom did cook for them all at the house. The kids tweeted about it and tweeted pictures when it was happening.

    The TMZ story about Casey is bogus too. At least 2 news/entertainment shows on Friday debunked it as a lie.

    I’m a middle aged woman (I hate the stereotypes) and looking over who I backed and voted for over the years – Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Bo Bice (liked the rocker), Ruben Studdard, Elliot Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks (yeah, I liked the boys that year), Melinda Doolittle, Alexis Grace, David Cook, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Crystal Bowersox. This year – Naima Adedapo.

    I believe Casey really did get the least amount of votes and I believe that was the real bottom three.

    • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

      But do you name these people’s body parts? Then you’re fine. :)

      • Miz

        Uhh, that would be a negative. I also don’t have fantasies about them or think we’re real life BFFs or that it is my mission in life to protect and serve them.

        • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

          What about bringing Triscuits or Cheez-its? ;)

          • Miz

            LOL … I read that as I was munching on a Triscuit with cream cheese and blackberry jam. Who is the Triscuit fan? I may have misjudged them.

        • Blue Eyes

          That means you’re not one of the REAL fan. lol!

        • et

          You better turn in your fan card, then. Shame.

    • Blue Eyes

      Yes, you will be outed as a troll and not one of REAL fans. All the fanboards will be given your name and warned about you. If you even try to post again, you will be humiliated and bullied by a bunch women worse than a bunch of pack hounds. Run for your life!

  • On The Edge

    The real test will be when the non-white, non-female contestants start quickly getting booted off X-Factor and “The Voice.” Then maybe networks will finally wake up to the fact that middle-aged female voters have taken over their reality competitions. I wonder…how many records would the winners sell if the JUDGES were the ones making the picks? Since only a small fraction of viewers actually vote, I doubt it would hurt ratings.

    • et

      I’m interested to see how voting goes on those shows, too, as compared to Idol. I watched “The Sing-Off” kinda religiously (what can I say, I loved the groups this year) and liked to peek in the Twitter feed and see what people were saying about it and noticed that it was very, very heavy on comments from African-Americans so maybe it’s the type of music you’re putting out there that draws different groups in, who knows. Maybe Idol needs a capella night ;) Now, two years running the Sing-Off was won by all-male groups, too, so it isn’t an easy road for women there, either. Then again, you’re not going to hear me saying the final two either year were wrong (NOTA/Bubs and Committed/Street Corner Symphony). Hmm, but I’m a 37 yr old white lady… haha.

      I adore Naima but I can’t count how many of my relatives (conservative white folks, ha) say “I don’t get her” – is she too… ethnic? I think she has a boatload of star potential but I can’t imagine she’s going to last much longer. I’m just glad she made the tour, I’ve been rooting for her for a while :) I remember Big Mike got lots of “he’s arrogant!” comments and I was lonely in liking him. Of course there also is *again* a lack of a cute R&B African-American boy… why can’t they find one?! I think they’d do well. Maybe.

      BTW, I really like Casey, I think he’s quite a musician though a bit frenetic the past couple weeks. And I do NOT think he’s cute, haha. I was hopelessly sucked in by Idol and cried when he was saved. I know, smack me. It was good TV. Well, and I had PMS. But still. I’m the dreaded “middle age white woman” (well, not quite, I plan to live past 74 if I can help it) and sorta from the South (though I don’t think Northern VA really qualifies anymore) and Christian (but quietly in a laid back way haha) but… then again even though I’m a Cooktard (no sense denying it, y’all know me by now) I don’t buy him food, I don’t name his body parts, and I don’t even make puffy paint signs or flat Davids. Bad, bad Cooktard. So maybe I can be a fringe dreaded white lady Idol viewer? Like sorta-dreaded?

      • http://topidolblog.com TopIdol

        Shall I post the photo of the woman wearing Cook earrings and a hearing aid again? ;) Its always been one of my favorites.

        • et

          Haha, do it! I sat behind one at VA Beach – old enough to be my mama, no less – who for real had earrings with his face on them. I was frightened.

        • et

          I, alas, have no clothing/jewelry/tattoo with his face/name/lyrics/picture of his dog or bandmate on them. I really suck at tarding.

        • cb

          How did I miss that pic? Please post! Though that seems normal after seeing tattoos, etc.

          I am willing to consider getting a tat of et’s adorable puppy though ;)

      • JaneRochester

        Yeah, I think Naima is too ethnic for a lot of people. I can picture them-thar folks flinging themselves deeper into their Barcaloungers when she busted out the Serengeti moves on Wednesday night. I thought it was awesome. I can see one of her shows being a serious passel of fun. But if she even makes it to Top 5, I’ll be stunned. Thrilled, but stunned.

        I never got an arrogant vibe from Big Mike, but I was also only mildly interested in him until the tour and Late Night Sandwich started, then I fell in love. I still say he needs a TV show. WTH is he up to, anyway?

        And why didn’t Casey J play GEE-tar for Sugarland on Thursday? That seems like a no-brainer to me. I would have even watched their entire performance if he had.

        Jacob is growing on me. I love gospel, and when he holds back the cray, I think he sounds great. And his refusal to discuss wrestling in the clips on Thursday was adorable. I’d be ok if he sticks around a while, as long as he keeps his inner minstrel in the closet. (That is in no way a gay joke.)

        I’m a way suckier Cooktard than you, et. I have yet to see him live. :(

        • et

          Aww, I hope you get to see him live this time around! He really does put on a great show.

          I do love Jacob, lots. My sister also adores her “gay Luther” as she fondly calls him (she voted last week for the first time since she voted once for Adam lol). He has that big old voice and then I kinda love this huge guy who is more feminine than I am in the most charming of ways :) I don’t really have a way out in favorite right now, but I lean towards Casey/Jacob/Naima. I like pretty much all of them (the only ones that annoy me are Hayley and her sex kitten thing that makes me uncomfortable and Lauren who makes me feel bad because I know she’s just a kid). So I guess with some strong performances someone else can move to the front :) Really, I just want the show to entertain me. If I find new music to buy afterwards, GREAT, but that’s a bonus. My life is stressful. I reserve a couple hours a week of teevee time for Idol to get a breather… so make it good, dammit.

  • jukejoint

    Yay!!! You agree with me on the brown people and female people probably being at the bottom and Idol not wanting to admit it!!! Somebody thinks I’m not insane!