American Idol

[Alia16]

IT'S OFFICIAL. AMERICANS ARE IDIOTS.

[maudmac]

'American Idol' Voting Strikes Sour Note



Thu Apr 22,10:33 PM ET

       



By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer



LOS ANGELES - Theories flew fast and furious Thursday after the "American Idol" viewer vote went against favorite Jennifer Hudson, ranging from racism to fateful weather to teenage puppy love.



Or maybe America just has a tin ear.



While Hudson and two other singers lavishly praised by the show's judges ended up at the bottom of the heap Wednesday night, contestants who gave marginal performances were top vote-getters.



Hudson, Fantasia Barrino and La Toya London — "The Three Divas," as they've become known — seemed to have the best shot at taking the Fox TV contest. But they were less popular than their competition, including redheaded crooner John Stevens, a 16-year-old whose highest compliment from the judges was that he was a nice guy.



With the lowest vote tally, Hudson was bumped from the show. Even series host Ryan Seacrest chastised viewers.



"America, don't forget you have to vote for the talent. You have to keep your favorites in the competition. You cannot let talent like this slip through the cracks," he said after results were announced Wednesday.



Series judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul play an advisory role after helping winnow down the field of 70,000 applicants to 32 semi-finalists and then, with viewers, to 12 finalists. The audience takes charge from there until the winner is picked.



Hudson, appearing Thursday on Seacrest's talk show — Fox's "On-Air With Ryan Seacrest" — said it was the public outcry, more than the vote, that shocked her. "I didn't realize the impact that I had," she said.



A storm that caused a power outage in the Midwest may have been a factor in Hudson's ouster, TV entertainment newsmagazine "Extra" said Thursday.



More than 15,000 people in Hudson's hometown of Chicago were unable to watch the show or dial in Tuesday night, when the vote turned out to be the closest in the show's three-year history, "Extra" said.



Jackson, who said losing Hudson was "nuts," told "Extra" he thought the outage could have been a problem but it wasn't enough to alter the outcome. Fox didn't release the viewer vote count this week, but about 24 million votes were recorded last week.



Others offered more cynical assessments.



"It simply seems inconceivable that the 'Idol' results would turn out this way," Sam Rubin, an entertainment reporter with local station KTLA, said on the air. "You would almost expect (boxing promoter) Don King to replace Ryan, it looked so fixed."



"'American Idol' is telling the world that John actually got more votes than Jennifer," one outraged fan wrote in a Web site posting. "The bottom 3 is really the top 3. It was rigged!!"



The New York Post reported it was deluged with calls complaining that the voting was racially motivated: Hudson, Barrino and London are black. (The Post is owned by News Corp., which also owns Fox TV.)



George Huff, still in the competition, is black, as was last year's winner, Ruben Studdard. "American Idol," unlike other reality shows featuring competition, is more popular in black homes than white homes.



For the current season, the show was watched in 19 percent of all black households, compared to 15 percent of white households, according to Nielsen Media Research.



Questions of racism also came up in the first season, after talented Tamyra Gray was voted off.



A call to Fox for comment on this week's vote was not immediately returned.



One online posting compared the contest results to Academy Award voting.



"It is the same in years when someone wins an Oscar because three better films split the votes. The three ladies more than likely have people voting along the same demographic and that splits their vote," the message said.



Other remaining contestants are Diana DeGarmo and Jasmine Trias.



Internet chatter included speculation that the female teen audience the show attracts in big numbers was skewing the vote toward the male contestants, Huff and Stevens.



For London "to be put in the bottom three proved what Simon has been saying all along ... 'That's what you get when America votes,'" another online message proclaimed.



"As proven with last night's results, you can never assume that any contestant is safe," said "American Idol" executive producer Ken Warwick. "You can never assume that they have enough votes. It's imperative that viewers vote for their favorite idol every week."



For the contestants, a recording contract and instant career are at stake. But the show has produced winners among those who didn't finish first: Last season's runner-up, Clay Aiken, has outsold Studdard, while third-place finisher Kimberley Locke has an upcoming album. Gray has been visible as an actress and singer.



___



On the Net:



http://www.idolonfox.com

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everybody here is outta sight   /   they don't bark and they don't bite

[mollyig]

My gf and I watched AI last night, and were absolutely gob smacked. Although I like George Huff, his performance was awful. How John Stevens and the teeny girls got through when the three most talented, most charismatic, singers were the bottom three I don't know.



How, oh how, does JS keep staying in? On seeing that it was a Barry Manilow theme night, I joked that JS would sing "Mandy" and that it couldn't be worse than when Angel sang it. How wrong I was! This guy has positively no stage presence. Even when the group sang with BM he couldn't even sway and do the one-armed-wave properly.



Molly and Em, wishing that Irish and English people could vote in the contest to right the wrongs!

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"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[WebWarlock]

I don't think you can say Americans are idiots, but rather Americans that watch Fox and bother to call in to shows where the outcome was determined months ago by advertisers are idiots.



If my country is going to be judged then for gods sake let be something of a little more import than American Idol.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"Fool! Ninjas don't wear assless chaps." - Wobert, "In the Pit"

[veiled isis moon]

okay, someone needs to switch to decaff! Chill out Webby it's just someone's opinion, not the end of the world. I actually agree, how do these untalented idiots stay in?



Michellex

Edited by: veiled isis moon at: 4/24/04 11:34 am

[astrangerhere]

I am with you Webwarlock. American Idol, of all things, is not what I hope the world thinks is a true representative of us. In fact, I hope not much of TV at all is really representative of us. (shudders at the thought)



Anyhow, about idol tonight--Latin night... Gloria Estafan is the guest judge. Pray God we can get rid of John Stevens tonight.



GO LATOYA

[veiled isis moon]

Never said i saw American Idol or any other programme as a true representative of Americans. Just thought people were entitled to their opinion, even if it was just about a tv programme. Sorry if i affended anyone, really not what i was trying to do.



Michelle.x

[WebWarlock]

eh. Not offended at all.



No worries.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"Fool! Ninjas don't wear assless chaps." - Wobert, "In the Pit"

[Jennpurr]

La Toya.



John better be gone tomorrow!!!



I loved how Fantasia dedicated her performance to Jennifer. I miss her already!



Jen

||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"I think you have to keep an open mind. When someone loves somebody, regardless of gender or race or religion, you should respect them. Love is love. We're all just jealous of Tara and Willow." -- Amber Benson

Edited by: Jennpurr at: 4/27/04 6:20 pm

[tyche]

Even Elton John is weighing in on last week's controversy:

Quote:

---

www.imdb.com/news/wenn/#1

Elton Slams 'Idol' Fans

Elton John has blasted fans of American Idol after his favorite wannabe, Jennifer Hudson, was voted off the show last week. The British rocker called the axing of Hudson "a disgrace" last week, because he was staggered by her talents when working with her on the show the week before. And now he's suggesting there might be a little racism at play - because the three girls in the bottom three last week were all black. Elton says, "There were three people that I was really impressed with and they all happened to be black young female singers and they all seemed to be landing in the bottom three. The fact that they're constantly in the bottom three...I find it incredibly racist." American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says, "That's an easy card to pull out of any hand, but to call it racism is a little out of order."

---

What kind of novels do you write: fiction or nonfiction? - US immigration officer to Ian McEwan

[maudmac]

Oh, John, we hardly knew ye. Bye-bye.



I can finally breathe again, because, of all the remaining contestants, I can live with any of them. I'm very much rooting for (and voting for) La Toya and Fantasia, but Diana, Jasmine, and George don't make me cringe (too much) when they sing, so I can deal.



I feel a LOT better now. Yay!

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everybody here is outta sight   /   they don't bark and they don't bite

[Warduke]

Yes, he's gone. About damn time.

---

Firefox: One Browser To Rule Them All.

[Cicca]

Whew!

I liked John months ago, but he needed to be gone weeks ago in this final 12 stuff. The idea that he was there after Jennifer just blows my mind!



At this point, I think I'm hoping for a final three of LaToya, George and Jasmine. Fantasia just irks me a bit. Diana's fine, but....

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[mollyig]

JS is gone? Excellent news! AI doesn't air here until the tonight and we get the results straight after the show. Happy day, I can enjoy watching it without worrying that one of my favourites (La Toya and Fantasia) will be in jeopardy.

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"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[astrangerhere]

I am also greatly relieved to have JS gone, but I will not be happy until i see Jasmine gone as well. Don't get me wrong, i think she is adorable, and can sing certain types of music. But really, she just doesn't have the stuff. Frankly i dont think George does either. I dont like Fantasia (and I am from her home state), but I could live with her. Diana surprises me weekly, so I'm happy for her to stick around a while longer til just my girl LaToya is left. Ok, there is my $.02 for what it is (and isn't) worth.



a.s.h.

Can you help me with this heart in my chest? It ain't perfect, but you should see me use it.[/font]

Edited by: astrangerhere at: 4/29/04 1:10 pm

[Alia16]

I really like LaToya and Diana. The rest of them are bleh. GLad to see JS go. It's not the wierd to see js still there after jennifer was gone because it always happens this way. Remember the first one when Nikki made it to like the final 4? that was just wrong.



and when i say americans are idiots, i mean the people voting. last week anyway.

[Jennpurr]

*sigh*



He's gone!!!!







YAY!!!!



They're all good, those who are left and it will be heartbreaking as the weeks go on, but La Toya is my idol!



Jen

||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"I think you have to keep an open mind. When someone loves somebody, regardless of gender or race or religion, you should respect them. Love is love. We're all just jealous of Tara and Willow." -- Amber Benson

[xita]

I thought I had like would never see this! yay!!! I can enjoy the show again!

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[astrangerhere]

Big Band night was great. Not, that in my opinion, it takes much to outdo Barbara Striesand, but dang, girl OWNED tonight. Simon couldnt even talk about Fantasia without mentioning LaToya. She was just great.



a.s.h.

Can you help me with this heart in my chest? It ain't perfect, but you should see me use it.

[Jennpurr]

Woo Hoo!!! Completely agree, A.S.H. WOW...



I voted for Diana. I thought she did really well tonight and damn... girl can sing!



My dad voted for La Toya.



To be honest... I was torn. I loved La Toya, Fantasia, AND Diana. I'd like to see D stick around though.



I could be wrong, but I think George will be going home tomorrow.



Jen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phoebe: I hate cemetery's at day. (They hear a noise.) What was that?
Prue: Ah, probably a zombie or vampire.
Phoebe: Great, where's Buffy when you need her?

[xita]

It's going to be bye bye george or jasmine. I am down with fantasia now.

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[tyche]

Mayor Jerry Brown officially declared yesterday 'LaToya London' day in Oakland. Which was appropriate, because she was great last night. I'm rooting for her now, because it would be great to have someone from the Bay Area win the show.

And yeah, it looks like George or Jasmine will get the chop this week. I bet it'll be Jasmine, because I get the feeling that George has a bigger fan base - i.e. people like him and root for him, even if they don't think his singing is great. Also, did Diana go out of her way to choose the most unflattering outfit possible last night? I'm glad that she hasn't given in to pressure to be the size of a stick, but that dress did her no favours whatsoever.

What kind of novels do you write: fiction or nonfiction? - US immigration officer to Ian McEwan

[xita]

It's all girls and it makes me happy! I say Jas goes next week.

- - - - - - - - - - -
"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[mollyig]

I like George, he seems like a nice guy, but I think it's right he was voted off, he just doesn't have that little bit extra the others (some, more so) have - the charisma and energy.



I do think Jasmine is looking the likely to go next week, the following week will be a nail biter though. Diana would be my least favourite of the three that would remain should Jasmine go, but ya never know!

---

"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[astrangerhere]

How about this...





www.eonline.com/Gossip/Kr...40507.html



It is a story positing that Diana DeGarmo is going to win, and saying why. Thoughts, comments, flames?



a.s.h.

Can you help me with this heart in my chest? It ain't perfect, but you should see me use it.

[Jennpurr]

Quote:

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So, as always, Idol fans, follow your heart, vote with your speed dial, and above all else, don't forget to wipe the drool off your face when you imagine what it's like to be Simon Cowell's sex slave.

---

Um.... EW! That's just nasty!



Anyway...



Diana. You know, I can see her winning. She DOES have the voice, the looks, the stage presence, the ease of being in front of the camera and talking to the nation... she's amazing.



I agree with Xita. I think Jas will be the next one to go. After that, I'm not even going to try to guess.



Jen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phoebe: I hate cemetery's at day. (They hear a noise.) What was that?
Prue: Ah, probably a zombie or vampire.
Phoebe: Great, where's Buffy when you need her?

[maudmac]

I really feel like Diana's stepped up in the last several weeks. I always liked her, but I didn't think she had much of a shot at the beginning. She's thrown a monkey wrench in my plan for a total La Toya/Fantasia domination.



Looks like the loss of Jennifer kind of shook America up and it's got its head on straight now.



I'm going to have to change how I vote once Jasmine's gone. I'm not crazy about having to make a decision between La Toya, Fantasia, and Diana, but I know I can live with any of them winning. Besides that, I imagine the prospects are good for all of them, aren't they, no matter which of them wins. I mean, Clay's CD outsold Ruuuuuuuuben's, didn't it? Seems like there's no reason to feel like the losers have really lost.



I was really impressed with their performances last week and, though I doubt it'll happen, I'd love to see La Toya and Fantasia put out albums full of really different kinds of music, because the two of them can sing just about anything and it would be a pleasure just to hear them sing. And I'm beginning to believe that Diana deserves to be there with them.



Sooooo conflicted!

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everybody here is outta sight   /   they don't bark and they don't bite

[tyche]

Quote:

---

www.usatoday.com/life/peo...htm?csp=27

'Idol' losers winning big

NEW YORK (AP) — Acidic tongue-lashings from American Idol judge Simon Cowell could deflate anyone's musical aspirations, but many Idol losers are finding that second-chance success isn't a bad consolation prize. As the third season of Fox's hugely successful reality contest gears up for the May 26 finale, numerous former contestants — some dishonorably discharged — are signing major record deals, appearing on television and singing on Broadway.

The show "has gotten the public captivated," said Geoff Mayfield, director of charts for the Billboard music-industry magazine. "I think that the viewers feel an investment in American Idol. Now, I kind of take it as a matter of course that this is an event that sells music."

And jump-starts careers:

William Hung, the laughingstock of the third season, already has an album out. The 31-year-old engineering student performs comical covers of popular tunes by R. Kelly, Elton John, The Beach Boys, Enrique Iglesias and, of course, the Ricky Martin numbers that made him infamous.

In its first week, the CD cracked Billboard's Top 40, selling more than 38,000 copies. The self-proclaimed Real American Idol has appeared on everything from The Today Show to The Tonight Show, and even sang at a nationally televised NBA game. On May 15 he's scheduled to share the same stage as Jessica Simpson, Lenny Kravitz, OutKast and Janet Jackson at the Wango Tango Music Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Although Hung's popularity is based on his awfulness, "you can't blame a person for taking an opportunity," said season two finalist Kimberley Locke. "That's why we all do it."

Locke just released her debut album, One Love, on Curb Records, home of country superstars Tim McGraw, Wynonna Judd and LeAnn Rimes.

She admits that Idol has accelerated her career. "For the rest of my life I'll have to talk about American Idol, which is a good thing because I'm proud to have been a part of the show," she said.

RJ Helton, the top-five finalist from season one, released his debut album, the Christian-oriented Real Life, on B Rite/Zomba last month. The Latin crooner is managed by Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles.

"Just because we didn't win the show doesn't mean that we didn't think we were going to continue, by any means," Helton said.

Former child star Marque Lynche, who got the boot on February 10, recently joined the off-Broadway musical Fame On 42nd Street, based on the popular 1980s film and television show.

"The reason that I got Fame was because (the producers) saw me on the show and they said (I) was perfect for this role," said Lynch, 23, who was seen as a child on the All New Mickey Mouse Club alongside Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. "It did give me a platform to kind of be a quasi-celebrity and go in with a little bit of a name. So it makes it a little bit easier to do what I do."

Other contestants taking on theatrical gigs include Vanessa Olivarez from season one, currently playing the lead in the Toronto version of the hit Broadway musical Hairspray, and season two semifinalist Trenyce, who recently wrapped a national tour with Not A Day Goes By, based on the best-selling E. Lynn Harris novel.

And then there's Frenchie Davis — clearly Ruben and Clay's biggest competition from season two. The voluptuous vocal powerhouse, bounced after her pictures surfaced on an adult web site, is on board for another run in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Rent this summer. She recently performed a leading role in the touring company of the legendary musical Dreamgirls, and she's negotiating a record deal.

Despite all the hype, Idol does have plenty of detractors who decry the way it churns out ready-made pop confections.

"I think that it's an interesting little way of creating, I don't want to say stars, but creating people who can be within the record business at this time when nobody is buying records," laments Rolling Stone critic and contributing editor Toure. "But this is not the way of creating lasting stars."

But it's a foot in the door, which is all today's hopefuls are asking for.

"We were all after one common goal and that was to do what we loved to do,' Helton said. "American Idolhelped us out and gave us the extra boost."

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What kind of novels do you write: fiction or nonfiction? - US immigration officer to Ian McEwan

[Jennpurr]

Diana, baby!!! She rocked tonight. I voted for her. No second thoughts involved there.



I felt bad for Jasmine tonight. She should have picked different songs and I just wanted to give her hug when she was crying.



I think she will probably be going home tomorrow night.



Jen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phoebe: I hate cemetery's at day. (They hear a noise.) What was that?
Prue: Ah, probably a zombie or vampire.
Phoebe: Great, where's Buffy when you need her?

Edited by: Jennpurr at: 5/11/04 7:29 pm

[Cicca]

Yeah, I can't imagine that it won't be Jasmine tomorrow night



Diana did kick ass! Fantasia was not fantastic as Knock On Wood. No! Give me Amii Stewart!

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?