American Idol 2007--Live Thread (Part II)

FOX ^ | 3-13-07

[Netizen]

i had not considered that there are millions of little teenyboppers like her out there texting their heads off. i was sure melinda would be THE American Idol

I had to read that 4 times. You really thought that millions of teenyboppers were going to vote for Melinda?

[peggybac]

I don’t know where my mind was last night but I completely forgot about the AI results show. I knew I was missing something but it totally skipped my mind. I guess it was OK because I am so upset Melinda was voted off.

[kevkrom]

Fantasia Burrito had a CD out prior to going on idol? Woah, I didn’t know that.

I don't know about a CD, but she sang semi-professionally for years prior to AI, as did Diana, the other finalist from the same year.

[Apple Blossom]

I’ll bet Simon knew and that’s why he was in such a pissy mood all night.

Hind sight being 20/20, you may have a point there! There may have been a big meeting with the producers where TPTB "decided" that the final would have greater viewership with male-female finalists. Simon pretty much sat there with his arms folded the whole show. Body language speaks volumes.

[Sue Perkick]

Didn’t The Skank also forget the words?

[Netizen]

I thought the poster was talking about pre idol CD’s and how that made them semi professional. Maybe I misunderstood, I’m tired this morning.

[Netizen]

Simon had the same look as when Daughtry was voted off. He didn’t look happy at all.

[retrokitten]

I think maybe, but I can’t remember the specifics. Bailey did totally flake. She forgot most of the song. BUT, we all know how AI operates. If they wanted her to make it past Hollywood, she would have. Hopefully she tries out again. Gina Glocksen also forgot her words last season and was cut in Hollywood.

[Netizen]

Didn’t The Skank also forget the words?

I think so, which was part of the reason why people were upset that the other gal didn't get in instead. Marissa?

[xsmommy]

no, i hadn't considered that the main constituency of the show was teenyboppers and that they would be able to save the less talented blake over the clearly superior melinda.

perhaps i should state that this is literally the first season i have ever watched this show. it is because my own teenybopper was influenced to watch by her friends, and that i happened to be in the room while she was watching, that i followed the show. : ) so please pardon my naivete. i thought talent was the deciding factor.

[kevkrom]

As far as I'm concerned, semi-professional is semi-professional, whether it's singing with a family gospel group (Barrino), musical theater (McPhee), part of a touring band (Bice), professional backup singer (Doolittle), or having your own small-distribution CDs (Underwood, Hicks).

Where do you draw the line?

I have no problem with AI's policy of "not under a current recording contract", as that is simple and objective. That said, I am always harsher on the older "pros", because there's usually a reason they're still "undiscovered" talent.

[Netizen]

You know, you’re right about that. IF AI wanted someone in that butchered their lyrics, they would just edit the tape to NOT show that part and then let them in. Editing is key. It can make or break a contestant.

[Maximus of Texas]

So was Kelly Clarkson the only true amateur winner in AI history?

[Sue Perkick]

That’s the impression I got too. I wasn’t aware of most of the ones mentioned having an actual CD prior to Idol. We know Taylor did. I thought Chris Daughtry had a BAND but not a CD. As far as I know he was a service writer at Crown. I wasn’t aware of Fantasia having one. She does come from a family with musical connections.

And no it wasn’t The Flying Burrito Brothers ;-)

[Netizen]

Oh I hear ya, Jordin did that Gospel CD and toured with that Christian band.

I’m just not sure if we’ll get true amateurs anymore, based on your list.

One thing I do know and that is if they take away our votes, I stop watching.

[Netizen]

Talent is part of it, but let’s face it, Mick Jagger doesn’t have the smoothest voice, neither does Rod Stewart, but they have other aspects that appealed to people, be it creativity, charisma or what have you and while Melinda can sing, her charisma level was sub par.

Blake is creative, he may not appeal to all people but he appeals to enough to have made it to the top 2. I know of other adults that have voted for him as well. I suspect he plays well with the college students and there are lots of them.

[Lil'freeper]

Jordin trails Blake slightly over the last two weeks... where will Melinda’s votes go?

I think folks voted for Melinda because she could *sing*. Of the two finalists, Jordin is the singer and Blake is the performer. ~Big~ difference. Therefore, I think Jordin will pick up most of the consolidated Diva vote, very few of whom are in the slumber-party tweenie set. Blake has those votes locked down.

[Sue Perkick]

And TBTB certainly did NOT push Chris off the show in favor of Taylor. Simon hated him & still does. I think AI reserves the right to determine the outcome on close calls. But Taylor’s win shows there’s some legitimacy to the voting. Despite their denial of knowing the results before we do, it’s been fairly obvious several times.

[kevkrom]

So was Kelly Clarkson the only true amateur winner in AI history?

Rueben Stoddard, too. But you can be excused forgetting him.

[Maximus of Texas]

What about someone who, at the age of 18, became a huge hit for a year or two but then lost their recording contract and made a comeback on AI when they were 28?

A few years ago there was a Christian artist who didn't make it to Hollywood or out of Hollywood who had a pretty big hit on Christian radio. I'm assuming that song was with a label somewhere. (maybe not)