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Posted on 03/24/2006 9:00:43 PM PST by silent_jonny
American Idol: In Defense of Taylor Hicks: The Non-Favorite of the Judges
http://mediafiends.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=7454&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
Every season, American Idol has contestants they push on us. I call these the ‘favored ones’. I’m not so sure if it happened in season 1, but in subsequent seasons, Ruben, Fantasia and Carrie were shoved at us ad nauseum and it was obvious they were anointed to win. This year, it is of course happening again.
Will anyone be surprised when Chris Daughtry wins American Idol 5? Of course, there is the odd chance that Katharine McPhee or Elliott Yamin can sneak in there and grab it away, but I doubt it, unless that’s what the producers and Simon decide that’s what they want. In any case, it is becoming increasingly obvious that they do NOT want Taylor in that coveted spot.
When Taylor first auditioned in Nevada, Randy and Paula were the ones who liked him. Simon said Taylor did not have enough of an Idol image, and questioned why his colleagues were supporting him when they would never put him through to the next round. Simon did acknowledge he was wrong about that, but I know that those initial comments stayed in my memory for a long time when thinking about Taylor. Simon later said that he got more comments about Taylor than anyone else, and later ‘predicted’ that Chris and Taylor, and Kellie, would be in the finals. I don’t know what the game is here, but based on Simon’s comments to Taylor since then, it is clear that he does not like him and is trying to avoid that prediction coming true at all costs. Yes, Simon can be mean to everyone, but his comments to Taylor are especially biting and hurtful, specifically those asking him if he was drunk.
Why is Simon doing this? Taylor has tons of soul, and sings straight from within. He puts his entire being into his music. This comes through to many viewers, and because Taylor has a huge fan base, he can still possibly win this whole competition. That is scary to the powers-that-be. Taylor does not fit the mold of a classic idol. He’s got gray hair, he’s quirky, and his dance movements can politely be described as jerky. Taylor has a style of his own. He cannot be pigeon-holed into any set category. His look is certainly unique. Although those are wonderful qualities, sometimes in the American Idol world, more ‘mainstream’ is wanted, and uniqueness is not.
When Bucky was interviewed after his elimination, what he said illustrated this point very well. ''Simon, a lot of times [in his music-business career] he signs boy bands and stuff like that,'' Covington says. ''So for him to like someone like me or Taylor [Hicks] it's out of the question. No matter what we do, he's not going to like us. We're just not his thing.” Well said, Bucky.
Another interesting fact is that since the Top 12, Taylor has not been given the coveted last singing spot, ever. Chris has gotten it twice, and Elliott, Kat and Paris have gotten it once. Just an oversight? You decide.
This past week, Nigel admitted that Taylor was forced to change his song choice on Monday, the day before the performances. He had originally chosen to sing “Try a Little Tenderness” but it was decided that that was not a song that Andrea Bocelli would sing, so it was out. Who are they kidding? This is reminiscent of changing Clay’s ‘Vincent’ arrangement at the last minute and then criticizing him for forgetting the words. Again, a contestant that is different needs to have a weak performance so the criticism can be justified. Never mind the behind-the-scenes manipulation that made the weak performance not totally the contestant’s fault.
The final straw, and the one finally making me write this article in Taylor’s defense, was that Vote For the Worst has chosen Taylor as their new candidate. Actually, it’s good for Taylor to get the extra votes, but their reasoning for choosing him clearly summarizes what this article is all about:
“By making him change his songs and not letting him sing the way he wants to sing, they're making sure Taylor doesn't show off how talented he is…..I'm sure he joined the competition to try to bring something different. The producers don't want something different though, and it's obvious that they're breaking his spirit, even going as far as to make him change his song at this last minute last week because they didn't see "Try a Little Tenderness" as a love song. What? That doesn't even make sense…..Simon Cowell also hates Taylor, as is evidenced by his reaction at his audition and his reaction each and every week. Simon wants Taylor out now, because he can't stand to promote someone so unmarketable.”
I, for one, do not think Taylor is unmarketable at all. I think they are running scared that one of the non-chosen ones is actually doing well, and are trying to sabotage him to the best of their ability. I hope enough Taylor fans are angry enough to do something about this, and the only thing that would matter, besides VOTING, is to make the public aware of the situation.
STRICTLY FOR TAYLOR HICKS FANS ONLY
early SPOILER for this coming week (May 2).
The Idol Boards, MJs Big Blog and Gray Charles are all telling us that Taylor has been practicing Bon Jovi's :
"Who Says You Can’t Go Home?"
as his choice for his Billboard top 100 song.
Still no news as to which song he will choose for the theme -- Songs from the year you were born.
I have thought, right from the beginning, that Taylor's talent and uniqueness, could make him the American Idol. I was furious when Simon made the remark about him being drunk, but Taylor is a class act and lets it roll. I wasn't aware that some of the other things were happening and I certainly hope that if this is what Taylor wants, he will be succesful in getting it. I listen to his music all the time and would certainly buy any new stuff he records.
New American Idol Odds Posted 4/29/06
http://www.celebrityspider.com/news/april06/article042806-40.html
Sportsbook.com bettors lose a favorite in Kellie; 17% of wagers at Sportsbook.com backed American Idol's most recent casualty
NEW YORK, April 28 /PRNewswire/ - Simon Cowell predicted she would be in the top three at the start of the fifth season of American Idol, and sportsbook.com bettors felt the same way about Kellie Pickler. But the journey of America's new sweetheart came to an abrupt end when the 19 year old from Albemarle, NC got the hook last night. Last week Pickler had 5-1 odds at sportsbook.com and 17.0 per cent of the wagers in her favor, but her rendition of Unchained Melody didn't score with audience voters.
The number one and two favorites at Sportsbook.com remain unchanged with Chris Daughtry, a 13-10 favorite received 24.7 per cent of wagers to-date and Katharine McPhee at 11-5 garnering 21.8 per cent of bettors' backing.
"This week more people voted on American Idol than ever before and it was no different at Sportsbook.com," said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "As the popularity of reality TV continues to grow so does fan interest in wagering on the outcome. Everybody bets on Reality TV."
The likeliest contestant to be sent packing next week is Paris Bennett. She has the worst odds of winning at 20-1, according to the odds makers.
American Idol Season 5 (FOX)
Who Will be The Winner % of Where $ is
Chris Daughtry 13-10 24.7%
Katharine McPhee 11-5 21.8%
Taylor Hicks 12-5 10.9%
Elliott Yamin 9-1 4.7%
Paris Bennett 20-1 10.0%
Rest 27.9%
Female 2-5 47.6%
Male 9-5 52.4%
SOURCE Sportsbook.com
Good article post 9601.
:)! Now I usually don't care for the VRTW however they just made me a friend of theirs. :)
The sad thing about the dumb blond is I have 2 girls who are extremely bright and blond. My 7 yr. old came home crying yesterday and saying she doesn't want to be blond! I said why? Her schoolmates yesterday teased her saying she would grow up to be a dumb blond. She said I don't want to be dumb! :( Thanks alot Kellie.
LOL! It is very funny. I think about that now every time I'm in Walmart. Also with the Super Walmarts you can even go and get a hair cut, buy fast food, or have photos taken. All that and a chicken and a door knob. :)
She is a pretty girl. Her and LaToya London were 2 who should have gone a lot further in their Al seasons.
and Paula would be sober....
:) Now that's funny right there.
The only problem I foresee is what if they keep making him change his songs at the last minute?
"According to a post at another forum, one of Taylors cousins was interviewed and Taylor has said he is done listening to AI, the judges and their people, he is going back to being Taylor and doing things his way for the rest of the time he is on the show.
The only problem I foresee is what if they keep making him change his songs at the last minute?:"
It's a double edged sword! I'd love to see him stay true to himself, but not being able to do so is the complaint of many new to the business. It's a shame really. Artists who are songwriters and musicians, like Taylor, who have a an established fan base and unique sound, are often awarded contracts and then forced to record the songs of others or come up with the standard 3 minute, radio friendly pop tune. If Taylor wins, I predict he'll be pretty miserable cowtowing to the industry for at least the first couple of years . But he's definitely got my vote!
Yes, fame and fortune aren't free. Maybe Taylor was naive in thinking he could use AI to become a star of his own making. What AI offers is "we can make you famous, but you have to do it our way". Taylor may realize he was happier being a freewheleing club singer with a small but loyal following. He can play his cards right and still be that, but with a now much larger "Soul Patrol" fan base supporting him. At this point winning AI should not be paramount to him, rather giving his fans what they want and parlaying this experience into a lifetime gig. For all of their manipulation and cheezy shenanigans, AI is basically honest is saying that they want a POP star, with all that comes with it. Taylor is better off not trying to fit that mold.
MORE SPOILERS....FOR MAY 2,2006
Katharine McPhee perform KT's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree."
Paris Bennett's song for the year she was born: "Kiss" by Prince...
That's sad, Emily. AI probably is where kids of that age learned about the "dumb" blonde concept, either by watching the show themselves or hearing their parents or older kids talking about it. In the end, Kellie's schtick didn't even get her into the top 5.
Tamyra made it into the top 5. I think it can be argued that going on AI might actually hurt the careers of talented non-winners like Tamyra and LaToya, because they are branded as losers of a reality show.
When you think about it, AI is really nothing more than a giant audition before the country that goes on for months. If the public rejects you, it must make it that much harder to get producers to accept you after you leave the show.
[Tony the Spy: In the commercial break after Elliott sang, McPhee’s McFather comes over to the judges’ table to complain about how they dissed Katharine. Simon and Randy get the hell out of there, but Paula gets trapped by him for the whole break, much of it with her hands holding his face, consoling him while he cries. I can see Paula clearly, mouthing stuff like “It’s just our job” and “She’s gonna be fine.” I lean into Paris’s mom and grandmother and whisper, “I didn’t know you could do that.” And Mom whispers back, “We’re not supposed to…”]
Why do I feel this sudden urge to wipe my mouth off?
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