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http://www.realitytvmagazine.com/blog/2006/04/american_idol_t_4.html

American Idol: Taylor Hicks' Fans Upset By Song Changing Controversy

On the last American Idol results show, Ryan Seacrest said that Fox received lots of phone calls about the judges with viewers complaining that Simon Cowell was a bit unfair, and Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson both offered up an apology for their critical remarks about Katharine McPhee. However, several Reality TV Magazine readers have written in to express that there was another apology that should have been given. Taylor Hicks’ fans are outraged over a song-changing controversy that they perceive to be unfair treatment toward their favorite singer.

A Reality TV Magazine reader named JJ wrote in to tell us “Maybe AI doesn't want Taylor to win?? I don't know, but what happened to Taylor Hicks this week is disheartening. I'm surprised he hasn't walked off that show yet. He deserved an apology from the judges.” Another Reality TV Magazine reader named Christine wrote us with the following comments, “I've been trying to start a letter writing campaign to Ryan and American Idol, asking them to address the fairness issues. I think most of the contestants are not treated fairly and it's not just because of handpicking the most marketable individuals. It's also about drama and ratings. It's very disturbing to think about what these performers have to endure each week and I'm sure it's worse than what we've been seeing (including especially, last minute song-changes that lead to less preparation time).”

What these readers are referring to is information revealed in a radio interview by American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe. According to Nigel Lythgoe, Taylor Hicks was forced to change his song at the beginning of the week. Taylor had originally selected an Otis Redding song entitled "Try A Little Tenderness" but producers told him the song didn’t fit within the genre of classic love songs. Nigel said they examined the songs from the perspective of could they see Andrea Bocelli singing the song. Nigel said he told Taylor “that’s ok if we’re doing the Blues Brothers week but this is Andrea Bocelli week.” Taylor had to change his song to "Just Once," and he received harsh criticism from the judges over his performance.

Nigel Lythgoe’s explanation is not sitting very well with many Taylor Hicks’ fans. Many would argue that “Try A Little Tenderness” is definitely a classic love song, and the criteria that the song has to fit the style of the guest artist of the week has never been enforced previously. Chris Daughtry has been allowed to push the envelope with performances that fit his rock style even if it didn't match the theme week. In fact, Simon Cowell even praised Chris for refusing to compromise after he performed a rock rendition of “I Walk the Line” during Music of the 50s theme week, when Barry Manilow was the guest. It would take a very vivid stretch of the imagination to envision Barry Manilow singing a rock version of a Johnny Cash tune.

Not only are fans upset about this latest forced song-changing controversy, but several Taylor Hicks’ fans feel like this unfair treatment has been going on for the entire competition. A Reality TV Magazine reader named Maxine wrote in with the following analysis, “If Taylor sings then the judges say "Where is the old Taylor" - If he dances, they call it bar/cabaret - so where is the happy medium?” In an earlier article, Reality TV Magazine noted that Simon Cowells’ comments toward Taylor Hicks have been particularly vicious, even questioning if he might be drunk.

There appears to be no way that Taylor can please the judges. The truly shocking part is that Taylor Hicks is the only remaining singer who has never been in the bottom group up for elimination on the show. If the public likes Taylor Hicks, why are the judges’ comments virtually always extremely negative? Chris Daughtry gets stage smoke and guitar players, Katharine McPhee gets sexy dresses and apologies, while Taylor Hicks gets his song pulled at the last minute and accusations of intoxication. There's no doubt that Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtry are extremely talented and deserve every bit of their success, but what concerns Taylor Hicks' fans is what appears to be unequal treatment on the show.

Could producers be afraid of a showdown between two Southern guys (Taylor Hicks & Chris Daughtry)? Do they prefer the ratings prospects of a final involving a West Coast girl (Katharine McPhee) vs. a Southern guy (Chris Daughtry)? Is the deck being stacked against Taylor Hicks? Please post your opinions in the comments section below.

BEWARE OF AMERICAN IDOL SCREEN SAVER SPYWARE !! ------------------------------------------------- http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,18918,00.html

Taylor Hicks "Most Dangerous" Idol
by Joal Ryan
Apr 28, 2006, 5:10 PM PT
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On the American Idol stage, finalist Taylor Hicks is full of tics. Online, his screensavers are full of bugs.

So says a new survey conducted by a Web-patrolling consumer software company, which found 46 percent of popular downloaded Hicks-themed screensavers contained spyware or led to outbreaks of pop-up ads and spam email.

"At some level, he's the most dangerous American Idol," said Shane Keats, market strategist for SiteAdvisor.com.

On another level, Ace Young is the most dangerous Idol finalist.

Though eliminated from the Fox singing competition Apr. 19, Young is second only to Hicks for having his momentarily famous face used by sneaky spyware manufacturers. His screensavers turned up hidden computer-clogging extras 36 percent of the time, the SiteAdvisory.com study said.

Even more troubling to Keats, the problem Young screensavers led computers to two "sexually explicit sites." Given the number of children who follow Idol and are likely to follow their favorite Idols online, Keats said the spyware makers "should be ashamed of themselves."

The other top Idols among the spyware crowd: Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler and Lisa Tucker. The survey said 27 percent of each of that trio's screensavers were trouble.

Like Young, Covington, Pickler and Tucker are done with their Idol runs, having failed to muster enough viewer votes. Their spyware popularity probably speaks to the weeks of run-up time it takes the "spyware guys" to make their programs, Keats said.

That said, it's probably not a coincidence that Hicks, the gray-haired "Soul Patrol" provider, and prime contender for a spot in the season finale, is the go-to face for nefarious Netizens. "The people who make spyware go to where the popularity is," Keats said.

A similar ethos exists among those who write viruses: The bigger the name, the better the chance it'll be used to lure unsuspecting fans in email subject lines. Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Microsoft's Bill Gates are among those who have had their bold-faced monikers attached to bugs.

So far, Keats said he hasn't seen any infected Idol-related emails: "I don't think we've got the Ace Young virus going around."

As for the screensaver problem, Keats recommended computer users stick to downloading from official sites. He also plugged his own SiteAdvisor.com, which offers a free download that rates a Website on its likelihood of causing computer problems, from "safe" to "caution" to "warning."

Another option is to download a Melissa McGee screensaver--from any old place. According to the study, not one of the surveyed screensavers devoted to the 21-year-old singer from Florida proved problematic.

Is the deck being stacked against Taylor Hicks?

This article is a nice find. The feeling that the deck is stacked is one I've had since the top twelve began.

First of all, the overall choice of guest star coaches. Now, asking them to sing om the style of them?....that's actually counterproductive for these future singers. It's sellout stuff and the very thing a lot of us liked about the show is that it got past the compromises singers make to achieve success.

This supports my feeling that Kelli was dismantled by bad advice, particularly the last two weeks, that she tried to follow. Saying Otis Redding is not classical enough for this week is ludicrous. It's AMERICAN IDOL, stupids. And while I'm ranting, Paris doing Streisand was just dress-up week, and one of her worst...lots of jazz greats knew how to do love songs, she should stick to that.

I also did not think Gideon was given a fair break, with negative comments. And Mandisa going first, in a bad wardrobe choice.

If Simon wants Katherine or Chris, good for him. Me, I want Taylor to get up there and do Taylor, and let this show at least achieve something this year....Eliot can give hope and inspiration to millions of diabetics!

Grrrrrr......hate it when I'm right about bad stuff.