Posted on 04/21/2005 10:53:52 AM PDT by capitoltex
Once again, we've reached that point in the American Idol competition where the voting trends seem to defy all logic and reason.
From a relatively objective point of view, two excellent singers, Nadia Turner and Anwar Robinson, have been sent home, and two mediocre (at best) singers still remain among the top six contestants. Some fans of the show are up in arms, unable to cope with the fact that we'll be subjected to at least one more week of the song stylings of Anthony Fedorov and Scott Savol. In particular, Mr. Savol seems to have struck a negative chord with many viewers.
Last season, we were in a similar situation, with crooner John Stevens and the pretty-but-vapid Jasmine Trias inexplicably outlasting far more talented performers like Jennifer Hudson.
Much print has been devoted to the voting dynamics of the show, but it seems that something is happening that the show's producers probably weren't counting on: some fans are purposely voting for the singer whom they deem to be the "worst."
Witness the web site (www.votefortheworst.com) "Vote For The Worst," with it's tongue-in-cheek mission statement:
This show is not about finding the next big superstar. Your favorite contestant probably won't win, and will probably get a record contract anyway if they're good enough. LaToya London had an amazing voice last season and she didn't make it past 4th place. Fantasia won the competition and her record sales are dismal because 19 Entertainment barely even promotes her. What a great "prize."
TV is supposed to be about the entertainment value, and what's more entertaining than a fish out of water outlasting the big fish and sharks? This pledge is to keep whoever we've selected as the worst competitor in the competition by voting for them for the entire time alotted every week. Even if you live outside of America, tell people about the pledge and spread the word. At the top of this page, we will post a banner with the contestant that we're supporting. If you so choose, vote along with us and help keep the no talent of the week in the competition.
For the time being, the "Vote For The Worst" crew has thrown their support behind contestant Scott Savol, and quite a few fans seem to be on board.
Now, will these renegade voters actually alter the outcome of the finals? Unlikely. With consistently more than 30 million votes cast each week, and far more in the finals, it would be hard for such an effort to swing the needle once the competition gets down to the final 3-4 competitors. But in earlier weeks, when there are more choices and the voting is closer, it's somewhat easier for these folks to make a difference. The only real question is how many of the "good" singers will get sent home while the "worst" remain.
Additionally, Clarkson has like 1 maybe 2 tunes worth purchasing; Fantasia has a bit more going on.
But hey, I only have to listen to Top 40 while in the gym! Maybe they play Clarkson's other tunes once I complete my workout! I then return to my talk radio world.
you certainly do know a lot about a show you don't watch. Your descent into shouting insults about contestants seems to mean to me that my argument makes too much sense.
I am 26, and I am from los angeles california originally. I grew up listening to REAL rap on the radio before it morphed into the noise known as hip hop thanks to P-diddy and Jay-Z.
You have missed the point of my posts entirely. Which is simply that the one truly marketable talented american idol won, and will continue to have a good career. The other point I made was that in order to maintain longevity you must get radio air play, something that Ruben or Fantasia never really got. Clarkson's music is all over the place. Her video's are all over MTV. The executives at American Idol got the Idol they really wanted the first time, and they're just milking this cash cow for whatever its worth before they realize they've used up what little talent they've had the opportunity to get their hands on. There are two styles of music popular now. Hip Hop, and the pop princess. These shows have shown that the audience that powers the pop princess does not neccessarily also want a hip hop person. They're marketing to 12-18 year old girls on the show. Girls in that demographic don't listen to hip hop, they listen to the pretty girl who gets all the attention from the boys, like they wish they did. This is also why you don't hear the R&B/hip hop guys on the radio, who have also been on Idol. When I hear Fantasia on the radio five days in a row, then I might reconsider my argument. Until that time, it stands. I've yet to hear her once.
I prefered Ruben. He released a project, it sold about a half-million albums, pretty good for a black guy not named 50 cent or The game, these days.
you do not hear kelly on those stations because she does not sing that style of music. Fantasia and Ruben sing that kind of music, and it is to their detriment, as their styles and skills go un-noticed by the Top 40 crowd. Fantasia and Ruben will never have crossover success, the one thing that executives at AI are truly looking for, and they found with Kelly Clarkson.
I do not appreciate being called a liar. Drive Time Top 40 in my area does not play Ruben or Fantasia.
I know the bit that I do becuase I read plenty, and I listen to plenty of talk radio.
I am not sure that I could even pick Clarkson, Reuben, or Fantasia if they were the only three in a line-up.
As for your radio station, it must be the laggard in your market - it may need an infusion of Fantasia.
Anyhow dude, it has been a pleasure! How 'bout them Lakers?
Also, Go Pistons!
actually, the station I listen to is the #1 station in the area, second in listeners only to stations in louisville.
104.5 FM. WLKT. look it up.
If you can't pick the three out of a lineup, then you need to get less worked up about the results of their record sales and what some goofball with a masters degree in broadcasting that you'll never meet has to say about them on the internet. Methinks thou dost protest to much.
The lakers should have gotten rid of Kobe, not Shaq and Phil. They lost me as a fan the day all that mess in colorado came out in the news.
Top 40 is supposed to be number one because it is marketed to be everyone's number "2;" that impresses me naught!
Frankly, my entire argument has been based on the numbers - you attempt to apeeal to emotion. I could not care less about any of the three, but the net results are my benchmark.
Go Pistons!
Shaq asked to be traded: Phil's ego is as huge as Shaq's and Kobe's combined: Mitch Kupcheck (spelling?) and Jerry Buss are the blame: Kobe is the better investment so stop blaming Kobe, ultimately, he makes no personnel decisions.
Stop idolizing athletes - they are mortal and he wanted a taste of the girl. Get over it.
do the phrases "long term marketability" and "staying power" and "crossover success" not infer a certain amount of numerical success, or do I have to put a dollar amount and a total number of records sold with every post.
Whether you're impressed by Top 40 or not, its where the long term success lies. If 50 cent wasn't also in the Top 40, he'd not be nearly as successful as he is right now.
She was particularly yummy in one of the early episodes. She was wearing glasses, and had a very "naughty librarian" look to her.
Two years does not translate into long-term marketability. Who, if anyone, attends these pathetic Idol concerts? I'd rather attend the Huang guys concert - he is accompanied by hot chicks on-stage. Kelly does not cross over, she is marketable to the lilly majority demographic who will out-grow her in 2 years. Additionally, no one disputes the mass appeal of Top 40, my point is that I listen to both Fantasia and Clarkson on Top 40 (every day, aug nauseum).
P.S. I thought we were discussing Idol and the Lakers: who gives a damn about 50 cent?
50 cent is an example of a hip hop guy who enjoys crossover top 40 success. Crossover top 40 success is what the idol "image makers" are looking for. Therefore, using him as an example is relevant.
I really think we're essentially arguing the same argument. Overall, nationwide, the results show that all Idol contestants have had some modicum of success. Long term, the only one who has had any success has been Clarkson, and the jury is still out on barino and studdard. Whether or not WE hear either of them is irrelevant, as you're in michigan and i'm in kentucky and the regional tastes will vary. In today's Pop world, two years of success is a big deal, and is something to build on. It remains to be seen where any of the three will be in the next five years.
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/43170.htm
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,16441,00.html
http://www.defamer.com/hollywood/diary/short-ends-is-america-voting-for-the-worst-101540.php
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1500965/20050428/jay_z.jhtml?headlines=true
bump for tonight. Google "votefortheworst" in Google news for the latest news coverage.
Why don't you just boycott the show anyway.....you people make me sick with your racist attitudes...Rueban won over Clay because he was the better singer.....Fantasia won because she was the better singer....not one of the contestants this season is bringing what she brought to Idol last year....get over it!!!!!!
The joke will be if Carrie or BO wins this season, neither one of these so called performers is bringing the excitement that Fantasia generated last season.....I usually have to fight to stay awake during their performances!!!!
Simon may want a rocker, but they didn't fail with Kelly Clarkson, that's for sure. Her first album is double platinum with more than 2 million copies sold. Her second album hit that same status in March. NONE of the other idols can claim that. She is the only one in our area that gets any radio play. I couldn't even tell you one song from Fantasia's album (although she's BAD, so I wouldn't really wanna know).
Carrie could be like Kelly, but I think Bo would be a logical choice...he's talented, despite other opinions, has appeal, and already has the performance part down pat. IMHO, Kelly is the real American Idol...she would kick Reuben and Fantasia's butts with one hand tied behind her back :)
exactly. if it were me, AI would have been a one-shot charlie and kelly would have been it. Each year the talent pool gets a little more diluted.
I've yet to hear Fantasia's stuff, or ruben's for that matter. I heard Clay's stuff for about a week after his run on the show. Kimberly Clark, a non-finalist, has had more air play with her song "eigth world wonder" than clay ruben and fantasia did, though.
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