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.
Done. Thanks!
LOL!!! If he did "Walk" Mr. RK would end up personally jamming up Bo's line voting for him so many times.
They haven't had a country show this year. No guest stars either.
That should be interesting. I hope they can't do much damage to the show. My family enjoys watching it regardless of how it's run or how it's won. It's fun for me and mine to pick sides and watch them compete.
yea, Bo could also do "Sad but true" or "whisky in the jar" Metallica. or probably any Megadeth song :D , Wish they would spice it up a bit.
They could skip the showtunes.
LOL! That would be great. They do need to spice it up a little. No more McArthur Park!
Yea! That would be cool! I dont know how I forgot that song but that would be sweet. :D
I guess it's up to Ryan for theme... Wish he would understand that people are SICK OF THE R&B and RAP stuff, rock is coming back.
You know, I wouldn't have minded the show tunes if they had picked better songs. The majority were all slow songs. "Climb Every Mountain"? I mean come on!
What about something from Chicago? Guys and Dolls? Or even Grease?
Dear God I hope you are not serious. If by 80's sound you mean Metallica and other metal bands, ok. But anything else from that decade should NEVER be considered music.
To quote a famous philosopher, there is nothing new under the sun.
Your jumble of bands thrown together as evidence of similarity can't be further from proof. The Black Eyed Peas is a hip hop group. Green Day plays pop punk. Weezer is college rock. Maroon Five is pop rock. Foo Fighters (who havent put out an album in quite a while) is the only group you could reasonably call GRUNGE rock. And I never said grunge myself. I said ROCKER. I think Bo Bice could be marketed as Kid Rock's cleaner more family friendly cousin, should he win. But if he wins, God help us all.
Last season, it seemed very obvious that Fantasia was going to win based on the judges' treatment of her. I was apalled because Jennifer Hudson was so much more talented than her.
I'm seeing a lot of the same behavior toward Carrie. I think she has a good voice, but she lacks charisma and stage presence of a true performer. She just stands there like a Stepford Wife. And I don't like that she's been able to "countrify" every song genre. If that's all she's going to do, there's already a contest like that called Nashville Star.
So, if you aren't a sheep and don't particularly care to have judges throw their favorite in your face week after week, then maybe it's time to join the VFTW rogues. Also, if your favorite has already been voted off and you're bitter, then maybe it's time to join the VFTW rogues.
YEP!Randy is bad but, Paula is the WORST! She thinks everyone is good! Very irritating.
Nadia acted like a diva - not a quality a lot of voters want in a contestant in such a forum. Anwar screwed up big-time in his choice of song last time around - if you're gonna sing a Philip Bailey part, you'd better be able to hit the high notes, and he didn't go for them at all - just like Bo put himself in jeopardy with a lame-assed rendition of Free Bird last week because he doesn't have the lung power to carry a ballad.
A man has to know his limitations, after all...
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