Are Patriots Sending American Idol a "text" message?

5/04/2003 | Jon Alvarez

[jonalvy44]

I have a confession. I watch the tv show "American Idol". I place all blame for this on my wife. She's a singer and music fan, thus I'm FORCED to tune in. I actually enjoy the show, the contestants are very talented and we enjoy the competition. This week's show was a bit different, though. Fans phone in weekly and vote for their favorite contestant. This week, Ruben Studdard, already proclaimed to be the winner of the show by some judges, almost got the boot. Trenyce, a wonderful singer by her own right, got the hook instead. This is where the drama comes into play. Joshua Gracin, a 22 yr old Marine, has advanced to the final four. Seems the judges and various other media pundits felt this was Josh's week to receive a pink slip as they felt he was not the strongest singer. Rumors have begun circulating that Josh is advancing because people at home are voting because he's a U.S. Marine! The judges of the show were so upset and indignant when front-runner Ruben almost got the boot that they actually protested on air pleading to America to vote for the best singer.

Now, upon reflection, I can see their point. However, I also feel that since the name of this competition is "American Idol", doesn't it make sense to choose the person that best fits the definition of an idol? Websters defines an idol as being "an object of extreme devotion, such as a movie idol". Doesn't it makes sense for the winner of this competition to be someone Americans would look up to, to idolize? Josh Gracin may very well best fit that description. He's a devoted husband and father who also has made the decision to serve his country. During the show, he's shown great poise and class by expressing no reservations about having to exit the competition were his unit to be called to Iraq. If you've never heard Josh sing, I suggest tuning in. He's got a great voice and will be a country star someday.

Are Americans voting for Joshua Gracin because he's a Marine? Possibly. I've never made the effort to phone in a vote during the 2 seasons of this show. Tuesday night will be the first time for me. I will be voting for the person I feel is most worthy of my admiration. My vote for Joshua Gracin will be a vote for the type of person most worthy of being called an "American Idol".

I Will Cast My Vote For Josh Gracin!

Jon Alvarez Syracuse, NY PABAAH: Patriotic Americans Boycotting Anti-American Hollywood (Become a Member)

[sonrise57]

I agree . . .

The reason I am for Kimberly is not only because she has a great voice, but also because of the way she bumped up the her performance a notch and in so doing turned the show into a real horse race. I think Kimberly should win, but I believe it will go to either Clay or Reuben. I do think Josh has a chance because of a patriotic voting block. I think this would be a shame if it happened. He does not have nearly as much talent as Kimberly, Clay or Reuben. As as patriot I would like to cast my vote for the best.

[jonalvy44]

dang Glenn, little bit of anger there...might want to get some help.

[jonalvy44]

I agree...Country is his forte. Clay is the best singer, imo. However, like the "Miss America" comment, it should be judged on many things as well...

I will be voting Josh

[Glenn]

little bit of anger there...might want to get some help.

Is that what the "vibes" are telling you?

[alisasny]

From a marketing perspective I have felt Josh should be the Idol. He has range and ability to try all different types of music. While not always 100% he has the ability. He has nice clean cut looks and could fit right in with any of the boy bands. However, once he went country with the twang he lost a lot of ground (not with me). When he sang ballads in the beginning like "Amazed" "Dont wanna miss a thing" or " I'll be" I thought he was just great. He was by far the best on the country night with "Aint going down" and now my 7 year old can sing that song which is very fast.

Clay is by far the most talented singer I have heard in a long time.

Josh did not get booted last week because his fan base of military brats and other teens voted hundreds of times each because they were so upset he was in the bottom 3 the prior week. You can read the tagline board at Josh Gracin.com to see that. Many of his fans wrote on the tagline that they voted 200 times or more.

It all comes down to a matter of taste and frankly I would not buy albums of Trenyce or Ruben. I might buy an album of Kim. I would probably buy an album by Clay or Josh for my kid.

BTW, we plan on taking our kids to the tour when it comes to our area. I think that is the draw and most of the group will be performing.

BTW:

Next week's American Idol theme will be The Bee Gees and singer Robin Gibb is flying in from London to be a guest judge, says the show's executive producer.

[jonalvy44]

no...that's what you nurse, nurse Cratchett told me...

[sharktrager]

You can be classy and not be a wimp.

Josh made a remark about Simon being interested in drag queens. It wasn't classy, clever or brave. It was a cheap shot.

[sharktrager]

The show is about creating a musical career for someone. The main prize is, after all, a recording contract. The top finalists will be going on tour.

Voting for someone because they are a Marine is foolish because, to meet the ends of the show, he has to stop being a Marine.

He can't be a professional pop or country singer and a Marine. It's an either or proposition.

[jonalvy44]

Wow, and I thought here in America anything was possible...

[sharktrager]

How, exactly, can he have a career requiring him to spend 200+ nights a year on the road or doing promotions if he's a serving Marine?

He can't.

To do it he has to leave the corps. If he quits being a Marine to chase stardom, he doesn't sound like much of a Marine to me. If he doesn't quit, he can't be a pop star.

[jonalvy44]

I've never heard that at all...I've heard the Marines are very supportive, at the same time, it's helped promote them. Finally, Josh has said repeatedly if called up, he is fulfilling his duty...Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining on my parade...

[sharktrager]

Which part have you never heard? That he can't fulfill his responsibilities to the corps and be on a world tour? There's just no way someone can be a pop superstar and a Marine at the same time.

[jonalvy44]

you know, I was a little offended at their indignation on how america voted...why have the call ins if they are going to be upset and preach as to how people should vote...Maybe some feel that a singer should be able to dance a little, or be more versatile, or be looked up to, etc.

Bobby Brown is a talented singer, but he'd never be an American Idol because he is a drug addict and a lawbreaker...

[jonalvy44]

wasn't Elvis able to do both?

[sharktrager]

Nope. His recording career went on hold while he was in the army.

The industry is also nothing like it was then.

[jonalvy44]

So what is different?

[sharktrager]

The labels have no use for someone they can't immediately exploit full bore. Only established acts are allowed to take a break from recording and touring. They recognize that most acts have a very short shelf life, so they give them obscene amounts of exposure straight out of the chute. They expect the career to be short and intense.

In the past the public relations demands were much less. Elvis was huge, and he still didn't make the number of public apperances a relatively small act does now. Typically a young act will, if they are lucky, have 1 weekend off every 2 or 3 months.

American Idol's producers have been upset with Kelly Clarkson for how long it has taken to get her debut album out. Frankly, they expected her acreer to be flaming out right about now. Based on what I've seen, that movie she made should just about take care of that for her. She has been very busy, though. In fact, she hasn't been home more than 2 or 3 times in the last year.

For the concept of American Idol to work, the person has to be able to be available for non-stop PR and concert work. Josh won't be able to do that. Even a reservist has to be available 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer. An emerging act is not given that kind of free time. If he is given enough time off to go on a 50 city tour, plus the travel time, rehersal time and PR time that goes along with it, he will no longer be a Marine. If the cCorps keeps him in he will be a Marine in name only.

Frankly, I don't think the producers expected him to last this long.

[vikingchick]

Update: For all who care, Joshua the Marine got cut tonight.