Posted on 05/12/2006 3:24:52 AM PDT by jocon307
As a seasoned political observer with more than two decades of experience analyzing voting patterns and the like, I would now like to explain to you one of the greatest mysteries in the history of balloting - a mystery so profound that people have sobbed and scratched their heads, gasped and cried out in anger, and insisted they would never again participate in the voting process.
Am I talking about the Florida election in 2000? The 1984 controversy over the victor in the race for Indiana's Eighth Congressional District? The race for president in 1876?
No, I'm talking about the elimination on Wednesday night of rocker Chris Daughtry from the list of contenders for the title of "American Idol."...
How could this happen?...
If you want to understand "Idol," you need to understand American politics. And if you want to understand the workings of American politics, "Idol" isn't a bad introduction to the way political coalitions are formed and elections are won....
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I looked and have seen several different accounts. Some say they are obligated for a three-month tour after the show. But I suppose that does not exclude other contractual obligations. It does not seem outrageous since AI has made them all household names.
Oh excuse me...you solving Darfur as you type on FR? Whatever.
LOL...I just solved the oil crisis.
Exactly...
Taylor has a beautiful voice, but you're right, there's something weird and spastic about him. What's with this jerking around and going "Wooooo!" all the time? You'd think that with all the calories he's burning with his constant spasms he'd be skinnier.
I can see the look of developing horror on Simon's face as he realizes that the Idol he's going to be promoting in the next year is a singer who embarrasses him.
American Idol, phooey. I'm still waiting for reports of contestants singing songs like "Communication Breakdown." Then maybe I'll consider watching.
I think Chris is better off not being in an American Idol contract. I heard it was for 5 years, you are tied to them. This way he does his summer tour and then can get a contract with someone other than Idol.
Yea...but Ray was a legend. Taylor will never be anywhere close to Ray Charles. To mention the two in the same breath is rather insulting to the memory of Ray Charles if you ask me.
You've never been so entertained :)
sw
It is amusing to me that the main press is trying to turn Chris's loss into political statement,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/11/AR2006051102135_pf.html
We Get the Idols We Deserve By Robin Givhan Friday, May 12, 2006
"The departure of rocker Chris Daughtry from "American Idol" means that the squishy middle has won once again. Daughtry was voted off the show this week, leaving behind three uninspired performers who may appeal to the masses but lack any distinctive personal style."
I stopped voting over 3 weeks ago because here EST I could never get through, always a busy signal.
Not necessarily true. Let's say there are 5 million people voting one week. Between busy signals, these 5 million people average 8 votes each. Now assume for the sake of argument that because of who got kicked off the show one week, there are only 4 million people who decide to vote the following week. In between busy signals that week they average 10 votes each. So, the total number of votes remains fairly constant, even with less people voting.
See, within certain limits, the limiting factor is the number of simultaneous telephone switching connections, not the number of people voting.
As for John's idea that voting for AI is like voting in a national election, I say hogwash. You can vote as many times as you can get past the busy signals when you vote for American Idol. Only a small percentage of voters in national elections vote more than once.
Plus, the American people are more attuned to singing and performance talent than they are to political competence. Evidence Kerry and Kennedy in Mass. Or Kennedy in RI.
Oh will you lighten up. Tourrettes is a disorder that makes you do spastic things. Hicks does that so the obvious tongue-in-cheek remark I made is reasonable.
Are you the type who wigs out if I say something like "thats gay"?
Chris got tossed out because he sang A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action, which is an anti-female song. Women got angry and refused to vote for him this time!Are you kidding me? This woman put it on her iPod.
I don't want her to win either, but how can you say she is FAT???
I almost feel almost silly for being so addicted to this show, I set my reminder a week in advance to be sure to be there for the opening credits and get excited when the animated women takes to the catwalk.. sheeesh.. Another confession I have to endure is that I vote every week, even when I was too sick to hold a fork.
I propped the phone on a pillow and I dialed and repeatedly redialed until I got through.. As for my pattern of choices, I am as predictable as a clock.. I am a traditionalist, meaning I love a real singer.. A great voice is music to my ear (eyes rolling), and I am a sucker for a pretty face, which is why Elliott has been my choice since the beginning.. Looking at him reminds me that I still may be better looking than him, even if I don't have his pipes, which is a draw in my book.. :) No surprise that Katt is my second pick as is my teenage son. He is a music aficionado, and he sees 3 great advantages in her, 1) her voice and 2)-3)... He's my boy after all.. :)
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Please send me your blender....(if you can pear to part with it)
...(based on my impression it) it seems to be more wholesome than some of the other crap they put out these days.Your impression is correct. It is the only TV show my children are allowed to watch. It has become our Tuesday-night ritual... pizza, popcorn, and American Idol.
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