Category: Season 8: Finals
Posted by Mark Eaton on Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:44 PMAfter 'Idol' upset, maybe Adam can join Queen
In the biggest upset in "Idol" history, America showed its true colors and showed it unfortunately is not ready for its first gay American Idol after all.
Not to take anything away from Kris Allen, who is a good singer and will fill locales like The Fillmore Detroit theater with thousands of tweens, but Adam Lambert was by far the more talented of the two.
I realize "American Idol" is an over-glorified popularity contest. However, it is simply sad to see America can't handle anything that is not as simple and apparently as straight as American apple pie.
Of course this shocking outcome didn't happen immediately; instead, we were subjected to two hours, six minutes of recaps, medleys, duets and silly gimmicks like the Golden Idol awards. Some of the silly gimmicks included:
* The Golden Idols: We could have saved the seven minutes the show went over.
* The American Idol trophy: Apparently "AI" producers were fearful Idol contestants would be insulted that "celebrities" like Shawn Johnson received a trophy for winning a silly dance contest whereas the Idols are simply treated with the opportunity to sell millions of records.
* Former Idols as off-site correspondents: Rather than have to wait for a "what happened to?" series, we got reintroduced to Mikaleh Gordon and Carly Smithson.
* Randy Jackson's bow tie: Perhaps not a gimmick, but what the heck was up with that thing?!
As for Adam Lambert, with Paul Rodgers no longer leader singer of legendary rock band Queen, might the remaining members consider Adam as the next? With the flair of Freddy Mercury, Adam seems like the perfect fit.
I was thoroughly impressed by Kris Allen's and Adam Lambert's duet of "I Will Remember You" during yet another silly Ford commercial. However, that was quickly negated by "Idol" giving Ford an even bigger plug by giving Fusions away to Kris and Adam.
I can't finish up the season without a best and worst of the night:
Best: In an emotional tribute to his late brother Adam, David Cook performed his new single, "Permanent." I encourage people to download this song on iTunes as proceeds go to Accelerate Brian Cancer Cure.
Worst: Did "Idol" really need to give Nick Mitchell, Tatiana del Toro and Bikini Girl extra time on their 15 minutes of fame?!
Thank you to all of those folks who enjoyed my equal opportunity offending this year. Like Simon, I enjoy taking the side usually less popular and challenging America. With "Idol" gone until January, I encourage you to look inside yourself and ask whether you voted for Kris Allen because he truly was the best singer or because he was the worship leader of his church in middle America who didn't challenge the norm.
Comments
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PuhLeese
Do you realize your spelling please wrong . If that's what your trying to spell . At the top of your screen there should be a spell check .
PuhLeese
demi, that is ironic...although I must admit that I have not read that far back in his blogs.
I just have a problem with people automatically choosing "victimization status" anytime something doesn't go their way. People are so quick to assume it was because of race, sexual orientation, religion, etc...I really don't think those things play as much of a factor as some folks would have us believe. I mean, why can't it simply be a matter of more people liked Kris' middle-of-the-road singing style over Adam's over-the-top screaming style?
Did sexual orientation play a role in some voting? There's no way of knowing, but if...IF...that were the case, I doubt that it was significant enough to affect the outcome of the competition. If it were, Adam would never have made it to the final round.
If anything other than the singing influenced the voting, I would theorize that it was more likely the over-praise of the judges that backfired with the public.
Judges - by definition of the role of "judge" - are supposed to be arbitrary and un-biased.
In this competition, the judges were by-and-large in Adam's corner. At times their praise was warranted - he IS a good singer afterall - but at other times it was pure fawning. Paula Abdul practically guaranteed that Adam was going to win American Idol leading up to last night. A judge who is so publicly biased has no business being a judge in the first place. So I think the slobbering love affair with the judges may have worked against Adam in the long run...at least more than any alleged homophobia did.
PuhLeese
r4u2,
Ironic that Mark Eaton points his finger at America regarding the treatment of gays, but he himself made a joke about Ryan Seacrests sexual orientation a few blogs back. Yes, Mark's a real kool guy. Embarrassing.
PuhLeese
Stop this "America is anti-gay" crap already! I didn't vote, but if I had it would not have been for Adam...and it has nothing to do with his being gay. I didn't like Adam's screaming in nearly every performance on the show. Yes, he is talented...yes, he has a very well controlled voice...yes, he is entertaining and has a commanding stage performance.
However, this is a SINGING contest! If I heard Adam on the radio and he started his screeching, I would switch stations in a heartbeat! And that would be the case if he were straight! The screeching was a huge turnoff for me, and apparently it was for the majority of American Idol fans.
Stop making this into a political thing!
American Idol
You really think the bible thumping anti-gay marriage contingent is a big voting block of Idol? I have my doubts. There are tons of reasons not to vote for Adam Lambert that have nothing to do with his unknown sexuality. I don't like the broadway tone to his voice. Just because he's singing a rock song doesn't mean it doesn't sound like broadway. You also have to question the relevance of his often screaming songs. Tonight he sang with Kiss and fit in well with Queen, neither of whom are popular with most Americans. Sure there are plenty of glam rock fans, but not nearly as many as other genres. In stark contrast, Kris appeals to fans of Keith Urban, country in general, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, John Mayer...the list goes on. Lastly, Danny Gokey had a big following, many of his fans were likely to stick around for the finale and vote. What percentage of them would vote for Adam?
American Idol
Mark,
Only a really kool guy would enjoy taking the side less popular and challenging America? But I might point out that your blogs receive anywhere from zero to 3 responses each week. Don't know the exact number but I would swear on a stack of bibles there are a few more people in America than 3. I would encourage you to go back and count. I think you might be the definition of 'self-important'. In addition you have the most rare of abilities - divining the intention of the voters. America can elect its first black president, but the American Idol voters, who are generally younger and more 'hip', are stuck in the 1950's. Didn't realize the Anita Bryant and Miss California were such big fans. I'm guessing you will get support from people who find comfort in playing the homophobe card. Can you say 'pander'. Kinda the opposite of 'challenging' isn't it. Not all is negative though as I give you props for landing the venue to 'challenge America' with the 'American Idol Blog'
Sure hope you will come back to 'challenge America' next season.
American Idol
Blogger Mark Eaton said: With "Idol" gone until January, I encourage you to look inside yourself and ask whether you voted for Kris Allen because he truly was the best singer or because he was the worship leader of his church in middle America who didn't challenge the norm.
Me: Kris Allen’s appeal was in part because he did challenge the norm. For most young people the norm is not missionary work and meekness. Most young people are self-absorbed. Humility is not something we are born with; it takes work. I disagree that this should be a contest based solely on who was the best singer. When we size people up we take in to account the whole person. Kris appealed to the majority of voters for a variety of good reasons. Why try to attach some odious motive to it?
After Idol Upset
Mark I agree with you 150,000%. Your first 3 paragraphs of your blog and your last sentence were killer. Right on the money. You summed up my feelings exactly. I think you hit the nail on the head and I love how you conveyed your message. Some just prefer the middle of the road, not making waves, they can't handle someone who is visibly different. Kris is a nice, sweet, guy who does sing nice but Adam was far and away the consummate artist and as you said so well, the most talented of the two. Kudos to you!
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