Offical American Idol Discussion Thread

[ShuisFan584]

I'm finally here to give my opinion.

I can honestly say that when I saw them split into groups, I saw it coming. Everyone assumes that the 3 "divas" are the best and that they would be the top 3, so I really thought they were tricking us and that they were actually the bottom 3. And plus, I really didn't think Diana and John fans would keep them in the bottom 3 for a second week, and I know a lot of people were upset about Fantasia's daughter being brought on stage.

When I saw George was left, unfortunately I realized it was obvious that he was safe. When they told him to join the group with the highest votes, I absolutely knew at that point it was because they thought he'd go to the divas. You can imagine I was *thrilled* when they told him he was in the wrong group. I do think it was mean of them though, to put him on the spot and tell him which group to go to.

It really made me mad when Paula put John Stevens on the spot and said that it's not a popularity contest and obviously JPL fans are voting for John Stevens, that's just gonna make me (and probably a bunch of other people) vote for him even more.

I was glad they sent Latoya back to safety because I liked her best out of the 3. I was hoping it would be Fantasia going home, and now since it wasn't her, you can bet she's gonna be just like Ruben and never be in the bottom again, and probably end up winning. Now unfortunately, I only like 3 of the remaining 6 (John, Latoya and Jasmine). I don't want to see another Ruben winning, and if someone like George or Fantasia wins, we're gonna get some more rap or r&b crap, oh I can't wait.

And as everyone probably knows I am one of those "stupid tone-deaf idiots" that votes for John Stevens every week. And I'm not a teenybopper or old. I happen to like the way he sings and I like how he's not a diva, which is pretty much what everyone else in the competition is, and I like how he's different. Yes I vote for him every week. And I can honestly say that this week is the first time I voted almost the full 2 hours. Why? Because I think he's a good singer and that he deserves to make it far in this competition. I didn't want to see him in the bottom 2 again like last week. And plus, I'm sick of beeing called, stupid, or a teenybopper, or tone deaf for voting for him! If anyone hasn't realized, bashing John Stevens and his "idiotic" fans are just gonna make them vote for him even more, which is exactly what I'm doing. I see so many people saying that they have to suffer through yet another performance from him. Well I have the perfect solution for you: DON'T WATCH! I don't care how much people bash John Stevens and myself for voting for him, it's not gonna make me stop. It's just going to make me continue voting for him!

And for people complaining about how this is a popularity contest, um aren't the most popular people going to sell the most albums and concerts, therefore producing the most money? Isn't that the whole point of this competition? Surprisingly a lot of people *gasp* like John Stevens, and *another gasp* would buy his cd's because they like his voice! And also, the teens are the ones that buy the most amount of albums, so if they like John Stevens, then he's going to be making a lot of money. He's talented and popular, and that's what's important.

Ok, and now I'm ready to get bashed for my opinion.

 

[ead79]

ShuisFan584, no bashing from me. Everyone has the right to their own opinion. I don't care for John Stevens' voice, but I don't think it's right for people to call anyone who votes for him an idiot.

As far as last night's show goes, I was shocked at the results. My personal opinion is that they couldn't have been more wrong. The "divas" have been much better than the remaining contestants overall. I was actually a big fan of Jennifer Hudson, so I am sorry to see her go. I think she had just hit her stride and was doing super with her last few performances. I think that calling them "divas" might actually have hurt their popularity a bit, basically it might make them seem a bit snobby. I guess I am just surprised at how many voters evidently overlook contestants missing notes (not just a few, but lots of them).

 

[Nancy]

Originally posted by skiwee1
It is supposed to be on talent. I imagine it has to be a bunch of teenyboppers voting for him because there is no way adults would vote for him even if they thought he was cute. After all, adults are smart enough to know it is a talent contest.

Well if by teenybopper you mean a 45 mother of 3 then I guess you are describing me! I vote for John...not because he is cute but because I like how he sings...no attitude, no dramatics, no "yeah, yeah yeah", no big stupid grin, no bouncing....just goes up and sings, takes his critique and goes on with his life. he is more mature at 16 then Fantasia is at taking critique.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by ShuisFan584
And for people complaining about how this is a popularity contest, um aren't the most popular people going to sell the most albums and concerts, therefore producing the most money?

In a word, no. Based on the AI2 competition, Ruben Studdard was the most 'popular' contestant however the runner-up's album; the so called 'dark horse' of the competition has by far outsold the winner.

I will say that I agree that calling people who are fans of one contestant or another names is not appropriate. Everyone has different musical tastes. I watch this show because I like to hear good singers. Jon S isn't a bad singer, just not as good as the others in my own opinion.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I think it's hysterical how upset people are about the whole thing, you'd think we just elected John Stevens President or something.......lol.

Never underestimate the power of the *underdog*.

 

[avdeane]

I must admit I am one of those that was upset with the results of last night. I do think that John was the one that should have went, BUT...I do think he has a great voice and will be a very talented singer. He needs some time to grow and the songs they have to choose from to sing each week are not his forte, as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't be surprised if this whole experience isn't overwhelming him. But he should have a great career in his future!
Obviously there can't be a true American Idol since everyone has different tastes and opinions.
All of these young people have to be given credit for having the guts to get up there each week and try to give the public what they want from them!! Kudos to each of them!!

 

[damo]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
In a word, no. Based on the AI2 competition, Ruben Studdard was the most 'popular' contestant however the runner-up's album; the so called 'dark horse' of the competition has by far outsold the winner.

I will say that I agree that calling people who are fans of one contestant or another names is not appropriate. Everyone has different musical tastes. I watch this show because I like to hear good singers. Jon S isn't a bad singer, just not as good as the others in my own opinion.

I don't think that Ruben was the most popular contestant at all! I think Clay was the favourite. Ruben was the judges' favourite.

Anyone notice the Barry Manilow had the earpiece in when he sang. None of the contestants get that and Barry is supposed to be the veteran performer!

 

[CookieGVB]

He's also 40 years older than they are.

EH??? What's that you're singing???

 

[ShuisFan584]

Clay was definitely the more popular of the two. I think there were 2 possible reasons that he could have lost. It might have been because there were so many people voting for Clay, that no one could get through, because the phone lines were clogged up. Another possible reason is that there were many people that loved Clay, but also many that hated him because of how much everyone else loved him! Basically you either loved him or you hated him. I think everyone that was a fan of any of the other contestant, voted for Ruben even though they didn't really like him that much, just so Clay wouldn't win.

 

[phorsenuf]

Originally posted by CookieGVB


EH??? What's that you're singing???

Now that's funny!!!

 

[phorsenuf]

Here's a few of my thoughts......in case you want to know

I don't think the judges should be using the word Diva because it gives the wrong impression (bossy and full of attitude).

I don't think they should be giving babies airtime ( I need the money, I'm a single mom impression)(whether that was there intenton or not, it could be interpeted that way).

One vote per household won't work in this house of 5 various opinionated people. (my 14 year old DS voted every week for JPL)

A subsidary of Disney will be giving Jennifer a record deal or contract for her singing on board and tout that.

Guess thats it for now....thanks for tuning in

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by damo
I don't think that Ruben was the most popular contestant at all! I think Clay was the favourite. Ruben was the judges' favourite.

That was really the point I was trying to make, I guess it wasn't clear. Ruben got the most votes last season so according to some of the logic here he was the most 'popular' or had a larger fan base. However in the real world of music sales (which is where it really counts) he wasn't the most popular and all the votes he got on AI2 didn't equate to record sales. A similar fate awaits John Stevens, in my opinion, if for some freakish reason he wins this 'competition.'

 

[musicalSaranader]

Originally posted by skiwee1
I don't see what anyone sees in John either. He has no talent. ... It is supposed to be on talent. I imagine it has to be a bunch of teenyboppers voting for him because there is no way adults would vote for him even if they thought he was cute. After all, adults are smart enough to know it is a talent contest.

I consider myself a young adult, and in NO WAY a teenybopper. And I do know this is supposed to be a talent contest, thank you very much. Just because you are not a fan of JS does NOT make his fans stupid. As it's been stated a hundred times here, it's a matter of opinion, and there are no "right" or "wrong" opinions. I am a JS fan because it is my opinion that he is talented. Please don't try to tell me who I'm "supposed" to be voting for.

 

[avdeane]

Did anyone watch On Air with Ryan Seacrest today? Jennifer was on and seemed very gracious about leaving. She thinks that it may have been that too many people thought the three ladies were safe enough and gave their votes to those they felt needed some extra help. (shades of last year when Rueben ended up in the bottom at one point)
Ryan mentioned a special relationship with another contestant and Jennifer said it was George!! Bet the tongues will be wagging now!!
She also got to sing with Barry Manilow, which I enjoyed too!!

Barry said some very wonderful things about Clay!! Even claiming that Clay could sing better than he could!!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I imagine it has to be a bunch of teenyboppers voting for him because there is no way adults would vote for him even if they thought he was cute. After all, adults are smart enough to know it is a talent contest.

Well, that is just a broad and rude assumption on your part. So, anyone who thinks John is talented is stupid now?

 

[ShuisFan584]

That's exactly the way I took it, and it is comments like those which push me to vote even harder for John Stevens!

 

[CookieGVB]

Originally posted by avdeane
Barry said some very wonderful things about Clay!! Even claiming that Clay could sing better than he could!!

Barry ALWAYS has something nice to say about Clay. He consistently says (a) Clay has a better singing voice and range than he does; (b) that Clay seems to be a nice guy; (c) he seems to be very "grounded" for a person so young, which is a good thing; and (d) his interviews always show him favorably.

So, did they do a "hair compare" bit with Barry, Ryan and Clay?? A friend of mine sent that in as a question - I'm dying to know!

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by Robinrs
I like JS but those of you who do think he can sing must've forgotten about that song he sang totally off key and flat. Something like that is not a matter of opinion but a matter of fact.
I felt so bad for him that night, my heart literally broke listening to him and knowing that he was oblivious to it because he never once tried to fix it. 16 or not, I was 16 when I graduated from high school and I KNEW when I was singing flat.

John knows he's a target like Camille did. I think the fact that he keeps getting voted back in actually hurts him, at least by the look in his eyes.

This competition is getting harder and harder to predict or watch.

Okay, so John had an off night. What makes you think he was oblivious to his errors? I believe every one of the conestants had an off night, though maybe not as bad as John, but they all had off key efforts. I think only LaToya has been pretty consistent so far.

There could be a couple of factors to this. The judges once commented how much better they sometimes sound when they listen to them as opposed to watching the tape afterwards. And as nice as it must be to be perfectly on key all the time, sometimes a singer can start off key and never get back on track.

remember that Joh is only 16 and I get the feeling he doesn't have the performance experience that either of his two contemporaries, Jasmine and Diana, have. Add onto that the fact that the judges keep telling him how bad he is and how he doesn't deserve to be there and how woul you feel? I don't care what age you are, that kind of constant critisicm is tough on the ego.

It's also possible that people are misinterpreting John's "look" as scared and showing no emotion. Remember that he grew up emulating the great crooners like Sinatra, Martin and Crosby. Watch some old tapes of their performances. That's the way they looked too.

 

[sncbird]

Here in the Chicagoland area the weather was very nasty. We missed 1/2 of LaToya's performance due to updates on the areas tornados. Several people in this area were in their basements, lost power and phone service at the time AI was on. Seeing that Jennifer is from this area it's possible she lost alot of votes simply because of mother nature and it was just bad timing on when the storms hit. If it were a typical night around here, who knows if the results would have been different.

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by gometros
remember that Joh is only 16 and I get the feeling he doesn't have the performance experience that either of his two contemporaries, Jasmine and Diana, have. Add onto that the fact that the judges keep telling him how bad he is and how he doesn't deserve to be there and how woul you feel? I don't care what age you are, that kind of constant critisicm is tough on the ego.

It's also possible that people are misinterpreting John's "look" as scared and showing no emotion. Remember that he grew up emulating the great crooners like Sinatra, Martin and Crosby. Watch some old tapes of their performances. That's the way they looked too.

The look on his face looks like pure humility and shock when he's sitting on the stands during the results show. THAT's the look I was talking about. I don't see his singing voice as that bad, as I said before I like John but his OFF nights puts him in a bad position.

I do agree that the way the judges put him down causes his fans to be stronger in the voting. Diana's fans were out handing out flyers on the day of the vote because she was in the bottom three the week before. Just like the week that Ruben was in the bottom three, the divas' fans will get to voting from now on! This was a CLOSE call.

I think I'll be VERY busy next Tuesday night!