American Idol: the Post-Constantine Era Sequel
Published May 02, 2005
Tomorrow begins American Idol Season Four: Part II, The Post-Constantine Maroulis Sequel (working title: "When Good Dogs Bite").
We left off last week's episode with tears and flocks of boo-birds filling the house, making it sound like the armory on World Wrestling Federation Night (or the Orange Bowl after being treated to Ashlee "La La" Simpson). Constantine laid down a much more appealing version of Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" than his foray the night before, then the signal went dark.
So before American Idol: The Sequel begins, I offer my final (to this point) summation on The Matter of the Premature Departure of Constantine Maroulis.
The bottom line is this: Constantine's elimination was accidental---just as the elimination of Tamyra Gray in AI1 was accidental---and that is one reason it felt so bad, even for fans who were not particular devotees of the boy from Brooklyn.
As I said in my previous musings, there was a whole host of things---none of them fatal in and of itself---that had enough negative synergy to lead substantial numbers of casual fans (in political terms, the swing voter) to wind up going "eh" at the close of last Tuesday's Donny & Marie Variety Show.
So they went to bed, or watched "Stacked," or surfed over to C-Span, or made a sandwich. They did anything but vote. But they never dreamed---and certainly never intended---that by their eh-ness they were helping finish off Mr. Maroulis.
"Eh" is a very dangerous phenomenon for American Idol contestants.
That's because there is only one way to win American Idol, but there are many ways to lose.
To win, as the master of the obvious points out, you simply have to get more votes than the other guys. But you can lose by suffering a million minor cuts in voter enthusiasm, even if some of those cuts don't have anything at all---or little---to do with you or your last performance.
Add the impact of reckless tactical voting and, increasingly, of rogue voting and, there you have it, an accidental kill.
Although there were aspects of the pending Pray for the Soul of Betty debut that, I believe, added to the constellation of evil stars over Mr. Maroulis' head last Tuesday---aspects that may have had no effect at all had the deal been announced in a different week or had Constantine sung, say, "When A Man Loves A Woman" instead of "How You Remind Me" or had the cow jumped over the moon---the good news for Constantine and his fans is that the band is breezing through open doors.
And, look: you can't buy the pub and emotional investment Betty got for free last week when The Injustice was done.
I do question how, in the immediate future, at least, Constantine will manage riding this wave, as no doubt the AI powers-that-be have laid claim to his artistry, if not his first-born child.
- American Idol: the Post-Constantine Era Sequel
- Published: May 02, 2005
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Reality TV
- Writer: Sticker
- Sticker's BC Writer page
- Sticker's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
chris--
exactly.
It's not Con we're crying for. It's us. We have to watch the rest of this season without a reason to.
Sticker, I had been wondering about all of that too, in regards to the rest of Con's band. His obligation to AI will definitely put their touring on hold---or will it??!!! :)
I can't believe you pulled out that Chris Gaines reference! Where did that come from?? Poor Garth!
I'm so anxious what tomorrow night will be like without Constantine! SCOTT HAS TO GO!
Thanks for another good article!
Gives a whole new meaning to AC and BC!
I'm still SAD! Is there any type of Constantine fan club or e-mail where we can reach out to him and let him know he's loved? Or let him know we'd buy a SOLO album if he puts one out. I know about his group band, which I may try to support, but I'd prefer to HEAR CONSTANTINE on a solo album! Will he be on TV? Let me know what you know! Thanks, Kristi
hi, mir
I don't know where *any* of this stuff comes from, much less the Chris Gaines ref. It's not like I own the disc or anything! lol
I hope Con had some lawyers involved already and that they structured his "sign away" to Betty so that it changed based on various contingencies, such as getting eliminated early.
wow, it's not going to be pretty tomorrow night
Rose -
So right. I had even thought about using that in the title.
Yes, we'll see what the "sequel" is like tomorrow night.
Con,
I just want to say that from the very start of the show, this season, I voted for you and Bo. I myself always thought you, Bo and Carrie would be the 3 finalits. From week one I started out with voting 40 times each for you and Bo. Each week I would add 10 votes to it for the each of you. I believe by the time you were voted off I was voting approx. 170 times each for the two of you per night, per week. I really thought Scott, Anthony or Vonzelle would get voted off before you did. I was in total shock. I was at a family members house when I watched the show that night and I want you to know I cried all the way home. I truly wanted a rocker to win it this year. And even though your gone, and we all miss you terribly, I'm still voting for Bo. I pray for success every day. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to buying your groups CD when it comes out. Thanks again. Vickie
JUST LIKE YOU, I WAS VERY SAD TO SEE CONSTANTINE OUT OF AMERICAN IDOL. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE../???
AMERICA HAS LET ME DOWN......
Yup, Sticker. SO robbed. Such a SHAME (sham?) he's ousted from the competition.
I tend to believe what happened had nothing to do with votes-- never been in bottom 3 group and fan base quickly growing-- and EVERYTHING to do with the timing of his band's album distribution deal.
Bet you a million Harry Winston diamond necklaces that Constantine was the victim of some vindictive and self-righteous powermonger in the 19/fremantle empire.
The Nice Greek Boy has been cruelly denied a few more weeks of a once-in-a lifetime experience.
And I feel deprived of at least six more thrilling nights of him, doing surprising fun things, performing his heart out.
I know he's alright, but still.... makes me sad.
(for more of my thoughts, click the URL)
Constantine's elimination was an injustice. There has never been an uproar at any contestant being eliminated as there has been for Constantine. His fans find it unbelievable that he went from never being in the bottom three to suddenly being eliminated in one week. Many fans experienced telephone problems and got either dead air or a constant busy signal when trying to vote for him. Constantine and his fans were robbed. His sudden elimination leaves his fans with questions. Perhaps his band's distribution deal didn't sit well with the powers that be. Constantine signed over his rights to the cd before he entered the competition and he was to get nothing from it. When constantine left so did a lot of viewers. Ratings were down the week after.
I think his band is using him to sell CDs, I read last night that the band does NOT have a record contract, they just signed to DISTRUBUTE the CD, and Con signed over the rights, so he gets no money, and nothing that says he had anything to do with the band, apart from that he sang. I also read that he IS coming out with a solo cd, can anyone confirm? Well, anyways, I dont think I will be buying Bettys cd now since they just want to distruute it while Con is "hot"
Very good article. Though the show is already over I still feel sorry. The sequel was very bad, as most of all sequels. Without Constantine it was only an ordinary show with some good singers but not excitement at all! I thank you for writing this text about it but I disagree his elimination was accidental. It was on purpose. Guess he was not supposed to win but was getting too popular. Producers decided to send him back home or he would be the next American Idol, a place already reserved to Carry Underwood. I believe the second place was also rigged. That's what my heart tells me. Thank you anyway. And...at least Cosntantine is really doing fine even though he left at number six. Some people say Six now means One. Guess they are right.
Virginia,
Thank you for your kind words. I know a lot of Constantine fans still feel bad about his early elimination.
Maybe you would also like to read what I wrote the night of that show-- here
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(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/28922)
It doesnt matter if Constantine is in the competition or not, he already has what everybody is going for, A RECORD CONTRACT! Why stay when you basically already won?