American Idol Final Four: Testing the Screensaver Theory
Published May 10, 2006
Computer screensavers are the bedroom walls of the Internet generation: a functional necessity you might as well decorate and personalize, because the space is there and - why not? Puppies, waterfalls, 3-D global news, and SpongeBob Squarepants are vastly cooler on your computer screen than flying windows, no?
So while poster sales in the '70s pointed to a national Farrah Fawcett fixation, in the '00s screensaver downloads — dubbed the "pop culture pulse-taker" by The Los Angeles Times — point to Heidi Klum as the current favored digital hottie.
Tonight we have an excellent opportunity to test the efficacy of the download theory as I was able to secure some screensaver stats from the leading download site Screensavers.com regarding the remaining four American Idol finalists, one of whom will be booted into oblivion in a little over an hour from now.
Here's what we know: over a recent multi-day time period, Chris Daughtry garnered 44.7% of the Final Four downloads, Katherine McPhee snagged 25.7%, Taylor Hicks grabbed 20.8%, and Elliott Yamin — whom we all have to admit is the least pretty individual to go this deep in the competition in the history of the show — brought up the rear with 8.8%.
But of course, enjoying a person's singing on TV and enthusiastically voting them to glory is not exactly the same thing as their mug springing to life on your computer in very close proximity to your face every time you stop typing for a few minutes.
And I have even more recent figures for your amusement and edification: after last night's lackluster Elvis-tune performances by sweet Katharine, in the last 24 hours, downloads of "Gray Fox" Taylor Hicks shot ahead of the lovely Miss McPhee, who certainly has looks on her side; with Daughtry still in the lead and Yamin — who did a stellar job on his two Presley numbers — still in the rear.
I am predicting that McPhee's download decline is a foreshadow of doom, but I wouldn't bet on it or anything. We shall see.
By the way, Kelly Clarkson is by far the most downloaded all-time Idol, accounting for over 57% of all Idol downloads over that same multi-day time period mentioned above.
- American Idol Final Four: Testing the Screensaver Theory
- Published: May 10, 2006
- Type: News
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: News, Sci/Tech: Internet, Culture: Society, Video: Reality TV
- Writer: Eric Olsen
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Comments on this articleComments
Well, the theory was exactly wrong: Chris is defenestrated and looked very shocked about it
Once again popularity plays a big role in determining the winner instead of true talent. Was everyone watching the same show, with all due respect Katherine's performances last night were the weakest in both rounds, that should speak for something. Chris looked shocked as he should have. Wake up America, lets choose the best talent not the best looking.
I assume Chris is considered the "best looking" after Katharine, so that theory doesn't exactly hold up either, though
I agree with you about Katharine being the weakest last night, by the way
Yes, I think the screensaver theory just got debunked.
Now, if you really want to follow the crowd, come to VoteForTheWorst.com and see what those folks are up to.
They got it right from the song choices being sung to the final results. They have great contacts.
It all depends on what you base your research on. Do a google search for hits and you see 'Taylor Hicks' having 2,120,000 searches for him, as against 'Chris Daughtry' who had 1,350,000 searches for him.
After last nights performance I knew Chris was in trouble. His performance of 'little less conversation lacked any charisma, personality, it was dull and boring. His version of suspicious minds was not quite as bad but also did not keep you riveted in your seat. Chris's problem was a lack of personality and he was only good when he did his glare/stare in rock mode.
Chris was the producers and judges favourite, not necessarily the publics. That is why he was in the bottom 3 before.
good points all: The Google theory is much more broad-based than mine!
I think also that appearance (over fan loyalty) plays an even stronger role than I thought in the screensaver downloads
I love American Idol.Can Someone tell me when american idol
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Interesting perspective on the AI voting outcome. No offense to Ms. McPhee, but she was the weakest link in last night's show.
I would be hard pressed to pic a favorite of the three guys. They are all great.