I confess — I’ve been an American Idol viewer since the first season. I’ve never been vocal about it, because it’s always been a shameful guilty pleasure/curse of mine. Every year after watching the finale, my reaction is the same: “That’s four months of my life I’ll never get back.” I see the winner, hear the god awful coronation single about puppies, kittens and rainbows and vow never to watch again; that is until January rolls around and in my winter boredom I’m dying to hear Simon berate some delusional twit who thinks he/she is the next Michael Jackson/Whitney Houston/Kelly Clarkson (insert your own pop icon here).
That is, until last night. For the first time ever, the person I thought should win, the person that captured my heart and respect (which takes a lot; I’m pretty particular) actually won the damn thing. For the first time ever, the producer’s blatant choice and little darling didn’t win. For the first time ever, America got it right. How did that happen?
My mistrust in this show runs deep, and it’s only been the rare gems throughout the years that have garnered some love in this mostly hate relationship. I still fondly recall Clay Aiken’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me” and making Neil Sedaka cry with “Solitaire”, Bo Bice’s “In A Dream” and living one of the biggest moments in his life singing “Sweet Home Alabama” with Lynyrd Skynrd, Constantine Maroulis’ strange but entertaining renditions of “I Think I Love You” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Paris Bennett’s “Midnight Train to Georgia”, just about anything Melinda Doolittle sang (her early exit still sparks cursing from me), Blake Lewis’ strange take on Bon Jovi, and yes, even Taylor Hicks’ “Play That Funky Music.” I’ve always had strange tastes, and each year there was always one person who managed to satisfy them a little (except for season one; that was pretty bad on all levels).
This year’s finale wasn’t all that different from others, delivering plenty of bad moments. Were the group sing-alongs painful? Yes. Again we got shameless promos for new summer films that were cringeworthy (although I did die laughing over the Pips thing) and ate up too much valuable screen time that could have showcased the top twelve more. As much as I enjoyed the amount of attention given to the hoopla (the USC marching band!), the annual parading of this year’s audition freak was still uncomfortable. It didn’t compare to season five when the Clay Aiken wannabe freaked out when the real Clay Aiken showed up on stage behind him. Even the commercials were bad. David Archuleta playing Guitar Hero to the theme of Risky Business bordered on kiddie porn, and I’m sure David Cook will have a hard time living down his turn as well.
Article comments
1 - Suzie
I wish that the AI staff had had the guts to put on Clay Aiken again with his new CD (that supposedly is going to be promoted this time by Sony/BMG) - in lieu of the strange overaged auditioner and USC band. If they wanted ratings, they should have given viewers what they want to see - not a cheap variety show. Carrie U is good but she needs no more exposure - give me a break...and why/where did they dig up George Michaels - was he tired of doing drugs and needed a respite?
2 - ally
You are SO right. The AI5 finale where Clay Aiken showed up was a TV moment that will never be topped. Too bad he wasn't on again, I would have watched it.
3 - Dave
AI wouldn't dare have Clay on again. He would have stolen the show from both Davids and they couldn't risk the comparison. As it is, the blogosphere went straight to youtube to publish Clay's version of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me to show how it should be done. Can you imagine if he was there in person? Clay walked out on stage in the S5 finale without an introduction and when the crowd realized who it was, they roared in approval.
No, we won't see Clay on AI again. Their loss.
4 - Carrie
David Cook has previously recorded a cd and it sold on i-tunes before it was pulled during his AI stint.
So....winning AI just gives him the opp to record his 2nd cd.
5 - Georgeann
Well, IMO, Simon said what he did on the finale to trigger more votes for the one who he wanted by the time the finale came. I very much believe that AI TPTB switched from pushing Archuleta to pushing Cook. It was so obvious to me & many of my friends. It almost made me not like Cook, even though he came across as such a nice guy. I truly believe that in the end, AI got who they wanted for their Idol. By the finale, I liked both David's so much that honestly it didn't matter to me which one won. However, I felt angry that Simon was so negative about Cook, then proceeded to apologize the next day, just so he could still be "right" about who was chosen. I have watched Idol every year since season 1 also and hate the games TPTB play, but, like you, have come back for more each year. Rather sad & pathetic, isn't it?? LOL
6 - elpheba
I don't watch AI anymore. I don't like being lied to and manipulated.
7 - Toni
I agree with Georgeann. I think that Simon purposely dissed David C. because he wanted people to vote for him. He knows that people would do that, just as he knows that if he praises someone, they're likely to get booted off the show the following day.
8 - dee
Has anyone ever wondered how they can receive so many phone calls and texts in the time alloted. If you figured it out its roughly about over 1,000 calls and texts per second. How can this be???? I still think there has been a mistake.
9 - ade
The article is great, and makes some really good points about this show.
I think American Idol is fixed...and always has been. I agree with dee, about the supposed high numbers of calls and texts in the alloted time. I haven't watched in years.
The winner has always been predetermined before the show begins. The three judges proceed to spend weeks pushing their annointed one by foisting their manipulative comments upon a mostly unsuspecting public. Hence my opinion that the show is, has always been, and always will be, until it finally and thankfully goes off the air....fixed.
Do you really think anybody would pour tons of money into an unknown and let the public determine the winner? Maybe they should have done just that...because most of those who won the title are nowhere today; and some of those who didn't win, have become very successful...on their own terms.
10 - Marie
Loved your article as you were so right on. I too can't believe America's voice has finally spoken. It almost made up for every year that the idol of my choice didn't win(with the exception of Kelly C). I have to say that I did really enjoy all of the top 12 this year and hope most are lucky enough to progress with their career-especially Michael Johns who was my 2nd Favorite.
11 - Heather
COOK FTW! DC has probably got to be my favorite Idol contestent out of the two and a half seasons that I've watched. I completely agree with everythnig you've said here. Cook has the entire package and Archie, while INCREDIBLY talented, still has a bit of growing up to do. I wish him the best of luck though. GOOD JOB AMERICA! One of the few times you've got it right! The bartender from Missouri prevails! HUZZAH!
12 - Susan
I have stopped watching AI for the exact same reasons you stated in your article. Simon states that he doesn't mean to be rude but usually is. He says the most cruel comments to some of the contestants that I have ever heard and I just wish that someone would put Simon in his place for once!!
The winner is usually predetermined and always praised no matter how good or bad they sing on each episode and whoever they don't want to win, can't do anything right no matter how good they are.
I'm glad David Cook won because David Archuleta is very talented but has some "growing up" to do to run with the grownups. This is not meant as a putdown to him but he seemed to be so young and immature even though he had a great voice. Maybe he should have waited a year or two???
I agree that Clay appearing on AI5 was the most memorable moment ever on AI and I also think that is why he wasn't on the finale show this year. The PTB are too chicken to have Clay on the show again for fear he will steal the show again with his phenomenel voice. They could have had David A. start singing Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me and then have Clay walk up behind him and the song become a duet. It would have brought the house down!! David A. said he liked Clay on AI so it would have so worked. These people must be a little slow on the uptake or like to cut off their nost to spite their face???????
13 - Cookie
I agree, they definitely should have had Clay on this year. I thought they were all for super talented people. I still haven't figured out what they're afraid of. They are even promoting Ruben again. They treat Clay Aiken like an axe murderer. They should start to wake up and give the public the entertainers they want to see instead of all of these hasbeens that use the show to promote an album for the first time in 60 years. They want to make some changes that make a difference then put your money where your mouth is and lets see some talent like Clay Aiken next year. Give us all a treat.