Once again, we've reached that point in the American Idol competition where the voting trends seem to defy all logic and reason.
From a relatively objective point of view, two excellent singers, Nadia Turner and Anwar Robinson, have been sent home, and two mediocre (at best) singers still remain among the top six contestants. Some fans of the show are up in arms, unable to cope with the fact that we'll be subjected to at least one more week of the song stylings of Anthony Fedorov and Scott Savol. In particular, Mr. Savol seems to have struck a negative chord with many viewers.
Last season, we were in a similar situation, with crooner John Stevens and the pretty-but-vapid Jasmine Trias inexplicably outlasting far more talented performers like Jennifer Hudson.
Much print has been devoted to the voting dynamics of the show, but it seems that something is happening that the show's producers probably weren't counting on: some fans are purposely voting for the singer whom they deem to be the "worst."
Witness the web site "Vote For The Worst," with it's tongue-in-cheek mission statement:
This show is not about finding the next big superstar. Your favorite contestant probably won't win, and will probably get a record contract anyway if they're good enough. LaToya London had an amazing voice last season and she didn't make it past 4th place. Fantasia won the competition and her record sales are dismal because 19 Entertainment barely even promotes her. What a great "prize".For the time being, the "Vote For The Worst" crew has thrown their support behind contestant Scott Savol, and quite a few fans seem to be on board.TV is supposed to be about the entertainment value, and what's more entertaining than a fish out of water outlasting the big fish and sharks? This pledge is to keep whoever we've selected as the worst competitor in the competition by voting for them for the entire time alotted every week. Even if you live outside of America, tell people about the pledge and spread the word. At the top of this page, we will post a banner with the contestant that we're supporting. If you so choose, vote along with us and help keep the no talent of the week in the competition.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Janice Brown
I understand the sad state of affairs at AI but I must disagree with you about Fantasia. It has been a long time since 1.3 mil in sales, still in the Top 40 on Billboard Albums, Still Top 10 R&B Albums
4 songs on Billboard charts (at the same time), 3 on the Hot 100(at the same time), 3 on the R&B 100 The #1 Adult R&B song for 10 weeks in a row from a debut artist was considered dismal.
By the way Fantasia has had an appearance at least 3 days out of the week at different venues. Will be on Tour in June and July.
I believe 19E and American Idol are extremely pleased because Fantasia acceptance by the industry greats has given AI the credibility of not just being a reality show that put out cd that loyal fanbases purchase no matter how bad it is. American Idol has been a joke when it came to airplay but now You have an artist that put a cd out that has gained critical acclaim and is breaking records while receiving massive airplay (Check Out Billboard Monitor)
2 - Eric Olsen
great catch on this Scott, thanks! I realize you were just quoting these guys about Fantasia, but I have to agree with Janice that she has been a success thus far. I think she's here to stay along with Kelly and Clay, not sure about Ruben yet.
3 - Scott Pepper
I think it may be early to try to gauge Fantasia's longevity, but her record sales have not been as strong as those of Kelly, Clay, or Ruben.
source
4 - Eric Olsen
I think she has made herself pretty specifically "urban," which may hold down sales at any given point in time but will serve her well in the long haul
5 - lashana
I think Fantasha was the best thing that came out of American Idol.I think she's going to outlast all the previous American Idol stars.
6 - Eric Olsen
she may Lashana, although Clay's fan base is, um, fervent
7 - TylerNewton
This isn't just about that vote for the worst crap you are showing.
Scott and Eric, do you have a hard time believing that Bo/Carrie/Constantine fans wanted no part of Nadia and Anwar, and thus a portion of their fanbases collectively pooled votes for Scott and Anthony just to make sure Nadia and Anwar went home?
Not only does it make sense, but it is true. I've seen many Bo/Carrie/Constantine fans do it. None of them want their favorite to face Nadia or Anwar in the finals. In fact, none of them wanted those two to be in the final 4, so they came up with a way to get them off in spite of AI not allowing fans to actually vote off people.
This is no conspiracy theory. This is actually happening in the homes of Bo/Carrie/Constantine fans all across America.
P.S. Those fans also want no part of Vonzell. That's why she'll go home next week. After that the Big 3 can coast to the final 3 because THEN Scott an Anthony will be locks to go home.
8 - Pape
It's very sad to watch AI now.
How come Nadia and Anwar went home while Scott, anthony,Bo,Constantine still on the show.
These four don't even deserve to be in the last 20.
I think this year is failure compare to the past.
Please let's find another way of voting if not anybody can be American idol.
9 - Jz
There are only 5 including Scott left. It's true no one can stop people from finding out, but there was a chance that not enough people would find out before the competition was over. You feel like it's hard to "swing the needle", but You've just greatly reduced that chance by making it searchable world wide when people type "American Idol", the will see it.
10 - Scott Pepper
Jz, hopefully the more people who find out that some viewers are voting for the "worst" singers will encourage more fans to vote for their favorites.
11 - MalakaJoe
19 Group's contract that is given to the AI winner is considered horrible by industry standards. Whoever gets stuck with it is limited in many things they can do.
Clay Aiken got out of the contract. help your favorite lose and hopefully get out of the contract as well.
Vote for Scott to save the others.
12 - Eric Olsen
I believe the net result of this approach would be the destruction of the franchise, whic his exactly what the votefortheworst people have in mind
13 - -E
I don't think it occurs to that many people to vote for lesser talents in order to promote their favorites. It has never dawned on me to do that (granted one of the few times I have voted was for Clay in the wild card round when he sang Elton John, and more because I'm obsessed with Elton John).
But at least these folks picked the right one to be "worst."
14 - Mary Edwards
AI is a popularity contest and not a talent contest. Losing Anwar and Nadia is proof of that. I think the format should be changed to letting the judges have some sort of veto or override vote.
15 - Susan
Vote for the Worst got a letter from Fox, A.I. or other related entity citing intellectual property rights. Vote for the Worst posted the letter on its website from what I understand. The website may have cited freedom of speech. Tonight it is down. Perhaps the service provider received such a letter. Griffinity is also down and I know of one other website that supposedly received such a letter that is also down. There may be others as well.
16 - Fed UP with A I
OK..Who Cares??? Has anyone wondered what the total cash made by Cingular with this text message voting system? 1,000,000 votes = $100,000.If only a small percentage went to feed the homeless, Tsunami relief or the Red Cross I'd feel better about watching mindless adolescents sing horrible songs, and watching Paula dancing at the judges table.
17 - Stacy
American Idol votes are not fair, but life is not fair. Scott is a whole lot better than Constatine was. Bo should go home before Scott or Antony does, expecially since he said that he didn't care if he stayed or if he went home. Evidently people think that Anthony and Scott can sing if they are in the top 5 but Nadia and Constatine and Anwar went home. Now that someone stupid got Vote for the Worst thing going on, then it is not any more fair than it was before. Personally vote for the worst thing is stupid, if you don't care or don't care about the show then don't watch it and don't vote. nobody wants your votes if yall are just TRYING to be cute, and by the way yall aren't achieving.
18 - Michael Hopcroft
Does anyone really believe that a serious muscian who has something to say would show their faces on a glorified talent show? The very concept of American Idol is utterly pathetic and shows just how vapid and pointless American popular music has become.
19 - doesnt matter
all of you need um...whats the word...oh yeah.. LIVES!!!! Stop making idol ur biggest freaking meaning in life; its not important-P.S. THE BEST IDOL SO FAR IS KELLY CLARKSON!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 - Hooded Fang
You think they're bad. You should see the guy that have won CANADIAN Idol. As a Canadian Im not proud of these two but hey at least we now know of 2 people that cannot sing for sure. They have possibly had the weirdest singles of any idol in the world. The current one even plays a freaking electric violin. It sounds scary. Then again voting for the worst is truly a Canadian thing. Its nice to see an imitation show meet its fate. Canadian Idol : far worse than anything you've ever seen and part of me is sorry for ever telling you about it. On that note look up pics of the first Canadian Idol. He looks like an alien Starbucks barista. My my my its like they got people from the arctic for style consultants