A Vote Is Just A Vote

Sometimes a vote is just a vote.

Been reading all this analysis as to why Kris won American Idol instead of the anointed one. People have been speculating about this, that and the other. Have even broken it down to Red States vs. Blue States like a presidential election. Wish more people would take the presidential election as seriously as they have this.

Didn't see this as a gay vs. straight issue. Didn't see it as a West Coast vs. the Heartland issue. Sad to say, don't think the overall public has enough smarts to think that deeply. That saddens me, but that is a whole other blog.

Most people could care less about the whole gay/non-gay issue, the glam look, or who the judges and producers wanted to win. There's a reason why there are more light rock radio stations than hard rock. More people like to listen to the softer music without all the screaming. When you look back at the history of the show, it's been the Lite FM singer over the Rocker every time. In the end, that's who the people voted for again.

Whether either of them will be huge is still up in the air. For every Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, there's a Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks. If Kris is not suffocated by an Idol machine that didn't want him to win, he has a pretty good chance. If Adam learns you don't have to scream every time you sing, he does, too. They are actually both pretty good and would not have been upset by either winning.

As Chris Daughtry, Elliot Yamin, and Clay Aikin have proved, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, only that you get noticed. (You hear that, Allison?)

Have a happy Memorial Day and take the time to thank a veteran this weekend. I know it's about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Unfortunately, we cannot thank them so thank the folks we can. If you know a family member of someone who died while defending our country, make sure and thank them, too. And, by all means, pray for all of them whether you thank them or not.

Idol Rankings

Wasn't able to watch the show live last night so watched it on DVR today. Slash was more insightful than I initially gave him credit for. Shame on me. Thought all the solo performances were just OK as was the Danny/Kris duet. Allison and Adam proved why they are the two best singers in the competition with their duet. Wow!

Rumor has it Slash was informally looking for a Velvet Revolver lead singer tonight. Will be interesting to see if that comes true or not.

Here are my rankings:

1. Adam - Sounded to me like he was being drowned out by the band. Beginning to think he's more of a one trick pony than originally thought. Pretty dang good trick, though;
2. Allison - Should be tough for a 17 year old to sound like a 20+ year old whose voice was soaked with Southern Comfort, cigarettes, and various other chemicals. Did a pretty good job, though. Had a hard time understanding the verses (or would have ranked her # 1) but the chorus came through loud and clear. Knew the judges were not going to like it much when Randy started with, "Check it out." Always a bad sign from him. Hoping her awesome performance in the duet will pull her through to next week;
3. Kris - Just kind of there to me. Much like last week, he sounded good but there was just no electricity to his performance. Might not bode well for him in this week's voting;
4. Danny - What a train wreck. This genre was definitely not for him. Thought he and Adam should have switched songs. What was up with Kara's "Thought you would sing some earlier Aerosmith like 'Crazy'?" Believe "Dream On" was recorded years before that song. Ugh.

If America voted with their ears, Danny will be make his first and last appearance in the Bottom 3. If not, it should be Kris.

Results Show

Well, hope no one really believed Adam might be going home instead of Matt. He may eventually go home earlier than expected, but it was NOT going to be tonight.

Overall, thought tonight's show was OK for a results show. Was great to see Taylor Hicks again. Think he could have cared less about making it big time after he won. He seems content to play the local scenes and act in musicals. Good for him. Fame and fortune is not everything to everybody.

Does anyone know what happens to all those Ford commercials? Never see them on TV. Seems like such a waste. But, if that's what they want to do... At least Ford has decided not to ask for any government money. My tax money goes to enough drivel without going to that, too.

Was glad to hear Simon own up to being wrong about a lot of things last night.

As for the voting, think a lot of people who normally vote for Adam voted for Allison last night. Guess Simon's plan worked after all, if he really had one.

Rock night should be entertaining. Having Slash as a mentor is an interesting choice. If this was a guitar competition, I could see it. Not sure what insight he will have as a singing mentor since I've never seen him sing in any videos or concert footage. HUGE fan of Slash, but...

Speaking of mentors, had no idea Jamie Fox has recorded CD's. Reckon it shows how out of touch I am on some things. Having him as a mentor makes more sense to me now. Was not impressed with the song tonight, but could see him as being pretty good on some other songs. Thought his song choice would be more in line with this week's theme. Shows what I know.

Later.

Tonight's Idol

Rat Pack night? Even though I am a fan of that style of music, would not be in my top 10 choices of genres for this group. Interesting choice for the mentor tonight. Have to say Jamie Fox was way better than Quinton Tarantino. Ain't saying a whole lot, but at least he gave some good musical advice. It's always amazed me that actors who have researched and played a role are considered experts in those fields. Can still remember Sissy Spacek testifying on the plight of farmers before Congress in the 80's all because she played a farmer's wife in a movie. But, I digress...

We interrupt this blog to let you know "Glee" is coming to Fox, just in case you haven't heard, yet. I'm about sick of those commercials. Looks like typical Hollywood stuff: the jocks are keeping the artists of the school down. But, one jock secretly wants to be like them. Suddenly, everyone sees how cool musical/artistic people really are. Wonder if there are a few people in Hollywood with lingering issues from high school? Gee, you think?

And now, back to our show. This is the first year I have not agreed with Simon most of the time. Maybe they sound different on stage than through my TV. Anyway, here are my rankings for tonight:

1. Allison Iraheta - Had goosebumps when she was done singing. Have repeatedly said she is the best singer in this competition but agree with Simon she may be in trouble because people just don't get her. Can't help but wonder if he said she was in trouble to trick people into voting for her. He's been known to do that in reverse. Remember how he tricked people into not voting for Sanjaya by saying how good he was the week he finally went home? Can only hope;


2. Adam Lambert - Before the montage with Jamie, thought there was no way he could screech this week. Silly me. This was the first week there was any hint of criticism by the judges with the "too theatrical and dramatic" comments from Randy. Loved Simon's response of "Saying he's theatrical is like saying cows moo." Purty funny;


3. Kris Allen - Nothing really stuck out tonight so don't really have a comment one way or the other. If it was based totally on performance, he'd probably be in trouble based on this and the fact he was first tonight. But, I think his overall "cuteness" factor will pull him through this week;


4. Danny Gokey - Two questions: How could the people in front clap overhead like they were at a Motley Crue concert? And, did you see Kara's face when he was finished? Looked like she was in pain. But, she followed the script and talked about how great he was this week. All of them did. Don't know. Maybe they heard a different performance than me. Which leads to...


5. Matt Giraud - He may have been the most emotionally attached singer, but the singing was not good at all, especially compared to the other four. Can see why he got a B in jazz class. Barney Fife was emotionally attached to the songs he sang but he still couldn't sing a lick. Matt can sing better than Barney, but I think his remarkable resemblance to Justin Timberlake is the only thing which has kept him from being voted out more than the one time. Maybe Simon was trying that reverse psychology thing again. Hmmmmmm.

Think the Chosen Two will stay out of the bottom three which leaves Kris, Matt and Allison. If America was actually listening, Matt will be going home. But, I fear Allison may be the one to leave, which may not be a bad thing for her in the long run. Don't think the Idol folks would know what to do with her and she would fade into oblivion very quickly. If someone else decides to work with her, she would have a better chance of actually making it. Will just have to wait and see what happens.

On a different note (pardon the pun), if you are not a Deadliest Catch fan, highly suggest you catch the repeat of tonight's show later in the week. Very emotionally riveting. Realized was so wrapped up in the show I had not moved once during the entire first segment of the show. Good stuff.

Thanks for your time.