AMERICAN IDOL LETDOWN... — Page 2

BudFrump23 - "I vote 3 times from 3 different phones."

It's multiple voting like that, that makes the show such a sham. With every viewer running around doing mulitple voting, then the outcome is false and the show has no meaning. Why are you the least surprised, when you contributed to the problem?

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I, being the scathingly brilliant person that I am, have numerous theories as to why it shook down as it did.

1. LaToya and Fantasia, like a couple of weeks ago, split the vote for the "big soulful belter", thereby putting them both in the bottom two.

2. LaToya's somewhat condescending and "over this whole mess" comments to Seacrest Out came back to bite her. "It doesn't matter now…we're all winners"? Yeah, well watch this, slickhead. You outta there!

3. Simon's nasty comments to little Jasmine back-fired on his british behind. Her tears only increased the groundflow of sympathy from people out there in "Voter Land". He probably coulda gotten away with it if his victim was a guy, but a pretty little girl from Hawaii who until two weeks ago had a penchant for putting a lovely flower behind her ear? Uh, no…we colonists are gonna show the Brit that you don’t come over here and unleash your venom on one of us -- especially when she's 17 and seemingly sweet.

4. And finally, perhaps the U.S. has decided that who is the next American Idol reaaaaaalllly isn't so important in the grand scheme of things, and we're having a good ol' time screwing around with it. Personally, I think it would be hilarious if Jasmine won! Randy's head would probably explode… Daawg was all but frothing at the mouth last night. Good Lord. And Paula dissolved into sobs and hysterical tears?? Honey, you shoulda done that when you heard the playback on your first recording session for "Straight Up". …oh, the draaaammma of it all.

I think it's probably #3…

Updated On: 5/13/04 at 08:54 AM

Oh, talent always outs. Only yesterday, Kimberly Locke sang her new single on The View, in masterful control of her career, at a time when nobody is booking the sweet n'dull Reuban. Once they're out of the FOX spotlight, their fate is in the hands of ordinary music buyers.

Plunking down 15 bucks for a CD is a helluva stronger show of support than hitting redial at home after a coupla beers. Consumers consume, determining success.

Watch Fantasia go next week, bringing the "competition" down to Jasmine and Diana. Thus sending AMERICAN IDOL into the WEAKEST LINK territory -- a moment in pop culture that was truly a moment.

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Updated On: 5/13/04 at 09:57 AM

Yes, we must remember that Fox has set up the voting rules to reflect the results of a "popularity contest". I agree totally that Jasmine was the weakest singer of the final four - by far. She is the one who we should have said "aloha" to. However, she got out her voters. Who are these voters? Perhaps:

***Crazed citizens from the state of Hawaii?

***Kiddies who think that Jasmine is beautiful?

***Sympathy voters saddened that Simon (and the other judges) were so mean to her?

***Crossover fans - voters from former contestants like Big Red, Jennifer Hudson, George Huff... who upset that "their" choice is gone...decide to "stick it to the system" by voting in the least likely remaining candidate?

***Pranksters who want to have fun with the show by voting in the poorest performing candidate?

***Tone deaf individuals?

It's probably a combination of these reasons and a few more. We can speculate all day as to the 'tragedy' of this 'conspiracy" . Latoya London will be fine, folks. She'll get a nice, fat recording contract - and I- along with millions of others will be happy to listen to her music. American Idol has given her great exposure and I'm sure that she is happy about that. Rest assured that we can continue to look at Jasmine's pretty face for at least another week. - And hopefully, Diana and Fantasia, the two strongest singers left, can battle it out in the finals!

And Ruben is definitely not what you would call "pretty" or "hot".

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And Justin from year 1 was a mix of black and white...

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The funny thing is, after Fantasia was put in the bottom 2, I told myself that La Toya would be with her. Who would have thought she would be gone?? I thought she might win. It was Jasmine's turn to go.

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I find it dismaying that the race card is bandied about. If LaToya had gotten death threats which called her a racist term, then it would be racist. John Stevens was mocked and derided for being "too white" so by the very definition of "racism" that was a racially motivated ouster and attack.

As for AI, at this point I hope Jasmine wins and the whole franchise goes bellyup. The most talented have been eliminated and it is a mockery.

I wish people would be as passionate about something which will affect their lives for years to come and register to vote in the presidential election.

And if not, at least come see me as Cora in DANCING ON THE CEILING

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Eve;
You have to chill out. Take a Clagon bath. Have a Mojito. It is all fun. Nothing wrong with people getting entertained and getting passionate about something on tv. It is alot less frustrating than the war atocities and that idiot at the White house.

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Dame-

I wasn't having a hussy , er, hissy fit!

Did you mean a Calgon bath or is Clagon a Star Trek hottub?

I adore you- but I do hope people will vote and help change the direction of the country...

Now if you'll pardon me I must go arrange for a birthday call to Rome, Margo and I would never forgive this lowly assistant were I to forget it. In fact, I may send a telegram myself...

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