May 5, 2008Producers not dumping Abdul
Some have suggested the incident proves the show is rigged, the judges' comments are not spontaneous and the results are not based purely on votes. If I were the type to believe in conspiracy theories or brilliant marketing stunts, I might be tempted to wonder if perhaps Abdul’s foible was planned, intended to give America’s top show a little more publicity and perhaps a boost in its falling ratings. Personally, I don't think it's that complicated. I suspect there may be other reasons for Abdul’s embarrassing moment. She may actually be as ditzy as she seems. After all, it can be awfully difficult to accurately remember everything that happened in, oh let's say, the last 15 minutes. Blog reader Pete already believes there’s plenty of shenanigans going on and that “American Idol” is scripted and manipulated. Let’s hear what you think. Has any of this eroded your belief that the show is spontaneous and anything other than a real competition? (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file) |
.....Advertisement.....
|
...Advertisement...
...Advertisement...
Comments
[May 5, 2008 10:27 AM]
amyWho cares what random blog writers have to say? honestly. That guy might be an angry idol reject, you never know! Paula's behavior has been great this season, as well as last season. except for this mix up, theres nothing you can complain about. just leave her alone. She's been on this show for 7 seasons and it has been #1 all the time. and rigged? Of course it isnt rigged. I think all 3 judges would have much more variety in their comments if someone else wrote them.
[May 5, 2008 11:10 AM]
Amy Hanek : →http://www.houseonthegladehill.blogspot.comWho knows... who cares?
I tune in for the singing (when its entertaining) and the drama.
The formula of the show can be chalked up to: live performances by amatuers (wanna-be stars), Ryan making his side-splitting one liners (ha ha) - on live television, and the judges making their quick-witted, sometimes metaphorical judgements - on live television.
With Paula's dizty ways, Randy's "dawg words" and Simon's cold-hearted honesty, they don't NEED to pay writers!
[May 5, 2008 3:07 PM]
PeteOh Dear! Unlike the Post-Tribune article to which you give a link, I was not saying that the show is completely scripted or even "rigged" in the sense of a fixed outcome before viewer opinion is weighed.
As I thought I conveyed in my post, Paula's spontaneous remarks are shaped with talking points, because she is asked to fill a role that requires unpredictability, which paradoxically can't be left completely to chance for the sake of interesting television. A certain U.S. President also relies on such talking point guidance, and makes MANY more gaffes than Ms. Abdul.
On the more serious topic of the show's viewer vote not being the primary determinant of the final winner, unlike the Post-Tribune's Pietra Levy, I do not suggest that it is a complete sham where the voting is ignored. That would be "rigged", and I do not believe that description is accurate. What I meant is that while the producers pick the ultimate final winner based on their total set of considerations, until then the choices are in flux, based on several factors: including the voting, contestants TV "Q" scores, the show's storyline and publicity needs, and perhaps other things as well. The voting, in fact, as I understand it, constitutes a large sample market research tool in guiding the producers choices. So it does have an effect, it just is NOT the democratic arbiter of who will win, as we are given to believe. The voting also provides those extra revenue sources that I mentioned-not an insignificant factor.
BTW, I sometimes enjoy the show. I am not an unhappy Idol reject, although I do have reservations about how it has reinforced the mistaken idea that melismatic singing is the ultimate in vocal interpretation. When Idol auditions were held in Rke. I was already past the age limit; an age limit that gives a clue to the intentions of the producers to find "the best unsigned singers", vs "the most valuable unsigned singers". Or, haven't we noticed the way the judges' Coke cups invariably seem to be set down with their logo facing the camera? Huge product placement fees for 500, Alex...
[May 5, 2008 3:34 PM]
GregI don't think the show is rigged. If it were rigged we would probably have a better contest in the end. Remember the year Fantasia won, there was one week where Fantasia, and the next two best singers were in the bottom three! There is no way the judges would have let that happen if the show was rigged. You might put one good singer down there just to spice things up, but not your three best.