Talent competition or beauty pagent?

[stefanie1208]

I am tired of this show being a beauty pagent when it is a talent competition. This is about singing ability. It's not about cute Kellie Pickler who can't sing. I was so aggravated last season when Carrie Underwood won, and Bo Bice was second when Bo Bice was only in 2nd place because a large number of women thought he was good looking, but Vonzell was soooo much better than him vocally and should have been in the final 2. It's also not about Mandisa who shouts like a poor man's version of Aretha. I don't see what is so great about her, each time I see her come on, halfway through I mute the tv because I think she's horrible! I only think sometime that they are being nice to her just to make up for Simon making fat comments about her. I'm fat too and I think what Simon said was pretty bad, and for him to get caught saying it has ruined this show because now I think Simon feels he has to kiss her booty instead of being honest with her, for fear she'll sue or give him negative press for his fat jokes about her. I also don't see why Paris needs to be on Idol if her family has such a singing background? She needs to ask her granny to get her a deal and leave this show before I throw up from watching her!! I also am sick of people going on and on about Ace. He's alright looking, he's not even that cute. David Radford and Will Makar are cuter than Ace! Ace can't sing that well, and I question the judges hearing sometimes when they tell him he's done good. I think people keep overlooking Elliott just because he's not the best looking guy, but he's got such a hard life with his dying mother and he's a severe diabetic who wears a insulin pump and yet he doesn't complain about it. Then you have Kellie who brings up her dad being in jail all the time and it's like, big deal, your dad's in jail, your grandpa spoils her rotten and gives her everything so it's not as though she's had it so rough. Katharine and Elliott are the best singers, the rest of them are just good performers and personalities but not as talented. I wish America would focus on talent. We've had enough people like Britney Spears who have personality and no talent and people worshipped her, and didn't give people that can sing enough credit and that's sad.

[AbsentElement]

I am tired of this show being a beauty pagent when it is a talent competition. This is about singing ability. It's not about cute Kellie Pickler who can't sing. I was so aggravated last season when Carrie Underwood won, and Bo Bice was second when Bo Bice was only in 2nd place because a large number of women thought he was good looking, but Vonzell was soooo much better than him vocally and should have been in the final 2. It's also not about Mandisa who shouts like a poor man's version of Aretha. I don't see what is so great about her, each time I see her come on, halfway through I mute the tv because I think she's horrible! I only think sometime that they are being nice to her just to make up for Simon making fat comments about her. I'm fat too and I think what Simon said was pretty bad, and for him to get caught saying it has ruined this show because now I think Simon feels he has to kiss her booty instead of being honest with her, for fear she'll sue or give him negative press for his fat jokes about her. I also don't see why Paris needs to be on Idol if her family has such a singing background? She needs to ask her granny to get her a deal and leave this show before I throw up from watching her!! I also am sick of people going on and on about Ace. He's alright looking, he's not even that cute. David Radford and Will Makar are cuter than Ace! Ace can't sing that well, and I question the judges hearing sometimes when they tell him he's done good. I think people keep overlooking Elliott just because he's not the best looking guy, but he's got such a hard life with his dying mother and he's a severe diabetic who wears a insulin pump and yet he doesn't complain about it. Then you have Kellie who brings up her dad being in jail all the time and it's like, big deal, your dad's in jail, your grandpa spoils her rotten and gives her everything so it's not as though she's had it so rough. Katharine and Elliott are the best singers, the rest of them are just good performers and personalities but not as talented. I wish America would focus on talent. We've had enough people like Britney Spears who have personality and no talent and people worshipped her, and didn't give people that can sing enough credit and that's sad.

Wow, there's quite a bit to address here. Some of your comments are a little confusing. I'm just not quite sure where they're going. I still believe this is far from being a beauty pageant.

Becky O'donohue was clearly one of the hottest chics on the show -- and the fact she had a twin sister makes her even hotter -- (in my opinion) but she was one of the first to go.

You may be right about Ace, Will and David. Most girls I talk to don't really think Ace is that cute. So why is he still around? Not sure it's because he's good looking. I think he's still around because those voted off before him simply weren't as talented.

Sway Penala wasn't exactly ugly, but he's gone. Though he was good in my opinion, America didn't think he was good enough.

Kevin Covais... a sex symbol? C'mon. He's far from it. Yet he stuck around through the final 12 week (longer than some 'better looking' guys). But he was voted off because he just really wasn't very talented (I think talent prevailed over looks in his case).

If Mandisa were in great shape, no doubt she would be gorgeous. But she is overweight, not exactly material for a beauty pageant. She's still in it, and a real contender to win. I don't think it's because of Simon's comments either. He already ate his words and he admitted to being wrong for making that comment (if you recall the final 24 selections). If you don't care for the genre she does best, that's one thing, but to deny that she has great pipes would put you in the minority I believe.

While Kellie isn't exactly ugly, I don't think it would be fair to say American Idol has become a beauty pageant if she wins... she's not THAT hot. Whether her naievity is an act or not, it appears that many people have had enough of it, and she likely won't make the final 4.

Elliot is a great singer, and another real contender. But he is not pleasant to look at. He's still around and, hopefully, will go much farther.

Katharine is drop-dead gorgeous and has the pipes to win. If she wins, is it the looks or the talent?

Paris isn't really hot, but she can sing.

Lisa can be cute, but she's just boring.

Bucky, well I haven't really heard anyone say he's hot, but he's still around and he (in my opinion) is not nearly as talented as the others.

Chris also has what it takes to win. But he's not a bad-looking guy. So if he wins, is it because of the talent or looks?

I guess my point is, it's still far from being a beauty pageant. Your point, undoubtedly, does have some validity. I'm sure there are some voters out there that vote based on looks, but I'm with Simon. I believe America will end up choosing the most talented, without regard to who is better looking. With respect to looks and talent, the remaining contestants are all over the map.

[cloie4me]

I voted for Bo Bice last year because I liked his voice, not because I thought he was good-looking. Good looks come a dime a dozen and doesn't always impress me. You aren't giving the rest of the world enough credit. You think that if we dont like the same contestants as you that we are voting for the wrong reasons. Maybe we simply have different taste.
VonZell is very pretty, so you can't say that she didn't get votes because of her looks.
Mandisa sings very well(to me) and Barry M. said that she had a great voice and will go far, Did the judges ask him to say that because of what Simon had said about her weight? I really dont think so.
Ace is beautiful and has a nice voice, I would like to see him in the top 3 (not because of his looks) but I dont think he will be. If we were voting on looks he would be in the top 2.
Brittney Spears has a great voice, Just because you don't care for her doesn't mean we like her based on looks.
I guess what I'm trying to say is...We all have different taste and thats a good thing. Otherwise all we would need is one great singer in this world for everyone to listen to. Your taste is just that....your taste, but dont think we vote for the wrong reasons if we dont vote like you.

[frank]

Your taste is just that....your taste, but don't think we vote for the wrong reasons if we don't vote like you.
I agree with you. Each of us hears each singer differently. I don't vote because it doesn't make a difference. AI is going to get the winner that producers want no matter how many "Votes" are cast. :eek:

[pddccc]

Doesnt Bo have a Platinum Album? People must kinda like him. And Sorry But in this Video age looks do matter.

[AbsentElement]

Doesnt Bo have a Platinum Album? People must kinda like him. And Sorry But in this Video age looks do matter.
After thinking about my point some more, I figured I should clarify. I agree, that, in the music industry, the way one looks does matter (although there are some exceptions-successful artists that aren't all that hot). But I think American Idol is about selecting the contestant who has the most of the "whole package."

To say that enough votes are generated, based on looks alone or singing alone, to affect the overall outcome is probably just not true. We're talking 30-35 million votes each week. And most likely, no two people vote based on the exact same criteria. Some people give appearance more weight. Some people give vocal chops more weight. Some people give dance moves more weight. Some people give more weight to how the contestant connects. Some people give more weight to the contesants' off-stage attitude.

By including all of these votes which are based on a myriad of criteria, with each criterion being given different weight, you get a clear picture of which contestant has the most of the "whole package." Does this make sense?

[cloie4me]

I think it does. Well said Absent, I aways look for your post, and enjoy reading.

[maggiespk]

Cheer up Stephanie!!! You don't seem to like any of the contestants. After all it is just a talent show. Sit back and relax.

[pddccc]

I agree with you. Each of us hears each singer differently. I don't vote because it doesn't make a difference. AI is going to get the winner that producers want no matter how many "Votes" are cast. :eek:

Right on brother. I dont vote either, but the producers get people to vote for who they want to get through. I do not think they fix the vote.

[Son of Simon]

Looks clearly mattersto the American public. Why else would Britney Spears be one of the most successful recording artists of all times? Who honestly thinks Lita Ford can sing? Looks is definitely part of the package for being an American entertainer.

Not that I agree with the concept. I think AbsentElement has it right once again.:)

[cinnamocha]

I think "American Idol" is a total package. Yes you have to have an incredible voice! That is what sells cd's! To be an "American Idol" it is nice to have someone that looks attractive too!
Sorry but I just don't see Elliott, Mandisa, or Chris as an American Idol!
Yikes!!!

Katherine is the most talented and best looking Female!! She is beautiful inside and out!!
Ace is gorgeous and can sing a variety of songs well!
He will make MILLIONS!!!
And do American Idol Proud!!!