Video Beat EXTRA EXTRA - AMERICAN IDOL'S NEW RULE - THE JUDGES SAVE

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

This season the show has shifted to American Idol being about the judges and not the contestants. The show has lost the plot and Cowell's megalomania has increased substantially - Recommended TV Listings

Tuesday March 17, 2009

GOD HAS SPOKEN

This season American Idol's judges have been given the power to save someone. Tamara Gray, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson were given as examples as the reasons why the new rule was put on place. The purpose is to save a talent whom the judges UNAMOUSLY agree that they should not be eliminated. This save rule can be enacted only once during the season up till the final five. Once they exercise their privilege they can't implement the rule again. If the save rule is used the following week TWO contestants will be eliminated.

When they explain the save rule they use Hudson as the example of a former contestant that they could save. She was criticized while in the final 7 and then eliminated. "You're out of your depth," chimed Simon The Merciless Cowell to Hudson prior to her elimination.

As we all know Hudson has proven to be the most talented contestant EVER in American Idol history in spite of being overly criticized and verbally abused. Now fast forward five seasons the beat goes on as Cowell now has more control of the show which also has changed producers. He is the deciding vote if there is a 2-2 tie between the judges. He instructs the judges in what order they give their critique.

Jorge Nunez, 20 from Puerto Rico sang Michael Jackson's "Never Can Say Goodbye," He did a decent job. Nunez has one of the better voices in the competition. Cowell criticized his choice of song and the clothes he wore (which wasn't necessary. Is this talent show or a fashion show? ).

Nunez explained that it was the only Jackson song that he could think of that suited his voice. "I'm not going to sing Bad by Michael Jackson," he responded.

"You sort of did," Cowell rudely added.

It was and is that type of comment that sets up the voting public to go against a contestant. If negative personal comments were left unsaid the public wouldn't have been negatively influenced. Conversely the judges also give some contestants praise and encourage the public to vote for them.

Judge Kara DioGuardi made a positive suggestion with her critique to Nunez by stating that he would have made a better choice of song by singing Jackson's, 'Never Can Say Goodbye.' DioGuardi was spot on and made a positive suggestion as opposed to the Cowell method of ripping a contestant apart and embarrassing them.

Sixteen year old Jasmine Murray who was a wild card selection was the first to be eliminated although she sang well enough to go through she again was a victim of the judge's negative criticism which goes overboard to some of the talent yet supportive of others who are not as skilled.

As tears flowed from her eyes after she was informed that she was eliminated and not saved by the judges host Ryan Seacrest embraced her and said, "You are tremendous."

This season the show has shifted to American Idol being about the judges and not the contestants. The show has lost the plot and Cowell's megalomania has increased substantially.

As host Ryan Seacrest announced that over 33 million voters made the decisions it can't be discounted that their votes were influenced by the judge's comments in discounting some and supporting others.

The camera shots of Paula Abdul dancing to a contestant's performance are also another bias influence. There are some who would take the position that the cameras should be focused on the contestants.

The bias is so evident that had this save rule been in place they would have saved Brooke White whom they went overboard to praise last season though she lacked the voice and talent to be in the top 10 as well as Jason Castro. White came across as a nice person and her humble polite manner and image took her a long way. The show continues to support her as she appeared as a guest in the earlier elimination stage this season.

In the past Elton John remarked that the show is racist. With the selections we've recognized in recent years we are inclined to agree.

The two contestants who underperformed last week were Anoop Desai, 22 and Megan Joy Corkrey, 23. Anoop has a great personality and positive attitude. Corkrey really is out of her depth but seems to be the Brooke White of this season in receiving undeserved praise for limited talent. It seems being a divorced mom is translating into a sympathy vote. One of her arms is heavily tattooed and the judges praise her for being quirky.

When judge Kara DioGuardi recently appeared on the Jay Leno show he asked her who her favorite contestant was. She responded she liked them all for different reasons. When Leno pressed on for a more specific answer she said she liked Danny Gokey, 28 and Corkrey. "I like Megan, I think she's adorable," she noted without mentioning her thoughts on Corkrey's singing ability.

Our opinions are not intended to be more negative than some of the comments made by the judges and by comparison there is no similarity. The judges are in many ways are patronizing towards certain contestants and not focused on the quality of their talent while praising others with marginal talent.

At this point this season's American Idol appears to be headed as being the worst of all time… not because of the talent but due to the overwhelming egos of the judges who appear to want the spotlight and be the stars of the show. When you think about the impact the judges negative comments have had on certain contestants think about the shows former contestants who have returned to become guests. The most successful Jennifer Hudson is not among them. Is there any wonder why? The most important question is the show about finding talent or displaying the massive egos and smart remarks of its judges?

Part 2 - OUR TOP CHOICES AND UNTOUCHABLES

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NOTE TIMES AT OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

11:45 AM to NOON - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

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5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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??? - STAR SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK ALL of NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

4:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

8:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

??? - ESPN SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

7:30 AM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 to 4:15 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

7:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - (1 1/2 hr) Star World channel

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

11:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Star World channel

9:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE USA - AXN Channel

7:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

10:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel

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