Katelyn Epperly 19 eliminated - Fox photo Lilly Scott 20 eliminated - Fox photo Alex Lambert 19 eliminated - Fox photo Todrick Hall 24 eliminated - Fox photo

Video Beat EXTRA EXTRA Part 1 - AMERICAN IDOL CUT TO THE TOP 12

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

This week was a bad week for blondes to have no fun. You can say that America makes the decisions but these cookie cutter results leaves one to be suspicious of that. There is no real proof how the votes are tabulated nor a third party to account for them. - Recommended TV Listings

Friday March 12, 2010

FOR FOUR IT'S OVER

This season the American Idol judges inconsistent critiques are enough to send one to a shrink The program itself is loaded with drama and lacks the personality of previous seasons. The judges flip flop comments around as to what is good about a contestant's performance and what they should do. As this seasons primarily innocent contenders for the top 12 spots fro the AI regular season many have done their best to please the judges but the result is the judges flip flop and say something contrary to what they suggested in the first place.

In the final four eliminated to get down to the Top 12 two contestants were eliminated who performed better than some who made it through. Their addiction to listening to the judges did them in. In the past judges have looked at the progress of a contestant and made positive comments that heavily influence TV viewer's votes. Some contestants fell prey to their misdirection by listening too much and being themselves too little.

Last week it was a bad week for minorities, this week was a bad week for blondes to have no fun. Of the four eliminated blondes Katelyn Epperly and Lilly Scott were eliminated. Alex Lambert who has a unique voice and Todrick Hall were also surprises given those who made the cut. Lambert and Hall should have gone through as they out performed some that did.

Lambert sounds like a young Neil Young but the judges said he lacks experience. No $#!t that's why he entered the contest stupid!!! Is this a contest for armatures or professionals? Idol has been in hot water for selecting contestants who have previously had recording contracts or management agreements as was the case this season with Chris Golighty who was selected for the top 24 but his manager said he had a valid contract with the singer thus he was eliminated and previously eliminated in Hollywood Tim Urban was asked to return to the show. Urban has made it through to the top 12.

Hall who was a dancer in theatrical shows American Idol winner Fantasia was criticized by Simon Cowell that he showed that he is a theatrical performer and not a singer who can sell records. Excuse us… BUT…. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER last season's runner-up but favored to win ADAM LAMBERT? He was raised in theatrical productions and is a big hit selling records in his post Idol career.

Epperly and Scott were on the bubble with Scott being surprise elimination. She has been consistent and the judges have praised her throughout her performances. After her elimination she was surprised and said, "I don't know what America wants to hear."

DiDi Benami appears to be the most overrated. She has skated through the competition after having poor performances. She appears to be this seasons Brooke White who in season seven made it to the final five though her voice was nothing outstanding. White did have a sensitive sweet personality that could have helped her cause and endeared her to AI voters and producers.

The judges sound like mynah birds in their critiques. Cowell has toned down his act and is not as crude as he has been in previous seasons. DioGuardi seems to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease as she talks in a very authoritative know it all manner on camera but admittedly retracts her comments resulting in the elimination of some contestants.

You can say that America makes the decisions but these cookie cutter results leaves one to be suspicious of that. There is no real proof how the votes are tabulated nor a third party to account for them. The way it is back room decisions can be made to make up a show that the producers feel will sell to the American viewing public. It appears that too any minorities are out. The Lakisha Jones elimination that prevented the finals having three black singers comes to mind. Sponsors have a lot to say or dictate what will happen (see below for related story).

Sponsors called the shots for Cambodian DJ's - (NR photo)

SPONSORS DO THE DEALS

Our concerns regarding does America really select who makes the cuts or are they made by the AI powers that be and sponsors. Here's our experience.

As a co-host of the CalTex Drive Time radio show that aired throughout Cambodia within one year we experienced interference by three different country managers of the company. According to the stations program director each manager called him and insisted that we play certain types of songs regardless of what the listeners called in to request.

The show was extremely popular and we, the DJ's made the song selections along with the requests. The listening audience was primarily the MTV generation with high school and college students being the primary followers of the program. Our drive time program was very popular while we adhered to the fulfilling the listeners requests which were primarily for up-tempo rock or soul songs, complimented with our song selections and humorous communications with the callers. The managers who were in the 30 to 40 age group preferred slow tunes. With each of the sponsors suggestions and the interference of the program manager the shows popularity suffered.

The result was the intrusion created internal turmoil and discord thereby creating a discontented and confused fan base. This is what we feel is happening to the past two seasons of American Idol. Since their changes in production staff and directors the show has lost its luster and personality. AI now comes off as being too overproduced and many of the contestants who are being selected to go through lack the talent of those who are eliminated. There appears to be some decision making that the viewers are not apart of. The only good thing is the judges are more in control of the time that they take to critique a contestant thus resulting in the show ending on schedule

The question now is will American Idol get it right or continue to go down the path of boring and WRONG?

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TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia - Thailand time zone. Check your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

3:00 PM - LOCKED UP ABROAD - National Geographic

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN

9:00 PM - FRONTLINE - Australia Network

10:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN

9:00 PM - UFC (ULTIMATE FIGHTING) - True Sport 2

11:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

6:00 PM - LOCKED UP ABROAD - National Geographic

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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