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Okay, I’ve been a good little blogger but enough is enough. I’m sorry. I try to stay neutral but I’m genuinely annoyed. Everyone is freaking out about Carly Smithson’s failed record deal and David Archuleta’s past and it’s driving me crazy. It’s front page on Yahoo Canada’s site right now and I guess I want to hear from you guys for once and for all. Most of your comments indicate that you could not care less and on the other sites I’ve visited, almost no one seems bothered by the pasts of these contestants.
Does no one remember last season when a lot of media outlets were accusing American Idol of rigging the results so that Jordin Sparks could win? For the full story, click here but here’s a recap of what was said/revealed:
- American Idol is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Sparks won Coke’s rising star award in 2004.
- Another item that has been highlighted is the fact that Jordin Sparks won the local FOX-sponsored Arizona Idol contest. The grand prize for that contest was a Ford Fusion (another huge Idol sponsor), and a trip to Seattle to audition.
- Jordin had connections through her famous father Phillippi Sparks a former New York Giants cornerback.
According to Wikipedia, the following is true:
- In 2004, Sparks appeared in America’s Most Talented Kids TWICE, winning in her first appearance. She was one of seven to appear in a special championship edition of the show.
- This appearance followed two noted auditions in 2003, one with American Juniors and the other, Star Search.
- She has appeared with Alice Cooper (in his 2004 Christmas show) and has twice toured with Grammy-winning Christian contemporary singer Michael W. Smith. Smith has shown support of Sparks by encouraging Idol viewers to vote for her on his website.
- In 2003, at the age of thirteen, Sparks recorded a five-song album which is titled For Now, working with Matthew Ward, a legendary Christian music artist, and Gary Leach, an engineer who has worked on several of Leann Rimes’ albums.
- She appeared in a compilation album titled Live at Mr. Lucky’s in 2004.
- In 2006, Sparks was one of two winners who won the Phoenix Torrid search for the “Next Plus Size Model.” She was flown to California where she was used in a number of Torrid ads and promotional pieces. A full-page ad for Torrid featuring Sparks ran in the December 2006 issue of Seventeen magazine.
So, if we are saying that David Archuleta is a plant then couldn’t the same be true of Jordin? FOR THE RECORD, I am not against Jordin Sparks – I’m just saying that this season’s contestants are not the first to have a “privileged” past.
Oh Jason I love that show too! SYTYCD is awesome, they really work hard, not to say that AI contestants don’t, but wow, good show :)
David is good but it is going to be a tough competition if the right people get the boot. Then the competition will be nail biting and fun to see who wins it! I’m more partial to some of the girls especially my neighbor Rameile and Syesha!! You go girl…lol…Let’s go Miami!!!
You have to admit, even if in the end it’s all about the money for AI, it’s still a fun show to watch. I’ve always liked it because the people on it are, for the most part, extremely talented. I watch “so you think you can dance” for the same reason. It’s a very-high level competition and that’s what I love about it. Only one person gets to win and I’d personally think David Archuleta gets it over Carly, but there’s a LONG way to go yet.
LOL, I barely recognized Kimberly Caldwell when she came on AI.
Didn’t Carly say her deal failed b/c the record company went out of business or something? Even so 400 is a very low number. I think her case may have been she got screwed over by management.
Jeanne I didn’t realize I was that much older than you :( geez I’m ancient! LOL I don’t know Jason I’m feeling older by the minute… haha :(
So you were in NC for the Kellie Pickler drama, how was that? There was so much controversy with her even last season people were still talking about her and her lies about one thing or another.
But, now that we know what AI’s direction is, that would explain a lot of things for example if you notice the Jordin’s, Syesha’s and whoever else; these contestants are chosen b/c of their background in the industry. Different cities hold these competitions and the people that show up to audition are the local talent that are trying to make it. The winner of those contests get to go straight to the judges and do not have to go to the mass cattle call. That’s how we end up with the Jordin’s, Syesha’s, Chris Daughtry and so on. Of course in the end it’s all about the money for them, the better the artist, the more money AI makes. Genius.
Don’t worry, Jason – Honestly, I’ve got to say that at almost 30 years old, I don’t remember the former Idols on Star Search. I don’t know why but I just don’t so you’re not alone. I did watch the show but only a few people really stuck with me over the years. Dude, though, if Kimberly Caldwell (for example) was on there, I didn’t know which points to how forgettable she is, particularly since she didn’t win on Idol.
That’s funny–I’m willing to bet I’m actually older than you (or at least close) but I was serious about having no idea who those people are. Star Search I very much remember being on, I just never got into it. I only remember the Sinbad thing because it’s a trivia question from time to time.
I personally can’t help but think (and I’m glad you see my point on this) that AI embraced the controversy because it gets people watching. VFTW is basically riding their coattails, but I’m sure AI doesn’t mind because all those people that post about how much they HATE the show are still watching. AI doesn’t care why you watch, only that you do. Same goes for the voting. If VFTW picks someone America genuinely hates then more people will watch and vote to make sure VFTW doesn’t influence the final results. In the end AI is the only real winner there.
I do get why people are upset about the supposed “ringers”, I just can’t remember so much attention being paid to it before. ALL of these people have ties to the music industry–really what are the odds that the greatest singer in the world has never been heard of or never auditioned for anyone before? What are the odds that someone with a ton of talent is just out there tending bar somewhere and has never tried to make it? I think they’re probably really small, which explains why so many of these people do have ties to the industry–and have every single year.
What I’m kind of curious about is all the backlash against this girl that failed so miserably. Why isn’t that a compelling story? I mean, selling less than 400 albums? That is horrendous failure–why does she get no sympathy for that? She seems like a sweet girl. Same with Kristy Lee Cook (or as I like to call her, Hotty Lee Hott!) she hasn’t ‘made’ it anywhere–so why all the backlash? I’m not sure failing should count as a criteria not to be liked or given a second chance.
To me the only important thing is “have I heard of these people?” The only time I had ever previously heard of an AI contestant was Kellie Pickler, and that was only because I’d lived in NC. She’d been singing and touring with a band for a while–that didn’t really get talked about the year she was on, but she’d already had lots of ties to the music industry…
Jason – You have a good point and I thought about it last night while watching AI. It’s funny how I was complaining about the concept and how it has changed but yet I couldn’t help but watch and I found myself asking why? Why are we still drawn to the show? Even though they have changed the concept and changed the type of contestants they recruit its still very interesting to see what happens. AI producers took the negativity and changed it in their favor and that is genius. This country thrives off of negativity and digging into the lives of others and they twisted that to work in their favor. Controversy is their weapon and they know how to use it. So you are right when you ask why watch it? Why do we continue to watch something we have issues with? So many people said they would never watch Idol again after last year’s Sanjaya scandal yet it seems everyone is back and watching with anticipation of another scandal…but I guess crazier things have happened.
I understand your point about starting your own show if you don’t like the rules. We tend to complain about things and have so much to say about how things SHOULD be done but for the most part I think it is just all talk. For example with sports, football for example, when you watch it you always find yourself saying “oh why did he call that play” or “that was dumb they should have done this or that” and I always say “why don’t you coach since you know so much”….and it’s the same thing here with AI. I get your point :)
As for my Star Search knowledge, I guess that just really shows my age for remembering some of these people. Tracy Spencer was pretty popular in the late 80′s early 90′s.
So, thank you Jason for the clarity. You do have valid points, thanks for sharing.
AND FOR THE RECORD>>>>SOUTH FLORIDA ROCKED THE HOUSE LAST NIGHT!!!!
Now now–I never actually claimed to be a star search buff. I’ve never watched it! Which is exactly why I didn’t know all those people were on. My point was why in the world does it bother people so much? (and, I have no idea who Tracy Spencer or Sam Harris are) YOUR extensive knowledge of past star search contestants is very impressive. It does nothing to address my point (which was, who cares?) but it’s impressive nonetheless. I don’t think I was taking a shot at you personally, but saying exactly what I said (‘you don’t like the rules, start your own number one show’) and trying to turn it around on me was somewhat disingenuous, since obviously you missed my original point anyway.
You don’t like the show, don’t watch. It really is pretty easy. Why would you watch something that so obviously bothers you? That seems like a strange way to spend your time.
As Jeanne very correctly pointed out in the original post MANY of the past performers have had record contracts, won talent shows, put out albums, etc. WHO CARES?? It’s thier number one rated TV show, and this year when the ratings were dropping a bit, they stirred up their own controversy. People are talking about Idol again (which means it was very smart) and even people such as yourself who claim to be very upset about it all are still watching!
Don’t like what is said here? Go to another site…simple as pie.
Oh and don’t forget Christina Aguilera was on Star Search too, oh but, she didn’t “win”…but there were so many more and YOU ONLY remember Sinbad, a comedian??? Tisk, tisk….hello!!! Britney Spears, Tiffany Evans (who has another album coming out this year- the single with Ciera is already out), Christina Aguilera (even though she didn’t win, it’s better to compare her than a comedian), Sam Harris- oh you didn’t know that he has sold millions of his albums and is an accomplished artist/writer? You are such the Star Search/American Idol buff but didn’t come correct with your facts. You can not compare a comedian with a vocalist, at least not in this competition. We spoke about vocalists and the previous contestants being on Star Search and the best retort you have is Sinbad-a comedian???!!! Oh you must have forgotten about Tracy Spencer too-the youngest female recording artist to EVER get a contract…no? you don’t remember that? Oh you were concentrating on the comedians, my bad. If you would like I could give you the whole list but here are just a few others you missed and I threw some “comedians” in there for you as well:
Alanis Morissette
Aaliyah, 1990, singer
Christina Aguilera, 1990, singer
David Archuleta, 2003 Junior Vocal Champion
Destiny’s Child, 1991, singers (as Girls Tyme)
Drew Carey
Diana Degarmo
Jessica Simpson
Martin Lawrence, 2003
Carlos Mencia, 1991, Comedy
Dennis Miller
Rosie O’Donnell, 1984, Comedy
LeAnn Rimes *how could you forget her*
Ray Romano, comedy
Tracey Ross
Sinbad, comedy
David Slater
Britney Spears, 1992, singer
Sharon Stone, 1984, spokes model
Eboni, 1995, Vocal Group/Band champion
Justin Timberlake, 1991, singer (as Justin Randall)
Dave Chappelle comedy
Bianca Ryan, 2005, singer
Nadia Turner, 2005, singer
Jessica Sierra 2005
Kimberly Caldwell, American Idol Season 2
This information can easily be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Search
Don’t like what is said here? Go to another site…simple as pie.
Oh and don’t forget Chritina A. was on Star Search too, but oh she didn’t “win”…but there were so many more and YOU ONLY remember Sinbad??? Tisk, tisk….hello!!! Britney Spears, Tiffany Evans (who has another album coming out this year- the single with Ciera is already out), Christina Aguilera (even though she didn’t win, it’s better to compare her than a comedian), Sam Harris- oh you didn’t know that he has sold millions of his albums and is an accomplished artist/writer? Your such a Star Search/American Idol buff but didn’t come correct with your facts. You can not compare a comedian with a vocalist, at least not in this competition. We spoke about vocalists and the previous contestants being on Star Search and the best retort you have is Sinbad???!!! Oh you must have forgotten about Tracy Spencer too-the youngest female recording artist to EVER get a contract…no? you don’t remember that? Oh you were concentrating on the comedians, my bad. If you would like I could give you the whole list but here are just a few others you missed and I threw some “comedians” in there for you as well:
Alanis Morissette
Aaliyah, 1990, singer
Christina Aguilera, 1990, singer
David Archuleta, 2003 Junior Vocal Champion
Destiny’s Child, 1991, singers (as Girls Tyme)
Drew Carey
Diana Degarmo
Jessica Simpson
Martin Lawrence, 2003
Carlos Mencia, 1991, Comedy
Dennis Miller
Rosie O’Donnell, 1984, Comedy
LeAnn Rimes *how could you forget her*
Ray Romano, comedy
Tracey Ross
Sinbad, comedy
David Slater
Britney Spears, 1992, singer
Sharon Stone, 1984, spokesmodel
Eboni, 1995, Vocal Group/Band champion
Justin Timberlake, 1991, singer (as Justin Randall)
Dave Chappelle comedy
Bianca Ryan, 2005, singer
Nadia Turner, 2005, singer
Jessica Sierra 2005
Kimberly Caldwell, American Idol Season 2
This information can easily be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Search
Josiah was creepy.
As for the rest–eh, who cares? You don’t like the rules, start your own number one multi-billion dollar TV show. Or, failing that, stop watching this one.
I’ve never heard of any of these people and really that’s all I care about. Carly sold less than 400 albums. That is not making it in my book. David won star search? Wow–that means now I can name someone other than Sinbad that won.
Bev- you are 100% right!
I’m not too happy with the way things have digressed on Idol the last couple of years. Whatever happened to choosing contestants that had NO professional background at all. Its fine if they.ve sung in choirs or at weddings even taken money singing locally. But once you get into past contests leading to stardom and record deals that failed, its a whole different ball game.
What about the contestants from past seasons that really were good but didn’t get too far, and the kids out there that would give anything to be discovered.
They passed a couple of pros onto Hollywood and left that young kid Josiah who was really talented behind.
This can only lead to the demise of what used to be a fun and good feeling type of show.
OMG I just wrote a detailed comment with references and b5media server went down…I digress…I had facts, references, links and everything…I give up :(