Late April 2005: In response to a number of recent letters, one very clearly asking for a response, I offer an additional view on the continuing Idol saga that will likely carry no weight, but it's my site and I can say so if I want. Nyah... Sorry, got a little power hungry for a minute. Anyway, here is:

MORE IDOL CHATTER

This is a quote of a letter I sent out to somebody who asked the following question on April 28, the day after the exceedingly charming and talented Constantine was unceremoniously - actually there was a ceremony of sorts, I guess - extricated from Idol lineup amidst a chorus of disbelieving boos (and perhaps some booze as well for you at home). She, like many others, was clearly incensed, amazed, and maybe suffering a bit from what I would term as Constantine-apation, a pain of enormous proportions to be sure. She wrote:

"I believe that American Idol viewers have been loyal to a fault. This is why it's difficult to understand this week's results aired April 27th.......The audience was quiet after the announcement. The television viewers sat still; thinking that maybe there was an error in the positions the Idols stood.....

"Lo a behold, the answer was clear. Cries and boooooooos were heard from Constantine's fans and even from the cast, and other members on stage. You can't fake that look.

"So what happened last night? Paula got it right to the letter. It was a crowning moment for Scott, not worth discussing...

"Please tell me why Scott is still standing and Constantine was booted off."

I want to start out saying that I have no particular (BB) favorites on the show this year, given that they are all fairly talented. My spouse and I have long had the argument about the better Beatle, her being a John fan and me Paul (sorry Ringo and George, but...). I have finally come to the conclusion that John and Paul were likely equal in their talents, with Paul just being a little more equal. So I believe that why Scott, who did a very fine job or he wouldn't even be on the stage, and the others, are indeed worth discussing to a point. However, it is the public that really warrants the discussion, since they are the ones that determine who gets voted off Seacrest's Island.

Having been in the position of both a judge whose opinion counts (in one instance, the sole judge for a competition, a daunting prospect), and as a judge who acts more in the Jackson/Abdul/Cowell sense being only a sounding board to pass opinion on to a stupid audience, I find that no matter which methodology is used and no matter who passes and who does not, there will be dissenters.

One of the biggest issues with AI voting has long been how the phone banks work, and who the legions of American fans actually are. If you look at the fact that Anthony is still there, and that he keeps coming in somewhere around second to last, if he comes in second to last in a few weeks he technically will win. You can split the voting audience (not the same as the overall viewing audience since I simply do not participate in that process) into two parts. There are those who vote with their opinion and move on. Then there are those who vote for THEIR GUY/GAL no matter what.

In the case of last year's competition, the Hawaiian girl lasted a long time because she was not only the most popular girl in her time zone, but also the ONLY girl in her time zone. This was significant because for the two hour window in the Pacific, there was little competition from the internet, business calling, and fans trying to get other people on. So since they ostensibly had the opportunity to get more votes through from their islands than the East Coast could competing against all the other callers clogging the lines talking to mom or downloading porn, they took good advantage of it.

In the case of the remarkable Constantine, who will do just fine by the way in his future as a rock star, it was not his talent or momentary lack thereof that did him in. There were just more diligent fans (I think for Scott) calling in for others than there were for Constantine. If you think about the demographics of what is finally a very diverse group (at 24 they could certainly be put into 4 or 5 different categories from which to choose, making it harder), there are likely more garage mechancis and farmers from the midwest watching the show and caring enough to vote than there are true rock fans of the Constantine/Bo ilk, who are probably either rehearsing or have on Spike or MTV. Therefore, more people are available to vote for Scott since they know about Scott. Same for Anthony, who has his white bread teeny-bopper fans that Constantine seemed to attract less of, even given his early David Cassidy magnetism.

Also, look at the different genres they call on for the show. I myself would be prone to turn off the disco show, have some passing interest in a hard 60s rock show (Spinning Wheel was amazing, for example), really enjoy the R&B show, and be greatly interested in the swing show. There are many who vote with the remote, and if they don't like the music they are hearing they will move on, then come back for House (a favorite of mine) after dinner. They are then less inclined to vote. I would wager that far more Scott/Tony fans would be watching swing/ballad shows than Constantine/Bo fans.

In the end, it's simple. Even if there is injustice (Elton John was right to an extent about that, but his favorite ended up winning), the judges are not to blame. I still contend that Simon is right most of the time, but occasionally is hearing something different than the rest of us. Rarely. For the most part, America seems to listen to and respect Simon (more so than Paula who wears her heart on her - well, visible places) and Randy (who can be mamby pamby in even voicing an opinion at times), so he has more weight in the process. Just the same, it does and does not matter what he says. It matters how many feral Federov or Bice fans are out there. I contend that it wasn't how many called in for the ones still standing - it's how many did not call in for the one who isn't. They are right now the Monday morning QBs who are saying "Damn, I guess I COULD have made a difference after all," as they try to find Constantine's mail to send him a personal apology (many former contestants have received a slew of such apologies from non-voters, so this is not unprecedented).

In the end, don't underrate anybody else there either. Any of the top nine or so are worthy of my CD dollars, and many will get produced somehow. But in a show where only one person can come out on top, many worthy people will have to fall. Just because C is out and S, B and T are still in (and a couple of girls), that does not mean that the girls, S or T will win (not that I'm indicating a favorite of mine in this statement ~~). It just means that some days the public is on the ball, the phone company is in good stead, and all is right with the world for all but the fans of the fallen. On other days - you have the top three ladies, all black, standing in the spotlight of uncertainty, with visceral reaction from the public and the critics, the former who did not bother to show enough support, and the latter who have the luxury of commenting without having participated. C was likely not going all the way, but he did pretty well. Still does not explain how that red-headed kid made it so far last season, something that still vexes me. Hmmmm.

Coming soon enough: Why Rap on Rap? An alternate view on why it should exist, and how it relates to ragtime of all things.

GO BACK TO WHERE YOU WERE BEFORE YOU GOT HERE

Do you have some vote about this volatile topic? Informative or constructive ones are always welcome. You can write to me at perfbill@hotmail.com, but please don't vote me off the planet in doing so. My opinion is informed at the very least, but it is need the end-all of opinions, no matter how much sense it makes and how much fact is involved. Which is a lot, of course. But that's why I ask for yours also - to prove mine right. Just kidding!!!