Newsweek Frets about Christian Influence on ‘Idol’ Voting

Newsweek Frets about Christian Influence on ‘Idol’ Voting

By Colleen Raezler (Bio | Archive)
May 12, 2009 - 16:42 ET

According to Newsweek's Ramin Setoodeh, "American Idol's" Adam Lambert could "be heading home" due to those homophobic Christians that watch every week.

Lambert, Setoodeh wrote in a May 12 blog post, "has been called the best ‘Idol' singer in the history of the show, thanks to his Celine Dion-like pipes. But he's also one of the most controversial, thanks to his Marilyn Manson-like wardrobe and his (not-so) ambiguous sexuality."

Despite the fact that Randy, Simon and Paula all like Lambert, and he's garnered enough votes to compete in the semi-finals of "Idol," Setoodeh warned of a "possible roadblock" to a Lambert victory:

"Idol" is the No. 1 show on TV at least in part because it's so family-friendly, and it also appeals to a large demographic of Christian viewers. These are the same fans who made "High School Musical" and "Dancing With the Stars" huge TV hits. Many of "Idol's" previous winners - Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard - are devout Christians. Coincidence? Perhaps. But we don't know much about Lambert's faith, and that might hurt him with Christian voters. He could be extremely religious, but he's kept his religious beliefs quiet.

Setoodeh pointed out the religious background of Lambert's competitors, Danny Gokey and Kris Allens and further tipped off Lambert fans, "both have gotten substantial interest from Christian blogs and websites."

Apparently those people who read "Christian blogs and websites" also have no ear for talent. Setoodeh concluded, "Adam is still the best singer in the competition. But since Idol isn't really a singing competition - despite what Randy Jackson tells you every week - don't be too shocked if there's a shocker elimination this week."

—Colleen Raezler is a research assistant at the Culture and Media Institute

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I hate American Idol. My kids like it, but I despise

May 12, 2009 - 16:50 ET by pahuber

everything except Simon's smart a** comments. Those are funny. Yes I am warped.

Now back to the Chilites! ooooh yeaaaah.

I agree full-heartedly. I

May 12, 2009 - 16:59 ET by ThatDude

I agree full-heartedly. I enjoy Simon's straight forward, smart ass comments. Similarly, I enjoyed House for a short while because of Dr. House's bitter sarcasm. What has made both shows watchable was the personalities they had. The concept of the shows were corrupted by the producers wanting to add more drama and pushing more envelopes.

David Archuleta is a Christian and he didn't win

May 12, 2009 - 16:51 ET by Daniel Baker

Proven Wrong

-------------------------------------------

Liberal judges are the high priests of redefined marriage. Good men want freedom, Evil men want license

I have no idea what the religion

May 12, 2009 - 17:14 ET by IamTinman

I have no idea what the religion of any of the contestants is or care. I seriously doubt that most teenagers do either. Adam, Danny, and Kris are all good singers, however Adam is also a very good entertainer. I'm 60+ and conservative and while Adams singing is not my cup of tea, he is still at least as interesting as the others.

I can't see homophobia playing more than a very minor role, if any, in the result.

BTW: If you can read an annual report, you will know exactly what Idol is. The pot of gold at the end of the Fox/Simon Fuller rainbow!

while Adams singing is not

May 13, 2009 - 11:11 ET by Dan The Man 2

while Adams singing is not my cup of tea, he is still at least as interesting as the others.

Adam is good, but he really botched it doing Ring of Fire. Johnny rolled over in his grave.

At next year's Miss USA

May 12, 2009 - 17:15 ET by TE

At next year's Miss USA pageant, expect Perez Hilton or another fundamentalist homosexualist serving as a judge to ask: "Should Adam Lambert have won American Idol?" If the contestant answers "No", then that woman will not be winning the Miss USA pageant.

Exactly, this is such rank

May 12, 2009 - 17:49 ET by MrSnuggles

Exactly, this is such rank hypocrisy... can I vomit now?

Let's see now...

May 12, 2009 - 17:21 ET by Jarhead68

I know Clay Aiken didn't win and I thought he kicked Rubin's butt on the final show of that season but isn't he gay? If Ramin Setoodeh's theory had any validity, Clay would not have got that close to winning. These liberal weenies like to project their own biases onto conservatives. Just look at that Garafolo cow...calling anyone who attended a Tea Party a racist. That's liberal tolerance and understanding, isn't it?

I don't think it's a

May 12, 2009 - 17:33 ET by balboa

I don't think it's a criticism of Christians to say that they may vote for someone they identify with, especially if there are only 3 singers to pick from. People gravitate towards what they're familiar with

All right, balboa, here's what I have to say to you...

May 12, 2009 - 17:45 ET by Mike Bratton

You're absolutely right.

Couldn't agree more.

I don't know if that was the intimation of the article, which seems to be more about voting against someone than gravitating towards someone. Your observation, though, is spot on.

And for the record, I've never watched an episode of American Idol, and never intend to do so. My opinion of the program can best be summed up by the inimitable Kirk Franklin:

You a pimp, hustler?
Tell me what's your title,
America has no more stars, now we call them idols,
You sit idle, While we teach prosperity,
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me.
We're free...
Not because of 22's on the range,
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I'm Paul.

--Mike

www.thebrattonreport...

Kind of like the freak gay

May 12, 2009 - 17:50 ET by MrSnuggles

Kind of like the freak gay judge that voted against Prejean because of her Christian beliefs?

Game, Set, Match

May 12, 2009 - 19:11 ET by gmaniac1

nuff said right there!

When the people fear the government it's called tyranny, when the government fears the people it's called liberty!

Jews can vote only for

May 12, 2009 - 21:44 ET by TruthMonger

Jews can vote only for Jews...

Muslims can vote only for Muslims...

Women can vote only for women...

Blacks can vote only for blacks...

Gays can vote only for gays - and none of these are an MSM problem...

...but if Christians vote only for Christians, or whites vote only for whites, or if white Christians only vote for white Christians, or of white men vote only for white men...?

not in their liberal utopia we dont:)!!

Palin/Prejean 2012

If they want American Idol

May 12, 2009 - 20:02 ET by motherbelt

If they want American Idol to be based strictly on talent, there's an easy way: Don't factor in audience voting! Simple, huh?

They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes

Yeah Well, Sweetheart

May 12, 2009 - 17:45 ET by JeffWeimer

It's about the total package, not just the voice. If it were just that, Susan Boyle would have been famous 20 years ago. the looks, the demeanor...it all counts. Why else do they pay so much attention to the wardrobe and makeup?

You've gotta love the

May 12, 2009 - 17:46 ET by danebramage

You've gotta love the chutzpah of these people. The one clear case of discrimination in a talent/beauty contest has to do with homos blatantly and loudly discriminating against a Christian, yet they feel the need to warn everybody about those dangerous, intolerant Christians. It would be comical if it weren't so Orwellian.

If he were warning about retaliation and a possible revenge vote against this Lambert guy, that would at least make some sense. But he's not even doing that.

I hope this Lambert guy

May 12, 2009 - 17:51 ET by MrSnuggles

I hope this Lambert guy fails.

Why?

May 12, 2009 - 17:56 ET by balboa

Why?

When did gays become so

May 12, 2009 - 20:50 ET by mostlymoderate

When did gays become so militant? I know a few gays at my office and my cousin is gay; however, none of them care about getting married, flaunting their sexuality, demanding recognition or destroying Christian beliefs or values. In fact, most gays I know keep it to themselves and remain in the closet. I think this is a Hollywood thing. Hollywood has been trying to break down family values forever. Sometimes I think Hollywood creates more hate and homophobia than there would be without all the militant-gayness they parade.

I came across my first

May 12, 2009 - 21:11 ET by Pewah

I came across my first militant gay when I was waiting tables to get through college over 20 years ago. I had friends and family members who were gay, but working with this guy made me want to puke. It's that totally unecessary in-your-face attitude they have that makes them so repulsive to most people. He was constantly pointing out men that he thought he would like to have sex with and going on and on about previous conquests. However, just like a straight guy who talks about sex too much, I have to believe that he was actually very unhappy in what he was and his gragarity was just cover for that fact.

I feel the same way. I don't

May 12, 2009 - 21:05 ET by Pewah

I feel the same way. I don't want Adam to win for the most basic of reasons...I don't like him as a performer. His over-the-top style and overuse of his falsetto voice grates on my nerves after just a few bars. There's no doubt that he has talent and could do very well on Broadway, etc., but I wouldn't plop down a single buck to listen to him otherwise.

Does this make me a hater of gays?! No, it makes me a hater of how one particular gay sings.

I'm with you in that his

May 12, 2009 - 21:10 ET by balboa

I'm with you in that his style is not my favorite. He does rock a song, but I actually like Gokey more.

I watch the show

May 13, 2009 - 00:03 ET by MeowMeow

and Adam Lambert wails, screams and screeches his way through every song. He does have a good voice...for Broadway. He's not radio material.

Danny Gokey and Kris Allen are just better singers. More commercially viable.

Adam will be in the finals. And he'll probably win, not that anyone will buy his records. He will like like Taylor Hicks II.

Lemme see if I've got this

May 13, 2009 - 02:39 ET by GilaMonster

Lemme see if I've got this straight...

"Someone" somewhere unknown has decided that this Lambert fellow is the best singer in the history of the show that should win, and that the only reason he wouldn't are all those bigoted Christians who hate gays, so if, for any reason, this dude doesn't win, it's pre-emptively because of bigoted anti-gay Christians???

I'm getting so tired of these lame attempts at both damning those with whom the far left disagrees without basis or merit and automatically explains away any errors in their own view of how a just world SHOULD work thereby relieving them of any reason to question their own infallibility.

I don't watch the show, never have, and never will. It's not my gig, so I don't know who sings better than whom, but this kind of pre-emptive guilt tripping manipulation is how the left tried to explain away Obama's loss before the Dem primaries as well as before the election, (the ONLY way the chosen one could possibly lose would be because America is oh so racist.) They have started to do this at every turn, and treat every failure as though it is the result of their knuckle dragging foes inherant inferiority in morality but overwhelming numbers, and every success as though their David has beaten the neandrathol's Goliath in spite of all the odds stacked against them.

It's long past repugnant and well into nauseating.

They said the same thing

May 13, 2009 - 07:44 ET by moderncommentaries83

They said the same thing about Idol a few seasons ago when black contestants were voted off.

Then, it was "racist."

So now we know - Christians cannot be beauty pageant contestants and cannot compete on reality shows - because doing so might be "intolerant" toward others.

Lambert is very talented. The contract he'd have to sign as winner of Idol might be more restrictive on him than if he went home sooner. Chris Daughtry was a phenomonal singer and was ousted before the Top 4 (or 5...I can't remember). His career is just as, if not more, successful than the people who won.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam

Not a devout Christian

May 13, 2009 - 07:51 ET by Blogger Guy00001

One doesn't have to be a devout Christian to oppose unnatural couplings. Only in the warped minds of angry leftists.

Flaunting gay pride doesn't seem to garner votes for some reason

May 13, 2009 - 08:51 ET by seven

It looks like they need community activists to filter votes.

Ahem...

May 13, 2009 - 08:52 ET by Mike Sargent

First of all, Adam Lambert has been the most consistent singer out of all of them - and he's been consistently great. Gokey is good, but he's always singing at the top of his range. Kris, the dark horse, is the risk/reward candidate - he could be a nobody, or he could be the next John Mayer.

Last night, though, my money would be on Gokey. His story, combined with his second song, should push him into the finals at least. Kris and Adam are a tossup - because Adam, though he has been consistently awesome, hit a really sour note in his first song, and tortured AC/DC to a horrifing death in the second song. Kris, while he karaoke'd his way through the first song, did really well with revamping Kanye in the second song. So good for him - he's at least got a shot.

Even when the judges are openly campaigning for Adam *smirk*

American Idol Inc.

May 13, 2009 - 09:44 ET by CobraMan

"But since Idol isn't really a singing competition"

You're right, it isn't a singing competition, it's a television show, you twit. It's a gimmick, a sham, a way to attract a viewing audience. Think of it as the Gong Shows of the new millennium. How many if Idol's "winners" have gone on to become actual "idols" and now have realsinging careers, one that lasts more than a single year? The only one that comes to mind is Kelly Clarkson. If the idol "contestants" had any REAL talent, they would already have a contract and they wouldn't need to be on Idol, correct? So, who cares if someone who doesn't have enough talent to start their own career gets voted off a tv show? Why turn American Idol into American Drama Queen?

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution

Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court

I think that there are

May 13, 2009 - 09:59 ET by balboa

I think that there are actually a good deal of people on the show that have talent, but it takes more than that.

Besides Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Jordan Sparks, Daughtry, Underwood, all have very successful careers.

It takes an agent

May 13, 2009 - 12:37 ET by CobraMan

"I think that there are actually a good deal of people on the show that have talent, but it takes more than that."

That's true, it takes commitment, dedication, sacrifice and, above all, an agent! Just like with Professional Sports. But, then again, that's what "professional" means, turning your talent into your profession. I';m sure there are a lot of talented athletes that never become professionals.

As to the others, I don't watch the show, I never have, and I don't think I'm aware of them as I don't recognize a single name.. I'm glad they've found success and I hope that success will continue. It may have been American Idol that "exposed" them, but only talent, commitment, and hard work will keep their careers alive. I mean, really, who wants to be the next Millie Vanilli?

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution

Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court

let's not forget pimping! :)

May 13, 2009 - 15:08 ET by MrShy

"That's true, it takes commitment, dedication, sacrifice..."

And fearless pimping, too.

And luck and timing. But then, we sort of make our own luck, and more so timing. 99% perspiration, as they say.

You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!

Hey balboa. I'll bet you'd

May 13, 2009 - 14:50 ET by QueenMum

Hey balboa. I'll bet you'd be surprised to know that Daughtry is my personal favorite.

GO CAVS!!!!!

I get the feeling you guys

May 13, 2009 - 15:02 ET by dvdaughtry

I get the feeling you guys are not talking about me...=(

You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

Re AI

May 13, 2009 - 11:17 ET by slickwillie2001

Carrie Underwood is much bigger than Clarkson, and they are both huge talents. Even if you ignore the second tier winners, a mega-star hit rate of 2/7 is still impressive.

Re the gay contestant, I see it as pretty likely that his fans and the gay mafia are stoking this 'controversy' just to get their guy more pity/support/visibility and thus more votes. They would also like him to have some kind of built-in affirmative action advantage, and they are hoping that their activism will make the show's counters fiddle with the numbers.

Question for Setoodeh...

May 13, 2009 - 09:54 ET by TruthMatters

Setoodeh, with your reasoning I assume that if Adam wins then it is solely because the leftist homosexual militants voted him through. Is this correct??? If So, should Christians be outraged?

BTW...what kind of name is "Setoodeh"?

Newsweek

May 13, 2009 - 13:02 ET by Six String Spiff

Ummm Newsweek has sunk to stirring the pot over a reality show that is probably fixed anyway? WOW

And they continue to wonder why they have to come out with a smaller and smaller 'magazine'.

Why don't they just give up and sell bumper stickers?

Personally, I'm holding out for the "two ply" version"

Wanks

Islamic Religious Services Will Be Held at the Firing Range At 0800 Daily.

Let Newsweek Fret

May 13, 2009 - 13:32 ET by mikaeltoo

This magazine is a failing rag. It leans so far left that it already fallen overboard and is gasping its last breaths.... I say let it go and American Idol with it!

First of all, where is the

May 13, 2009 - 14:34 ET by QueenMum

First of all, where is the evidence of Adam's questionable sexuality? Didn't all that prejudice about a performer's appearance die out a long time ago? Just because Boy George turned out to be gay, what does that have to do with the price of cheese. Freddy Mercury was far from effeminate in appearance, and neither was George Michael. Elton John is flamboyant, but it's more a matter of his schtick. If it's a matter of wearing stage makeup, well there are plenty of rockers who would gladly put someone in their place for suggesting that makeup defines their sexuality. Otherwise, why is Setoodeh making this stuff up? And how is it her personal musings about Christians, gays, or anyone's sexuality belong in a "news" magazine? I have to laugh at a publication that's trying to place it itself on both sides of the fence at once.

If I've missed some pertinent details, I'd appreciate someone helping me out.

P.S. I'm voting for Adam. :)

GO CAVS!!!!!

Re Evidence

May 13, 2009 - 15:09 ET by slickwillie2001

This has been all over the internet for months: http://allieiswired.com

This doesn't mean he is not talented or can't win, or that I think he shouldn't win or not, just that this particular issue is not really being debated.