After the winner of "American Idol" is crowned, the appropriate action is to congratulate the newly crowned Idol on his success. Yet on May 21 media focus was clearly elsewhere. That day, reports on all three networks' morning broadcasts, marveled at how Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert and gave unusual attention to contestants who did not win, but are still successful, leaving little doubt that these hosts and reporters believe something wasn't right about Allen's victory.
Allen and Lambert are very different. Allen, a married twenty-three year old, is a college student from Arkansas. He grew throughout the season as a performer and was often labeled as humble. Lambert, on the hand, was an edgy performer who has become known for his "guyliner," or extensive use of black eyeliner. Although he was a frontrunner and often praised by the judges, his sexuality was often questioned, especially after photos hit the Web in which he appeared to be kissing another man.
"American Idol" had a record number of votes cast - almost 100 million - on the May 20 season finale. There is no limit, however, on how many votes a viewer can cast. Maggie Rodriguez, of the CBS' "The Early Show" quipped that Allen won because his "mom must have voted 500, 000 times." But clearly, a lot more than Allen's mom loved his singing.
On ABC's "Good Morning America," Andrea Canning decided that Allen's winning was linked to Lambert's sexuality. ,"Was America not ready for it's first-perhaps- gay idol?" she asked. Here colleague Sam Champion at least congratulated Allen, and then went out to point out former Idol contestants such as Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, and Clay Aiken, didn't win but went on to enjoy successful singing careers. "Can 100 million people ever be wrong, and I mean seriously?" Champion said. "I know that Chris Allen won last night and that's great and we congratulate him, but some of the most successful performers to come out of Idol aren't even Idol winners."
"The Early Show" also pointed out many successful singers have emerged after not being crowned "American Idol." Chris Jansing of "Today" stated, "coming in second may not be so bad after all."
As for the print media, it did its part in promoting the cultural divide angle of Allen's win.
The Associated Press headlined its article "Shocker: Kris Allen takes 'American Idol' title." Picking up the theme Newsweek's Ramin Satoodeh hit last week in a "Pop Vox" blog post on the Christian influence in "Idol" voting, AP's Lynn Elber said Allen was "downright conservative when compared to Lambert's elaborate staging and wardrobe choices. Allen is a married college student - his wife was often on hand to root for him - and has worked as a church worship leader." Lambert, on the other hand, has "largely kept his personal life under wraps, saying 'I know who I am' when asked about it."
Elber also noted, "it turned out that 'Idol' viewers could embrace a gifted performer like Lambert, one who sported black nail polish and bold self-assurance, only to a point." Elber also addressed the ensuing firestorm over allegations of anti-gay bias, reporting, "Backstage, Lambert was asked about how his second-place finish would be interpreted online. "The blogs have a lot of opinions, don't they?" he said, smiling and looking relaxed.
The Washington Post's Lisa de Moraes, echoed Elber: "Lambert, on the other hand, hails from Los Angeles by way of San Diego, was in the cast of "Wicked" and doesn't talk much about his personal life. But expect the "is-he-or-isn't-he?" chatter about Lambert to explode today into a full-on debate about whether the vote reflects gay bias."
Back at Newsweek, Setoodeh's latest post examined what he called "The Christian factor" and "The gay factor" in Allen's win, despite admitting that " "maybe Kris is the more deserving American Idol after all."
Of the Christian factor, Setoodah wrote:
You could say - as many of you have in the comments - that religion is an irrelevant criterion for judging a singing competition. But the fact remains that Idol is one of TV's most family-friendly shows, and it draws a large number of Christian viewers. Five out of seven of the past Idol winners have been very vocal about their Christian faith. Kris Allen had the edge here.
And of the "gay factor":
Adam Lambert hasn't talked about his sexuality publicly, but TV Guide reported that he was "openly gay,"...and there are photos circulating online of someone who looks like him kissing another guy. This shouldn't be an issue in 2009. But if you've read any of online chatter about Idol this year, you know that sadly, there's still plenty of hate out there. Adam has millions of fans, and it looked like he could strike an emphatic blow against homophobia, much the same way that Obama broke through the race barrier when he became the country's first black president. But his ambiguous sexuality still cost Adam votes.
Ken Levine, an Emmy-winning producer, director and writer slammed "Idol" voters for their un-originality. He wrote for The Huffington Post,"This country is not yet ready to crown a young man who looks like Liza Minnelli their next American Idol. Not that Kris didn't deserve it but clearly Adam was the more interesting, original choice."
Alessandra Stanley, TV critic at The New York Times, also took her shots at "Idol" voters. She labeled viewers "too conformist to anoint a sassy, androgynous individualist," and derided their taste in pop music as "conventional."
The media usually love stories of underdogs triumphing over the favorite. But in this case, they can barely manage a few half-hearted congratulations before espousing their theories of "hate" and "homophobia" in the land of the "race barrier."
CMI intern Sarah Knoploh shared the byline on this report.
—Colleen Raezler is a research assistant at the Culture and Media Institute
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Comments Policy
Of course the msm is in a
May 21, 2009 - 14:53 ET by bigtimerOf course the msm is in a snit about this...look what they did to Prajean.
They aren't happy with the outcome and do their best to force others to think like them...well we don't...now pick up your toys, leave us alone and go play in your sand-boxes together.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Why now?
May 21, 2009 - 15:45 ET by reelman46All this yack because a stable christian beat what seems to be a secular metro male at best?
No "controversy" if any minority wins, any "victim-worship model" wins or any moral midget wins...just gushing praise....gee, sue-prise sue-prise.
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
Awww, so the gay guy lost
May 21, 2009 - 14:59 ET by MrSnugglesAwww, so the gay guy lost because of "anti-gay bias" and here we are crying and whining about it. But a beauty queen that believes in traditional marriage? Well, she has NO RIGHT to be winning ANY contest of ANY sort! How dare she!
Payback is a bitch.
Anyone remember who won last
May 21, 2009 - 15:06 ET by Another Dead KennedyAnyone remember who won last year (without looking it up)?
Yeah, exactly. Who cares?
Who won the Super Bowl?
May 21, 2009 - 15:32 ET by KC MulvilleQuick! .... 1 2 3 4 ... google it! ... 5 6 7 8 ...
Hey it's entertainment. It isn't supposed to have "meaning." Turning a singing contest into a political arena is just silly.
Steelers! (My other
May 21, 2009 - 15:46 ET by Another Dead KennedySteelers! (My other obsession is football)
Seriously, there is nothing original about this contest. They use professional producers who mold these kids into what will serve the record company's best interests. The kids are trained by professional instructors, told which songs to sing, dressed by costume professionals... It's all make-believe.
How about questioning the validity of the voting process? Oh right, who cares???
Agreed
May 21, 2009 - 16:28 ET by KC MulvilleYou know what gets me? One of these kids comes onstage, and he can hold a note for seven seconds, and America goes crazy.
Ella Fitzgerald could hold a note for about a month, and most of these kids have never heard of her. (OK, I'm exaggerating a little, but she's one of my favorites.)
Thank you!!!! There's a
May 21, 2009 - 16:36 ET by Another Dead KennedyThank you!!!! There's a reason the majority of these kids, winners included, don't go on to superstar success...There isn't much there to begin with. There's a certain amount of creativity necessary to become an artist. They're not artists, but merely performers. Ella = artist.
Levine's comment isn't a
May 21, 2009 - 15:10 ET by balboaLevine's comment isn't a salvo in the culture war. It's an observation. Adam was the more interesting contestant, with his style, hair, performances. Kris was great too, just a more vanilla choice.
boa...well it looks like the
May 21, 2009 - 15:12 ET by bigtimerboa...well it looks like the american majority like vanilla just fine.
The msm just doesn't.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
The AI majority does, and
May 21, 2009 - 15:27 ET by balboaThe AI majority does, and there's nothing wrong with that. The brief clips I saw, it seemed like Adam was a better performer, and they were both great singers.
My wife summed it up best...
May 22, 2009 - 05:21 ET by NavyBuckeyehe majority of voters are preteens, teenies and highschool girls. Who do you think they are going to vote for, really? The better singer, but not the pretty boy...or the average singer but a pretty boy. The answer is obvious...but the MSM won't let that get in the way of their agenda.
This had nothing to do with Adam's sexual preference but rather with the target audience and the mass amount of girls that vote (numerous times at that).
I was not at all surprised at the outcome....many times the better peformer/singer loses out to the pretty boy or girl. Thats what people like....especially the tweenies, teens and highschool kids. And that is the majority of voters for this show.
"You see Obama is going to tax those not payin taxes...those making
over 97,000 dollars ayear. Once you make that much you don't pay
taxes...he's going to make them pay. And I will finally get a break." -My mom who is on welfare and foodst
balboa, shame on you. You
May 21, 2009 - 15:28 ET by Smartypantsbalboa, shame on you. You libs are supposed to be more nuanced than that. Isn't what is "interesting" to anybody in the eye of the beholder? Some people find stamp collecting to be "interesting". Some people find straight-laced people to be interesting. Some people find eccentric people to be interesting. All three of these might be completely boring to others. For you to state outright that one person is more interesting than another is evidence of your personal prejudices. Lambert might be a more flamboyant character, but that does not make him inherently more "interesting". And that is the crux of why this guy's comment, and your observation, are off-base. The majority of voters did not find Lambert to be more "interesting," or I hazard to guess they would have voted for him.
The most successful war America has ever waged is quickly becoming President Obama's war on capitalism.
I was using the words of Ken
May 21, 2009 - 15:54 ET by balboaI was using the words of Ken Levine, who used "interesting." I think there's more to an Adam performance, but, as you said, that doesn't always appeal to people. Both were deserving.
And I doubt that "interesting" was on the minds of voters. More of them liked Kris. For whatever reason, he appealed to more people. That's not bad or good, IMO.
So should adam have won
May 21, 2009 - 15:29 ET by TexasteacherSo should adam have won simply because he's "edgy"? Nevermind if anyone likes him or not? Last I checked, it wasn't a contest over who could make themselves look and act like a dumba** the most...
Go ahead and keep playing devil's advocate. It just keeps showing who you work for.
obama's notion of bi-partisanship is telling conservatives to shut up and do what he wants.
Way to fail to comprehend.
May 21, 2009 - 15:51 ET by balboaWay to fail to comprehend. Kudos.
We can't win
May 21, 2009 - 15:14 ET by moderncommentaries83A few seasons ago, when Clay Aiken was the runner up and Ruben Studdard the winner, did we get lambasted because it was suspected Aiken was gay (something he later confirmed)?
If Aiken had won over Studdard, would we have been racist for voting for a white guy over the black contestant?
If we vote for the guy over the girl, are we sexist?
What, exactly, are the PC parameters for voting? Clearly, the fact that
1) The final song - written this year by judge Kara DiGuiardi (sorry if that's spelled wrong - does not favor those with a rock edge like Lambert. It is a saccharine, pop candy piece marketed for the most appeal. Adam was at a disadvantage with this song, as was Bo Bice and other contestants who were more rock than mainstream.
2) Many who liked Danny Gokey were more likely to transfer their votes to Kris Allen rather than Adam Lambert because Kris and Danny are more alike than Lambert and either of them.
3) This is actually, by all accounts, a good thing for Lambert. From what I've heard, the contract for the winner is not so hot. Lambert is now not restricted by those provisions and can pursue his career in the manner he sees fit. This was merely a launch pad for his career, which will be successful.
I didn't care if Adam was gay. That has no issue in this singing contest - a singing contest. I didn't vote in the final, but Lambert does not appeal to my musical tastes. That may be discriminatory, but it's not a bad thing.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
You hit it on the head,
May 21, 2009 - 15:22 ET by SmartypantsYou hit it on the head, modern. What about considering other factors instead of just the demographic makeup of the contestants? The thing is, liberal minds do not work that way. They look at the classification of the person first and, in their small-mindedness, they assume that is the reason for the outcome. They cannot believe that people (i.e. voters) may actually be looking beyond racial, ethnic, and even sexual, classifications. Remember when we were warned, before last fall's election, that many people would not vote for Obama because of his skin color and that it could cost him the election? At the same time, we were told that McCain voters must be racist. People who held this view were themselves playing their own race card, believing that the only reason anyone could have for not casting a vote for Barack would be his race. They did not consider his extreme voting record, his own lack of leadership experience, his ties to nefarious characters, etc.---nope, it's all about his race, that's it. These clowns are in it so deep that cannot see the illogical nature of their own thought pattern.
The most successful war America has ever waged is quickly becoming President Obama's war on capitalism.
individualism is being lost
May 21, 2009 - 20:45 ET by mbuelYou both raise good points, it's no longer about the individual, it's about WHAT GROUP that individual belongs too.
You could be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but if you aren't part of a protected class of some favored sub group, you don't matter one iota.
I say whenever they try to play the "group" card, we counter with the individual card. SO what if the loser was gay, does that make HIM a better singer/performer?
Don't let the libs even PLAY the PC anti-individuality card. Trump them.
The free market works, Government controls always fail.
What a bunch of bigoted dunderheads!
May 21, 2009 - 15:15 ET by CrashAre they for real? There were TWO finalist and one had to be the runner up. For them to make it a gay vs straight thing is just as insipid as Perez's idiotic rant which actually did more to hurt the image of gays than to help their cause.
Liberals love to play the
May 21, 2009 - 15:15 ET by SmartypantsLiberals love to play the angle that America is a bigoted country, until America proves them wrong. This is a form of a "guilty until proven innocent" philosophy. Unless we elect a minority president, for instance, we must be racists. If we don't vote for the openly gay contestant in a tv game show, we're "homophobes" (which itself is an absurd term, one which seeks to marginalize anyone who does not agree with the gay political agenda). I think believing these things gives these libs a sense of self-worth, a feeling that they are above the fray. If they can identify America's bigotry, that means they are not bigots. The irony, of course, is that it takes a very small mind to believe such a narrow definition of bigotry in the first place. These loons are displaying their own personal prejudices at the same time they believe they are expressing an elite open-mindedness that so few possess.
The most successful war America has ever waged is quickly becoming President Obama's war on capitalism.
I'll be so happy when the
May 21, 2009 - 15:16 ET by TexasteacherI'll be so happy when the msm gives up their pattern of heterophobia and blind, seething hatred of Christians.
"Not that Kris didn't deserve it but clearly Adam was the more interesting, original choice."
So what the hell is the issue here? This is a contest of *singing talent*
And so the hell what if people voted against that guy because he's gay? I wouldn't want that as a role model either. Why can't the gays get it through their thick skulls that the majority of the country will never accept their lifestyle? It's disgusting and it's naturally and morally wrong. Why would any sane person encourage this type of behavior?
obama's notion of bi-partisanship is telling conservatives to shut up and do what he wants.
C'mon MSM get a life! My
May 21, 2009 - 15:25 ET by Clear thinkerC'mon MSM get a life!
My wife and I watch American Idol with our granddaughter religiously because it's one of the few shows on TV that adults can watch with kids. Anyway.... when I saw how Chris was treated when he went back home to Arkansas I knew he was going to win. And no thank you, not because I am a genius (but I am). I used the old fashion 'little girls screaming' head count to determine who has the biggest fan base.
When Chris went home the girls went nuts, really nuts. For Adam, they were there, but not as loony as Chris'.
Got it MSM?
Take the 'I am not a racist' pledge http://iamnotaracist.wordpress.com/
Isn't it........
May 21, 2009 - 15:26 ET by BuzzyIsn't it queer that the odd one didn't win?
Or is that the other way around?
Once again America you had better start thinking like the left wants you to or it's off to re-education camps.
Payback is a biatch
May 21, 2009 - 15:27 ET by 10ksnookerCarrie's revenge, and everyone knows it.
Horse Hockey
May 21, 2009 - 15:32 ET by slickwillie2001This is horse-hockey: "But expect the "is-he-or-isn't-he?" chatter about Lambert to explode today into a full-on debate about whether the vote reflects gay bias."
He came in second of 20,000 candidates! It's just as valid to ask if pro-gay bias allowed him to accomplish that.
And this "...especially after photos hit the Web in which he appeared to be kissing another man." He 'appeared' to be? Could it have been something else? Maybe he was administering CPR to someone?
Cultural wars?
May 21, 2009 - 15:34 ET by ThisnThatAnd what, exactly, is the "culture" we should all covet regarding gays? That is, other than deviant sex behavior?
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
Idol
May 21, 2009 - 15:41 ET by easygoerWho watches this idiocy?
"...strike an emphatic blow against homophobia"
May 21, 2009 - 15:44 ET by SickofLibsI would have worded that differently, but that's just me.
Butterball the Gossip Blogger probably hasn't stopped crying yet.
Another gay vs. straight and guess what?
May 21, 2009 - 15:59 ET by gmaniac1The gay person lost again! As long as people keep force feeding their ridiculous agenda on others they will lose. Gay marriage failed by vote in California and here in Florida. Miss California defeated Troll Boy Hilton in a one-on-one public confrontation, without going into a hissy fit. Now this, and I friggin' love it. You can have sex with mules and billy goats for all I care but don't get angry when someone doesn't agree with it.
When the people fear the government it's called tyranny, when the government fears the people it's called liberty!
Actually, Adam didn't
May 21, 2009 - 16:06 ET by balboaActually, Adam didn't force-feed anything on anyone.
Back in the 1970's
May 21, 2009 - 16:02 ET by BO STINKS(showing my age) the hysterical libs were yammering on and on and on about labels (they were against them at that time). In the last several years the looney libs rush to label everything that moves. How bizarre is that? Liberalism is truly a mental disorder.
The great Socio/Economic Experiments of the 20th cent. (communism, socialism, fascism) only killed a few hundred million. Let's give 'em another try! - me
My two cents...
May 21, 2009 - 16:17 ET by Reality CheckHonestly, I don't think the press is bent out of shape because the (possibly) gay guy didn't win... they are ticked off because the openly Christian guy won. That terrifies them - and they start thinking that their razor-thin hold on Congress, and their control of the White House, are temporary because there is obviously a huge number of people, out there in places like Arkansas, who don't think like coastal liberals, and that scares the daylights out of them.
Good.
I watch the show consistently, and there was a lot of talent in the top 10 this season. Once it got down to 7 or 8 contestants it was getting really hard to want anyone sent home. Personally, I think Adam was the best on the show, but Kris is a phenomenal talent, and they both have huge careers ahead of them, as do several of the others in the top 10.
Reality Check
appeals
May 21, 2009 - 16:22 ET by sevenThe Liberal 9th circuit court of appeals has a pattern of calling voting unconstitutional.
They may overturn this.
I think..
May 21, 2009 - 16:34 ET by katainkentI think you're right. People are unnerved ... disturbed even that what is mainstream TV is NOT mainstream America.
I broke down and watch some YT clips of both of the top 2. I grew up in the late 70s/ early 80's. That glam look with the eyeliner and that in your face sensuality is nothing new to me. I still listen to the stuff :) Adam was professionally better at singing and fun to watch. Kris' phrasing was a little off in a couple clips but he was passionate and genuine. I probably would have voted for him but it would have been a tough choice. I think "Ain't No Sunshine" would have sold me. But to me it's apples and oranges. I can't stand these reality shows. I think art(music) is personal expression and growth and people's pain/humiliation shouldn't be prime time television.
Call me weird but I never liked pageants either. Even when being Miss America was every little girls dream because I always felt bad for the losers.
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Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past - George Orwell - 1984
I watched with my 14 year
May 21, 2009 - 16:40 ET by msh1973I watched with my 14 year old daughter...she went nuts over Kris, but then again she is a big Jonas Brothers fan. Kris had the hearts of the young teenage girl and lets face it they can dial a phone (just showed my age) faster than any 20 something! :-)
Anti-freak-show vote?
May 21, 2009 - 17:02 ET by nkviking75"This country is not yet ready to crown a young man who looks like Liza
Minnelli their next American Idol. Not that Kris didn't deserve it but
clearly Adam was the more interesting, original choice."
Well, perhaps a vote for Kris is a vote for plain ol' talent and a reaction to the freak shows the entertainment industry coughs up at us on a daily basis. We don't get much of a choice of the recording "artists" on the shelves.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
this is rich
May 21, 2009 - 17:23 ET by jacktheripperYahoo news blasts "DID AMERICA GET IT WRONG"? ....hell no we got it just right,now ask Cris Daughtery if he is disappointed that he got booted from AI early !!! I for 1 am sick of gays slammingt heir life style in my face on almost EVERY NETWORK SHOW on tv and cable. Backlash anyone?
Back off of Adam
May 22, 2009 - 08:18 ET by beauxdogOk, boys and girls...
I am a Christian and a big fan of American Idol because I believe it does a lot for the people who compete in it and I like good music. Enough said there.
Adam's quality of voice and range was out of this world. Nobody else was even in his league. He matched that with an equal amount of showmanship. Kris's advantage was his style was preferred by a greater percentage of the audience. You don't have to be the best to be a great artists... you have to give the people what they want.
Regardless... Adam was nothing but a gentleman and professional throughout the whole competition. On stage, he was aggressive, radical and out side of the box. But as soon as the performance was over, you could visibly watch him transform into a polite and gracious young man with a quiet confidence. He deserves NONE of your critisisms.
The MSM is wrong, the pundits are wrong, the bloggers are wrong... talk about them all you want, but LEAVE Adam ALONE!
Beauxdog
I can only imagine if the
May 22, 2009 - 10:42 ET by Tom PaineI can only imagine if the voting had gone the other way how the MSM would be using it as a barometer of "how far we have come", and by extension, a reinforcement of how America got it right by electing Barry Obama last November. They would have played the triumph of the Blue states to the hilt as some sort of proxy of America’s sea change embrace of liberalism. Now that the voting has gone the other way they employ the Saul Alinsky tactic of discrediting the process. They dare not contemplate the resurgence of the Red states with midterm elections only 18 months away.