American Idol Producers Tell Contestant to Tone Down Christian References
The producers of the hit show American Idol apparently told one of its top contestants to tone down his overtly Christian references if he wants to win the competition.
According to Today.com, Colton Dixon doesn't care and "plans to continue using the show and social media to spread his message of faith":
"When we first started the Twitter and Facebook stuff, they said beware of political and religious tweets," he told TODAY.com. "Just because it can turn off voters or whatever. But, you know, being a Christian is who I am. It is a part of me musically. It is what I want to do after the show -- go into Christian music." [...]
"I am not going to hide it, and I am not going to stray away from it just because I am on a TV show." [...]
"I wake up and I do devotional every morning," he added. "It reminds me why I am here, which is to share the love of God. I know there are several other contestants who can say the exact same thing. But it is a part of me and I want to share it -- no matter what, good or bad outcome. It is me."
Frankly, I'm not sure the producers understand who their audience is.
Fans of the show know full well that country singers like Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, and Kelly Clarkson do well on the program because so many of the viewers are folks from red states as opposed to California and New York.
We got proof of that in 2009 when blue state favorite Adam Lambert lost in the finals to the more folksy, Arkansas-born Kris Allen.
At the time, many felt this actually became a red state-blue state battle with folks having little interest in the show casting votes to show support for liberal and conservative values.
As Allen ended up winning, Idol producers might want to rethink Dixon toning down anything as he has cruised into the top ten and definitely seems a favorite of the judges and the audience up to this point.
On the other hand, as these are the same folks that decided to pay tribute to President Obama in the middle of Wednesday's show, their political views might regularly get in the way of knowing what's in their financial best interest.
As for Dixon, he's been a breath of fresh air in this writer's opinion, and that was before I had any idea what his religious beliefs were.
Just seemed like a fine young man with a heck of a voice to me.
- Noel Sheppard's blog
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Comments
Colton
Submitted by NewLife56 on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 5:19pm.
Keep speaking Colton, they will never understand even if they do silence everyone, even the rocks themselves will sing Glory to God
shut up and sing
Submitted by el_polacko on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 5:54pm.
i'm with the producers on this one. i don't care if it's this kid or the dixie chicks...i still ascribe to the "shut up and sing" philosophy. he's on the show to be judged on his vocal talents, not to televangelize or espouse any political views.
True, but...
Submitted by BullRider on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 10:50pm.
Colton is doing his job, performing well on Idol, and he has not used the show in any way other than as a contestant. On his own time, if he wants to 'tweet' and make reference to his faith, it is NOT the producers' job to tell him to stop. Nor is it yours. Hard to believe that the Pilgrims came to this country so they could worship as they wanted to, and now, people are being asked to keep their faith a secret lest they offend others. How about if people keep their gay-ness to themselves too lest they offend others??
First of all there el_polacko aka mole
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Sat, 03/17/2012 - 4:28am.
what Colton is doing is no different from what you gay mafia types do yourselves. He is just expressing his true nature regardless of persecution he gets from bigots like yourself.
Realy!
Submitted by Grateful Al on Sat, 03/17/2012 - 8:51pm.
Did any ever approach Adam Lambert and suggest, "Hey bud, tone down the flaming homo thing. It could cost you the title?"
Of course not because most of them or either flamers
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Sun, 03/18/2012 - 6:49am.
themselves or pushing the pro-gay, anti-Christian agenda.
you think
Submitted by texasborngranny on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 6:09pm.
they would have told him to tone it down, if he was 'singing Obama's praises'?
Yes, tone down those damn Christian praises...
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 6:34pm.
But raise up the Obama hosiahs! Yeah, glad I dont watch this shark-jumped show, riding the coattails of an O'Bozo landslide loss!
You go
Submitted by bobsmom on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 6:50pm.
for it kid. And I am one of the few souls left on the continent, I'm sure, who has never watched a single episode of this show in the entire time it has been on. However, I may have to tune in, just to vote.............
You can add me to the list.......
Submitted by dyardley on Sat, 03/17/2012 - 12:14pm.
of people who have never watched this program, Bobsmom. Had much better things to do with my time. Since I cancelled all TV its amazing how much I get done.
Judas was offered 30 pieces of silver
Submitted by David Kramer on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 9:48pm.
to sell his soul. What are the producers offering?
Let's just 'tone down' their ratings then...
Submitted by P. Aaron on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 11:23pm.
Let's just 'tone down' their ratings then...
Let me be upfront.
Submitted by misterbee241 on Sat, 03/17/2012 - 8:50am.
I have never had any interest in watching this show. But I say good for Mr Colton for standing up for his faith. Here is something to encourage you, Mr Colton:
I'm here to watch you sing
Submitted by Coldsnap on Sat, 03/17/2012 - 5:45pm.
Please stop trying to make it a recruitment drive for your cause. Spend your energy/money on something useful like the homeless problem which is real. Or orphans. Or something along those lines.
A little bit of Christmas magic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS4G2f2Xy3w
mocking disabled homeless vets
Submitted by frank_andrini on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 5:50pm.
Useful like when you Coldsnap mock disabled veterans? A homeless veteran to boot?
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2012/04/07/survey-media-does-poo...
Would that be what you mean by useful Coldsnap?