The Drudge Report picked up on the New York Daily News pitching tonight's American Idol finale on Fox as a red state vs. blue state battle between Kris Allen of Arkansas and Adam Lambert of California. (As for just how blue Lambert can go, see the Best Week Ever page connected to VH-1, where Lambert's entire face is blue, and his antics are "blue" as well.)
Media outlets like Entertainment Weekly have hinted at Lambert's "flamboyant" appearance -- and rooted for him because of it -- but will Fox be able to handle Lambert in full shock-jock mode? On a show that's been seen as family-friendly?
David Saltonstall of the Daily News used former Clinton-Gore spinner Chris Lehane to add political spin to the Idol finale:
The way Lehane sees it, Adam is the liberal in this race, the hipster from big blue California with a certain progressive flair, including painted fingernails and copious amounts of eyeliner.
Kris is more of a red-state country boy - a baby-faced, guitar-pickin', churchgoin' son of the land of Woo Pig Soiee, which voted solidly Republican in the last election.
"It will come down to whether Adam is able to build on the blue-state, progressive wave we have seen building since 2006, or whether this is a last gasp for the red state viewer/voter," explained Lehane by e-mail.
As a Californian, Lehane conceded he's pulling for favorite son Adam.
"I am hoping that Dick Cheney comes out and tells people to vote for Kris, thus assuring Adam wins," joked Lehane, a father of two "Idol"-watching tots.
Will whoever wins this contest be seen as the winner on the musical merits? Or will it become a political/cultural narrative?
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Dumbest Analysis of Year Award
May 19, 2009 - 16:06 ET by Gat New YorkI had no idea (or care) what the political leanings of these two young men are. In the words of Simon Cowell, "This is a singing contest" and that should be all that matters.
The one issue that apparently has been on blogs is the perceived sexuality of Adam Lambert. Whether he is gay or not is of no consequence or should be. Again, this is a singing contest and he is a darn good singer as is Kris Allen.
Second that
May 19, 2009 - 18:28 ET by KC MulvilleI only watch them in the final two weeks, for the same reason that you only watch a basketball game in the final minutes (if it's a blowout, you won't have wasted your time, and if it's close, the last minutes will be the difference anyway).
They're both fantastic. I actually prefer the guy that lost last week. But all three were terrific. Good luck to both of the finalists.
I actually prefer the
May 20, 2009 - 10:41 ET by moderncommentaries83Milwaukee's very own Danny Gokey, my choice for Idol. Sad to see him go.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
The winner will be seen as
May 19, 2009 - 16:10 ET by balboaThe winner will be seen as the most popular of the two for girls age 11-19. That's all.
How does one explain Taylor
May 19, 2009 - 16:49 ET by Chris NormanHow does one explain Taylor Hicks? They must have regarded his winning like the disappointment the NFL or MLB feels when two small market teams wind up playing in the Super Bowl or World Series.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Yeah, I don't know how that
May 19, 2009 - 17:48 ET by balboaYeah, I don't know how that happened. Must have developed some kind of fan base. But he didn't win because of politics, and I don't think that's going to be any kind of factor tonight.
Must everything be viewed
May 19, 2009 - 16:26 ET by Chris NormanMust everything be viewed through a political prism now? Is nothing safe?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
'Is Nothing Safe?'
May 19, 2009 - 17:02 ET by JDWStupid question.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny.
When government fears the people there is liberty.
Well, that response to my
May 19, 2009 - 17:13 ET by Chris NormanWell, that response to my rhetorical question was somewhat harshly worded.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Reality
May 19, 2009 - 17:41 ET by JDWOne cannot purchase autos of choice, food of choice, create retirement accounts, health accounts...
I will buy two more cars this year and hopefully remain in the home if possible. If forced out, I will move to a non-tax state.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny.
When government fears the people there is liberty.
JDW, I'm not certain what
May 20, 2009 - 12:01 ET by Chris NormanJDW,
I'm not certain what your comment has to do with my comment on the politicization of formerly non-political activities and events - like entertainment shows or, say, cooking.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
I may be the only American
May 19, 2009 - 16:37 ET by ConservativeRexI may be the only American citizen who has never watched a single episode of American Idol. I have heard Carrie Underwood sing and I like how she sings. But you couldn't beat the other winners names out of me, or, even waterboard them out of me.
So if one of these young men sing country, I probably will hear them at some point or another.
Make that one of two. We
May 19, 2009 - 16:44 ET by Chris NormanMake that one of two. We hold our meetings in a phone booth.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
*waves hand*
May 19, 2009 - 16:48 ET by katainkentmake that three. We'll need a booth at the local diner instead :)
___________________________________________
Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past - George Orwell - 1984
At this rate of growth,
May 19, 2009 - 16:55 ET by Chris NormanAt this rate of growth, we're gonna need crowd control. :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
You all aren't alone...we
May 19, 2009 - 20:05 ET by bigtimerYou all aren't alone...we don't watch it either....and I just don't care about it, in fact I could care less.
I liked Star Search way back when, but that was then, this is now.
To each there own. ;-)
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
nope
May 19, 2009 - 17:34 ET by RowaneI don't waste my time on such drivel.
What do you waste your time
May 19, 2009 - 17:57 ET by balboaWhat do you waste your time on? Masterpiece Theater?
maybe we like other drivel.
May 19, 2009 - 18:10 ET by katainkent___________________________________________
Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past - George Orwell - 1984
balboa
May 19, 2009 - 18:14 ET by well99Wow long time since I heard that.I use to enjoy MT.Never considered it a waste of time.
:-) I was pulling the Snob
May 19, 2009 - 18:20 ET by balboa:-)
I was pulling the Snob Card on Rowane. I liked MT, but I liked MST3000, too.
→ Masterpiece Theater
May 19, 2009 - 18:30 ET by Cool ArrowI'm partial to John Lovitz as Mahstah Thespian.
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
ACTING!
May 19, 2009 - 18:38 ET by balboaACTING!
balboa
May 19, 2009 - 18:38 ET by well99MST 3000 I havent heard of it.If it is on PBS I quit watching it years ago.Or is that a SNL skit?
→ MST3000
May 19, 2009 - 18:42 ET by Cool ArrowDoes Tom Servo ring a bell?
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
Comedy Central years ago.
May 19, 2009 - 18:52 ET by balboaComedy Central years ago. Where these three guys would sit in a theater and make fun of a terrible, awful science fiction movie.
balboa
May 19, 2009 - 19:08 ET by well99That sounds familar.It has been along time since I saw it.CA said something about Tom Servo dont remember him.
Here ya go well...
May 19, 2009 - 21:31 ET by RukusMST 3000
Gary
Gettin' along is so much easier than buttin' heads. - My Dad
And funner too! - Me
Thanks Rukus
May 19, 2009 - 22:20 ET by well99That brings back memories...lol
Make that four.
May 19, 2009 - 18:27 ET by JerMake that four. Never...not once. And don't plan on it.
Jer
We already had our Blue
May 19, 2009 - 17:03 ET by taterWe already had our Blue State vs. Red State American Idol vote.
It was called the presidental election.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
The ONE American Idol
May 19, 2009 - 17:41 ET by CarlosSLOL!
and all The One can do is speak through the Teleprompter
Brilliant
May 19, 2009 - 19:45 ET by kangarooBrilliant
What's American Idol????
May 19, 2009 - 18:31 ET by motherbeltI didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Most adults who watch "Idol" won't vote
May 19, 2009 - 18:32 ET by IamTinmanMost adults who watch "Idol" won't vote, and most youngsters who will vote over and over, don't care about Adams' sexual bent which is what Tim is pussyfooting around.
One contestant is a low key singer and the other is a high impact entertainer. Both are good at what they do.
Ultimately it's just a TV show folks. Enjoy it or no, but quit trying to make it something it's not!
→ Lambert in a mudslide
May 19, 2009 - 18:37 ET by Cool ArrowLambert has the pipes.
I'll go with talent, and leave the politics out of it.
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
Lehane has two tots?
May 19, 2009 - 18:51 ET by ArminiusI saw him interviewed extensively during the 2000 campaign and had assumed he was gay. If he's straight, he's one of the gayest straights I have seen.
Lehane is actually from Maine and had connections to the guy who leaked the Bush DWI story.
Red v Blue
May 19, 2009 - 19:15 ET by slickwillie2001It's not red vs blue, American Idol often comes down to major-market vs flyover country. When a contestant is from New York or Los Angeles for example, their cities don't seem to get behind them because celebrities are no big deal for them. But when a contestant is from Alabama for example, the whole state gets into the show.
PS During the final show, Fox Network has agreed to show the 'almost-aborted baby becomes President of the USA' controversial ad. It's powerful, and I don't see the controversy.
good grief really, thats
May 19, 2009 - 19:54 ET by kangaroogood grief really, thats realy socking it to the pres, gotta love it, I am pro choice, nuff said
OMG only in a democrat
May 19, 2009 - 19:41 ET by kangarooOMG only in a democrat dilusional world, Kris hasn't posed for playgirl has he (probably wished he had now) after the carrie insident, she has become a star, gossip blows over, but a great job is for a lot longer
I Don't Even Watch "American Idol"
May 20, 2009 - 01:06 ET by The7SticksIf I watch Fox, it's only for The Simpsons and Family Guy, and maybe that new Dollhouse show when they air it. Otherwise, I'm usually watching Star Trek reruns on channel 56.
Oh No
May 20, 2009 - 02:04 ET by racer148I voted for McCain is that why NCIS is my favorite show? There was also an article in Newsweek saying there's a Christian slant about Idol. Dumbest thing you've ever heard of.
What is this i don't even
May 20, 2009 - 09:41 ET by someloudthunder:|
Really? I'm glad people can find politics is a silly pop star contest. Also that song written by the guest judge is awful.
Idol media setup
May 20, 2009 - 13:04 ET by MPCPianoPeople will vote for the contestants on a combination of their singing and their persona. I think Adam is the best singer, but others will like Kris. There is no "right" or correct choice here.
I think the media is creating another Carrie Prejean moment, where none exists, by assigning a left/right, blue/red, and right/wrong aspect to this competition. Whether Adam wins or loses, they will use the outcome to draw conclusions that will favor the pro-gay marriage/anti-prop. 8 agenda.