I didn't see this one coming. I liked Gina and thought Haley was the more forgettable of the two, but I guess looking ominous and singing "Smile" is a bad combo -- and for Haley, being Idol's resident hot chick has more weight than I thought.
This is a strange year. Well, maybe not so strange now that I think about it. TV watchers are no less fickle than the Roman mob. They'll give you the thumbs down just as quickly as they fell in love with you. Voters this year seem to be less devoted to any one person and more prone to dial for their favorite that night.
All the voters except for what's-his-name's -- those guys are freakin' mobilized. I heard them campaigning to keep him going on the radio this morning. Overall they're the minority of voters, I think, but together they're enough to keep him in for a few more weeks. That's pretty funny. Poor Gina, though -- she's probably pissed.
It's something I think Ken and Nigel might actually become worried about. Not for ratings or whatever, but for the respectability of their company. Also, for the fact it's completely beyond their control. Furthermore, when TV shows get worried, they start making dumb choices and people subsequently get tired of them and lose intrest. I can only imagine what happens when ratings start to dip -- if they haven't already.
The Idols are happily oblivious to all this for the most part, though. Living in the AI bubble has its advantages sometimes. You don't hear too much of what's going on around you and don't realize what effect the show has on pop culture. And more importantly, what people think about you. It's a bit like living in Orwell's 1984.
That's scary to think about. What's more scary is that we all volunteered for it. The things people do for fame and fortune ...
Jon Peter Lewis was a finalist on the third season of "American Idol." His newly released debut album, "Stories From Hollywood," is available everywhere online and can also be downloaded at americanidol.com. Visit Jon's Web site for more.














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-05-2007 @ 11:24AM
Sarah said...
poor gina. this is just silliness.
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4-05-2007 @ 11:33AM
TC said...
GEE I THINK SHE WAS GOOD I THOUGHT SHE WAS ONE OF THE ROCKER GIRLS LIKE HEART AND STEVIE NICKS AND MCVIE AND PRETENTDERS SHE DID A GREAT JOB, I THINK SHES BETTER WAY THE HELL BETTER THAT ( CARPET RUNNER) THATS FOR SURE...THIS SEASON BEEN A JOKE I THINK GEE MELINDA DOLITTLE MADE PAULA AND RANDY AND SIMON BUCKLE.. BUT SHE NOT BEING PRAISE AS MUCH SORRY GINA YOU AND MELINDA WAS MY FAV GOOD LUCK GINA IN WHAT EVER YOU DO! YOUR FAN TC
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4-05-2007 @ 11:55AM
Jolie said...
This Season is a lot like Season 3 for me... Once we got into the Top 10, the first to go was the 'chubby' guy... Then the 'rocker' chic... So next week, if History repeats itself, it will be either Blake or Chris... Then there will be a 'huge' shocker with either LaKisha or Jordin going (I don't think Melinda will)... And then finally Sanjaya...
Peace!
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4-05-2007 @ 12:09PM
RD said...
THIS IS REALLY GETTING TO BE RIDICULOUS! I WILL NEVER, EVER WATCH THIS SHOW AGAIN IF SANJAYA WINS THIS. HE SHOULD HAVE LEFT A LONG TIME AGO! I LIKED GINA. SHE HAD MUCH MORE TALENT THAN A FEW OTHERS THAT ARE LEFT, BUT I GUESS ITS NOT ABOUT TALENT ANYMORE. ITS ABOUT WHO CAN MAKE A FOOL OF THEMSELVES THE BEST. THIS IS REALLY SAD :(
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4-05-2007 @ 12:42PM
archie said...
and you people call this farce AMERICAN IDOL' you should all be ashamed of yourselves the only true way to think of that camel herder is every morning when i sit on the toilet and take a crap and see him and the rest of his family taking a ride down the canal with the rest of the shit ..........
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4-05-2007 @ 12:45PM
Rob said...
Just a quick note,.. I know you didn't do it intentionally, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't put such an obvious spoiler as the title of your blog entry. I Tivo'd the results episode last night because I wasn't able to watch it and was going to try to avoid TVS as much as possible to prevent spoilers. But when "A Shocker for the 'Idol' rocker" came across my RSS feed, it was obvious who got the boot last night.
I'm just sayin',.. id appreciate more forethought.
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4-05-2007 @ 12:47PM
ROXANNE said...
SANJAYA SHOULD STEP DOWN, GET OUT OF THE FINALISTS. AND REALIZE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTING FOR HIM, ARE THE JERKS, THAT VOTE ON , WEBSITE VOTE FOR THE WORST. DOES HE NOT HAVE ANY BRAINS, BESIDES NOT HAVING A VOICE.GOOD SINGERS ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID WEBSITE, AND ,TOO BAD I CAN'T SWEAR ON THIS SITE, HOWARD STERN, AND IDIOT FOLLOWERS. I AM DONE WATCHING IDOL, LAST NITE WHEN GINA LEFT INSTEAD OF SANJAYA , OR HALEY, I QUIT, DONE!
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4-05-2007 @ 12:49PM
Kathryn said...
I too am sick of the show. It's too bad they can't fudge the votes somehow. It is very sad that each week talent is voted off and Sanjaya is still there. This will be the last year I watch idol unless they change the voting system. I hope Howard Stern sleeps well, knowing he has ruined it for very talented singers, so he can have a joke. Too bad someone didn't do it to him when he was breaking into the business.
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4-05-2007 @ 12:50PM
melissa said...
I think Haley is becoming ALOT more annoying then Sanjaya. I know it's got to be tough to be critized but looks like she's way to sensitive for this. No one wants to see someone stand there and look so defensive when she doesn't like a comment thrown at her. I would of so preferred her to leave rather then Gina.
I've watched all six years and I got to say this one is disappointing. I keep thinking, It'll get better,it'll get better but it doesn't.
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4-05-2007 @ 12:57PM
Stigmata said...
its funny how ppl get so worked up about this sanjaya scandal. i guess democracy only works some of the time eh??
american idol represents the entire USA, if there are enough people voting for him, he has the RIGHT to stay and continue on! that is what democracy is all about. just listen to yourselves!
george bush is an absolute moron, and his cronies are WORSE, yet he is still president, and no one can change that, and most americans accept this and go on with their lives.
DO THE SAME WITH SANJAYA, as long as he has the votes, accept it and stop bitching just cause he isnt your favorite singer. most of the other bozo's cant really sing either, and its nt just about singing.
if the presidential race was all about finding the smartest, most competent person to run the USA the GEORGE BUSH = SANJAYA of politics!!
yet he is president! so live with it you ALL!
ps: JPL, i knwo u r jealous that sanjaya has 10,000,000 more fans than you wil ever dream of having, u washed up loser!
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4-05-2007 @ 1:03PM
ma-an said...
I have been watching AI for 3 consecutive seasons. I noticed each year, talented and attractive singers like, Gina, are being eliminated due to the fact this show is being runned by producers who wanted to see more money in their pockets rather than giving these talented male and female vocalists their opportunities to be successful in their career. I cried last night when Gina's name was called (& voted off). I believe in her and I hope several record producers will be able to sign her a contract soon. Good luck, Gina. I will pray for your success.
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4-05-2007 @ 1:05PM
Angela said...
# 5,6, Good, then we won't expect anymore posts from you and all the other's who are quitting.
I'm tired of the "Diva's" and I'm tired of others being expected to live up too and perform to the standards of professionals (like Melinda).
We have three women who are variations on a theme and they sing boring, foostey old songs.
That, to me, is the mockery in this competition, not Sanjaya.
Everyone's acting as if we're losing the next Elvis or something. Come on now, get a grip. They are all Ok but none of them are that special that they warrant fans frothing at the mouth baying to rip out the competions throat.
Forget Fanjaya's, the Frothy's are just sad and pathetic.
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4-05-2007 @ 1:08PM
judi said...
# 11 Obviously u don't know the rules on here. U need to keep it about AI . This is NOT about Bush haters. Anyway with that said I think AI may have to change the voting system. Eventually it was only going to come down to one anyway but it just seems so unfair to keep someone on who can't sing. I would like to see the ones who can sing on longer. If this contiues they will have to change the voting system.
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4-05-2007 @ 1:17PM
sarikadeb said...
I love Sanjaya, i don't care what people are saying. I think he is fun.
Go for it Sanjaya!!!!
You're simply the best....
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4-05-2007 @ 1:59PM
scott said...
#14 - i'm not #11 (i'm a free man!), but I was wondering if you could maybe post these "rules' you're talking about?
'cause Bush really fucking sucks.
...and so does sanjaya.
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4-05-2007 @ 2:09PM
Nathan said...
Seriously, do all of the commenters vote? It is of no concern to me that Gina was voted off. I didn't think she was going to win. I was slightly more disappointed in Chris Sligh's departure last week. I don't believe Sanjaya has a chance to win this. With each passing week, votes are freed up from departing contestants that are likely not inherited by Sanjaya. If he wins, then it will be because he received the most votes, and he will have deserved it. I'm not going to vote for him, but I honestly have not voted for anyone. It's so easy for you (commenters) to try and play armchair without really doing anything about it. Whiners are losers, if you ask me.
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4-05-2007 @ 2:12PM
J-me said...
Well lets see, I like Sanjaya and President Bush and The Dixie chicks so I guess that makes me a total moron.
Oh and I also like JPL and look forward to hearing what he'll say next.
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4-05-2007 @ 2:18PM
Terri said...
Ok, I do not hate Sanjaya, but I don't find anything about him entertaining and it's really sad that America (or the judges for that matter) aren't taking AI seriously... it's very disheartening to the fans that just love this show. I do however have an issue with all the Sanjaya voters, it seems they are all on crack or something, this guy is not good, his voters are crushing the dreams of other great singers this season, it's terrible. Not much I can do... I can't vote here in Canada anyways. I felt so sorry for Gina last night, so from this point on, I will watch for the 3 Idols I do like and for Ryan Seacrest because he's hot, thank god for him or I would stop watching. Also, I no longer care where Sanjaya ends up, let him win... we will see just how entertaining his is as The American Idol. If he's getting joked about now, just wait.
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4-05-2007 @ 2:25PM
Mntmysterywoman said...
Those voting for Sanjaya are NOT doing him a favor. He is 17 and will not be able to handle the rejection he will get after all this is over. Within a year all those that voted for him will have forgotten him. You are doing this as a joke. Because Howard Stern and that other idiot told you all to vote for him because he is the worse. What do you think this is going to do to Sanjaya? He is a child and he will be the one to get hurt not those of you that voted him in. All of you that vote for him because these idiots tell you too need to stand on your own two feet and think for yourselves! DO NOT hurt this child like this!
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4-05-2007 @ 2:41PM
liz said...
I know the Sanjaya thing is upsetting to some viewers but PLEASE refrain from racist comments like "camel jockey" (that doesn't even make sense!). The kid's lack of talent is reason enough to disparage him, leave his ethnicity out of it or I'll have to start voting for the guy myself. ;)
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