TVGuide.com ran a poll ranking the Top 12 American Idol finalists. While you can click on the link to check out the full list, and their percentages, I have to ask if it's really as cut and dry as that list makes it out to be. A couple of years ago, Taylor Hicks was an early fan favorite, never appearing in the bottom and always polling high like this, but even he didn't garner nearly half of all votes like a certain Star Search winner. Is it that people really like David Archuelta to win or that they think it's inevitable he will win? I know some people I've talked to that say they figure he'll win at the same time saying they don't think he should. What do you think? Do you think David Archuleta has already won, basically, and it's all going to come down to who can come in second?
While it's absolutely astonishing that David Archuleta netted just over 40% of all votes to win, equally interesting is the low ranking comparatively for the girls in general. Are they really as weak as the poll suggests? I would have to say yes on that. And Kristy Lee Cook is ranking way too high on the list for me. I can't stand watching her girl-peeing-standing-up stance anymore.
I'm going to go ahead and go out on a limb with my Top 12 ranking (this won't go well for me). With the diversity of this group, it's almost impossible to gauge how you all will vote. Post your lists in the comments section and we can all come back in three months and see how we did ...
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David Cook
Ramiele Malubay
David Archuleta
Jason Castro
Carly Smithson
Michael Johns
Syesha Mercado
Brooke White
Amanda Overmyer
David Hernandez
Kristy Lee Cook
Chikezie
That's right, I'm keeping Ramiele toward the top of my list. I know she's better than what she's shown us and I think she's going to come out of her shell and go all Kelly Clarkson on us. Mark my word!
Do I really think it will go down that way? Probably not. Hell, early on I thought Robbie and Asia'h had the chops to make it to the Final Four ... shows what I know. Even the judges are pointing and laughing at my picks. That's not cool, dawg. Not cool at all!
For another take, check out AOL's American Idol Top 12 rankings. While their middle rankings differ, they've got David Archuleta taking home the top prize as well. In fact, most of the various rankings I've seen, from little blogger websites to major newspapers seem to agree that Archuleta has it all sewn up. I guess I'm going way out on a limb having him third in my poll. Just call me a rebel!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-11-2008 @ 2:35PM
Ryan said...
Archuleta RIGHT NOW has everything going for him. He has already garnered a big and loyal fanbase which are comprised primarily of girls who will not be hardpressed to spend 2-3 hours voting for him over and over and over again. Sanjaya had the same fanbase except Archuleta is actually a fantastic singer so along with the crazy hardcore fangirls, he will usually (not always) get the votes of people "just tuning in." It also helps (though again not always) that the judges are practically enamored with him.
His biggest competition will be from David Cook, Jason Castro, and Ramiele Malubay (i.e. I completely agree that this is the top 4). Cook needs to deliver more performances like last week to keep up with Archuleta since his fanbase will probably not be as hardcore as his. Castro and Malubay have buzz, but they need to seriously step up in the coming weeks.
Right below them are the "dark horses" of Michael Johns, Syesha Mercado, David Hernandez, Brooke White, and Carly Smithson. This season is SO strong that I can even imagine a scenario where one of these people takes the title. All of them are fantastic vocalists/performers, but they seem to be missing that IT factor that the 4 have. There's still time to "capture the magic" but they need to do it sooner rather than later.
Then there's Chikezie and Amanda Overmyer. They're good, but they're not that good. It'll only be a matter of time before they fall through the cracks despite their spirited performances.
Finally, there's Kristy Lee Cook. The less said the better.
So my list:
1. Archuleta
2. D. Cook
3. Castro
4. Malubay
5. Johns
6. Mercado
7. Hernandez
8. White
9. Smithson
10. Chikezie
11. Overmyer
12. K.L. Cook
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3-11-2008 @ 3:17PM
Sunny said...
It's tough as these are the type of contestants with exception of two that are 'week to week'. I would think that Little Archie might get "Doolittled" later on, and fall off the top. It's very close right now with Cook and Castro, and Mulabay. Little Arch just isn't a performer per se, he's gifted as a singer to a degree but limited in his performance ability. He's also distracting to watch, way too much lip licking behavior for my taste, especially watching on HDTV. I'm sure after tonight my mind will change but here's how I'm thinking so far:
1. Archuleta
2. D. Cook
3. Castro
4. Malubay
5. Smithson
6. Mercado
7. Hernandez
8. White
9. Johns
10. Overmyer
11. Chikezie
12. K.L. Cook
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3-11-2008 @ 3:57PM
tim in augusta said...
I really don't get Archieboy's appeal. He's just cute-ish and so very pageanty that he makes me tired. Ignoring the gasping for breath and constant lip-licking (Hey Blistex - are you looking for a spokesmodel?? seriously, send this boy several boxes of DCT and LipMedex before it's too late! If you don't get him, one of the asthma inhalers will snap him up.), just the fact that his MOM got on stage and completed a song for him during a live performance should demonstrate that he's basically a male version of Jon Benet Ramsey with an obsessed parent living through her child (is it true that Mommy-Archie was trolling the Idol boards telling his fans to call themselves the ArchAngels?).
In general, though, I find myself uninterested in the contestants this season. In honor of Danny, N. I will root for his BFF Ramiele and I'll enjoy the VoteForTheWorst.com fun that Amanda adds to the show. Stripper Hernandez has already become tiresome with his Celine Dion drag shows (he may not have the dress and wig, but he sure has the eyebrows going), and I'm not even going to discuss how annoying the "front runners" (read "plants") Carly and Michael Johns are.
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3-11-2008 @ 4:28PM
Gary said...
A poll at this point is fairly useless in terms of predicting the winner because it fails to take into account the fact that once a person's favorite is voted off, they then have to change their vote to someone else. Only a poll when there is a final 2 would be reliable.
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3-11-2008 @ 6:15PM
D Colin said...
I don't really get why David Archuleta is so adored. Sure he's a cute kid, I see why the girls and boys love him that way. But his singing, I don't think he is as good as the raves he been getting.
The problem is he doesn't quite sound like a boy and yet doesn't sound like a man --- you understand what I mean. So I understand the young crowd but it's Simon and crew that I don't get loving him so much
just my thoughts
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3-12-2008 @ 8:51AM
Bill said...
For a singer to be so accomplished at the young age of 17,to me it's just inheard of.I'm speaking of David Archuleta
I think he has the most raw talent and would win.
About his habits of licking his lips,I feel he will stop that .I remember the late great Conway Twitty who had a bad crackling in his voice but stilll became a superstar
When you good enough you can over-come
3-11-2008 @ 6:54PM
David said...
To answer two of your questions, Jason, I think ...
- Archuleta has the broadest appeal to the AI viewership, which skews young and female. His Q rating would be off the charts, relative to the other participants. So, I think the results of TVGuide's poll are founded on "who do you want to win?" much more so than "it's inevitable Archuleta will win, therefore I will vote for him". Besides, I think the latter is a bit cynical :)
- Each week you recap the performance shows, you seem surprised the boys are faring better than the women. I think it's very possible you may have fallen victim to an unconscious bias -- against the guys or for the women, not sure which. As an independent, objective observer of this show (as much as I can be, which is a lot, I think), I believe the best boys have consistently outperformed the best girls during and since the Top 24. Therefore, I am not surprised at all at the TVGuide rankings.
Again, just my opinions :)
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3-12-2008 @ 2:18AM
TypoPolice said...
My only comment is that it's "sewn" up, not sown up. Now back to your regularly-scheduled program. :-)
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3-12-2008 @ 5:16AM
Jennifer WarHawk said...
UG...David Arwhatever...he'll be a hasbeen within a year of his first record. Kinda like a lot of the other A.I. winners. (What the hell has Jordin done???) I'm disgusted by all the hype about him.
My favorite is Jason, but his song choice is getting predictable and boring. He needs to step up his game if he's going to make it to the top 5 or so.
Carly is good, I know she'll go far...and deserves to.
Are there others in the competition?
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3-12-2008 @ 8:12AM
LWK said...
Ah, did you hear Jordin sing the anthem at The Super Bowl? Plus, she hasn't even had her first album out. Let's wait and see--you could be right, but the girl has some "chops," that's for sure. Also, remember she won as a 17 yo--yeah, yeah the demo that "Idol" is geared to--and remember how she improved each week. David A falls into that same category (although last night he proved he's as human as the best, or worst, of us). It's just way too early to crown anyone. I also agree, however, that (and I really don't know how the order of performers is determined--enlighten me) but it did seem odd that the first three performers were people of color. We Idol fans have in years past seen (with last year being a welcome exception) people of color (especially African-Americans) voted-off before less-talented performers. Perhaps the show's demographic skewers to the southeast (as well as teen girls). Finally, all of these young people are quite talented sans Kristy (but she looks damn good!). Peace.
3-14-2008 @ 10:12PM
David said...
Keeping it real. 1. Archuleta = outstanding talent but needs maturity unless he wants to join up with BRS's daughter. 2. D. Cook = he might have a chance in the country side of the house but I probably want buy nor will most. 3. Castro = can be awesome but it will depend mostly on his managers and the right songs. 4. Malubay = if she doesn't go far it will because of her managers. 5. Smithson = country is her ticket but again she is one that needs great people around her and face time. 6. Mercado = never wil make it. 7. Hernandez = never will make it. 8. Overmyer = will never make it far. 9. Chikezie = will never make it far. 10. Johns = he has looks and talent but it will depend heavily on his managers and it will be their fault if he does not succeed. 11. K.L. Cook = country is her strong suite but in a year or two with the right folks behind her she will be someone who is around for sometime to come. 12. Booke White = she already has her own style, is likeable and is a star performer ready to explode onto the charts with the likes of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift and will be a welcome addition; win, lose or draw, if she doesn't out sell all others, I'll be shocked; I have been "spot on" as Simon says in season's past. It is true that my picks may not be yours, we all have different taste; best wishes to yours.
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