Who says you can't learn anything from television? We talk about a lot of things here on TV Squad each week, and it's amazing what TV Squad and TV in general can teach you about life.
TV ... it's like the Bible!
1. America likes making a point rather than rewarding talent. Let me say upfront that even though I wrote this, I still think that David Cook is a good singer, and it was great that the American Idol final came down to him and David Archuleta. But I'm baffled as to why he won by 12 million votes! It's almost as if viewers were voting for Cook not just because they liked him, but because they didn't want to fulfill the predictions many had weeks and weeks ago that Archuleta would win (as if the kid could control any of that). They didn't want to prove to everyone that American Idol is predictable, or that Simon's comments about Archuleta winning the final night of singing meant anything. And what about that night? Come on, Archuleta clearly won that night, but it's almost as if they don't even have to have that final night of singing, because fans are clearly voting for other reasons. The Archuleta backlash has to be one of the weirder things that has happened this TV season. I have a very good friend who is a Cook fanatic. Nothing could make her say anything bad about him and I think she broke her phone calling in to vote for him, and even she admits that Archuleta did better that last night. I think fans convinced themselves that they had to vote for the "rocker" (cough cough) and not the kid who sings well (and I have to disagree with my cohort Debra - there's nothing "unique" about Cook).
But when all is said and done, Simon is right: they both seem like great guys and it didn't really matter who won. They'll both have careers (let's see what producers they get and what type of song quality). In fact, both Cook and Archuleta seem relieved that they won't be judged each week anymore and can get on with their lives. Good for them.
2. Moonlight fans are, um, "passionate." I do a weekly web show where we talk about television, and we got lots of calls from Moonlight fans that were quite upset that CBS canceled the show. I don't know how far they'll go to convince CBS (or another network) to give the show another season, but if I was a network executive I'd lock my doors at night. Moonlight 4EVA!
3. Everybody loves to swear. I mentioned this in my Hell's Kitchen review the other night. I can understand the contestants swearing during challenges and during service, because you forget the cameras are there and you're caught up in the moment. But when you're sitting down in front of the camera and speaking calmly, probably with a nice cold beverage at your side just out of camera view, then why swear at all? It's going to get bleeped. Does it make them seem "edgier?" Gah.
4. Wishes do come true. I have the old DVD set for Sports Night, but I've always wished for one that had extras. And now we're getting one! The 10th Anniversary set will include new interviews with the cast, episodes commentaries, bloopers, and even a booklet about the show. Well done, Shout Factory.
5. Anyone can be a killer on a TV show, even the good guy. I haven't watched Bones regularly in a while, but even I was shocked that they made (SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER) Zach the apprentice to a serial killer and a killer himself. I think this proves that anyone can be a killer on a TV show. So don't be surprised if they do another Brady Bunch reunion movie and we find out that Peter has been killing hookers since the early 80s.
Giveaway Monday: How I Met Your Mother season three DVD
Oops! Newspapers around the world use SNL pic as official Palin one - VIDEO
The evolution of TV Squad
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-22-2008 @ 4:58PM
willmore2000 said...
Or, maybe, like me, a lot of americans find Archuletta annoying and his voice nothing special. And the only reason that he made it to the finals, is that he solidified that Jonas Brothers demographic by having no other teen boy-band wannabe in the competition.
But I wouldn't know, I don't vote and I fast forward through 80% of the episodes, listening only to the songs ... I don't even care what Simon says nowadays.
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5-22-2008 @ 5:18PM
starky22 said...
As a David Cook fan, I became increasingly annoyed at the judges, especially Randy, who often let Archuleta slide on mistakes, forgotten lyrics, etc., while chastising other contestants for doing the same thing. It was evident from the beginning that there was a clear bias toward Archuleta. Yes, I think a message was sent by the vote, but I also think David Cook is a better all-around performer than Archuleta, who has a beautiful voice, but needs a few more years to mature. Voters don't like being told who the winner should be -- they prefer to decide that for themselves. It's about time!
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5-22-2008 @ 5:36PM
Jussup said...
"I also think David Cook is a better all-around performer than Archuleta"
I completely agree with starky. Archuleta is an amazing singer technically, but he has horrible stage presence and no other hook than that he is young (which he won't always be). Cook is a performer and a very talented singer to boot. But if you want to only award singing talent and not overall entertainment value I think Carly was the strongest singer technically. Archuleta seems like a great kid and has a set of pipes, but he is extremely cheesy. Perhaps some of the votes were cast for the best entertainer overall, not just as acts of rebellion.
5-22-2008 @ 5:47PM
David Drysdale said...
Archuleta never showed any range at all. I don't mine pitch-wise; I mean that every time he got on stage he sang some syrupy ballad. Cook showed that he at least has some versatility and can switch up genres. Moreover, when Archuleta was on stage, there was nothing to make me want to watch. The poor kid, as talented as he is, has next to no personality. Every time he had to do something other than sing this became all too obvious.
5-22-2008 @ 5:29PM
Scott K. said...
As has often been said, AI is not just a talent show but a popularity contest. That said, with few exceptions, I enjoyed David Cook's performances week in and week out more than any other contestant. Archie had maybe 3 stand-out songs the before the finale, while Cook had fewer then 3 I didn't like. Archie has a great voice and this week proved he has the talent to make it, but we voted based on the whole season.
The finale did remind me how bummed I was when Chikezie was cut so early. I don't think he would have won, but he was a lot more interesting than some that lasted longer. *Cough* Kristie & Jason *Cough*
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5-22-2008 @ 6:16PM
Rob said...
The thing that you are forgetting is that I think it was 96 million voted in the final showdown. So a 12 million swing is roughly 1/8th of the voting populace going for Cook.
That means that David A. received something like 42 million, and Cook received something like 56 million. All things considered, that's not too shabby for either of them. And most importantly, I wouldn't call it a blow out.
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5-22-2008 @ 8:10PM
nickmagoo said...
let's be real. it was NOT 96 million people who voted for the davids.
it was 96 million votes cast - and who knows how they were cast. people sending in 100, 1,000, 10,000 votes at a time for someone does not equate to 100 - 10,000 people voting. it's a sham, and has been since day one. not to say there's anything wrong with it, as long as it's out in the open. the spirit of pt barnum is alive and well with this show...
5-22-2008 @ 6:23PM
slutty_whore said...
Archie had by far the worst performance of the season last week when he did the Chris Brown rendition... come on, he was good, he is talented, and he will be successful, but he doesn't DESERVE to win just because of that.
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5-22-2008 @ 7:25PM
Jeremiah said...
Ok... I think you are way over thinking the whole thing. Opinions on either of them aside....he won the votes. I agree they are both good and will both have careers and CDs either way. But as far as the public making some crazy anti Simon or "I'll show you" vote is hilarious....the voters for this show are far to young and don't over think it like that. They vote for who they like and thats that. Most people in my age group (late twenties) just watch it and don't vote. And let's be real...Archie would of made another Clay Aiken ish album or Josh Grobin album and that's not what the public want.
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5-22-2008 @ 9:24PM
Wintermute said...
Despite you saying otherwise, Archuleta did note clearly win the night. Cook showed not just more diversity (Archuleta did three ballads, while Cook mixed it up a bit). David A has a very pure voice, and he's wonderful at what he does. But David C is the better overall performer.
Besides that, even though 12 million is a big number, if you figure a margin of error of +/- 6% (which is not at all unreasonable in this type of telephone/text voting. I wouldn't be surprised at all to find that it's an even larger margin of error than that.), and David C is on the - side while David A is on the + side, it's a tie. What point did America make again? ;)
'mute
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5-22-2008 @ 11:58PM
Sam said...
Archeleta clearly won the night but it took the finale for him to really pull out all the stops and it was just too late. If he had sung more like he did on the finale, he might have won. It's too hard if you are crowned too early in the competition -- just like melinda doolittle last year. And the vote difference is 12 million but there were 96 million votes cast -- so that's about 13 percent -- so by no means a landslide. Both will have CD's and that will be the true test. The annoying thing is -- is that the CD's don't come out until the end of the year.
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5-23-2008 @ 12:11AM
Kate said...
You think that American idol voters, most of whom are teenagers, voted for David Cook as some sort of mass protest? Sounds like David Archuleta fan sour grapes to me.
As Simon said, the finale performance night wasn't as clear cut as they were touting on the night itself. David A. sang three completely safe choices (and didn't even have to guts to give us something new on the last song). David Cook took risks and he sounded better than the judges said he did.
And as many have already said, David Cook was just a better all around performer. I completely agree with Jussup, if the competition were based on best technical singing talent, Carly would be the winner, but it's not nor should it be. It's also based on personality and performance and David Cook works the crowd and reveals himself much more on stage than David A. ever has. David A. is really talented and I'm sure he'll go far, but really, the best contestant won.
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5-23-2008 @ 12:44AM
Phish said...
I am surprised david cook won by ONLY 12 million votes! he is FAR a superior entertainer than archuleta, who could easily be replaced with a sack of potatoes!
good voices are a dime a dozen, but cook is the whole package and that is rare.
once again Bob, you have slid into delusion.
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5-23-2008 @ 1:45AM
Craig W said...
As Kate mentioned, sounds like Archuleta 'sour grapes' to me. Yes, David Archuleta has a beautiful voice and undoubtably will be successful as an entertainer, but at the present time seriously lacks a few critical things, like say, experience, a lot of polish, and oh yeah, how about a personality on stage? Perpetually squeezing your eyes shut while crooning Chapter 6 of the Acme School of Method Singing is really only a recipe for boring the audience to death. Clearly he is a great kid with a great future, but it just wasn't his day.
There isn't anything inexplicable as to why David Cook won, it became crystal clear about three-quarters of the way through the competition. I too had convinced myself that Archuleta was a shoo-in until I realized that everytime David Cook performed I sat up and really listened. Then it hit me. He was the one 'Idol' contender that it really made it feel as if you might be at a real concert in 'anytown USA', watching a great show by a truly talented performer. The whole package. Simple.
And as for Simon, Paula, and Randy, pul-leez! Give us all a break! Someone had to have given Simon a 'heads-up' that David Cook had won and Simon was going to look like a fool (and he did), which prompted the belated apology he attempted prior to the announcement.
Frankly I like Simon's comments most of the time, but for crying out loud, the producers need to either keep Paula on her meds or gag her. Babbling the same Sacharin sweet platitudes night after night, for God's sake girl, shake off the mental daze and say something that makes sense. And as for Randy, Dog, get a new act. Sorry, but I'm just keepin it real.
Scott K called it correctly, to a great extent it's a popularity contest not a talent show. How else can you possibly explain the bizarre longevity of Jason Castro? Very early in the competition it was painfully obvious (on the ears at least) that he had no business being a semi-finalist on the show much less in the final ten. His final performances were nothing short of embarrassing, but mostly for the integrity of the so-called 'judges'.
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5-23-2008 @ 2:22AM
Picviewer said...
Maybe the adults woke up and realized it was time to fix their show since the one note wonder David A was just this seasons fad. Maybe they were tired of getting burned by having to give contracts to horrible or fad singers? Hello soul patrol?
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5-23-2008 @ 3:56AM
Matt said...
lol, you sound like you lost money betting on Archuleta. In reality, Archuleta will have a career more akin to Blake Lewis (have we forgotten him yet? soon....), whereas Cook fits into the Nickelback/Daughtry mold. Nickelback is one of the biggest selling acts of the decade, Daughtry would have been the highest selling artist last year if it wasn't for the Groban christmas album. The masses like that.
Plus you have to consider that with the ratings drop debacle, the thing that made that important was that the ratings for the kids were dropping, skewing the average age of the viewer up much higher than the average age of an Archuleta fan.
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5-23-2008 @ 8:19AM
Dave said...
David A could have walked away with the title if he had only taken Randawg Jackson's perpetual advice. He should have sung the phone book.
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5-23-2008 @ 8:40AM
Thom said...
Archuleta won the night.
Cook won the season.
Simple as that.
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5-23-2008 @ 8:41AM
OldDad said...
America got it exactly right - 12 million times over.
I think Archuleta has a great voice - but he can only really sing one type of song. Everything from "Imagine" to "Think of Me" came out sounding the same. He also blew his lyrics TWICE during the season, extrememly unprofessional - if he had been anyone else the judges would have skinned him alive...
He's young enough to continue to develop and have a fantastic career, but he's nowhere near as ready as Jordin Sparks was last year.
Besides that, when he talks Archuleta sounds like Sponge Bob's buddy Patrick...
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5-23-2008 @ 9:39AM
Jim said...
Archuleta's breathy voice, uncomfortable laughter and dopey smile...nuf said.
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