Monday, May 09, 2005

Idol Talk

Controversy?

Anyone who hasn't heard of American Idol must have been living under a rock the last 4 years. It has since become the highest rated reality show in the US. Being able to witness and choose your own "Idol" must be a hell of an incentive to make you watch. Not to mention when the Idol becomes huge, you want to know that you were there from the beginning.

However, the show has had its fair share of controversy as well. Let's see:
Season 1 - Rumours of poll rigging started once Tamyra Gray got kicked off from the final 4.
Season 2 - Corey Clark got the boot from making the finals because he failed to reveal he had an assault charge against his sister.
Season 3 - Frenchie Davis got kicked off the show because she posed topless for a website.
Season 4 - Scott Savol and Bo Bice both had an arrest record. Paula Abdul accused of substance abuse.

It seems that Corey Clark is back in the spotlight again. He had just admitted that he had an affair with Idol judge, Paula Abdul, claiming that Abdul coached him on song selection, bought him stage clothes, paid for hair styling and eventually initiated a sexual affair while he was a contestant in Season Two's preliminary rounds. Now I would be sceptical about this news coming from the mouth of a 'loser' and 'liar' but there were phone records of their conversations.

Conveniently, Clark has an album and book on his Idol experience coming out soon. Coincidence? I think not. This is probably him trying to stir up some interest in his upcoming releases. Even if Paula did have an affair with him, so what? Corey is 24, a freaking adult! It's not like you're 12 and got taken advantage of. This is concensual sex, and you're just coming off as a slime for kissing and telling. That's just LOW.

So do you think Paula should be kicked off the show? It'd be a shame if she was actually booted for this reason. Paula has already came out and denied the claims. I think she should stick around eventhough she hardly gives any constructive criticism to the contestants. She provides a good balance to the nasty Simon Cowell who can be straightforward but is just plain ruthless. I think Paula helps make the contestants feel less embarrased if they performed below par that night. But I do think the three judges are getting very predictable now and it's getting a bit stale. If AI do come back with a fifth season, I suggest they should spice things up a little. Maybe try re-introducing guest judges or even replace all 3 of them!

Anyway, I got carried away. Let's get back to the final 4 of this season. To me, there aren't any 'stars' this year, as opposed to what Simon so oftenly talks about. Carrie definitely has a good voice and excellent control but her stage presence is completely lacking. Vonzell, on the other hand, can be a bit sharp here and there and needs better control but she has the best stage presence than the rest of the contestants. It's just so fun to watch her. And with that personality, how can you not like her? Bo looks like a seasoned performer but his 'rock' performances sound exactly the same as the last one. He redeemed a little this week though. Heaven and Stand By Me week probably his best performances to date.

Oh... and Anthony? Just go home next week.

Side note: I can't get enough of Felicia Tilman on DH!

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