How to Watch “American Idol” Without Being Swayed

Each year you are told that you will choose the winner of “American Idol.” You will vote for the singer whose lovely voice you want to hear blasting from your 808 as you’re cruising down the highway. It’s all up to you. Well, sort of. The producers behind “American Idol” are also the ones who will be signing the winner to their record label. Although you get to vote, the people behind the show will strongly suggest whom you need to vote for and play all sorts of tricks to make you like certain singers more than others. But you’re an individual, and you won’t be swayed. Here’s how to watch “American Idol” without being manipulated by The Powers That Be.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Pushing Singers

1. Read “American Idol” press before the seasons begin. The producers and judges will mention singers they were impressed with during auditions and who they think can go far. Sometimes they mention these singers by name, and sometimes they give vague descriptions like where the contestants auditioned or what they look like.

2. Watch for the backstories certain contestants get during the audition rounds. These backstories can be sad to get you sympathizing with the contestant or tales of the small-town guy or gal who’s never been on a plane. Remember the backstory about Carrie Underwood which presented her as a small-town girl who didn’t seem to leave the farm. The truth is that Underwood had a history of performing for audiences in other states. Check the “Vote for the Worst” website for eyewitness accounts of what goes on behind the scenes (see Resources below).

3. Note whom the show focuses on once the Hollywood rounds begin. This is another subtle way to highlight certain singers. There may have been no mention of them in early auditions, and then they’re brought into the spotlight.

4. Notice who doesn’t get a backstory. Sometimes you have no idea these contestants exist until you see them chosen for the top twenty-four. You don’t have a clue about their personalities or voices. The show’s producers don’t expect them to last long because they won’t have much of a fan base.

5. Identify the fodder. These performers are not expected to last long. They’re contestants put in the final twenty-four because the judges and producers feel they can't threaten the singers they want in the final twelve.

6. Vote for the fodder, if you like them. These contestants don’t have the benefit of backstories or coverage during the audition rounds to have much of a fan base or a chance.

7. Pay attention to whom Simon supports. Most of the time, Simon is backing the pony 19E wants to sign to their recording label. Simon doesn’t *always* do this, but most seasons he has. And, so he doesn’t seem like he’s pushing a particular contestant, Simon will slam this singer for one or two weeks.

8. Trust your own ears. Sometimes you’ll swear your eardrums were just stabbed with a knife, but the judges end up praising the performance. Chances are you were right, and a pushed contestant is being propped up.

9. Read interviews with the judges, the host and the singing tutors from week to week. It will eventually become apparent that they’re trying to get you to vote a certain way. Sometimes they will come out and say they think a certain contestant should win.

10. Notice who gets to sing last and who doesn’t. The last spot that closes out the show is called the “pimp spot” in “American Idol” fandom. You’re most likely to remember the last performance than the ones which came in the middle. Pushed contestants usually get the “pimp spot” more than the others. Some singers never get the spot.

11. Read the Master Class Lady’s reviews of each performance week by week. She’s a professionally trained singing tutor who doesn’t play favorites. See what she says vs. what the judges tell you (see Resources below).

To Vote or Not to Vote

12. Ask yourself if you really want your pony to win the whole thing. The contract 19E gives the winner (and sometimes other finalists) is considered rather harsh, even by music industry standards. You’ll have to figure out if you want your favorite to be owned by 19E.
    
    There's also the issue of how much support 19E will give the winner, especially if they wanted someone else. 19E has done little for Taylor Hicks, and there's hardly any mention of him on the show. Ruben Studdard was dropped from the label (even after he was pimped for the win).

13. Know that your favorite doesn’t have to win to pursue her dreams. Several past contestants have gone on to put out albums, including Elliott Yamin, Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington and Kimberley Locke. If your favorite is a country singer, know that Nashville has embraced former “American Idol” stars.

14. Stick it to the man--just because. You can always vote for somebody who’s not being pushed as an act of rebellion.

15. Vote for the “pimpee” if you really want to. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t vote for that contestant if he’s your favorite.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the “Vote for the Worst” website for eyewitness accounts of what goes on behind the scenes (see Resources below).
• If a woman wins one year, then 19E will be looking for a man the next year, and vice versa. 19E also looks for certain “types” of singers to fill their roster of singers--for example, a country female, a rocker male.

Resources

• Master Class Lady
• Vote for the Worst

[soanyway]

on 4/26/2009 Adam ROCKS!! So does Alison and Danny, gonna be between those 3.... I think!

[tkfinley]

on 2/21/2009 Thanks soanyway, FrazzledNanny, and CASKY. For Season 8, I don't have a favorite yet. I need to hear everyone sing more. That was the nice thing about the format in years past--you get to hear everyone sing each week before the Top 12 and got a real sense of who they were. One thing's for sure, though. The show is really pushing Danny Gokey right now. I knew he would sing last whichever week he sang. Pushing him so hard this early makes me believe that he's not the one they want, though. About mid-top 12, they'll stop being so enthusiastic about him (oh, they'll still like him), but they'll be much more excited about someone else ("look how you've grown!" and such). The exact same thing happened to David Archuleta during Season 7.

[tkfinley]

on 2/21/2009 Thanks soanyway, FrazzledNanny, and CASKY. For Season 8, I don't have a favorite yet. I need to hear everyone sing more. That was the nice thing about the format in years past--you get to hear everyone sing each week before the Top 12 and got a real sense of who they were. One thing's for sure, though. The show is really pushing Danny Gokey right now. I knew he would sing last whichever week he sang. Pushing him so hard this early makes me believe that he's not the one they want, though. About mid-top 12, they'll stop being so enthusiastic about him (oh, they'll still like him), but they'll be much more excited about someone else ("look how you've grown!" and such). The exact same thing happened to David Archuleta during Season 7.

[CASKY]

on 2/21/2009 nice article, who's your favorite

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/28/2009 I have ALWAYS maintained that many of the "idols" who make to the top 10 shouldn't be there and many cut before the final five should have been in the top three. My husband thinks I get too into this but if I have to hear them on the radio, I'd at least like to know they can sing. Great tips. 5* RRC