Did Christians win “American Idol” for Kris Allen?
posted at 8:12 pm on May 21, 2009 by Allahpundit
If they did, it’s the first big election they’ve won in a long time.
Mild-mannered Christian versus flamboyant gay star in a pageant setting? There’s something soooo familiar about this. Presumably this means Allen will be the tabloids’ new hate object, victimized by all appropriate smears and embarrassing family revelations pertaining thereto. Adam Lambert’s loss is Carrie Prejean’s gain!
“Adam has the potential to be a star so overall you could say he deserves to win,” Simon Cowell told Tarts on Wednesday afternoon. “But this is ‘American Idol,’ anything could happen and we could have an upset.”
And an upset for Cowell it clearly was — the outspoken judge was the only one not to give Allen a standing ovation when he was announced the 2009 winner as determined by a record-breaking 100 million votes…
According to an ‘Idol’ insider, support for Kris most likely surged over the last week when Danny Gokey (who was extremely open about his involvement with the church) was voted off and thus Christians turned their full devotion to Allen who epitomizes the all-American, talented and moralistic role model.
An alternate theory: In an age of economic panic, the public longs for the soothing presence of a soft-spoken dork with a guitar.
A better argument can be made that we had a moment—when 100 million people vote for something, it’s bigger than a singing contest—that harkens to back to Nixon’s Silent Majority speech 40 years ago. “There’s a certain restiveness in Americans in times of uncertainty,” top Democratic pollster Doug Schoen told me minutes after the Allen vote. “People may well make decisions that aren’t obvious and clear. They’re opting for a choice they think is safe, less risky.” In other words, with the economy roiling, the role of government shifting, the banking and auto industries in freefall, the definition of marriage in flux and a health-care overhaul on deck, many feel good dialing and texting on behalf of an aw-shucks strummer from Conway, Arkansas. Bob Dylan and The Jefferson Airplane made headlines in the ’60s, but Pat Boone and Henry Mancini sold more records…
There’s some good news in our data for those hoping to avoid a repeat of Nixon-era divisions. Yes, the Blue State/Red State correlations largely held up: 11 of the 12 states that delivered Lambert the most votes, based on the Daily Beast’s projections, went Democrat in 2008, while Allen overperformed in the Republicans’ states. But it was interesting to see how relatively competitive Allen ran in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, while Lambert held his own in Texas and Georgia. The red and blue states might indeed already be Obama-era purple states, when it comes to music.
I’ve never watched the show but nearly all the chatter online that I’ve stumbled across held that Lambert was by far the greater talent. Tell the truth, “Idol” fans, did he get gypped? If so, why are they letting the public vote weigh so heavily in the final competition? It’s the California budget initiative redux: If you have people around who get paid to make these decisions, there’s no sense dumping it in the public’s lap at the moment of truth.
Blowback
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Ok so I really liked Prejean’s semi-nude photos. I am not looking forward to Kris Allen’s.
I hate to admit this but I do watch the show, or rather Mrs. Nut makes me. And I have to say I expected Adam to win. He is a great talent, another Freddie Mercury if you will. But I was rooting for Kris because of that. Kris is good but would have been forgotten if he had not won. Adam will be a star anyway.
conservnut on May 21, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Lambert’s vocal ability is truly phenomenal. If you want to talk about his voice, he transcends from head voice to chest voice flawlessly. He can hold a glory note with perfect clarity then ascend/descend with absolute vocal control. Every performance on AI was masterful. He sang “Tracks of My Tears” by Smoky Robinson and got a standing ovation…from Smoky himself. He sang “Mad World” and got a standing ovation from Simon. He is the sweetest, most humble contestant over on Idol. And the boy can ROCK. He does not scream, you want to hear a scream, listen to Danny Gokey scream at the end of his big song. Adam helped the other contestants the whole season rearrange their songs to fit them. His best friend was Kris, who he helped the most.
Kris is a great guy and for whatever reason, he won. You may not like Adam, maybe his music isn’t your taste. Fine, whatever. Kris released an album in 2007, and Adam has done theatre, so it’s not like Adam has all this experience where Kris doesn’t. You don’t like gay people? Fine. You’re shallow and pathetic if you voted against him because he’s gay. You don’t like him, fine, but don’t come on here and lie and say Adam screams or is boring. You could at least keep it real.
Anyone want to click on one of links above and tell me he can’t sing? Seriously?
JustTruth101 on May 21, 2009 at 9:27 PM
I watch the show every season, and my take is that the judges tried like h3LL to convince us that Adam should win. In the end, unlike in the presidential election, the people would not be manipulated. Kris was infinetly easier to listen to, although he may not have the range that Adam does. Adam’s screaming and all the drama associated with his performances grew wearisome.
Sam Adams on May 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
The point I was trying to make is that it’s stupid to assume it was some Christian voting bloc that tipped it for Kris. Adam has a lot of talent but the wailing and screaming is too much.
SnarkVader on May 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Talk about over-analyzing who won and why.
Hey, maybe the alignment of the planets in 2009 had something to do with the winner. Nine planets, two contestants, far outshining the other zeros who competed. And, and, and, Chris, that’s part of Christian, so he won because the Lord wanted him to.
Give me a break.
Two guys sang. One guy won, because people liked him better.
Analyze that.
fogw on May 21, 2009 at 9:29 PM
And Allison has more talent than both of them.
SnarkVader on May 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Does it even matter if you win? I thought there were some people that were successful after not winning.
Upstater85 on May 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
You make some good points but let’s not blame the tweeners for the outcome. I know a woman who says this is the one show she watches and engages with her teen-aged daughter over. They BOTH vote as part of that bonding thing.
highhopes on May 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
I’ll admit during my teenage years I had bad taste in music (i.e. boy bands & rap music) but I’ve sorta grown up since then. My taste in music has matured. So no I really don’t think Lady Gaga is a musical genius…for those of you who don’t get my sarcasm :)
terryannonline on May 21, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Huffpo is making this whole thing political.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-david/adam-lambert-loses-homoph_b_206154.html
Aparently if you voted for Kris you are a homophobe.
DethMetalCookieMonst on May 21, 2009 at 4:32 PM
DethMetalCookieMonst on May 21, 2009 at 9:32 PM
I haven’t seen any such reaction. However, I have seen some horrid videos on Youtube that demonize Lambert for his sexuality.
SC.Charlie on May 21, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Agreed, that HuffPo piece is a bunch of crud. For them to say “homophobia won” is, to put it mildly, disgusting.
But then, this is HuffPo we’re talking about. They give “pathetic” a whole new meaning.
JetBoy on May 21, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Yeah, HuffPost get’s all clammy over a lot of stupid stuff. It should be renamed MenoPost for
womenwomyn suffering from self-induced menopause (Queens included).Upstater85 on May 21, 2009 at 9:36 PM
As a female living in Arkansas, I wouldn’t watch American Idol if you paid me money. YUCK. There are some of us out here! :)
I agree with your assessment that it was the Arkansas vote that did it. Personally speaking, as far as the “Christian vote”, half of my Christian friends wanted Kris to win, half wanted Adam to win… didn’t seem to matter that Adam was gay and Kris was a local Christian guy.
Really, my own preference was that the whole ridiculous show (ooh! how about all reality
crapshows?!) would magically disappear, and I wouldn’t have to be treated to Facebook statuses about AI for however many weeks it’s been on. UGHSouthernPatriot on May 21, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Don’t watch the show. But this kind of reeks of “ewwwie, the little people get to have a voice?” ;p
Branch Rickey on May 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
You sound a bit T.O.-ed. Is there some significance behind all this?
Don’t start, Allahpundit, don’t start.
Aronne on May 21, 2009 at 9:40 PM
My take is that you are being too kind to the judges. The way they gushed over Adam was repulsive. Every week they all but said he was going to win and Simon Cowell essentially said he was the winner on the last night of the competition (the show before the results show). Week after week of “game over” comments.
If Adam had won, the talk tonight wouldn’t be over the role of the Jesus freaks in denying the “theatrical one” his rightful victory. It would be the suggestion that America has ditched traditional values completely since they accepted somebody like Adam. It is an equally absurd extraction to be made out of a television program with a public voting element.
The reality is that Adam and Kris both won by the exposure they got. They will go in different genre’s. They both have the potential to be successful as do any of the others on the show. The winners are not always the most successful artists.
highhopes on May 21, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Don’t normally watch that show, but some relatives like it, so I saw it last week.
Don’t know about the gay thing, but when I saw Adam sing, all could think was “Aww, dude; dude…”
Feedie on May 21, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Adam was SO overrated and was a one-trick pony! All of his supposedly creative covers were copied from REAL artists who had covered those songs. For Example:
His cover of Mad World was a copy of Gary Jules version from Donnie Darko soundtrack.
His ‘cover’ of Ring of Fire was copied from Dilana. You can find that performance on You Tube.
But the true artistry was Kris doing a Kanye song acoustic! Kris was better and deserved to win!
sirmyth on May 21, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I cried on the inside when Adam was singing with Kiss.
Apparently, so did Gene Simmons:
http://www.genesimmons.com/fanstories/index.html
eforhan on May 21, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I did like this song on American Idol.
terryannonline on May 21, 2009 at 9:52 PM
How anyone can care about this is beyond me.
Buford on May 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Just hung up, was talking to my SIL who lives in AR. My gosh, yeah church signs everywhere, restaurants, he is a youth church leader, has been to missions, so it spread the word like wildfire that he is such a good kid. There is a Christian radio station that, she told me, is quite broad (nationwide level?) and they were telling their audience to vote for Kris.
He’s gonna spend all summer in AR, from what she told me, she lives 3-4 hrs. away from Conyers and my nephews have spent time there, different reasons for each of them.
Yeah, the state backed him up big time, I don’t blame them one bit. He deserved it on the genuine aspect of American Idol-from basic small town, gifted musician to grow up to the level where he can have a record deal. If he was born and raised in Pennsylvania, woo hoo turnout would have been immense!
I have been Twittering most of the morning and my gosh some ppl were wishing death on Kris, how homophobic the USA is that did not let a gay win the title, senseless liberal stuff like that.
ProudPalinFan on May 21, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Don’t fret, fellow Adam fans. He not winning means he’ll have more control and won’t have to do boring, commercial crap.
Come on, Glamber, put out a glam rock album!!!!!
DethMetalCookieMonst on May 21, 2009 at 9:58 PM
That should be “Glambert”.
DethMetalCookieMonst on May 21, 2009 at 9:59 PM
As far as singing ability, Adam was better even if he is a freak. Kris has more commericial appeal but in a completely different arena than Adam. It’s not about “deserving to win” because both will do well in their careers because of this exposure. All that happened last night was America deciding a bluesy/soul guy was more popular than a drama queen from West Hollywood.
highhopes on May 21, 2009 at 9:59 PM
I thought both were talented, but in different ways. Adam Lambert definitely had phenomenal voice and vocal range, but I thought he often overused that high range and it sometimes tended to turn into a well tuned scream. In today’s music world I am not sure where he would fit stylistically – after all, Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith are a thing of the past.
On the other hand, I thought Kris did not have the vocal strength of Lambert (few do) but he was a good musician who seemed to be more contemporary in his musical style.
As Seven Percent Solution noted: “One was an “artist” with talent …. the other was a “musician” with talent. The musician with talent won the contest…..”
Another factor was the obvious bias by the judges – it bordered on ‘Obamaesque’. This is the second year in a row that the overbearing judges began pushing hard for a specific contestant (Adam) and it may have backfired on them. The hard sell by the judges tends to make the underdog’s supporters all that more persistent in their voting, while the favorite’s supporters may get complacent (if only that had worked in the last election).
Finally, when the results were announced my first thought was Oh No – another left wing gay cause – the talented gay loses to the straight Christian kid. I don’t think (and hope) that this was the case – but something has to keep the 24 x7 news channels going.
Beckham on May 21, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Good grief. People read WAY more into these votes than there really is. I watched, I didn’t vote, but if I had voted it would have been for the winner SOLELY because I really don’t favor hard rock Steve Tyler type screaming music. There would have been no other reason. For people to suggest that people voted religious preferences on a singing competition is utterly absurd. IT’S A TALENT COMPETITION for chrissakes.
scalleywag on May 21, 2009 at 10:04 PM
We need a wall of separation between Church and Crappy Television.
gridlock2 on May 21, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Adam absolutely is the most talented of any contestant ever and will be a huge star. He just has “it”. I don’t like hard rock but the vote should be on the singing ability, and Chris cannot hold a candle to Adam. Adam can sing anything – a ballad, and even opera. Check him out on YouTube singing “I Just Love You” and the song from Brigadoon(opera). It brings tears to my eyes. I am a 67 year old conservative Christian, and I watched every week just to see what Adam would sing. You cannot take your eyes off him because he has such great stage presence. He is a genuinely nice person, and I think he got robbed. But I don’t think it will matter – he will be a huge star and Chris will be soon forgotten.
silvernana on May 21, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Kind of tough to just wish them both the best huh?
hawkdriver on May 21, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Adam actually won. He doesn’t have to sing that God-awful song as his first single. You are far too harsh in your evaluation of Kris but the fact of the matter is that the the win for any artist is getting weeks of focused national attention. Kris and Adam were winners even before the results were read (after two hours of absolutely awful television).
highhopes on May 21, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I can’t believe that I’m posting on this thread, considering I’ve never watched American Idol. But here goes: I had no idea who either of these people were until I asked my cousin (who was pissed that whichever won actually won).
I was watching the Military Channel and a show about the development of the F15 fighter jet.
No kidding, dude. No kidding.
I wouldn’t worry too much about them. From what I hear post-American Idol success is pretty few and far between….
mjk on May 21, 2009 at 10:34 PM
We watched as a family and I noticed something. When it was down to four, I said Allison was gone. She wouldn’t get the girl vote (Danny and Kris) or the “freak vote (Adam). That left young dudes gettin’ their hormones (not enough of them to get Allison a win).
Danny and Kris split the gitl vote which may have been just enough for Adam to get to the end. But once Danny was gone, all those ladies ran to Kris. No way Adam picks up enough to overcome that voting block.
Straight girls + humble, guy that they find cute and adorable (my oldest daughter) = winner. Kris (and Danny) fit that equation. Adam didn’t.
raz0r on May 21, 2009 at 10:42 PM
I’m torn since they’re both white. I mean how do you judge? It’s not like there was a “person of color” up there. I supposes the gay has to trump christian. so my vote goes to the glamour guy, but I think any Asian should have beaten them both. Isn’t it about time??? The show is prejudiced.
JiangxiDad on May 21, 2009 at 10:42 PM
In my opinion, Chris should have left the show several weeks ago, and the finals should have been Adam and Allison. All the songs Chris sung sounded just alike – boring!
silvernana on May 21, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Never watched AI but friends back home in Arkansas say that there were nearly 38 million calls/texts from the state. Could it be that they just wanted to see one of their own win? Based upon what I am hearing, yes.
The Opinionator on May 21, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Yeah I agree with The Opinionator; from what I understand in July the AI tour will hit AR; I am gonna be around that date so I will check out if I can watch from the parking lot, hehehehe! xx fingers is when I am there!
I do pray for his wife, just 7 months married, this is gonna be one heck of a test for both of them, especially for her. Now she has to share him with the world and I cannot fathom a music video of my husband “making out” or “crushed” b/c of a chick all over him. That’d piss me off right then and there.
ProudPalinFan on May 21, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Lambert was the better singer and performer by any sane standard, and only some fishy voting could have derailed such a clearly superior journeyman artist.
I smell a phone model that encourages de facto vote rigging.
Chris Allen is okay.
But Adam is a protean talent.
The judging failed.
I’d sue, if I were Simon.
profitsbeard on May 21, 2009 at 10:57 PM
My take on this has been that Adam is a consummate performer with a superb vocal range, and Kris is the stronger musician, equally comfortable at the piano or with his guitar. I think, this year there should have been two trophies.
pcpower1 on May 21, 2009 at 11:00 PM
And I meant to add that I think the judges are just a side-show at this point with no real influence (except in their own minds, of course) over the outcome of the contest.
pcpower1 on May 21, 2009 at 11:02 PM
And the song they had them sing, “No Boundaries” was absolutely awful. It did them both a disservice. Whatshername needs to be voted off as a judge.
scalleywag on May 21, 2009 at 11:18 PM
lol JD, you slay me.
hawkdriver on May 21, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Hey Truth, noone said he couldn’t sing…We Just Don’t Like Perez Hilton and the legitimization of a man sticking his baby maker in the rear-end of another man!
It ain’t right
It’s an exit hole not an entrance
In other countries, they are murdered for doing this
God Judged Him!
Jesus stepped in and said Enough! NOW Deal with it! Kris WON (wow, I sounded like Obama there for a minute huh) Get Over it…Your MAdam GLambert Lost!
will sass u on May 21, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Because it’s American Idol, not Judges Idol
Big John on May 21, 2009 at 11:26 PM
I predicted the homophobia accusations would surface if Adam lost after EW put him on the cover — alone, when there were still three other people in the competition — and all but declared that if America didn’t vote for Adam it would have to be because we’re “not ready” for a gay Idol. Typical liberal pap. They’re the only ones who really give any thought to that stuff. Those of us outside LA and NYC are too busy living life to be consumed with such navel gazing.
The truth as to why Kris one is really as simple as those upthread have already stated: It was the Arkansas vote. Fully 40% of the votes cast came from Arkansas. And it’s not because we’re all homophones here. Truly of all the places I’ve lived, this state is the one in which people seem least interested in assigning labels to others. No one cares, at least no one I know. The reason Kris won and Adam didn’t is because Adam is from a big impersonal city in a big impersonal state where no one really knows or cares about him, and Kris is from a small tight knit state where people feel a real kinship with one another. Kris is one of our own and it was a matter of real pride to see him win. I mean if you could have seen this place the last few weeks. Just look at the show where they visited the hometowns. It was obvious Kris drew a MUCH larger crowd. Arkansans are just dedicated folk, I guess. I don’t know why anyone a surprised by that; they got their governor elected to the White House and who would have thought that would happen?
Anyway I think both young men are talented, and would have been happy with either outcome. They have vastly different strengths but I believe both, along with Allison, will have significant careers. I definitely think they were the two most versatile performers in the contest. I hate for both of them that anyone would make this into a gay thing or a Christian thing. Either diminishes their accomplishments.
NoLeftTurn on May 21, 2009 at 11:28 PM
I ran the entire season of AI through a super secret military intelligence evaluation computer thingy in a super secret control room thingy here in Kandahar Afghanistan and the one constant conclusion that the software came up with is that Paula Abdul is still hot and it doesn’t matter who won.
hawkdriver on May 21, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Jesus told us to vote for Kris or he would destroy the world… and there’s a potluck on Sunday.. so I had to.
GoodBoy on May 21, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Thanks for the spoiler.
amkun on May 21, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Did anybody stop and think that Adam was just to old for the tiny-boppers?
tarpon on May 21, 2009 at 11:39 PM
I respect the fact that Idol sets the rules and plays by them. If the audience vote is the deciding factor, well then, let it be.
Simon tried to influence the outcome and it didn’t go his way. The producers even allowed the performer, Katy Petty, to put Adam’s name on her cape as she flashed it and promoted him. Dat don’t seem so fair.
If the Christian vote won it for Allen and if the producers don’t like that, well then change the rules.
The worst result I’ve seen in reality TV was Joan Rivers beating out Annie Duke in The Apprentice. That was some serious shark jumping.
PC14 on May 21, 2009 at 11:48 PM
American Idol is for a certain audience, and Kris was who that audience preferred. Kind of boring, bland, and blahhh. He appeals to girls and women who also like Josh Groban (and David Archuleta). If someone is willing to pay you for that, good for you. Adam was much more talented, and a much better performer (which concert would be more fun, really?), and just appeals to a different demographic. He’ll do just fine, but it was pretty shocking. I agree that at least he’ll never have to sing that HORRIBLE new song again, even the judges HATED it. And “Mad World” was absolutley phenomenal. Really, it’s worth your $.99 to get it off iTunes, It probably doesn’t even matter who the artist is, to be honest with you.
Worst schreech ever = Danny Gokey.
melda on May 21, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Gay folks are generally more angry and nasty too when someone doesn’t agree with them…i.e. Perez.
So count me in, I’m a homophoe. I think they need to repent! We are all born into Sin, it’s the one’s who repent that can get out!
will sass u on May 21, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Kris will appeal to Christian audiences. Where they can all get together and pray for fans of Adam.
It was our plan from the beginning.
GoodBoy on May 21, 2009 at 11:55 PM
//plagiarizing myself from the Headlines…
+1
Ya beat me to it.
But unlike Ruben Stoddard winning but Clay Aiken selling more units, I think Kris is WAY more commercially appealing to a larger audience, and for a longer period. Adam’s painful screeching was like WOW at first, but got old FAST for us. And the sequins on the fake eyelashes…dude. I liked Danny from the beginning, but Kris came on strong in the last few weeks with his arrangements and playing piano AND guitar.
Adam will get his 15 minutes, but I see him burning out faster. Kris has the tools & the look for a longer career, IMO.
That’s what my wife told me anyway.
//plagiarizing off
ornery_independent on May 22, 2009 at 12:01 AM
I watched the show all the way through this year, and I picked Kris Allen from the very beginning. He is a slightly older and hipper version of David Archuleta. Never missed a note and did some really cool things with a lot of his songs.
I looked at Adam Lambert as almost a “ringer” and someone who did not need to get on this show to be a star. Just like Carly Smithson last year – the judges pimped her all season too, but David Cook and David Archuleta just seemed more genuine and “undiscovered.”
I guess my gaydar doesn’t work as well as it used to, because I did not even think about Lambert being gay until my brother told me a few weeks ago.
rockmom on May 22, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Ok, here’s my take. And I am someone who has not watched AI since season 1, mkay???
I didn’t know who either of these two guys were until this morning. I had not seen of them or heard any of their performances until tonight after taking some time on youtube to catch up on this subject.
Honestly, at first glance, (and this is blatently judged based on looks) I would have leaned toward Allen. But I’m a sucker for humble, cute guys. Lambert has the metrosexual look I just find undesirable and tiresome.
However…
After hearing the performances, I was completely blown away by both. I would have to say Lambert undeniably is the better performer. I like Allen’s style, because that’s just the kind of style I personally prefer, but I wouldn’t have been surprised or disappointed if Lambert had won.
I do think it’s a shame they had to break this down to a red state/blue state face-off. People should have just voted on talent and not bring stupid politics.
ErinF on May 22, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Yeah, given the comments here, I’m pretty sure this Adam guy is a complete douche. Call it a hunch. The guy that won might sound like refried Nickleback (never heard him, wouldn’t know), but I’d take that over a screeching diva any day.
Meh, all of the music that’s come out of this show has been scum-sucking drek anyway. Zounds I hate pop culture…
spmat on May 22, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Seldom been subjected to the show. Never heard either of these guys sing, and don’t know or care who’s better. I assume they most be very good to reach the finals of the show. But I’m hearing murmuring that it’s somehow wrong for Christians to vote for a guy because he shares their values. That is outrageous! Of COURSE they should prefer someone who shares their values.
Consider it this way, so we all are seeing it from the same perspective: suppose one of the guys was a white supremacist. Would we be wrong to prefer the other guy because we reject the racist’s values? Would it really be “only about the music”? Of course not, and it shouldn’t be.
I wouldn’t want any harm to befall the gay guy; but if I’m going to choose who I want to be contributing to the popular culture, I choose the guy who shares my values.
RegularJoe on May 22, 2009 at 12:38 AM
No, he didn’t get gypped. Adam was a good vocalist, but after awhile it was always the same. He also had a tendancy to over sing and almost shriek at some points, which I think turned a lot of people away. I guess what I’m saying is he used his vocal talent wrong. You can belt out in a good strong voice all you want, but a song has to come out of it.
Allen, on the other hand, didn’t have nearly the vocal range Adam had but he was far better at crafting his vocals into something people would want to listen to. He made his music catchy, and he knew what he could do with his voice which in my opinion made him the better candidate. Allen was also more creative when it came to compsing songs (his arrangements of Ain’t No Sunshine and Kany’s Heartless were briliant and unique). Not to mention the fact that he threw his piano and guitar playing ability into the mix while Adam had no instrumental skill.
In short, Adam was a poor man’s Robert Plant while Kris Allen is on par with people like Jason Mraz- who sell today. (and his music was actually a lot like the current Plant stuff we hear).
eski502 on May 22, 2009 at 12:40 AM
LOL
Elisa on May 22, 2009 at 1:07 AM
I agree with you guys totally. Both were likeable in their own way. Both talented in different ways. Both artists and interpreters. One a performer, one a musician.
Elisa on May 22, 2009 at 1:16 AM
I was very happy Kris won. His songs will play well on the radio and he is very talented. An artist, one who interprets and is a pleasure to listen to.
That is what this is about. Finding a current pop recording artist. I think he will be the first male idol winner to sell a lot of records.
My family has watched all 8 seasons. (I won’t lie; I like it. lol) This was one of the most talented seasons yet. A lot of them could have won in other years with less competition. I liked a lot of these people. And they seemed like nice people. Kris often helped the other contestants in their practices and planning.
Adam seemed nice too. I just couldn’t take his screeching. And the Ring of Fire performance was kind of satanic to me. lol He has a great range and a great voice. But he was also on stage since he has a kid and is now 27 and was in the touring company of Wicked. So right from the beginning he was comfortable on stage and professional. The others all got better and better every week with the experience.
The judges and producers promoted Adam so much it made me sick. And Kris was overlooked and ignored from the beginning. When he got into the final 13, no one knew who he was. Same with Matt. It was all Danny and Adam.
And I think Kris got some gay votes also. Many liked him. He is adorable. And I heard there were a lot of online comments over the past weeks lamenting “why couldn’t Kris be the gay one?” lol
Adam was very gracious in his friend’s win. They were roommates and genuinely liked each other.
I think Kris is an extremely nice person and humble. That he is Christian is even better. A good role model for our youth.
God bless him and his wife as he gets into a very dangerous business and may God bless Adam.
Good luck to both of them.
Elisa on May 22, 2009 at 1:39 AM
“Did Christians win “American Idol” for Kris Allen?”
Sure, but they’ll be the death of the Republican Party.
notropis on May 22, 2009 at 1:43 AM
The best thing to come out of AI IMHO was Carrie Underwood. Never watched the show until the finals of that season. I’d bet everyone in OK who voted voted for Carrie. (And btw since David Cook had Tulsa ties, most voters in OK voted for him I would guess.) So why do some get angry that AR voters voted for Kris?
Christian Conservative on May 22, 2009 at 1:48 AM
Adam is the kind of guy you might date (if he was straight) fun exciting… gives you status…
But Kris is the kind you would make a life with.
That’s why he won. Girls sense the difference and watching week after week… they chose well.
petunia on May 22, 2009 at 1:56 AM
I know huh! I didn’t pick it up either! Once they tell you well then of course but… I just didn’t go there.
petunia on May 22, 2009 at 2:00 AM
As a gay middle-eastern democrat, let me state it as clearly as possible for all of my brothers and sisters on the left and right.
Adam lost because Obama won.
America is getting sick and tired of the far left liberal bullcrap that has been spewed for the past year and a half.
This was retaliation for the BS coming from code pink, Pelosi, Frank, Obama, and all the freaks on my side of the isle who just can’t play fair, can’t keep their big mouths shut and can’t understand that not everyone is going to roll over for their extreme agenda.
Had the democrats had any decency in winnng the election, shown any courtesy in the structuring of the budget and bailout to be bipartisan, and had stopped using Bush as an excuse everytime they get caught with their d!cks in their mouths, Adam Lambert would have one.
I feel bad for Adam that he lost what was rightfully his but i take comfort in the fact that Kris is a pretty damn talented guy himself so its not like he lost to the scream on fatty formerly known as Dead WIfe Danny.
When you force your liberal or conservative bull down peoples throats, the average man begins to retailate in simple ways. This was one of them.
In any event Adam and Kris will both have successful careers and they both did great.
BillaryMcBush on May 22, 2009 at 5:39 AM
And saying “Fatty formerly known as Dead Wife Danny” makes you just as ignorant as the rest of the people you are putting down.
It’s hatred like that we are tired of. We have had enough.
GoodBoy on May 22, 2009 at 6:06 AM
I only watch a handful of the seasons performances. I thought Adam was awesome but didn’t like some of his exagerations. Only a few musicians can scream and make it sound good. Adam is 99% there for me. Kris was a well rounded musisican but didn’t have the same power in his voice as Adam.
I preferred Kris and didn’t vote.
shick on May 22, 2009 at 7:04 AM
Baloney man.
Stop making every gay man or women a victim.
shick on May 22, 2009 at 7:06 AM
Eh. Adam was so much better.
You could put him in front of any prog or even adventurous hard rock band band and he’d make a good living around the world just killing it in 7/8.
Good Lt on May 22, 2009 at 7:31 AM
That is the new meme these days. When a homosexual loses anything, American Idol, prop 8 et al. Blame the Christians.
broker1 on May 22, 2009 at 7:40 AM
I really don’t think it was about that.
I just don’t think they’re tough enough to handle good falsetto.
Good Lt on May 22, 2009 at 7:42 AM
Yep…that was the Hot Topic at my church last Sunday. The sermon was titled “If God Were the Judge of AI.” We took up a special offering to help pay Kris’ family expenses for the trip to Hollywood and then we sang a rousing chorus of Onward Christian Soldiers. Then we all went home to tune up our speed dials so we would be ready for the big show on Tuesday.
sdd on May 22, 2009 at 7:59 AM
Face it, America has had enough of this ‘gay agenda’. I don’t want my kid to have as their ‘idol’ a freak that wears black mascara, nail polish, and dresses right out of Cabaret. So now let’s sit back and wait for the smear campaign against the winner. Perez? We’re waiting. After voting in obama out of guilt, thank GOD America didn’t make another voting mistake.
godhelpus on May 22, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Same with our church, only instead of the special offering, we were all given phones with the pre-dialed numbers for voting.
The name of the sermon was: Vote for the real Kris-tain. A very moving sermon with the choir singing his hits. We all placed a small prayer tribute at the base of his picture that was pasted of Christ’s face.
Of course we took Christ of the cross because we knew that God would not let Kris fail.
It was a very moving service, I am sure many churches across the nation, for that one day, forgot about all their missions of serving the least among us…feeding the indigent (hey, they can go another day without a meal), the battered women (just stay away from him for one more day) just had to wait to be counseled…we were on a mission.
right2bright on May 22, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Here’s the deal that is never really talked about.
Cowell holds the contracts for these guys, he wants the most “marketable” person to win. From day one they were promoting Adam, heavily promoting him. It is about money, follow the money.
They see him (Adam) as being the cash cow…Kris a wider appeal, but not as many records.
They gushed about Adam from the beginning, even when he did that horrific “Ring of Fire”. They never said once “He was over the top”, like they did to others who “stepped up”.
The fix was in, as far as they were concerned, they didn’t want anyone but Adam to win.
Danny and Kris were similar acts, so when Danny was dumped, where do they think those votes were going?
They know the exact vote counts, that is why Cowell was begin really campaigning for Adam, he saw his meal ticket being taken away.
Not that earning 100 mill for that one night is starving.
right2bright on May 22, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Wait a minute…your church had a prayer sermon for an American Idol contestant? With pre-dialed phones and all? “On a mission”?
That’s actually kinda scary.
JetBoy on May 22, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Wasn’t there a big issue a few Idols ago where it appeared (or was proven) that vote tampering caused Reubin Stoddard to win over the skinny white dude that everyone thought was gay? Everyone wanted him to win in spite of thinking he was gay (he later did come out of the closet). Then the big hubbub was that American’s were racist because they wanted the gay white guy more than the ‘much more talented’ black guy. It’s all a bunch of garbage.
As for those who believe it should go to the best singer, that’s not how the show is structured. They’ll reject people in auditions for not having the right look even if they’re talented. It goes to the one that is seen as more marketable overall. Britney Spears was, at one time, a pop idol whereas Amy Mann who is a far better singer (not to mention countless other superior singers) never reach that level.
JadeNYU on May 22, 2009 at 9:37 AM
How long is a long time? Christians pulled out presidential wins in 2000 and 2004 and increased the Republican majority in Congress throughout elections until 2006. Probably most of the reason we lost seats in 2006 $ 2008 was because Christians became disgusted with the Republican party due to our many self inflicted wounds and bailed on us. I know a lot of them sat on the sidelines rather than vote for John McCain – maybe not enough to have decided the election but plenty all the same.
If we give them a decent reason to hit the voting booth hard in future elections they’ll carry us again. If we nominate some real conservatives – and if currently elected officials act like real conservatives, particularly on fiscal issues, maybe they’ll come back into the fold.
t.ferg on May 22, 2009 at 9:42 AM
And then…and then…this is the really cool part! The Men’s Bible Class went out to several local Wal-Marts and placed leaflets under the windshield wipers of all the cars in the parking lot that read…”A Vote for Kris is a Vote for God.” Pretty neat…huh?
sdd on May 22, 2009 at 9:43 AM
LOL Why can’t us Catholics do things like that? lol
Thanks for the laugh this morning. You guys on this website are so clever.
“they can go another day without a meal.” too funny
Elisa on May 22, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Seriously though. I think that people are sick of all the liberalism being shoved down our throat. But I don’t think it’s about Obama. (even though I am sick to death of him already. I can’t believe it’s only been a few months.)
American Idol has always been about talent and likability and being a nice, decent good person. And people like an underdog. Kris was all those things. Adam was nice, he also seems like a nice person. But over the top.
And Kris is a great role model for young people. That definitely entered into it. More than Adam being gay.
In past and current years there have been disgusting stories and pictures about contestants that have surfaced. Those people are usually rejected by Am Idol voters.
The only pictures of Kris that have surfaced are him kissing his wife on their wedding day. 2 beautiful and in love and committed young people. They dated since high school and married young. And he says he can’t wait to finally “be married” since he’s been away from his bride for so long.
I don’t know what he has done in private, but publicly he has been a missionary and a humble, decent and charitable good man. A fine example of what it means to be Christian.
Elisa on May 22, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I gotta disagree w/ you on the “marketability” of the top two. I see Kris as being more marketable to a wider audience for a longer period of time, and a longer career.
For example, look at some of the most successful solo male musicians over the last few years…John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson….then there’s the most commercially successful genre (AFAIK), country music, with plenty of successful male stars…Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins…I could go on, but you get the point. None of them can break glass with their voices, but they sell buttloads of albumns.
Then there’s the commercially successful males who sing like Broadway drag queens…um, gimmee a minute…um, Axl Rose? Josh Groban?…pretty thin to nonexistant lineup, of which I’m guessing there’s a reason for that (money, or the lack of it). Queen & Kiss are so 45 years ago. Adam will do fine singing show tunes, but commercial appeal, I think not.
ornery_independent on May 22, 2009 at 10:42 AM
why are they letting the public vote weigh so heavily in the final competition? It’s the California budget initiative redux: If you have people around who get paid to make these decisions, there’s no sense dumping it in the public’s lap at the moment of truth.
++++++++++++++++++++
hahahaha, your sly sense of humor almost made me think you were serious for a minute. I mean, don’t trust the public to know what it likes, let somebody else make the decisions for them. It’s almost like you were slyly shooting at the lelftists and Obama…
fabrexe on May 22, 2009 at 10:51 AM
As a neutral observer (I don’t like the show but my wife and daughter do so I’ve seen most of the season), it seems no different than most things. Allen had a much broader appeal to Middle America so, of course, he’s going to appeal more to Christians than would a “glam rocker” with tons of eyeliner on. I thought Lambert would win but I kept saying through most of the season to my girls that I didn’t see where his style of singing would play out. Glam rock (and rock in general) has pretty much died out in most of the country. Try going into a music store and finding the rock section. 95% of what’s there is 70/80/90s rock Most of the new stuff is from people who have been around for at least a couple of decades. Allen will have the same problem unless he does one of two things: 1) develops a bizzare Clay Aiken-like following of old women; 2) turns to country music. The only music on the radio in my hometown of 4-5 million is 80s, country, hip hop, and Tejano. Kelly Clarkson’s fame has started to fade though she had a good run with dance music. The careers get pretty shaky from there unless you look at the ones who went country. Lord, even Bucky Covington has probably sold more records than season 2 winner Reuben. Dingbat Kellie Pickler has made herself a millionaire. Right up there with Clarkson is Carrie Underwood and is still going strong.
So, I don’t see the vote as a stretch at all. Maybe Lambert had more talent but he didn’t have more appeal to the average American and he doesn’t appear to have a career in his preferred glam rock style.
I’d say what happened is what should have happened and no one should be surprised. I’m the only one who should be surprised – surprised that I’ve wasted 10 minutes of my life giving an analysis on something I really don’t care about.
slug on May 22, 2009 at 10:57 AM
What?
WHere is the hate?
He is fat.
He does have a dead wife he pimped every time they displayed his phone number with the Sophia’s heart hand symbol.
If i was going to be a hater i would have called him the fat no talent screaming hack second rate taylor hicks with less talent that pimped his dead wife for sympathy votes from the beginning and even though he uttered the worst screamed/sound ever heard on the show still had a legion of moronic goat humpers and single middle aged fat chicks keep his sorry lame untalented butt ugly arse in the competition an extra week, and please we all know he “friend” who didn’t make the show but who had a better voice but no dead wife (cause um he is gay) has been “helping” Fatty McStubbles aka DWD (deadWideDanny) get over hes dead wife wink wink (in a very back door sort of way).
BillaryMcBush on May 22, 2009 at 11:12 AM
You know what? Adam handled his 2nd place finish MUCH better than his cry baby fans! Whatta bunch of whiners! They both have mad talent, they’ll both get great opportunities, WHY, WHY, WHY is there a need to trash the nice, Christian guy? It’s so lame.
Kris won because people liked him better, he’s easier for more of us to enjoy, we want him to succeed, but the biggest reason that Kris won?
We wanted to give those hideously biased and arrogant judges the finger! If they had been even remotely fair all season, Kris might not have been such an OVERWHELMING winner.
anniekc on May 22, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I don’t watch they- the American Idol Voters, delivered Obama into the White House too:) The first American Idol President.
My daughter watches she said, Adam Lambert was the best, and he had presences he was a natural entertainer. Perhaps the media lost this for him by pounding Miss California in the News Cycle constantly. Look even Axelrod made a low rent remark about her…she could be a lot of American’s sister, daughte cousin ect…easy to identify with Miss California, who some can associate with a member of their own family or a neighbor…so why did David Axelrod make the dog remark about An American clearly eligible to Vote? A beauty pageant contestant. Is this the Democrat strategy insult the electorate?
It isn’t fair to Lambert if he was the better talent…but life isn’t fair no matter how much the Progressives try to redistribute it…which is going to go down in HISTORY as a HUGE mistake and Obama’s (L)egacy…Axelrod isn’t helping.
Dr Evil on May 22, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Funny. I can’t remember what song it was, something sappy and sad, but Danny sat on the edge of the stage with a harp playing and I swear if I wasn’t looking for a cardboard cut out of his deceased wife propped up in the background.
I think the producers finally caught on to how annoying the dead wife thing was and let it go about a month ago.
anniekc on May 22, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Please tell me you forgot to include the /sarc tag?
shick on May 22, 2009 at 11:17 AM
+1000
Michelle Dubois on May 22, 2009 at 11:48 AM
We had a betting pool amongst me and my other gay middle eastern democrat friends who were split evenly between adam kris and allison in preference.
Odds on favorite was that if Scream On Danny made it to the finals, his family would bring the body for the extra sympathy vote.
BillaryMcBush on May 22, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Because the public buys the music, not the dorks sitting behind the table.
Beo on May 22, 2009 at 12:01 PM
The speed dialing 1000 + votes a night american dialors still only buy 1 record album or dvd each.
The problem with American Idol is that they want the BIG NUMBER OF VOTES CAME IN announcement more than they want a valid representation of the vote.
Because they allow multiple votes from the same number the results are skewed in favor of the rabid and usually economically less affluent types.
If you really wanted an american idol it would be one vote per social security number allowed.
They really should rename it Acorn Idol.
BillaryMcBush on May 22, 2009 at 12:15 PM
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