So....you hate American Idol...or not....

[Thickasabrick]

You belong to the (A)Camp: You think this over-hyped reality show is trash and has absolutely nothing to do whatsoever with GLBT issues.

Or, you belong to the (B)Camp: you happen to like the show, you think this contest is about "talent" and progressive issues do not/should not enter into the mix.

I personally belong to the (B)Camp or did before this year's contest. I am surrounded by homophobes in my work environment and usually tune offensive comments out in order to remain under the radar and keep my job. Most of these assholes belong in the (A)camp, or did before this year's contest. Adam Lambert has completely changed scenarios A and B and added a third scenario; a homophobic campaign to slant the odds.

People are actively becoming involved in this contest not because they like the show and want the best talent to win; they do not want a "suspected" gay man to win the contest. The majority of people who watch and vote every week are in the (B)camp and this post isn't about them - it's about the campaign of the homophobes that will try and slant the odds based solely on their homophobia.

So...if you don't give a shit about this contest but want to counter the homophobia campaign, I urge you to participate in the final Tuesday night. The voting will be open for 4 hours. You can download a small program called DialIdol and let your pc modem do all the dialing and you won't have to lift a finger. Practically zero effort on your part but it would counter the homophobes who are trying to ruin the contest.

I hope you will consider volunteering for this effort Tuesday night. The link to DialIdol is http://www.dialidol.com.

Thank you very much for reading.

[MADem]

1. I don't watch the show, so this is just an observation.

Didn't a "suspected" gay guy who came in second to a rotund, talented but somewhat lazy winner actually end up doing BETTER than the winner, in terms of record sales, a career on Broadway, and so forth?

Later on, the guy revealed that the "suspected" part of his life was in fact his reality:

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE48N04S20080924



There's something to be said to not winning. Sometimes, by not winning, you win.

[Thickasabrick]

11. Good points! However, Clay didn't have a bunch of revealing

pictures released over the internet during the contest in order to sabotage his chances. I'm confident the guy will do fantastic if he comes in second, but it seems he really wants to win so I want to help and even the odds a little.

[Left Is Write]

18. He does want to win.

I know a lot of people are saying he'll probably do "better" if he doesn't win, but he's still beholden to the production company anyway at this point. He wants to win, and I'd love to help make that happen for him.

[MADem]

22. See--I really haven't been following the show. I didn't hear about the pictures until you

just told me!!

In response to that, I'd have to say that if Miss California can show her tetas, over and over and over again, and blame "the wind" for making them pop out, that pictures might not get in the way of winning a prize all the time. He should just put a few cute little stars over the fiddly bits, blame it all on a "stiff breeze," and smile on!

[saracat]

33. But Clay was also not as talented and was sorta icky1 And he had really

weird fans.Adams tends to attract serious music lovers and industry professionals in addition to idolotors.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I don't normally watch the show

but did while I was down in CA visiting my daughter. IMO, Adam is hands-down the best contestant this year, although I liked the little red-headed girl, too. But if Adam doesn't win this, it's obvious the deck is stacked.

[Deja Q]

3. Apathetic. It's about commercialism of a product.

I've not watched the last couple of years, but each year the winner always had the same banshee-wannabe style with the same lame-butt "music" that sounded like it came from a $50 walmart keyboard...

[Creideiki]

4. I have perfect pitch. I can't watch the show.

My ears generally want to play Texas and secede.

Yes, there are people on the show that are quite talented. However, most of them couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.

[zalinda]

5. Right now, I bet there are dozens

of record producers drooling over Adam Lambert, hoping to get a shot at him. The thing about American Idol is that it is a showcase about talent, those that have the talent will last, those that don't will be doing American Idol interview gigs on the TV Guide channel (runner-up first season, whatever his name is).

To have Adam win would be a big step forward in combating homophobia, but would also a big step forward for people who are a little different. I don't care if he is gay or not, that is his and his sex partner's business. That he may win despite his unusual appearance, would be great.

zalinda

[Thickasabrick]

12. : ) I absolutely agree.

[emulatorloo]

6. Well, they didn't do very well with getting their "Chosen One" in the finals, now did they?

Which is pretty encouraging.

Given the footage of Adam's visit home, it appears he has a strong fan base of all stripes, including a huge pre-teen girl contingent.

I was pleased to see that Kris had a delegation of drag queens at his parade.

Both guys left are "Star Quality" which is nice for a change. Both of them are going to have good careers (as is my beloved Allison)

That being said, I have a hunch Adam will win despite any attempts at sabotage by the fundies.

[Thickasabrick]

13. I adored Allison...I hope she and Adam do a recording together.

[LakeSamish706]

7. I watch the show and I think the correct two are in the finals.... Adam should...

be a shoe in though.... The guy is dripping with talent.... I personally don't like the stuff he does, but he certainly has talent.

[Thickasabrick]

14. Have you ever downloaded any of the studio versions. Huge difference

and makes me really hate the shortened versions of the performances. That's really how I made my mind up, after listening to the different studio versions.

[Left Is Write]

16. The studio versions of Born To Be Wild and Black Or White

are much better than the live versions.

[LakeSamish706]

21. Nope... I'm to old to give a crap about the actual music... But I know talent when I hear it...

I don't like what Adam does musically for me... But he has serious talelnt...

[Inspired]

8. I guess I'm in the D camp. I love Adam. I like the show and

I think it is OK to bring progressive issues into it.

[MikeE]

10. I guess I must be on that list too

I feel exactly the same way :hi:

[Thickasabrick]

15. Thank you for the new "camp". I''m definitely moving over! n/t

[Left Is Write]

17. Ditto.

[Kahuna]

24. Me too!

:fistbump:

[stray cat]

9. I'm not crazy about either of the two finalists.

[dmr]

19. I don't watch or pay attention to Idol, what's going on?

If you need help battling homophobic bigots, I'm there with you, but what is this about?

[Kahuna]

25. In a nutshell...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-zontv-column-0517,0,2532025.column

snip...

In the middle of sounding exactly like Steven Tyler on an Aerosmith song, he'll suddenly soar into a falsetto scream somewhere up in the Holy Land of Patti LaBelle -- and he'll stand there looking contemptuously like he could hold the note forever if he wanted to.

Which brings us to gender and sexual orientation. (You knew we were going to wind up here, didn't you?) After having everyone from Simon Cowell to "The New York Times" acting like it was all right to just assume Lambert is gay -- in part because of his Joan-Jett-like dyed blue-black hair, earrings, painted nails as well as the ability to hit those LaBelle-like notes -- we have now come to a kind of don't-ask/don't-tell relationship with the 27-year-old singer from San Diego and his sexual orientation.

All Lambert will say on the topic is: "I know who I am. I'm an honest guy, and I'm just going to keep singing."

All anyone connected with the show will say is what Cowell told TV Guide: "We've obviously never had an issue with it, and nor should anybody else. It's a huge step forward for the show."

Not really. Coming out or not is absolutely a matter and right of the individual -- not any media outlet. But to flirt with gay identity and present personas infused with gay identity as Lambert has consistently done, and then decline to talk about it, might suggest to some that gay identity is something that cannot be talked about openly -- that it is something to hide.

[roughsatori]

20. I hate the premise and "music" of American Idol; BUT

I watch every episode. My mom lives with me. She loves the show. We have nothing in common, so I watch American Idol with her so we have something to talk about. Adam is so over the top, like a Liza Minelli impersonator doing Death Metal--but I can't believe I actually like him. He is the first one I ever wanted to win. I have never voted in AI. I think I will this time.

When he performs I am reminded of Susan Sontag's Notes on Camp. She states that in order for something to be Camp it must be sincere. I love Camp. Adam's over the top singing seems sincere to me. I laugh and yell for him when he sings. My lesbian sister yells at the screen "you go girl." My Mom loves him and yells at us to shut-up. I have to like him, he is helping my Mom and I get along better.

[Kahuna]

23. Adam reminds me of the Roger Dibris character in The Producers..

Seriously talented and very campy. And..trying somewhat to suppress the gay. He tries really hard sometimes. Gotta love him. When the competition is over, watch for Adam to let his inner diva fly.

[Kahuna]

26. Thanks for the reminder TAAB! I just downloaded dialidol. This

is serious business. I'll let dial idol do my land line for the whole four hours while I do my cellphone for at least two hourse. Maybe three if I can hang in there. :patriot:

[Thickasabrick]

29. That is awesome!!! Keep your fingers crossed!! We are going

to be so tired on Wednesday :)

Oh...and I found out Vote for the Worst picked Kris so all those votes are going to him too! :(

[donco6]

27. Can't stand it. Can't watch it.

And it has about as much to do with gay issues as Neil Patrick Harris' latest boyfriend.

[Veruca Salt]

35. +1

Awesome summation. :thumbsup:

[paulsby]

28. ilove american idol

and my love is enhanced by how many people are so snobbish about it. "i'm too cool for school, i only like REAL music" attitude makes me cheer for idol. it's fun. it's entertaining. it's a pop phenomenon. it's a brilliant formula.

i don't have any problem with shameless pop, etc.

i played in bands for years, and love tons of "underground" music. but so what?

does the fact that i enjoy haute cuisine mean that i can't enjoy a big mac or taco bell taco?

no

[Thickasabrick]

30. I like your attitude!! I must admit to being a little shy about revealing

I enjoy it as much until this year. There are a lot of music snobs out there. Plus, the whole thing makes me feel like a teenager again, and I don't get many opportunities to feel like that!!

Enjoy the final shows!!

[Left Is Write]

31. I like it and am not ashamed to admit it -

if people think less of me for it, I can't let that be my problem.

I have a friend who uses American Idol as "bonding time" with his two sons - they can all watch the show together and talk about what they liked, didn't like, and compare notes.

There is nothing wrong with fluffy pop culture entertainment - and there has always been fluffy pop culture entertainment. :)

:hi:

[saracat]

32. In the rules it says that "power dialing" + internetvotes will be disqualified!

Is "dialidol" automatic dialing"? Those vores might not count! I would dpuble check on that before counting on it!

[Thickasabrick]

34. Wow Saracat...did not know that. I think DialIdol is ok though, tons of people

use it. It's still your phone dialing a number - just something to make it dial faster. I'm hooking that up but most of my calling is done on my cells.

Thanks for the head up. See you tomorrow!! And GO ADAM!!

[beyurslf]

36. I have watched in years past but not this year. I plan to watch tonight and vote

Even in years I watched, I seldom voted. But, I have heard about the crazies mounting their campaign. Always, always, always must we be on the watch for their antics? Goodness!

[Thickasabrick]

38. Thank you so much!!!! GO ADAM!!

[Touchdown]

37. Don't hate it, just indifferent.

I'm really not into the lollipop teeny music, no matter how talented the singer.