Politics and American Idol: Adam Lambert and the Partisan Divide

[Better Believe It]

May 18, 2009

Adam Lambert and the Partisan Divide
Politics and American Idol
By CHARLOTTE LAWS

Charlotte Laws, Ph.D. is a Los Angeles TV host and the author of the book, Meet the Stars, which explains how to hobnob with the rich and famous.


American Idol contestant Adam Lambert seems to have awakened my long lost music gene. It happened on a Tuesday in March when I coasted by the family room TV on my way to nab cashews from the kitchen. This male Elvira had cool, black nail polish, a Clark Gable confidence, an androgynous sex appeal and the ability to emote like I’ve never seen.

With an alluring combination of pure talent, charisma, unpredictability and eccentricity, Lambert will no doubt go down in history as a superstar, not to mention American Idol’s greatest success story.

Lambert is a blue state. He is Hollywood, glamour and bigger than life. Using struts, vocal acrobatics, and bizarre song renditions, he sticks it to “the man” and orthodoxy. He upsets society, chastising manners and mores, much the way Elvis Presley did on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956. Lambert is a comic book hero for those with an anti-establishment bent, such as 70’s children like me who learned early on to distrust government and convention.

His competitor, Kris Allen, is a red state. He is good ole boy from Arkansas who attends church and married his longtime sweetheart. On stage, he is as placid as a lake, even against the raging waterfall, Lambert. Allen is humble, casual and could live in Pleasantville. Lambert would be the Picasso of Pleasantville, upsetting the status quo.

The controversy surrounding Lambert’s sexuality also plays into this theory. Bill O’Reilly, for example, thought it newsworthy to ask his Fox News viewers if they thought the singer was gay. Successful same-sex marriage initiatives are sweeping this country, and opponents may see Lambert as a poster boy for alternate lifestyles and as a threat to conservative values.

Could an Adam Lambert victory represent a new level of acceptance for difference? Would a Kris Allen win reinforce communitarian values and the familiar? Some may see this season’s contest as a battle of hope and change pitted against tradition and custom.

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.counterpunch.org/laws05182009.html

[Zen Democrat]

1. Extrapolation of this sort is pathetic.

Jeez, I like singers and performers because I enjoy them and not because they come from a Red State or Blue State. I'm a liberal Democrat and a supporter of gay marriage -- but that doesn't influence the movies I see, the music I listen to, or whether I enjoy the vocal gymnastics of Adam Lambert.

The days of Elvis are forever over. Trying to duplicate the success of Elvis and/or The Beatles has been going on for 40+ years. Ain't gonna happen. There are too many avenues to find what you like now and not the narrow path guarded by record company executives and corporate asshats, including those at American Idol.

[MrScorpio]

2. All I ask is, is he funky?

If he isn't, why bother?

[Kahuna]

13. You be the judge, Mr. Scorpio...

Adam sings, Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRhIbA0Y194

Adam sings, Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRhIbA0Y194

Adam sings, Whole Lotta Love (Led Zepplin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq9n2La1yn4

[MrScorpio]

18. He sounds generic enough

[Iris]

3. being liberal influences everything I do

including what movies I see and what music I listen to. How can it not?

[EndersDame]

9. Art for art's sake and Mel Gibson

I recently watched Braveheart for the first time (Damn Good Movie), as I discussed this with co workers one of them said that she would never watch it because of Mel Gibson's politics. I myself thought that was taking it a bit far. I would never deny some ones artistic merit just because of their views on society.I told her she was being like the conservatives who boycott Susan Sarandon movies or the Dixie Chicks just because of their views. Same goes for Leni Reifenstahl (sp?) a Nazi film maker whou just so happened to be in my opinion one of the most gifted artistic genius of her time. She was able to convey such beauty in her images. I am able to separate Leni the Nazi from Leni the Artist.

[Iris]

11. In most cases, I am drawn to the types of movies actors like Sarandon do.

There are some exceptions, and Braveheart is one, but in general, I have no use for, say Toby Keith and do not know why anyone who would like him would have any use for the Dixie Chicks.

I also think there's a difference in an artist whose work is mostly visual and an actor or an actress.

Now looking at some of that in an attempt to analyze or understand the world further is another story, but mostly I'm drawn to lefties and am bored by more conservative artists and entertainers. Always have been, always will be.

[Better Believe It]

4. I and my spouse think Adam is the best singer/performer to come out of American Idol

The record company execs and "corporate asshats" didn't discover or promote most of those who built music careers due to their public exposure on American Idol. American Idol gave many talented people an opportunity to promote themselves and display their talents before a huge audience. Without American Idol, most of us, numbering in the many millions, would not have discovered Adam Lambert.

[DatManFromNawlins]

12. Neither one of them deserve to win

Gokey is, by far, going to have the best and longest recording career out of this entire group. The dude has pipes and a recognizable sound that will carry him far.

Here's the thing about the other two: in order to have these big money concerts that give artists longevity, you need to be able to produce decent work in the studio. Lambert fancies himself as too much of an artist to put together the type of albums necessary to drive music tours, and Allen simply isn't all that talented.

[JCMach1]

22. Eeeeeeew... maybe as a christian soft rock singer

:puke:

[Dorian Gray]

23. Gokey?

BORING Gokey?

You're probably right, but the guys chose the most boring songs all season long.

(MHO, of course.)

[Kindigger]

5. The voice of an angel.

O8)

[azmouse]

6. I think both singers are very good and I'll be happy no matter which one wins.

It's silly to read that much into a singing competition.

[Better Believe It]

7. Kris Allen has a nice voice but is boring. Adam brings excitement and originality to the contest

[Orangepeel]

8. Eh. I get that Lambert is non-status quo, but Allen isn't a good ole boy

I watch American Idol and I'm rooting for Adam. But I dispute the description of Kris Allen as a "good ole boy." He's from Arkansas and religious, but he's also good friends with Lambert and he's in the finals because he did a great job folking-up a Kanye West song.

[book_worm]

10. Yeah, Kris Allen doesn't come across as a red neck at all.

Though I like Lambert, he also has had considerable stage experience already which has given him an upper hand. I think he will win though because he is very good.

[Kahuna]

15. Kris is a good kid. He and Adam are very tight. The way Kris hugged Adam

last week, on stage..a prolonged, yet manly hugged proves that Kris isn't personally against Adam in any way. He also let Adam paint his thumbnails blue. Kris is a doll. That said, Adam for the win!!!!!

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cali]

16. please tell me you're kidding.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

19. See above-

He's in trouble, don't worry.

[Fla_Democrat]

17. I didn't know

Jesse Ventura could sing? :shrug:

Ya say they will be on Idol in 2012? Gonna have to set my DVR. :evilgrin:

[Touchdown]

21. First grovelbots, now proclamationbots. What's next?

:shrug:

[droidamus2]

20. I don't know

I don't know about the politics but I really wonder about the people I read on other sites that keep up the 'Adam is too theatrical' meme. Gee, could it be that what they really want to say is he is 'too gay' but can't quite bring themselves to admit their bigots? Yeah, like Bowie, Elton John, Madonna and 1000 other rockers aren't 'too theatric'. Adam not only has the stagecraft to put on a good 'performance' but he has an amazing voice as well. At this point it doesn't really matter the top 2 or 3 always end up with recording contracts anyway.

[Dorian Gray]

24. LOL

I actually agree that he's too theatrical, and it has nothing to do with his being gay.

I think that his stage experience does shine through on AI. (And he has a lot of stage experience.) In a lot of ways, it's really helped him out. He emotes his songs better than any of the other contestants. But there have been songs throughout this season that he's done that I think would be better suited to the stage than to an albumn.

Saying that, he's a great singer, and the theatricality (ala Freddie Mercury) might be what sustains his career. It'll make his concerts really fun.