# American Idol (04/02): WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 3, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109 "2003-04-03T02:40:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![annieclaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@annieclaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annieclaus)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/21 "2003-04-03T14:37:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by evilhomer \* > \*\*I really wish they’d trim the elimination show down to 30 minutes. It’s getting painfully obvious that alot of the stuff that’s being done is time filler only. The first thing to go should be those horrible song and dance routines they do “on location”. Last week was “Mustang Sally”, now “Working at the Car Wash” - bleh. Just tell me who’s staying and who’s going. \*\* FOX is going to milk as much as they can out of their AMERICAN IDOL cash cow! Last week, AMERICAN IDOL (Tuesday) was the #1 prime time show in America. And the Wednesday version was #2. FOX is flying with this show!! If they can sell an hour, the show will be an hour, even though there’s no content to speak of until the last 10 minutes or so. That’s why they had the non-elimination show last night. They need to end the May sweep with the final AMERICAN IDOL episode, so they needed this week to make the number of episodes come out right now that they’ve ousted Corey Clark. They’re not going to risk skipping a week. The momentum must be maintained. That being said, I was totally surprised at the bottom three last night! Well, 2 of the bottom 3. Carmen’s appearance in the dregs did not surprise me at all. And she really did look like she knew she was gonna get axed from the minute she had to step down there. So my question is: How the heck do we know that FOX isn’t pulling our chains, ignoring the phoned in votes and just picking out whoever they think will make the most intriguing bottom three? And are these free phone calls. . . or are people charged for them, leaving the possibility that FOX gets a percentage of the phone charges as profit, too. I put nothing past them! ---
**Author:** ![evilhomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@evilhomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhomer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/22 "2003-04-03T14:45:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by annieclaus \* > \*\*So my question is: How the heck do we know that FOX isn’t pulling our chains, ignoring the phoned in votes and just picking out whoever they think will make the most intriguing bottom three? And are these free phone calls. . . or are people charged for them, leaving the possibility that FOX gets a percentage of the phone charges as profit, too. I put nothing past them! \*\* As far as Fox jerking our chains, I guess there is no way to know for sure. I wish they’d post the actual number of votes each contestant got. As far as the cost of the calls, according to [Idol On Fox](http://www.idolonfox.com): > [@](#): > > **How much does it cost to vote?** > Telephone calls to the American Idol voting lines are toll-free. If you use a wireless phone to call the American Idol voting line, airtime and applicable roaming and long distance charges will apply. Additionally, if you vote using AT&T Text messaging, fees will apply - see Can I Vote by Using my Cell Phone for more details. So at least they’re not making money that way. ---
**Author:** ![Gumbercules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gumbercules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gumbercules)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/23 "2003-04-03T14:48:16Z")
No, the phone calls are free. Mrs. Gumbercules calls and votes several times every week. I have to wonder, though, if they might put more of an emphasis on the AT&T Wireless votes. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/24 "2003-04-03T15:39:22Z")
At least for me, the problem with Kimberly Locke is she always looks so smug standing on stage. She’s got an incredible voice, but from what I see from my living room her personality basically sucks eggs. But I still agree her placement in the bottom three is inexplicable. I think they should get Cedric the Entertainer’s stylist to dress Ruben. He always looks suave and together. ---
**Author:** ![okielady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/fbc32d/32.png) [@okielady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/okielady)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/25 "2003-04-03T16:48:50Z")
IMO, they probably did it because they were in contract for a certain number of weeks. It’s easier to not eliminate anyone due to Corey’s unexpected disqualification than to come up one week short. Simon Cowell isn’t listed as a producer, or a director, or anything else on the imdb, just as a judge. It is his record label that signs the winner, true. But he’s also free to offer a contract to anyone else that he likes; he’s not limited to the winner only. And it would make the most sense to pick the person that the public votes on (that person is already liked enough for the public to vote for him/her, therefore it stands to reason that he/she will sell more music) rather than just who Simon wants. If he wants to sign someone else as well, he’s got the opportunity to offer a contract. No biggie. As far as last night’s show, I thought it was lame. I watched for an hour for nothing. And it was kind of a let down. But I wasn’t disappointed on the bottom 3. Based on Tuesday night’s performances only, ANYONE could’ve gone. There are only 2, maybe 3 contestants who have been consistently good. For the others, it’s just a matter of what order they go in. ---
**Author:** ![Rib\_Eye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Rib\_Eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rib_Eye)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/26 "2003-04-03T16:50:31Z")
Any one catch that tool Ryan Seacrest’s tasteless calling attention to the fire in R.I., all in the name of chastising Randy for inadvertently calling attention to it? I honestly would have never thought of it if it wasn’t for Seacrest’s comment. He almost made a joke of the disaster. ---
**Author:** ![KinSaba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@KinSaba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinSaba)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/27 "2003-04-03T18:04:09Z")
I just checked in for the last ten minutes … and was thinking to myself that it is pretty cruel the way they string it all out before telling them who is going. And then … no one goes? Lame. I am sure it is to perserve their number of shows. But I could do without hearing Carmen sing again. I thought Simon was referring to Ricky - but I could just be projecting my own thoughts. **Fingolfin** - Heart of Glass? 1980 something? By Blondie? Is that disco? ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/28 "2003-04-03T18:22:05Z")
Grrrr… Hockey was on last night when AI should have been on… AI didn’t come on until almost 11:30pm. SOOOO, I stayed awake. For nothing. I’m cranky and blaming Corey for it! **KinSaba** , yeah, the Blondie song. GREAT tune. and yes, it’s considered disco even though it came at the tail end. ---
**Author:** ![KinSaba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@KinSaba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinSaba)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/29 "2003-04-03T18:38:18Z")
Okay. Since I hate disco and I like that Blondie song I must have personally classified it as something else in order to preserve my sense of dignity. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/30 "2003-04-03T19:03:30Z")
My first thought was that Simon was referring to Josh, too. I don’t like Josh much, but I think he’s a better singer than Ricky in general. However, I don’t think Simon’s long-term memory is that long. The gay jokes are getting lame. Okay, they were lame to begin with, but even more so now. > [@](#): > > I’m absolutely baffled as to this week’s voting. It just defies explanation. I can understand Trenyce because of the bad press, and she’s boring and kind of looks like a velociraptor. She does! She really does! I think she’s pretty in an odd way, but she _does_ resemble a dinosaur. > [@](#): > > But Kim Locke was BETTER this week than she was last week, when she wasn’t in the bottom three, and the field was WORSE. So how did she suddenly draw the fans’ ire? Maybe I’m overly cynical, but I’d guess the reason is simple: she weighs too much. Can’t have a woman with a healthy weight as our idol, no no no! I completely miss the appeal of Carmen. I think she’s unattractive as well as by far the worst of the singers left. Her performances in previous nights were actually painful, though she didn’t do that bad this week. At least we got rid of Corey and his painful voice without actually having to listen to him again. However, Ryan Seacrest is now the man I’m most attracted to on the show, which is disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Fingolfin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@Fingolfin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fingolfin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/31 "2003-04-03T19:46:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KinSaba \* > **Fingolfin** - Heart of Glass? 1980 something? By Blondie? Is that disco? \*\* Released in 1979. Promotional video featured Debbie Harry dancing under a disco ball. Yes, it’s disco. Probably the most popular disco hit of all time. The single was such a big hit, it even warranted a party thrown by Andy Warhol at Studio 54! Don’t be afraid to admit you like disco. We all do! Disco is your friend. And dammit, someone should have song the song on American Idol! ---
**Author:** ![SpasticKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@SpasticKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpasticKitty)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/32 "2003-04-03T20:33:24Z")
Has anyone else wondered why Trenyce is the only one that doesn’t use a last name? I think she has a nice voice, but that has always gotten to me for some reason. I’m pulling for Rooooooben and Clay Aiken. I love Reuben’s big teddy bear look, and he did a great job on Tuesday night. And I just think Clay just has an incredible voice. Incredible. He wasn’t at his best on Tuesday, but I remember the first time I saw him sing on one of the semifinal shows. He sang “Open Arms” by Journey, and I swear his voice gave me goosebumps! I’m still pulling for Josh too, even though he gave a crappy performance on Tuesday. I’m almost positive Josh was the one Simon was referring to when he made that comment about who should be in the bottom three last night. I still think he has time to redeem himself, though, and it’s obvious the viewers still like him. ---
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/33 "2003-04-04T02:43:01Z")
Does anyone know if Josh has been called to go to Iraq? Last night he said his “buddies” were over there and all he could do was think of them. Could that be possible that the rest of his troop was called but not him? I felt he had a hard time singing “Celebration” because he has been focusing on the war and if indeed he has buddies over there, it must be quite difficult to sing that song on the show and be happy about it. It seemed he was in a better mood on the elimination show though, of course after he was safe. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/34 "2003-04-04T03:25:48Z")
I hope Reuban wins. That other guy with the spikey hair reminds me of peter pan in a boy asexual sort of way and although he is a very strong singer I dont find his look appealing. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/35 "2003-04-04T03:48:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tanaqui \* > \*\*Maybe I’m overly cynical, but I’d guess the reason is simple: she weighs too much. Can’t have a woman with a healthy weight as our idol, no no no! \*\* Again, though… if that were true, why wasn’t she in the bottom three last week? If people don’t like her, that’s fine, they have their reasons. (She does a poor job selling her personality, too.) But why would you hate her more the week she was better? But as to appearance, I must point out that the fans have generally done a good job NOT choosing people based on appearance. All the hottest chicks in the Final 32 were voted off the show, IMHO. All the best looking guys got the boot, too. A lot of the people chosen by the fans - including Kimberley Locke, I must remind you - do not have popstar looks: Clay Aiken - Looks like one of those troll dolls Ruben Studdard - Obese beyond belief Kim Locke - Overweight Vanessa Olivarez - Freaky Trenyce - Looks like velociraptor Rickey Smith - Looks like Sammy Sosa after six months of a crash diet Charles Grigsby - Looks like chihauhua The two hot blonde chicks left, Kim Caldwell and Carmen Rasmussen, had to make it as judge-picked wild cards. **dreamer,** by “buddies” I am sure Josh meant Marines in general. His unit probably has not been called. I think he’s in a support unit anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/36 "2003-04-04T06:19:21Z")
**RickJay** : Hey now, let’s be fair. Clay does not look like a troll doll. That’s unnecessarily mean of you to say. Clearly, he looks like Alfred E. Neumann, right down to the freakish ears (not missing a front tooth, though). But dammit, can the boy sing. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lodoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@Jeff\_Lodoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lodoen)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/37 "2003-04-04T06:40:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fingolfin \* > \*\*Released in 1979. Promotional video featured Debbie Harry dancing under a disco ball. Yes, it’s disco. Probably the most popular disco hit of all time. The single was such a big hit, it even warranted a party thrown by Andy Warhol at Studio 54! > > Don’t be afraid to admit you like disco. We all do! Disco is your friend. And dammit, someone should have song the song on American Idol! \*\* It was originally a slow reggae song according to their Behind The Music. So people can escape the taint on that one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/38 "2003-04-04T14:59:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > \*\* > Rickey Smith - Looks like Sammy Sosa after six months of a crash diet > \*\* Dude, I’ve been trying to put my finger on what Rickey looks like since the show started and you nailed it 100%. Thanks for the laugh! * * * I didn’t notice if anyone mentioned it already, but it looked to me as though Simon was pissed off at the end of the show when it was announced that everyone was safe; it didn’t seem to me as though he knew it was going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/39 "2003-04-04T15:08:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > **The two hot blonde chicks left, Kim Caldwell and Carmen Rasmussen, had to make it as judge-picked wild cards.** Kim Caldwell, okay, but I can’t see what makes Carmen hot. She has a face like a pug dog. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109/40 "2003-04-04T15:34:26Z")
Based on a close-up of Carmen’s face, I think she’s also wearing a ton of pancake. I could see some blotchiness and bumps on the left side of her chin (where I get spots when I talk on the phone a lot, from holding it with my jaw). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-04-02-wtf/166109.md?page=3)