Idolotry

-After laying off the blog for a bit, I've decided to once again size up the American Idol situation...because, well because I just happen to be one of the 40 million or so Americans who is still fascinated by the whole thing.

If you watched last night's results you may have been as surprized as I was to see this season's most "out there" and amazing performer Adam Lambert show up in the bottom three. In fact, although I don't think it was actually stated by Ryan Seacrest that he was in the bottom two, Adam was in the last two standing before Matt Giraud was sent packing.

Now let's be honest here, if Adam doesn't win the competition this year it won't be because he isn't the most brave, vocally-gifted, and imaginative performer the show has ever seen. Because he is. Those who have visited here regularly over the years know that I was, and still am, a HUGE Chris Daughtry fan. But as talented as Chris is, and was, he just can't do the things vocally that Adam can. I don't know if anybody can. And Daughtry has gone on to become one of America's top recording stars. There have been some vocal superstars come out of the AI tournament, but Adam's range and seeming ability to hit any note, anywhere, anytime is almost beyond belief. And, because of his theatricality, he seems to be destined for a longer, and more profitable, run in Las Vegas than Cher, Celine Dion, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra combined.

So, what is it that landed the Hollywood-based Lambert in the bottom of America's three last night? One has to believe that personal and presentation characteristics are hampering his appeal to the masses. His voice and performance surely aren't.

Lambert is the closest thing to a champion of Bohemianism that supporters could hope to see succeed on this show. I tend to believe that its only because his performances have been consistently off-the-charts amazing, that he's still in the running at this point. Because we all know there is a significant portion of the population that is majorly uncomfortable with anything "boho". Lambert hasn't denied or declared anything about his sexual orientation...at least not to my knowledge. Although, it's easy to do a Google image search and find photos of him kissing other guys. Hard to determine if they're authentic. He also regularly sports a group of friends and family in the AI audience that appear to be highly non-traditional. And his glam outfits and sweeping hairstyles are, no doubt, also uncomfortable to the conservative masses.

So, has America acknowledged that Adam is the front-runner and boycotted the voting because of who he is and what he represents? Or, have his fans just become complacent, a la Daughtry in Season 5, and allowed his support to slip? Whatever it is, now that the competition is down to the final 4, and with Rock Week coming up (guest mentor Slash), Lambert should have a genre' in which he can blow the place apart.

The other fascinating aspect of the competition at this point is that the remaining four competitors-- Lambert, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta-- may be the most talented top four in the history of the show. And, as I've said here before, at this stage it becomes more of a likeability contest than a talent contest. Danny and Kris probably have the mainstream "warm and fuzzy" vote wrapped up. The quirkiness of Allison and Adam no doubt hamper them. If each performs up to his/her ability next week, I expect the voting to turn into a referendum on likeability and talent, but maybe more so America's values. If the playing field is level, and without prejudice, Adam should win as best performer. If not, I believe an unwillingness to accept him as a person will be his doom. How many votes would Elton John get in such a competition if he were in it now, "out" with his values, and wearing all of his whacky get-ups? Something to think about...Sir Elton getting voted off a talent show.

To say the least...interesting....very interesting.