American Idol Rewarding Mediocrity (Kris Allen Is Lame)

I don't even like American Idol*, but last night's results have gotten me fired up. Not because Adam Lambert didn't win (while he's obviously talented, I don't think he's the god that everyone made him out to be), but because America seems to be in love with mediocrity.

Mediocrity in the form of Kris Allen. Kris Allen? The guy with no personality and an average voice?

Kris Allen is vanilla. Soft serve.

He's the guy in college that had no personality but could swoon the ladies because he had a guitar and knew enough chords to play "Free Fallin."

He's the guy who you're friends with, but when someone asks you to describe him, you draw a blank and tell them he's a "real good guy."

If Kris Allen were a TV show, he'd be According To Jim.

If I invited Kris Allen to a dinner party, he'd show up and ask if he can chip in instead of bringing a casserole. Kris Allen brings nothing to the table.

If Kris Allen were a baseball team, he'd be the Baltimore Orioles. Sure, we all know they exist, and they're not that bad, but do we need 'em?

Kris Allen has two first names. And the first one is spelled wrong. That's the only thing I know about him.

And apparently that's the only thing America needed to know.

Thank you for your time,
Dan

*Actually a lie.

Comments

[TishiJo]

Kris Allen has two songs in the top ten in I-Tune Singles Sales ahead of Adam Lambert, David Cook, Kelly Clarkson, and Miley Cyrus!!! Not too lame.
1 Boom Boom Pow Black Eyed Peas
2 No Boundaries Kris Allen
3 Don't Stop Believin' (Glee Cast...Gle­e Cast
4 Waking Up in Vegas Katy Perry
5 Fire Burning Sean Kingston
6 Poker Face Lady Gaga
7I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)...Pi­tbull
8 New Divide Linkin Park
9 Kiss a Girl Keith Urban 1
10 Heartless (American Idol Studio...K­ris Allen

[elephantsneverforget]

And now he has only 1 song in the top 100 on iTunes, that crappy, characterless version of Heartless (a song that isn't that great to begin with) at #58. His music isn't even good enough to capitalize on the huge bump that the AI winner enjoys momentarily- the high sales haven't even lasted more than a couple of weeks.

And, throughout the course of the show, Adam Lambert outsold the other competitors 3 to 1.

Kris is still lame.

[losangelian1]

American mediocrity.

If I wanted to watch karaoke, I'd go to a bar.

[treboi]

I'm so glad someone finally said it! Both of these boys are lame and have little talent. All their jock riders make me want to vomit.

[pyrojen]

Does anyone think that Adam was such a favorite going into the show that a lot of people who would have voted for him didn't, because they figured it was a foregone conclusion? And/or that Kris fans were highly motivated to vote because he was the underdog going in?

Anyway, I don't think it matters in the end. Jennifer Hudson didn't win, and she's now a household name with an Oscar and a Grammy. The show is really about exposure. History will tell the rest.

[dawn2dusk]

tweens and teen girls think Kris Allen is cute, case closed.
Adam will be a star, however, because he didn't win.

[Knowitall]

Actually the girl with the red hair (Hispanic name I can't remember) was the best singer on the stage. The show was over for me when she didn't at least make it to the top 2. Adam is probably as good as he's going to get at 28 and lots of stage experience (he's a bit much for me--over the top), Kris was alright, but certainly not much of a singer, like most of the last few top winners.

On the other hand, the red headed girl was only 16 (turned 17 during the competition). She can only get better. I thought she was outstanding last night when she sang with Cindy Lauper. With the right management and the right music, she could have a hugh career.

[Siobhan11]

Well I guess you never heard the expression - if you don't have anything nice to say .....

[woodcut]

THIS will be Kris in 2011:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETQfuzNGT58

[Colaholic]

Seems like most of the letters i read are split about 50/50, not unusual since the voting is often fairly close. Kris won. It would be nice if Adam's followers were as gracious as he is. And if you didn't spend all four hours voting for Adam, you've got no complaint. Some other reasons Adam didn't win...,
1) He's a stage performer. While his live shows would be great, he might come over just a little strong on the small screen. This happens to many performers.
2) When even Slash is telling you to go easy on the upper register gymnastics, maybe there is a reason. Too much shrieking is a common complaint. Adam too often let his high notes get out of control. He was always at his best when being slightly subdued.
3) AI has always said that they were about giving the undiscovered talent a chance (however different the reality). Singers with a history of recording contracts, etc. don't do well with the AI fans. Think Carly Smithson.
4) Rockers do well on AI, but they don't win.
5) Age. 29 is getting a little old for the typical Idol.
6) After years of Simon saying that someone was too Broadway, they have the most Broadway entertainer of all time, and only once was that commented on and then Simon put it down because he wanted Adam to win. People do listen to the judges. They were just listening to the judges last year.

[JonStewart4President]

Facts get in the way of making points sometimes, don't they? Here are some truths about your lack of fact "points."

Adam started the show at 27, and is now 28.

Adam's videos are top sellars on the iTunes charts. Talk about small screen. So seems that some have no problems with his peformances translating.

Kris made albums, while Adam did not. So wouldn't that mean that HE was the more "professional," one? Undiscovered means just that. Adam wasn't discovered before AI, because otherwise people would ya know, know of him. But they didn't. So he was just as undiscovered as Kris was. Just differently so.

Slash wants Adam to work with him on his upcoming album, so gee, not such a problem with Adam's register.

A rocker won last year, David Cook ringing any bells?

[Tagrid]

nice try lol

Adam started the show at 26, on Jan 29 he turned 27.

True that Kris made albums, and Adam didn't - it should also be pointed out that altho Adam performed live in musical theaters and sang in cabarets, which were sometimes filmed or recorded for posterity, he never made a recording in a studio.

Also, ALL of the finalists were "professionals" to some degree. Many had tried recording. Nearly all had performed in some venue where they got paid. Danny was the music director at his church - a paid postion. Allison had won a singing contest with a cash prize and record deal that apparently fell through. Anoop was a regular on some TV show in NC. None of them just decided they like to sing so they were gonna try out for AI.

FYI - AI's only requirement (regarding professionalism) is contestants aren't allowed to have a CURRENT recording contract, or have current professional representation. They have to be free to sign the AI/19 Entertainment Release before being allowed to audition, and free to sign the open-ended AI/19 E Contract in order to be allowed to go to Hollywood.

[pyrojen]

"He was always at his best when being slightly subdued." Agreed. I was SO HAPPY that he knew of and performed that cover of "Mad World" -- a beautiful song which was just PERFECT for him.

[MsEngineer]

50/50? Where are you getting that from? Most of the blogs, articles and comments I have seen are wondering how in the world Mr. Plain Jane won the thing. Got any real statistical analysis to prove your 50/50 thing?

[marybeth3423948302]

You know nothing.

[LMPE]

"American Idol" doesn't reward mediocrity. It IS mediocrity.

[TishiJo]

Just because Adam's voice power and range are superior to any pop singer out there, doesn’t make Kris Allen mediocre! Kris Allen is hot, in no way, vanilla! He is a talented musician, and demonstrated much artistry and creativity in every category of music required on Idol. He has a dreamy voice that will sell music to women, young and old. He was required to sing two songs on the finale and the week before to promote Kara, the writer's music, both a bad choice for Kris. The question is who does America want for its idol? Who do parents want their young teenagers following? I don’t think it is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-wJH480svE As for the voting, Kris and Adam fans had four hours to vote as many times as possible in that amount of time.
Your analogies about Chris Allen are LAME. You dont know him, and since you dont like Idol, you certainly didnt watch all season so cannot judge Chris' overall performance.

[treboi]

That's just it boo, neither Kris or Adam have voice power or range...th­e fact that you think either of them did shows u really don't know music. Keep living in your fake bubble gum pop world...

[elephantsneverforget]

really, adam lacks "power and range"?

you do realize that the likes of Slash, Emmy Rossum, Brian May, and several other singers and musicians noted for their considerable talents disagree with that statement? Hearing him in person will also disprove such claims. He doesn't even need the microphone most of the time.

[Karen Williams]

I find Dan's article, blog, insulting. To post an insulting claim that Kris is mediocre not only insults a talented young man but also insults all of the voting fans. Kris won American Idol because he is a very talented musician, with a beautiful voice, music arranging talents, heart striking moving balladry, good looks, and a wonderful musical performer. Adam will succeed on his own without having won American Idol. Both finalists are hugely talented. I wish both of them many years ahead filled with success and happiness.

[gaja]

Thank you - I totally agree!

[MIMom]

Bingo.

In the end, who really cares? Buy the albums you want, cancel anytime.

[singlemalt]

AT&T is denying that 38 millions votes came from Arkansas. (when you think about it, that number compared against the total votes did seem to defy logic.

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/station-retracts-report-arkansas-cast-38-million-american-idol-votes-9016.php

[Startreklivz]

people can vote multiple times on Idol, by calling multiple times, or calling & texting. Hence 100,000,000 votes when somewhere around 24,000,000 watched (according to Nielsen).

[singlemalt]

So, Arkansas, if the story was accurate, would have accounted for over 1/3 of the total vote?---or course, my math sucks).
Still seems unlikely. In any case, the story is false.

[spiderbucket]

American Idol is the very definition of mediocre.

[righttospeak]

It is not about medeiocraty, but about the votes. The voice of the people.

It is NOT about "homophobia", it is about each person's right to express their own voice EVEN if it differs from someone else.

True tolerance is understanding that ALL have the right to believe in what they want to believe and respecting it.

So I hope that these comments of mine are allowed to be posted....­.(guess we will see?)

[Vicki Erickson]

Two words - Taylor Hicks. This country is full of idiots who like middle-of-the-road radio pap like Kris Allen. I predict he will go nowhere. Adam Lambert is a star in the making; one of the best singers ever.

[gaja]

Too bad Adam's fans lack the class that Adam and Kris have in SPADES. You don't have to tear down one singer to prop another up. Both Adam and Kris realize that the "crown" of American Idol "winner" is completely meaningless compared to all the exposure time both received on the show for weeks on end. They BOTH have strong fan bases, and will BOTH be successful. Did you ever think maybe Simon constantly going on tv and radio and TELLING people that Taylor Hicks isn't good might have an effect?? Can you honestly say that there's a measurable difference between Leona Lewis (who Simon hails as the best singer in the last 20 years!!) and Taylor?? It's pop. It's not Mozart!

Simon Cowell is a complete IDIOT for on the one hand, using his conglomerate and marketing MACHINE to promote Kris but on the other hand, speaking on the radio and in various talk shows and backhandedly trying to claim that Kris was not completely worthy of the win. The bigger issue is not the mediocrity of the singers - it's the fact that 19E yet again tried and FAILED miserably to prop up their anointed winner weeks ago and now are sulking about it.