Snark isn't dead -- just ask a Pop Lifer

Well, America has crowned its 8th Idol. The rabidly rapid thumbs of tweens, soccer moms, good old fashioned Christian folk voted for the 23 year old married boy from ... some state that isn't California or Florida. What's his name? I already forgot it. My pick from the auditions was Adam Lambert. I hoped Danny Gokey would have brought new game, but he bored me to death only to awaken me with the guttural growl-howl.

See, Adam Lambert possesses that je ne sais quoi that theatre people dig. He proved that he could be the balladeer as well as the Steven Tyleresque rock wailer. I'm not comparing him to rock gods like Steven and surely not Freddie Mercury. Molds were broken when those men were created. However, along the same vein, I believe Glambert will etch himself in similar "rock."

Kris Allen (see, I do remember his name, but I wouldn't had he not wooed the fastest texters in the west.) Kris is mister middle of the road. He's a good kid with a good heart and, gosh darn it! people just think he's the cat's pajamas! He's safe. God forbid we let someone with a little edge to them win such an institution as American Idol. Kris has the edginess of a round rubber ball with an Elmo image printed on it.

American Idol isn't solely about talent. It's about how fast you can dial or text. The producers of the show along with the judges made it too obvious they wanted to push Adam to the finale. He would have made it that far regardless of their persistent pushing. Adam knows stage production. I keep hearing people complaining that Kris got the shopper's value of production when he performed, but Adam got flames, smoke, blue lit staircase and hellacool shiny suits. I'm curious about how much control the performer has over those nuances. Kris's experience is that of a faith leader in his church and playing for small venues (that probably don't allow smoking or booze). Kris was one mellow dude and he was comfortable in his jeans and plaid Okie shirts.

My point is that the men have entirely different styles. I can't imagine Kris strutting down a staircase back lit in bright orange while singing "Apologize."

In the finale, Kris performed with someone who had a similar acoustic guitar strumming style: Keith Urban. I thought it a fine duet that complimented Kris ... he seemed to really get a kick out of it. People are screaming FOUL!! in the face make-up of KISS. Can you imagine Kris singing with the likes of KISS, Aerosmith, Motley Crue or Katy Perry? Heck no. I can't fathom Adam singing a yee-haw good time song with Randy Travis, Rascal Flatts or Jack Johnson, either.

Adam stated in an interview with Charley Belcher of Good Day Tampa Bay (FOX) that those boots he wore on stage with KISS were his own. The guy is a stage monster.

So, I'm too lazy to do the homework. As I stated earlier I am curious about how much production control the kids have on their performances. They are allowed to change the arrangements. Therefore, it seems fitting that they have a lot of say on lighting, costuming, hair, etc...



With that all being said, I am relieved with a touch of sadness that Season 8 of American Idol is over. I had a great time blogging live with my 'net friends over on Sean Daly's Pop Life. I don't know what next season will bring, but I can guarantee that if you stop by Sean's blog on any given day of the week, you'll see my name highlighted in the comment area. It's not all about Tampa Bay. Sean isn't just about music. His blog encompasses all things pop culture. Dig it, baby!

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Pop Lifers who gave snark and laughter to my Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Much love to Sean Daly who hosted. In addition to Sean as hosts, I give a hearty hand to someone known only as "The Agent," Stephanie Hayes, and Steve Spears for lending support on the nights Sean had to woefully cover a concert or joyfully spend time with his lovely ladies at the Daly manse.

Pop Lifers who gave Pop Life its heartbeat:
Sparky
Starfish
JillyBean (my vote for most vibrant newbie)
Jeff in Cuba (he created a quiz on Facebook to find out which Pop Lifer you are most like.)
PiScene (mysterious, alluring and funny as hell ...also a newbie)

with occasional drop ins from special guests:
Bassnote
Douglas Arthur
Lee
Lauren
Idol Watcher

and I would be remiss to forget our foreign correspondent in Lisbon:
Miguel (he's all kinds of cute and sexy)

Once in awhile someone would drop in using a pseudonym and leave a riotously funny quip and never show again.

You might think we're all crazy losers with nothing better to do, but it goes deeper than that. No, it's not like we're planning vacations together and sending each other Christmas Cards with family photos. We'r'e not even planning world domination -- or are we? We are a nifty group of people that can disagree, poke fun at one another and in the end feel all warm and fuzzy for having had the experience.

There are nasty rumors that snark is dead. Heh. Silly people. Snark is just another way of saying, "I love you ... don' t quit your day job."

In a final note, if I read (or hear) the words "AMERICA GOT IT RIGHT" in regards to Kris Allen winning American Idol Season 8, I am going to punch them right in the kisser. Put that passion into your next election that matters, doucheyfaces. Hmmph.

Comments

  1. I am so with you on this. I can't count the number of Tweets after the finals that either blatently or danced around Adam's sexual orientation. Frequently it was an eye-liner or emo-style comments, but in the end, it was good old southern boy next door vs. everything the prudish puritans in this country can't stand.

    Still Kris would have looked like a beached fish flopping madly had he had to front Kiss. Yea, he was up there with Queen, but Adam was on a different level. I could believe him with a big stadium rock band. I couldn't by Kris.

    On the other hand as most people have eludded to, Adam got the better end of the deal. He will be relevant rather than what they've done with Cook, Hicks, and others. I'll puke if I hear another slow David Cook song. Let the kid rock.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Okay ... ready for the monkeyshines? Good ... 'cause here they come.

    I love to write stuff. It's one of the reason's my crank got turned by doing my CliqueClack gig.

    But ... that's just it. It's writing. Sometimes even on a subject that I have a passing interest in or one where I have a modicum of intelligence about. (Still trying to come up with a hint of whizdumb on a subject I'm good at.) There's no need for personal attacks just 'cause someone's throwing a view point out there on a television show. Would that those folks would put a bit of effort into something they're passionate about and not just who won or lost on American Idol.

    For me, Adam Lambert is not my cup of tea. He doesn't gripe my cookies, either. He is what he is, screams and all. The dude has chops and he can hold a note. That's a given. To say Ameri .... (hmmm .... scratch that. Better use a few letters instead, lest someone goes "postal".) To say AGIR with Kris Allen walking away with the top spot on the show is so full of vagaries it's as if a fog set in. There's no "right", there's just a contingent of people that voted one way and overpowered that vote, effectively taking it away from another. Really, that's all there is to it.

    (continued below)

    ReplyDelete
  3. (continued from above. Whatta blowhard)

    Kris Allen didn't deserve to win American Idol any more so than Adam Lambert .... or Danny Gokey for that matter. It all came down to the numbers.

    Lambert will not only do fine in his endeavors, he will thrive beyond expectation, I predict. By coming in runner up, he is not tied to certain aspects of The Fox Juggernaut that would otherwise have him wallow in the same muck Taylor Hicks did with his choade of an album release post Idol win. That's what it's all about (< clap, clap >), folks.

    You hit the nail on the head, M, at stating "American Idol isn't solely about talent. It's about how fast you can dial or text." That's a huge part of it. Other pieces of the puzzle were things like Adam pompously being put on the cover of Entertainment Weekly (Wow!) and the judges fawning over him day in and day out, stating he was a lock to win this thing. (They didn't say that in so many words, but they certainly were bent that direction.) You don't think that contributed to a certain aspect of the voting public dialing and punching their say Kris Allen's way? If not, you need to check your sorrow at the door and come to grips with that fact, Bubba. It's a reality. But that's okay. It's what makes for good drama.

    One of the coolest things I know is one of the things I have no control over. And that's a commenting public. In so writing about Idol and my opinions - and that's all they were: opinions - I was attacked viciously. I was called "a hater". I was lambasted nine ways to Sunday. I was asked if I was still 12 years of age. I love that. I love it when someone who doesn't know me thinks they're engaging in a conversation or a battle of minds and all they're really doing is making a jackass of themselves.

    When I wrote my piece Why Adam Lambert Will Not Win American Idol back at the beginning of May, I did so without attacking the guy personally. It's was a simple matter of preference. Funny thing is, some folks just don't understand the difference. Some just don't know how to agree to disagree and have a mutual understanding on how to conduct themselves in that manner.

    I had a "conversation" with a good internet friend just yesterday. The conversation was such that he had his opinion and I had mine and neither of us were going to budge. He felt one way, tried to convince me otherwise and I wasn't buying what he was selling. Did I get on my belly and shout "hater" at him for his negligence? No. Did I call him inappropriate names? Nope. Did I skewer his character? Nuh-uh. I just called him feisty and told him I loved him.

    Commenters. You can't live without'em and you can't shoot'em. Go figger.

    Oh. Look. There wasn't any of them monkeyshines I threatened way up there at the beginning after all. Silly me.

    ................... Ruprecht

    ReplyDelete
  4. OK, it's working again. I'm happy to be back to Sweet Home.

    I'm no Idol authority, but I really thought Adam was going to win.

    Have a Great Holiday Weekend--you & Mancub!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well said! As you know I'm not that into Idol, but followed it this season mostly because of Charley and work. But to anyone calling foul-- HELLO!!! any vote that allows you to vote more than once is what it is people!

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  6. `MANEATER` Lifetime Mini~Series
    Friday, May 30 & 31st 8 pm
    based on Gigi's book

    I liked the book. This might be good.

    http://www.icelebz.com/gossips/tv/sarah_chalke_will_star_in_lifetime_miniseries_maneater_/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't think that link worked:


    Sarah Chalke Will Star In Lifetime Miniseries "Maneater"

    "Scrubs" star Sarah Chalke will star in a new four-hour Lifetime Original miniseries called "Maneater."

    The series is based on Gigi Levangie Grazer's New York Times No. 1 Best-Selling book of the same name and will be directed by Timothy Busfield.

    The movie is about a glamorous Hollywood social climber who finally meets her match.

    Chalke plays a shallow socialite whose speed dial is a veritable Rolodex of Hollywood power players.

    Staring her 32nd birthday directly in the eyes, the spoiled daddy's girl is in a panic because she is still single.

    With the help of her family and friends, Clarissa sets into motion an elaborate plan to lasso a dashing filmmaker who will, she hopes, be the man to put a ring on her finger.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those boots were his own? Awesome. I do love Adam, but I also liked Kris. The theatre girl in me is always attracted to over-the-top theatrical guys.

    ReplyDelete

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