Elton John calls 'American Idol' voters racist

[TheFreak]

SIR ELTON BRANDS AMERICAN IDOL VOTERS 'INCREDIBLY RACIST' (http://www.nme.com/news/story.htm?ID=108331)


SIR ELTON JOHN has branded the public vote for TV musical talent show 'AMERICAN IDOL' "incredibly racist".

The star's comments came after the shock exit of black vocalist Jennifer Hudson, who was one of the favourites to win the talent contest.

Sir Elton said at a news conference yesterday (April 28): "The three people I was really impressed with, and they just happened to be black, young female singers. And they all seem to be landing in the bottom three.

"The fact that they're constantly in the bottom three - and I don't want to set myself up here - but I find it incredibly racist."

Programme makers Fox Television declined to comment.

Sir Elton, who was a guest judge on the show earlier this month, said Hudson, La Toya London and Fantasia Barrino all had " great voices".

The show eliminates the contestant who gets the fewest votes each week.

Black singer Ruben Studdard won 'American Idol' last year.

[RocketFan007]

"...and I don't want to set myself up here - but I find it incredibly racist."

Too late.

[fadeaway]

Hey, I agree with him. Last week's result was absolutely shocking. Tonight's show will be interesting.

[Jeff]

What I found hilarious is how they kept saying in news reports "the credibility of the show could be damaged." WHAT CREDIBILITY??? It's a show that produces manufactured pop singers who are destined to make a couple of records and fade into obscurity.

The show had no credibility to begin with. Their best export has been William Hung and he got laughed off the show!

[mrpaige]

Americans notoriously have bad taste, why shouldn't that extend to picking their American Idols?

Personally, I don't understand this whole, "They don't agree with my subjective taste, so they must be racist."

It's often been the case that the most popular artists are not considered by critics or by other artists to be the best at what they do. I don't know why a phone-in show would be any different.

It may well be racism (even subconsious racism), but it may be that people just like other people better, either based on their singing styles (if you ask me, Jessica Simpson is a horrible pop star. She's got vocal ability, but she's not a singer I'd vote for if given the choice to vote because the way she sings annoys me. Does that make me biased against stupid white girls?) or some other subjective category that makes people like someone better than someone else.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by Jeff
What I found hilarious is how they kept saying in news reports "the credibility of the show could be damaged." WHAT CREDIBILITY??? It's a show that produces manufactured pop singers who are destined to make a couple of records and fade into obscurity.

The show had no credibility to begin with. Their best export has been William Hung and he got laughed off the show!

could not agree more!!

and when you think about the real talent out there playing in bars...trying to get picked up on artistic ability...it's sad.

[RocketManJosh]

Originally posted by fadeaway
Hey, I agree with him. Last week's result was absolutely shocking. Tonight's show will be interesting.

This is retarded ... and the way American Idol votes off contestants is retarded. If you set it up where you have to vote FOR who you want to stay then you have to vote for like 5 or 6 people if you want them to stay.

They should be having you vote AGAINST someone to have them kicked off. That way the worst person should/would go every time. I guarantee the reason those three girls were in the bottom is because everyone thought they were safe, while the other 3 that sucked had all the people voting for them because they knew they were on the bubble.

American Idol created its own mess ... I don't know how you can say this is racism with a straight face.

[JPM0016]

damn those millions of racist teenagers

The notion that the voting is racist really is laughable. Who cares anyway... i'm willing to bet Kelly Clarkson's next cd doesn't go platinum.

[Master Baiter]

Originally posted by JPM0016
The notion that the voting is racist really is laughable. Who cares anyway... i'm willing to bet Kelly Clarkson's next cd doesn't go platinum.
I know I will probably get blasted for this but I have watched the vast majority of all three seasons. I'm married so back off. Kelly Clarkson, no matter what crap they make her put out, has a ton of talent. She could put out quality music if they didnt try to mold her into every other pop artist. I may be biased since she is from Texas and I want to do her in the pooper but so be it.

[ima_drummer2k]

That show is still on?

I quit watching after William Hung left.

[DanzelKun]

I like how they throw in the "Black singer Ruben Studdard won 'American Idol' last year," at the end there. Kind of like calling him a dumbass, but with just a touch of subtlety.

[Mr. Clutch]

Well the white guy got kicked off today, I wonder if he will issue a retraction.

[fadeaway]

Originally posted by Mr. Clutch
Well the white guy got kicked off today, I wonder if he will issue a retraction.

He should have been gone weeks ago. They finally got one right.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

Originally posted by DanzelKun
I like how they throw in the "Black singer Ruben Studdard won 'American Idol' last year," at the end there. Kind of like calling him a dumbass, but with just a touch of subtlety.

I noticed that too :D i thought it was funny

[JeffB]

Originally posted by DanzelKun
I like how they throw in the "Black singer Ruben Studdard won 'American Idol' last year," at the end there. Kind of like calling him a dumbass, but with just a touch of subtlety.
Wasn't there a controversy last season over Ruben beating Clay Aiken? (I'm too lazy right now to google up some links.) There were all sorts of accusations being made that the show rigged the voting so the black guy could win since "black music" is/was selling so well. I know there was also confusion over the vote final vote count. But, anyway, there is no point mentioning Ruben without mentioning that race was also a factor in the Ruben vs. Clay rabble-rousing last season, only that time it was the white guy thought to be getting screwed.

[mateo]

Next week, Bono accuses "Sydney Bristow" of Alias of violating the Geneva Convention........

Holy crap, its just TV, SIR ELTON.......

[mrpaige]

I was reading one critic who deflected the notion of Ruben winning last year as proof that the show's voters aren't racist by saying that Ruben isn't black.

And this was a serious argument.

[AntiSonic]

Originally posted by ima_drummer2k
That show is still on?


Right!?

What is it, a year-round show?

[Roc Paint]

reality t.v. is a joke

[RocketMan Tex]

Originally posted by Jeff
What I found hilarious is how they kept saying in news reports "the credibility of the show could be damaged." WHAT CREDIBILITY??? It's a show that produces manufactured pop singers who are destined to make a couple of records and fade into obscurity.

The show had no credibility to begin with. Their best export has been William Hung and he got laughed off the show!

RIGHT ON!

Bravo, Jeff!

[Another Brother]

I think American Idol has credibility within itself, 40 million viewers kinda validates them. There are some really talented performers on that show and some fakers. The judges, especially Simon, put the "reality" in the program.

I like the show but I do think it is a popularity contest not a talent competition. Biased? Yes. Racist? I don't think so.

[RocketMan Tex]

I wouldn't call American Idol voters racist.

I'd call them losers who have no freaking life and have to watch a piece of crap "reality" television show in order to have something to talk about.

[Master Baiter]

Originally posted by Another Brother
I like the show but I do think it is a popularity contest not a talent competition. Biased? Yes. Racist? I don't think so.
If AB says that it isnt racist then thats good enough for this guy. :D :D

[Surfguy]

Finally, that dumb arse red head with the harry conick jr voice is gone! That guy was unbearable. Sinatra he isn't.

[pgabriel]

It's a popularity contest. It's like watching a basketball game and at the end no matter who won according to the score, the audience gets to decide the winner.

[Trader_Jorge]

It really is not like judging the outcome of a basketball game. A basketball game's outcome is highly quantifiable. You can measure it objectively by counting the number of times the ball goes through the hoop. Music is much different. This is a very subjective evaluation process. With subjectivity comes disagreement. If people moan and groan loud enough, the entire process is thrown into question and the show does in fact lose credibility, as we have recently seen. Ah, the destructive power of the vocal voting minority.

[giddyup]

Fantasia Burrino (local gal) for President!

[fadeaway]

Originally posted by RocketMan Tex
I'd call them losers who have no freaking life and have to watch a piece of crap "reality" television show in order to have something to talk about.

And I would call you and your kind ignorant jerks who have to insult other people to make themselves feel superior, but really just come off looking obnoxious.

God, I hate condescending snobs like this. :rolleyes:

[Master Baiter]

Originally posted by fadeaway
And I would call you and your kind ignorant jerks who have to insult other people to make themselves feel superior, but really just come off looking obnoxious.

God, I hate condescending snobs like this. :rolleyes:
Agreed. I just didnt think that it was worth my time to say it.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally posted by Master Baiter
Agreed. I just didnt think that it was worth my time to say it.

I second your seconding.

Why is everyone bashing this show? The contestants are pretty talented. In my opinion, it gives talented people a chance to actually succeed in a world of fake pop stars like Britney Spears. These guys actually have talent, but not the image and looks to get a record deal handed to them.

[Austin70]

I watch the show, the first few weeks when they have all of those William Hung wannabees, that is funny. After that I stop watching.

[ima_drummer2k]

Yeah, me too. Once they get rid of all the losers, the show loses its appeal to me.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by Trader_Jorge
It really is not like judging the outcome of a basketball game. A basketball game's outcome is highly quantifiable. You can measure it objectively by counting the number of times the ball goes through the hoop. Music is much different. This is a very subjective evaluation process. With subjectivity comes disagreement. If people moan and groan loud enough, the entire process is thrown into question and the show does in fact lose credibility, as we have recently seen. Ah, the destructive power of the vocal voting minority.

You're right, music is subjective, but the point I was trying to make is that it's not completely about talent. And really I don't have a problem with that because that's the whole point of the show. It's about making pop stars.

[GladiatoRowdy]

My wife and I have watched al three seasons and have enjoyed them. There are some people who are far more talented than some of the crappy singers out there these days and AI does a pretty good job of showing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the contestants.

Anyone who saw Kelly Clarkson's rendition of "Stuff Like That There" in season 1 would never even consider arguing that she is devoid of talent.