Don’t worry Kris Lovin’ Ladies, I PROMISE that I will eventually get around to giving Kris some well-deserved dap but the Feeler has been put back into the corner and Mr. Objectivity has been put back in charge as a way of working through my grief.
First, let’s deal with the story first reported by a Fox affiliate in Arkansas that ATT claimed 38 million votes in that state were cast for Kris. 38% of the votes cast by 1% of the national population. ATT has since claimed “erroneous data” had been given out and can neither confirm or deny any voting results. Putting aside what clearly is an in-house spat between Fox and one of their major sponsors, the governor of the state has proudly boasted of the success of his get-out-the-vote campaign. Truth, angry rumors or conspiracy theory? Who knows? Maybe Kris is the American Idol or maybe he’s just the Arkansas Idol.
Indeed, Kris won the popular vote among Idol voters. But who has made a bigger impact on the American psyche? Here are some real, verifiable facts:
Google Adam Lambert, excluding Kris or Allen – 12m hits
Google Kris Allen, excluding Adam or Lambert – 9.4m hits
Google News Adam Lambert, excluding Kris or Allen – 429 hits
Google News Kris Allen, excluding Adam or Lambert – 223 hits
Adam’s Myspace 960,000 views; 2760 friends
Kris’ Myspace 433,000 views; 1817 friends
Adam’s Facebook 206,000 fans
Kris’ Facebook 88,000 (according to PageData)
In the real-not-the-American Idol-TV-show world, winning the show isn’t much different than winning an election primary. It’s not who sends text messages or dials 866-436-57xx a gazillion times for their favorite (hey, I voted for Adam around a dozen times) that matter. Rather, it’s who actually spends dollars after the contest that matters. That’s the real election. Kris’ devoted fans may vote multiple times but they each won’t buy 40 albums.
To wit, some more numbers:
Idol Winners Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Taylor Hicks album sales: 5.8m
Idol “Losers” Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson, Daughtry album sales: 12.4m plus a Grammy and Oscar for Jennifer.
So, a little perspective on our maddening TV show is in order. Kris won a particular popular vote but is not the most popular as measured by who has the larger social network that “idolizes” him, not to mention that Adam has much greater media interest. Adam lost the Idol text/phone vote but has a support base and media attention that may generate Aiken-Hudson-Daughtry-like sales.
Part of me hates the fact that you can vote multiple times because it does obscure who is really the most “popular”. But it does make for good TV. Would we still be rabid fans – or would the show even exist – if it was one vote per? Or if the Vote for the Worst website didn't exist? The genius of the show is it's ability to consistently generate such overdone emotions and responses over who or what you like or don't like. It is brilliant and it is fun - and my favorites NEVER win!
OK, I am done “bashing” Kris. The competitor and music critic in me hates to lose. The data makes me feel a lot better. As I move to the Acceptance stage of grief, I PROMISE to give Kris – and Adam – their deserved propers in the next post.
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2 comments:
Great post, Ray. I'm still in shock over the results. It will be very interesting to see/hear the first records from both Kris and Adam. While, Adam is clearly the better vocalist, I wonder if his record will have the same mass appeal. I think it will be very dependent on what style and genre he goes with. We know Kris will be very mainstream and radio-ish....(where ice for all meals is often welcomed)
good post.
Now pay off the Kris Lovin' Ladies.
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