Is This Show Really About Talent?
VS. 
Melinda Doolittle and Taylor Hicks…. What could they have in common?
Aside from the obvious fact that they have both appeared on American Idol, what does the reigning Idol have in common with this season’s forerunner?
Talent? Yes. Likability? Yes. Humilty? Yes, yes, yes. Get to the point!
Since the finale, I’ve been wondering why people voted for Taylor Hicks. I loved him. I thought he was fantastic and if you really want to know, I did want him to win. I haven’t bought his album but before you judge me, I would like to point out that, if his record sales are any indication, most of the people who voted for Taylor, did not buy it either.
Why?
Being talented does not necessarily translate into success. Isn’t that sick and more than a little bit sad? Carrie Underwood was able to channel her style and voice into the stream where it belongs - country. She was one of the lucky ones (yes, Ruben and friends, I’m talking to you).
Where do singers like Taylor and Melinda belong? I’d love to read posts about this. BE HONEST. Do you believe that Melinda is going to be right for the songs that have made Idol’s more popular winners and losers, well… popular? Should she have to fit the mold? Of course not. I doubt many could deny she’s one of, if not THE, best on the show this season. But isn’t this about launching people’s careers rather than setting them up for failure?
My question is, do voters really want the best singer to win and if so, why don’t they buy their music (Taylor, Ruben, Fantasia…)? Is Blake, who seems to be original and able to modify arrangements, dance and be versatile, a better choice? What about the others? TELL ME!!! I want to know!
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Albums, American Idol 6, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, Thinking Idol
9 opinions for Is This Show Really About Talent?
Melanie
Apr 4, 2007 at 3:49 am
Music is music and Taylor’s cd is one of the best. You should really check it out.As far as sales go, they are not too bad at all considering he sings a type of music that doesn’t fit nicely in a box.
TallFreak
Apr 4, 2007 at 6:38 am
You’re absolutely right. Younger adults/teens didn’t buy Taylor Hicks CD because his music doesn’t appeal to them. I love Melinda but I don’t think her CD would sell well unless there are a bunch of young Gladys Knight fans out there. And we all know that isn’t the case. I think Blake would sell more CD’s than anyone else this season even if he doesn’t win. Kinda like Daughtry did for last season.
Being Myself
Apr 4, 2007 at 8:09 am
Jeanne:
Why don’t people like yourself, and all the bloggers, and self-proclaimed music critics, and the self-serving, repetitive media hounds get your heads out of the sand.
Anybody with common sense knows that Taylor was the MOST POPULAR contestant last season, and the public voted for him because he has the “whole package”. The problem lies in the fact that “the powers that be” of American Idol hate the fact that he was/is MORE popular than their ‘chosen one’ Chris Daughtry (who, by the way, placed fourth)
So what do they do (according to the revealing “buzz” out there in cyber-land) they pump Daughtry up with ‘radio payola’ (pay for play, which is illlegal), and I heard it through the grapevine that his CD sales numbers were inflated through a scheme similar to the one perpetrated by Jay-Z’s record label; check out this link:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/12/08/195632.php
All this hub-bub about Taylor’s sales, and how Chris is doing much better, is a lot of hog wash; and it makes perfect sense to me now that I see how a scam can be concocted. It’s merely a plan to bring Taylor down, and it seems everyone is so quick to jump on the bandwagon without doing their homework. If Chris were that popular, he would have won; THINK ABOUT THAT! There’s no way he could turn around and sell millions of CD’s in that short of time without a little (or probably A LOT) of help from his friends at American Idol.
They set him up:
CD Sales Inflated #’s
Radio Payola (Pay for Play)
Video on VH1
American Idol Swan Song (”Home”)
It’s was all a master plan, while they dumped on Taylor through the media with false rumors, innuendos, and even slammed him on their own show (especially Simon Cowell) who, by the way, has publically stated that he “can’t stand Taylor”.
If that doesn’t tell you something, then all you people, who keep this “under-cover sabotage of Taylor Hicks career” afloat by asking over and over the same questions: why isn’t Taylor’s CD selling? Should he have won? Get your heads out of the sand: DO YOUR HOMEWORK…it’s a SCAM!
Jeanne
Apr 4, 2007 at 8:24 am
Being yourself,
This is the kind of post I was hoping someone would write. Passionate. I like a lot of music but don’t buy the CD. Taylor is an example and I am glad that I am not the only one asking the question. I said I wanted him to win. I am just wondering why more fans didn’t go out and buy his CD. Part of it, I think, is the crappy songs they give some Idol winners. Plus, if audiences really wanted talent (like Taylor Hicks) would Hilary Duff and Britney Spears have careers at all?
The Jay-Z comparison is an interesting one and certainly possible - I didn’t buy a Chris Daughtry CD either. I wouldn’t discount a good conspiracy theory if it made sense. I love them!
One last point, you said that if Chris Daughtry was that popular, he would have won. What about Jennifer Hudson? Audiences ate her up with a spoon in Dreamgirls and all of a sudden, she’s America’s darling. I don’t think inflated ticket sales are responsible for this “loser” being a winner.
Being Myself
Apr 4, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Jeanne:
With all due respect, Ms. Jennifer Hudson came by her fate in Dreamgirls “legally” (meaning: she tried out, and WON the spot - she was the BEST out of all, or they wouldn’t have picked her) much like Taylor Hicks WON because the public felt he was the BEST of all, and picked him for their winner.
Everyone has their favorite contestant on American Idol, but anyone with half a brain knows that to be in the “Top 10″ is an accomplishment, and that those contestants obviously can sing…SO, anything is possible AFTER their Idol run…we’re talking about Season Three, Jennifer placed seventh, but she kept at it, and hit pay dirt (good on her) I think she earned it, unlike #4 of Season Five.
This is not a bashing of Chris Daughtry, I have nothing against him personally, but, according to the public’s votes, he didn’t EARN the right to be treated as the winner and have all the backing and support of the music industry.
Oh…and speaking of audiences, you need to get yourself to the nearest Taylor Hicks concert; he’s currently on tour, and believe me his ticket sales are not inflated…the venues where he’s singing have been SOLD-OUT, night after night since February. He was in Chicago last week; check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiGTtvCrzLY
He was recently in Boston; check out this review; the media is starting to get it!
http://theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNews/view.bg?articleid=192748
I say: America Got It Right!
Taylor is very talented
Jeanne
Apr 4, 2007 at 8:44 pm
I think you misunderstood what I said about Jennifer Hudson. Just like tonight, I cried when Jennifer left and I thought Simon was ridiculously cruel to her. I think America got this very wrong.
I think you feel about Chris Daughtry how I felt about Clay Aiken or even Katharine McPhee. I do think certain contestants get more “groomed.” Do you know what I mean.
I think Taylor was the rightful winner. I’m just wondering what’s wrong here. With people like Sanjaya and Carmen Rasmussen (remember her?) being pushed along, where are the priorities?
Don’t you think that some of the Idols have gotten worse songs than the others? I mean, McPhee has signed with the same record label but she got a lot more bells and whistles. I’m in Canada, so maybe I’m not seeing the whole picture but I didn’t see much promotion for Taylor’s album. It’s wrong and I don’t understand. Fans like you show me that this is far more complicated and possibly political?
I wish I could get to a Taylor concert. He was the sexiest Idol, in my opinion. :) Thanks for the links.
Gerri G
Apr 5, 2007 at 10:51 pm
I think you all gotten it wrong.Melinda and Taylor have experiences. They both have been performing live for years.I believe that is one reason they were able to out perform all the others. However, I disagree with you all about who should have won last season. Elliot out sang everybody hands down.As far as people getting bad songs there are no bad songs,just a lack of experiences.
Jeanne
Apr 6, 2007 at 7:28 am
Uhhh, I am only going to speak for myself but I’ve got to say that I agree with Gerri G. I got so wrapped up in the Daughtry/McPhee/Taylor traingle that I completely overlooked Elliot!!! Holy crap, my daughter was on the floor crying when he got voted off. He’s got the whole package and, the second he took advice from the celebrity guest, he heard his swan song. I was so upset with his toned-down final performance. I couldn’t stand McPhee, even though she’s doing okay now.
Gerri’s right about Melinda and Taylor also. They have a more polished package but that does not always mean they are the best. I think they are both great, but I think Elliot should have won and I think Blake should win this year.
You’ve been busy today, Gerri G. Thanks for the support!
Britney Spears » Taylor Hicks April 4, 2007 6:06 am
Apr 27, 2007 at 3:42 am
[…] 11:56 pm Katharine McPhee March 20, 2007 6:06 pm Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Mandisa, ? …Is This Show Really About Talent? Since the finale, I?ve been wondering why people voted for Taylor Hicks. I loved him. I thought he […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: