'Idol' Banter: Archie's army strikes back

First things first: my post the other day questioning the sincerity of David Archuleta -- the Chosen One -- upset readers, more than anything else I've ever written at this newspaper. I got an avalanche of e-mail responses, most of which could be classified as "hate mail." (The general drift was that I'm a child-hating, bitter old cynic who needs either the power of prayer or a good kick in the pants.)
It's a critic's job to express strong opinions, and I was simply expressing mine. I won't apologize for that. Still, the intensity of people's responses made me realize just how strong Archuleta's charisma has proved, and how much "Idol" watchers want to believe in his graciousness and his gifts.

The passion Archie's fans have for him is extraordinary. There's clearly a hunger for the kind of innocence he projects, and wonderment at his precocious musicality. What came across to me as somewhat one-dimensional strikes many people as laudably sincere. I believe more strongly than ever that Archuleta has already won this season, and only the return of his vocal paralysis, or some other disaster on that level, could undermine his destiny.

Several readers who actually know Archuleta -- including a high school classmate -- wrote in to attest to his sweet and bashful spirit. I trust that these friends are telling the truth. One writer reminded me that musical prodigies can often be socially awkward. Perhaps what I read as shallowness in Archie is merely shyness.

As for whether he excluded the lines from "Imagine" about "no religion, too" because he is religious, I suppose we'll never really know. He has performed the song in its entirety before, including that line (in the version circulating online he did change the word "hell" to "evil" in the first verse). Still, he made a choice to exclude certain lyrics in front of the largest audience he's ever had, and though I don't object to that choice, I won't apologize for noting and discussing it.

I still think Archie borrowed, consciously or not, from Eva Cassidy's arrangement for "Imagine." Several other readers noted that Katharine McPhee also quoted Cassidy in the rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that almost won her the big prize. Cassidy is a big influence on singers, and I almost think it was worth the drubbing I took to get her name out there again.

I'll say it again -- it's no sin to borrow. I don't fault Archuleta for doing so, and it's forgivable that he didn't manage to squeeze in some kudos for Cassidy during his brief response to the judges. I do fault the "Idol" producers for trying to maintain the illusion that all of the contestants are more original, unstudied, and spontaneous than a prime-time television show would ever allow a performer to be. I find this aspect of "Idol" dulling and disingenuous.

But it's part of the "Idol" myth, the same way part of the "Heroes" myth is that people can fly, or part of the "CSI" myth is that forensic pathologists all look like supermodels. "Idol" may be reality, but it's also shared fantasy. I don't always like the way that fantasy plays out. Right now I'm clearly in the minority. But I'm willing to try to view Archie anew.

I'm still calling him Archie, though. Nicknames are fun! You can never have enough.

I liked Archie even better after he bawled tonight, when Alexandrea Lushington, my favorite of the girls, was voted off. It’s a little early in the season for celebrity protest, but maybe Elton John can cry foul again, the way he did in support of Jennifer Hudson and her fellow African-American divas during Season 3. The chocolate-skinned Lushington rocks the best urban style of any "Idol" contestant -- ever -- and her revamping of white-boy chestnuts like "Spinning Wheel" was totally in tune with the most adventurous elements of hip hop-influenced R&B. I mourn her passing, and sincerely hope we see her somewhere again.

"It's just the beginning," Paula always says to these departing contestants, but honestly, how can anyone believe her? What quickly eliminated Idol has gone on to a flourishing career? That reality obviously hit home for Alaina Whitaker, the other teen to be sent packing in this rapidly diminishing "year of the young ones" (as Randy has pegged it). In one of those rare utterly unstaged "Idol" moments, Whitaker almost refused to sing.

Ryan Seacrest called the other women to her side and she made it through "Hopelessly Devoted to You," a song she might have sung at her high school's spring musical had she not received a few weeks of fame. Her version was great -- raw, stubborn and ultimately triumphant -- and she left the show with her dignity intact. The camera cut to Danny Noriega shedding some tears for his apparent BFF. The kids are getting massacred left and right. One begins to wonder if innocence isn't a commodity "Idol" fans can only take in small, golden, Chosen doses.

--Ann Powers

Comments

[mike]

Just another thought. David Archuleta was against Alexandrea Lushington in Star Search when he was declared the winner, so he knows her very well, hence the tears.

[Joe]

I don't get you people. You have a problem if someone is talented and you have a problem if someon isn't. You have a problem if they are aren't nice and you have a problem if they are. What's up with that????? As for David, not Archie (watch out you might wind up with a few nicknames all your own), he can really sing, he seems to be able to evoke the right emotion from his audience and he seems grounded and nice. What a horrible combination (according to you)! Get off the kid's back! If it was your son up there you'd be hopping and hooping in his favor all over the place. And so what if he doesn't want to sing a verse that may be offensive to him becuase of his religion. Who does it hurt? Apparently you! Get over yourself and cut the kid some slack. He may just win.

[Jim Lacey]

Ann.
Thanks for your (owed) apology.
It wasn't as complete as I'd have liked, but at least
some attempt was made.

I don't think you should have steered away into other
aspects of the show or its contestants or
producers in the same apology. This seemed more
of an effort to divert the attention from what
the stated purpose of the response --
an apology.

The only other thing not mentioned, and I hope
you'll include my response so that it gets a fair mention,
is that all the vocal and musical arrangements sung
on American Idol over the past 7 seasons have been
in large part (90-95%) "copped" by the current performers.

That's because ours ears come to expect a certain
foundation already laid down by the original as a minimum
for what we come to accept as
special. That
includes all vocal and musical arrangements, whether John
Lenon's original or Eva
Cassidy's rendition.

That David Archuleta was primarily singled out for this
"offense", even though you did mention 2 others from past shows
who did the same,
was unjust without mentioning the 7 years of shows in which
vocal and musical arrangements are all mostly "copped".

And while David's rendition is
obviously based on Cassidy's,
so what? Aside from 2 high
notes, the rest is mostly
his.

Thanks again for owning up.

Jim

[Renee Verrett-Dooley]

I am 54 years old, an L.A. Times employee of near 20 years and one who has lived my life as a member of an EXTREMELY musical family...mostly classical/operatic and sacred/gospel, whether played, sung or conducted. You might wonder, then, why I am such a big fan of not only AI, but of staff writers Rushfield and Powers. Perhaps, since I never had (or availed myself of) the opportunity these "kids" have to gain their 15 minutes (at the very least) of fame, I experience some vicarious pleasure. Maybe. And, I'm not a journalist, but I love it when I read the very thing I was "just thinking about a minute ago." I like to look for the best in people, more and more as I get older, so I'm rooting for them all. Yes, Little Archie is the best thing going this year, so far, but I'm open, and I might even pick up my cell phone send out a few votes before it's all over, just as I did for Melinda last year. (Hey...my votes didn't help much, did they? Oh, well, I did like Jordan, too, just not as much as the brilliant Ms. Doolittle!).

[RS]

I don't really have anything to add to what others have written. I've fallen in love with this boy Archuleta. Hook,line and sinker. He's the only male singer(outside of Thom Yorke)that has made me cry. You're certainly entitled to appreciate and enjoy any singer you choose. You're allowed to not care for David. I suppose that leaves you with little to write if you're asked to write an article. I always remark at that oddity...writers who are asked to write about a performer they don't like. I suppose all we would get would be gushing articles if the only people who wrote about David were fans. I'm sure David would appreciate constructive criticism. As long as you keep any criticism constructive I don't see any harm. When you try to get into his mind and make judgements about his sincerity and genuiness that you cross the line,in my opinion.
I hope we can count you a fellow Archie someday!

[Tom]

Ann, errrrr.....I know nickname you "Poowie"----yes thats it. Poowie, your are clearly jaded out there in La La land and corrupted by all the negative, drug driven musical acts that you cover. Along comes a nice, respectful, shy, clean cut teenage boy who you trounce on with a stupid nickname and tear him apart for being shallow and ripping off Eva Cassidy. WTF? Isn't the point of Idol to hear new artists perform "cover songs" of popular songs? I think you may be over-analyzing Idol for more than what it is-----It is not like he is some jaded music hack that is trying to rip something off----which you seem to infer.

I look at this kid and see how proud his parents must be of him, and what a job they did to teach him to be graceful and not an ego-maniac. The kid should be held up as an anti-hollywood role model of a "good kid".

[rascal]

I think that all we really ask of our columnists, Ann, is that they pay attention, do a little research, and try to tell it like it is. You've succeeded; nicely done.

I've been decidedly intermittent in my Idol attentions over the seasons, but David has captured my heart and my musical sensibilities like no one before him on the show. I too was something of a singing sensation as a kid, and while I was far (far) from the blushing humility of Li'l Archie, I can tell you that performers--especially, ironically enough, great performers--are notoriously insecure. I can also tell you that you never get used to the reaction of the audience. It’s truly astonishing every single time. David just happens to be someone who is completely open and guileless about showing it.

If you need any more proof as to his rare and winning combination of professionalism and sincerity, check out this rather long interview he did just before the main competition got underway:

(Scroll down and select “David Archuleta Interview, Feb 18, 2008)
http://media.myfoxboston.com/special/head/FOXTV/american-idol.html

Davis is no fool and no phony. He's gonna be huge.

[JimS]

It's funny that the LA Times has a tone deaf person as their reviewer of American Idol. You really can't hear the difference between Eve and David's version? My guess is that you can but you wouldn't have anything bitterly snarky to say if you admitted it. When I think of the decline of the LA Times from National Publication up there with the NYT and the WaPo, to regional rag with second rate writers, I think of you. I can see why your one of the reporting staff they can afford to keep. LOL.

[JimS]

I've listened to the 2 versions and I think you're tone deaf. Apparently based on the comments above, you can only get people who also work at your newspaper to say you have a point. I think you ARE a bitter cynic who's reduced to getting readers by making untrue but provocative statements. The LAT is a second rate regional rag now, thanks to the writers and editors they've left behind like you. I guess they had to lay off the writers who really have something to say.

[Kathy]

I remembered David A from Star Search, and knew he would be back someday. In a video from an encounter with Season one contestants, he could have probably won that year. I picked him to win before his first appearance on AI this year. He does have an awesome voice. Does he have a better voice than say Clay Aiken, who had a great range and ability? Or a gravelly voice that touches your soul, like Taylor Hicks? Or a smooth vibe like Elliott Yamin, or Rueben?

Fans know what they like, whether it pleases AI or not. AI is a show that requires people to choose an Idol each year by voting. If they wanted it differently, they would have had judges pick (which they really do to get to the top 24 and definitely top 12) What AI does wrong, is tell people who have voted and spent their money........the revenues of which the show shares, that whoever they have chosen is not the right one. As in Taylors case by Simon.

David is young, but he had better develop that thick skin pretty quick, because there are going to be people who do not like him or like someone better, or are just plain nasty, and love nothing better than to put people down. It's not about the music at all, and its happening on youtube already.

Taylor is out there, still doing what he said he would do, no matter what. His concerts showed facets of Taylor that were never seen on Idol, and he is building on that.

David, and his parents, need to be aware of the reality that is out there, and if you don't measure up, the show will grind you into the dust and not look back. It's about the money in the end.

[ToddN]

I've enjoyed both of your articles on David. Really well-done. And clearly they're being read like crazy because they're intelligent and insightful. That's why they're being linked all over the Internet.

I look forward to reading your articles in the future. Keep 'em coming.

[Peter]

Dear Ms. Powers:

David Archuleta's singing, voice, personality, mannerisms, demeanors, etc. are all a genuine reflection of what a great decent person he is, just like your silly opinions expressed in your article are a reflection of what a bitter, cynical, jaded person you are. I don't know how old you are Ann, but I guess very old, but please, stop bullying an innocent 17-y-o boy who did nothing but gave pleasures to those of us who are fortunate enough to be exposed to such a talent as his.

[LB Grrl]

Well, Ms. Powers, count me in as your (only) supporter. I dont get why everyone loves The Chosen One. He is simply perfect as a teenybopper's dreeeemy crush-- a la Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or the like. A pretty boy who can sing passably but seems to have little to say artistically. He seems manufactured--like his whole life has been about getting to be on Idol. He is, in a word, not *real*.

And don't get me started about him singing John Lennon's "Imagine". I *hated* his version. He took the most beautiful song ever written (IMO) and made it into boring dreck. And taking out the line about religion--I guess that was a little cynical for such a wholesome child to sing, eh?

To be fair, nothing on Idol is about artistic merit--it is only about stardom. One wonders if John Lennon himself rose from the dead and performed on Idol, if he would even get a second look. I can just hear Simon: "Your voice is too accented, John. And the hair, what are you thinking? So you can play a guitar, I don't get you." For someone in the music business, Simon seems to know (or care) little about pop music history.

I can hardly wait (not) until the Beatles songbook gets desecrated later in the season. :-(

[Tom]

ToddN it should be disclosed is Poowie's (ann) boss at the times. LOL

[A Person]

Ms. Powers. Thanks for writing about David Archuleta. Had you not written about the kid, I wouldn't have considered watching American Idol but he seems to be a good enough guy for all of his supporters to be a little overzealous with their defense of him. Good job in looking at every angle, even one that wasn't popular with his supporters. I'm definitely going to watch for his performances and maybe even vote in.

[TJ]

i read your first article and it truely got me pissed off. i cant believe the things you said about david. i am glad that you are taking on different angles on some of the stuff you wrote, but i do think you need to apologize. An apology is owed. i do believe that he is just a good, shy guy. he has a GREAT voice too and i also loved his performace from "Imagine" (like millions of others) and i have no clue why you think his version of "Imagine" was the same as the other person's, because i have listened to it and i hear NO RELATION AT ALL. stop bashing the kid and write some real articles. this article is BS, just like you.

[LA Times Reader]

Your original post was so cynical, I thought of writing a letter to your editor, and I still might as I think your follow-up article wasn't heartfelt. While I agree that as a journalist you have the right to express (strong) opinions, I think you took it too far to question David Archuleta's integrity based on your interpretation of what he's done. The boy is 17 years old, and just because he's had a lot of performance time before doesn't mean that he can't be a genuinely nice kid. While I might expect this type of cynicism in dealing with a political candidate, I think calling into question the character of a young musician is unforgivable.

David Archuleta wants to be a singer because he's good at it. He likes to perform and probably likes to entertain. You can disagree with how good he is, but don't knock him based on what you perceive his integrity to be. That is really unfair of you and is unjustifiable even under the cover of "strong opinion." For you to do so, as a member of the press knowing that what you write will be read and linked by many others, is just plain irresponsible. Shame on you.

[rickyy]

Does It seem that to win AI this year, you have to be a hot blonde or a gay man.

[Elicia]

David's rendition brought tears and goosebumps. It isn't about the arrangement, it was about his angelic voice - he sang from his heart and had the ability to touch us with his voice. David has a magical gift from God - you can see he is a transformed person when he sings - and as he said in his interviews - he just wants to sing!

Star Search at 12 is kiddy stuff, and the rest of his performing videos indicate that he was merely performing at charities and school functions. Lots of talented kids do that. I believe the big AI stage is definitely overwhelming to him. And having reached puberty and experienced a voice change as well as vocal paralysis, it is normal that he wld somehow doubt how good he is (like he said - ppl are usually nice to you if you are a 10year old and sing well - its a different story when you are 17!)

I believe he is a genuinely nice kid - and a sensitive soul (most gifted ppl are) - he just wants to sing and it is only natural to join AI as it will give him the best opportunity to realise his dreams. For years now, most AI contestants have 'previous experience'.

So please leave David alone - yes, he is just too good - and why can't it be? Why does everything has to be tainted? He deserves to go far and affect ppl with his beautiful voice!

[K.C.]

Copped, borrowed, ... Whatever! I don't care! I just enjoy watching him and listening to him sing! That's good enough for me. And he is just a kid. What do you expect? He is still learnig.