'American Idol' Banter: The Brooke White era begins

What we learned from this week’s results show isn’t pretty. The performances of any given week don’t matter on this season’s “Idol.” This is not, at this juncture, a singing competition. Nor does this season reward the virtues usually associated with champions -- courage, determination, a strong sense of self.

Carly Smithson’s booting is not simply unjust; it threatens to undermine the very premise of “American Idol.” If this show is now officially about well-marketed personalities rather than vocal charisma or even dynamic performance skills, then why not make it a chronicle of the packaging of a pop star, more like MTV’s “Making the Band” or even (though I dread it) “The Search for the Next Doll”?

It’s hardly unusual, in the pop game, for image to trump musical talent –- who can forget the scandal when plus-size Martha Wash was replaced by svelte models in the marketing campaigns for a string of 1990s dance club hits? Tonight proved that we can no longer dream that “Idol” rises above such gimmicks. At least Syesha Mercado survived, by a thread. But the loss of Carly not only robs this season of its best pure singer –- it wipes unbridled passion and humanity from the stage.

Seriously, what is the “American Idol” constituency seeking?  Another pop moppet prepped to fill the pages of gossip magazines and make adorable viral videos? Simpering Brooke White and half-baked Jason Castro (I like him, but come on, it’s a shtick) are sailing through because their images are cute; they’re more like sitcom stars than musical powerhouses.

Brooke’s particularly puzzling success, given her repeated flops in the spotlight, may be attributable to the 8-year-old girl market. For tween voters too young to fully crush out on the Davids, she plays the princess role, her deluxe locks and befuddled manner recall Amy Adams’ turn as Giselle in “Enchanted,”  last year’s Disney hit.  Brooke’s obvious discomfort at the end of tonight’s episode suggests that she knows she’s living on borrowed time. But heck, if I were to sponge a few extra weeks off anybody, I’d take it from pre-teens too. They have a lot to spare.

I can feel the hate mail coming already. But Brooke fans, don’t give me that line about how “human” and “vulnerable” she is. Messing up this far into the “Idol” competition does not make you more real. It makes you lame. If there were a good reason for flubbing her rendition of “You Must Love Me” on Tuesday –- if she’d experienced a personal tragedy, or was really disturbed by the results in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary -- I could forgive her. But Brooke simply hadn’t fully absorbed the song. She was unable to clear a space within herself to let the music move through her.

She couldn’t even fake it, as both Carly and David Archueleta managed to do when they forgot lyrics the same night. Faking it is a skill all memorable vocalists learn, because stuff happens when you’re onstage, and you have to master the skills to get through those sweaty passages. Unless you’re this year’s official ingenue, apparently –- then you just flash your pretty eyes and apologize.

I can hardly even bear to mention that the song Brooke so mistreated once belonged to Madonna, the woman who defined self-determination and personal power for a generation of women artists and fans.

I expect my drubbing of Brooke in the face of Carly’s departure will get some hate mail. But I have to stand up for the woman who showed the most passion, the strongest need to sing, of any contestant this season. I’ll confess, now that it doesn’t matter any more, that the very qualities others hate in Carly make her admirable to me.

Carly understands psychic darkness. She shows her humanity, but never apologizes for it. She has a sexual side.  She loves to rock and to push her voice to the limit. Her ruling emotion is fury, not bashfulness. Carly Smithson is not a princess. She is a queen. I hope the pop world still allows her some corner in which to rule.

-- Ann Powers

Photo courtesy of Fox

Comments

[Vicki]

This has become less about talent and more about personalities and looks. Things haven't changes since I was in high school, the blondes still get all the breaks!

[Melisa]

While I wouldn't consider this hate mail, I do not agree with your assesment of Brooke. I love the earthy tone to her voice...much like the sarah barrillles and Colbie Caillet of current chart topping fame.
My qualm is why the heck is JASON still around. I (who cannot carry a tune in a bucket) can produce a more soulfull and melodic rendition of MEMORY in my shower....That performance showed me that the only thing keeping him afloat is Sanjaya's voting!!!
Carly is wonderful, and I was shocked to see her go last night. BUt like Daughtery, I sure we'll be seeing pleanty more of her talents.

[cbk16]

Carly lost for one reason, she had a bad song choice, when you think about it. Most of this nation is Christian, the song she sang (Jesus Christ Super Star) is Blasphemous to many and makes a lot of Christians uncomfortable, a lot of the Christians in this country could not vote for her this week. Some of the remaining performers have goodwilll from previous performances to outlast a bad week, insulting peoples religion gets rid of any goodwill you may have had.

[David]

Why do you, and so many others, miss the whole point of American Idol? It's not supposed to be a singing contest. It's a contest about who's album people would want to listen to. Most people do NOT buy an album based on the vocal skills of the artist; rather, they buy it based on whether or not they like the music, the sound, the feel, the entire package. I firmly agree, Carly and Syesha have better vocal skills than Brooke; however, I would never buy one of their albums. I don't like listening to that kind of music. But I would buy Brooke's albums. I love her voice, her style, and her kind of music. And the fact that she messed up on a new song that she had 1 week to learn means absolutely nothing to me. And whether or not she can sing Dolly or Mariah, or Weber means nothing to me. Because that's not what she'll be singing on her album. She can sing Brooke. And that's what matters to me. And that's what I'll pay money to listen to. It's very simple- people vote for the artist who they like, who's music they want to buy- not the contestant they think has the best vocal skills (that will be put to waste singing music the viewer doesn't like).

[Big Wedge]

Wow. Ann Powers is my new hero.

[Nancyb]

It is a popularity contest, pure and simple. People felt sorry for Brooke and they voted for her. Ultimately the revenge of this show is that the most talented people not only survive, but succeed. And that doesn't mean they are the idol winners. The past years' losers have done better than most of the winners.

[Grammarocks]

You are sooooo right!!! There are no words for how fed up with Idol I am. It has obviously devolved into a teen personality contest that has nothing to do with singing. I suspected that was what was going on when Michael Johns left, but now with Carly I am fullly convinced. To go out on a performance that strong is just wrong, wrong, wrong. I don't think I can stand to look at Jason C. and his darling little dreds another time. I'm gone.....

[MARY BROOKS]

THE ERA OF TATTOOED ROCKERS IS OVER. YOU NEED TO GET OVER IT!!!

[Christopher Sarsfield]

I am sorry but Carly had a slow start and never really developed a fan base. Brooke had a stronger start and developed more of a base. This is the long and the short of it. People do not vote on this week's performance alone, they vote for who they have liked throughout the competition. Until this week, I never bothered to vote. But this week I voted, and voted for Brooke, because she had a bad night. I also agree that Carly's choice of song was wrong this week. The song is considered blasphemous to many (think Christie Lee Cook's fan base) and those people were not going to vote for Carly.

[ak]

I have to agree with you - Carly is a huge loss and I just don't get why people even vote for Brooke. At the end they should have had Carly and Brooke stand together rather than Carly and Jason --- people need to think about the difference.

and cbk16 brings up a very good point on Carly's song choice and Christian voters.

[Cynthia]

Ann......well said! I didn't follow American Idol for the first few years for exactly the reasons that became so apparent last night. Clearly the American audience is not focusing on the true talent of the singers. It's become about who's cute, who has the nice smile....or maybe even just who doesn't have tattoes.

I studied music and voice for many, many years. As the judges have stressed week after week in their comments, the purpose of this show is to allow the performers to prove their range, to show the breadth of their instrument. From the start of the finals, there have only been three singers with the kind of talent deserving of a win....Carly, Syesha and David Cook. The others have nice voices, but they're limited in their range. Brooke, David A., Jason....everything they sing sounds "pleasant" (as Simon would say) but ultimately all the same....like one endless performance in the same musical style. Carly, David Cook and Syesha have that rare ability to switch styles, adopt different means of delivering a performance and make them all unique and extraordinary. That's what an American Idol should be able to do.

Perhaps Idol should be more like Dancing With The Stars where the judges vote as well to ensure to some degree that the most talented actually win. Isn't that what the show is about? Or is it, as Simon said last night, just about about popularity?

[John]

You said it! American Idol is NOT and never was about talent. The judges can steer audiences to what attracts more audiences. David A. has no stage presence but because of his 'deer stare into the light' look and his popularity with 5 year olds he manages to cruise week by week.
Carly was original (excuse me, She is orginal) and she will probably sell more records that anyone else on that stage. The show has become a religious campaign with Mormons on one side and the born again on the other.

This is not American Idol anymore. (Especially when the dumbest president appears on it). Simon said it couple of seasons ago: "This is what happens when you allow Americans to vote!"
Carly will be a star. Carly is a star! And for you fans out there... stop watching Idol!

[ajay ess]

No surprise at all. As I said yesterday in the trackback column, the winner on AI WILL be from a small town and WILL represent the good, clean, moral views of the people who control the programming and broadcasting of the show. Don't get hung up on the belief that the celebrity world and corporate media are in the business of democracy. AI is not an election, it is a managed promotion for the purpose of making money for those who write the big $ cheques. Are AI votes audited? It is quite possible to have a Robert Mugabe effect on the outcome! The only politics relates to the fact that no idol will come from a large metropolitan city nor a non-Family Values (i.e. Republican) state. Carly's San Diego is pretty Republican, but alas her state of CA is not....even though it is the most populated and accounts for far more votes (even unaudited ones) than David's UT or Brooke's AZ. AI is not real life and is not a democratic election so don't get your knickers in a knot about it. It is highly manipulated. Go check all the previous idol winners on wikipedia and you will find that all are from small town red states. Get over it, enjoy the talent of these performers and support their post idol lives with your $ purchases of their music. But then most of America voted for W twice and then give him a 69% disapproval rating at the end of his free reign over all things that make money in the world.....so I am sure most of America will continue believing that AI is a true reflection of our world......whatever!

[Jamie]

I agree one million percent!!! I do not understand how Brooke White is still in the competition. There is no comparison between Carly and Brook. Brook should have left, period. And what is with Simon? Isn't he the one who crucifies contestants during Hollywood week for screwing up the lyrics? Why would he say that it was "ok" for her to start over? I don't get it!!! If she were performing this at say the Grammy's, (long shot) would it be ok to stop and restart? No.

She has a one dimensional voice and can not hold a note. I am so annoyed with Brooke and Jason that I debate wasting any more time watching.

I am sick that Carly is gone and Brooke should feel dumb that she is still there….She is turning into Sanjaya. And why the heck don't people like Syesha? Clearly, this show is based on sympathy not talent and it makes me sick.

P.S. Has anyone noticed that annoying thing Brooke continues to do with her mouth? That makes me dislike her even more.

Brooke…GO HOME!!!

[GetReal]

SONG CHOICE!!! This was a week trying to win over a HUGE fan base - Conservative, Country music fans who tend to be bible belt types. NOT a week to sing Jesus Christ Superstar - no matter how good she was vocally, she simply excluded that group from the first word.

Brooke won that group over in spades, she is obviously a conservative christian girl who needs support.

Syesha hasn't humanized herself since losing her voice on Hollywood week - a long time ago - she will go soon.

WHY IS JASON STILL AROUND????

[The Truth]

Personally, I think Brooke is chomping at the bit to get some exposure and make an album of original songs. This gimmicky AI schtick isn't for her. I think she has the potential to be another Norah Jones, in a sense (but perhaps less jazzy and more folksy). The fact that Carly likes to belt and oversing does NOT mean she has more passion than other contestants. I'm happy to see Carly go. I never could quite like her.

[Michelle]

i had no connection with carly, whatsoever. she bored me, week after week. brooke may not be perfect, but its her imperfections and quirkiness that is endearing her to people. the only person carly tried to endear herself to was simon. in fact, her obvious show of only caring what simon thought is one of the things that bothered me about her.

[Courtney]

Thank you. Carly was my absolute favorite. She was one of the people I genuinely looked forward to watching and hearing week after week. In fact, I think I bought most of her performances on iTunes. I can't wait to buy her allbum; I'm sure it will be exceptional.

I agree with Cynthia, that maybe it is time to go to a Dancing with the Starts voting format to prevent what I like to call "the injustice of American Idol."

[Jason]

While I don't think Brooke is necessarily the best performer of the group, I do like her singing the best. So she's made a couple of mistakes. Big deal. I also find it incredibly sexy when a woman can play guitar. Especially when they can play guitar and sing.

[FrederickRM]

I will miss Carly but I don't feel she was the best pure vocalist this season. She was up high but not the best.
Carly suffered from lack of image and that's what killed her in this competition. American Idol is not about pure talent because the entertainment industry is not about pure talent. It's about the BIG picture which include image, stage precense, charisma and personality. This also sometimes includes, sadly, controversy. Carly never hit on a solid image for herself, her stage presence was mostly weak (most of the Idol contestants suffer from this) and she had trouble dialing in on what was best for her voice. She was never able to "package herself" properly for Idol demographic. Chikesie had the same problem. He appealed to a much older demographic and went out much earlier than I think he should have for his talent. But he simply did not appeal to the younger crowd even though he had a GREAT voice.
But you need not win Idol to have a GREAT career. Clay will attest to that as will many others. Despite the fact that Carly may have been voted out earlier than some may like, she wasn't going to win anyway. She has already done what she needed to do get her career started. Now she needs to "complete" her packaging and get going. You all will want to become fans of her solo career and she needs to make sure you can find her. Love her music now that she has escaped the Idol net and allow her to be herself.