‘American Idol’ finale: Fans react to Phillip Phillips’ triumph

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Phillip Phillips was named the new winner of ‘American Idol’ on Wednesday night, and if viewers had a feeling of deja vu, it’s probably because they were remembering back to last season’s finale and the winner, Scotty McCreery.

Phillips’ resemblance to McCreery wasn’t lost on fans, especially after McCreery tweeted a photo of the two ‘Idol’ winners side-by-side just after Phillips won.

‘Welcome to the family man. Proud of you,’ McCreery tweeted. The photo on the tweet makes them look almost like twins.

According to Fox, Wednesday night’s ‘Idol’ finale broke a social media record, with over 1 million social media comments created in reaction to the show and its winner. But based on a quick spin through the Twitter-sphere, there were two issues many people focused on, and neither were good for Phillips’ long-term career chances: his name and his race.

The Twitter feed Amber Riley Fan pegged the issue precisely with this tweet: ‘David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee Dewyze, Scotty McCreery and now Phillip Phillips. Fifth straight tear of ‘White guy with guitar’.’

The ‘white guy with guitar’ phrase cropped up a lot.

‘American Idol as usual, White Guy With Guitar wins. If Phillip Phillips wins the title, Jessica Sanchez wins the world!’ wrote a 13-year-old high school student in the Philippines.

‘Phillip Phillips another WGWG (White Guy With Guitar) .. C’mon America!!!’ wrote Arriane Encinas, disappointed that Filipina contestant Jessica Sanchez didn’t grab the title.

Fan Danielle Kay Acebes wrote, ‘Phillip Phillips is another White Guy with Acoustic Guitar singer. But he’s pretty right? And that’s all that matters on #AmericanIdol.’

Jim Carrey couldn’t resist poking fun at the name with his tweet, ‘Phillip Phillips win wins American Idol American Idols.’

Former ‘Jeopardy!’ champion Ken Jennings also took a swipe at Phillips’ name, tweeting, ‘Yay, Charles Dickens’ beloved ‘Philip Phillips’ is out of debtors’ prison and just won American Idol!’

Singer-songwriter Greg Holden linked his own name to the winner with his tweet, ‘Well done Philip Phillips! Hard to believe a song @drewwpearson & I wrote one afternoon just won American Idol.’

‘Idol’ non-fan Annie McGraw had issues with the winner, tweeting: ‘I don’t watch the show...but really. The new American Idol is named Phillip Phillips. I’m not okay with that, I’m sorry.’

Aldus Santos wrote, ‘A possible tour: Phillip Phillips, Kris Kristofferson, Mr. Mister, Wet Wet Wet, Duran Duran, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Marky Mark.’

Former ‘Idol’ hopeful Briana Tyson shared her own moment in the celebrity spotlight when she tweeted, ‘Just so y’all know, when I auditioned for Idol this past season, Phillip Phillips sat next to me and offered me a chicken finger. #boom.’

And one fan shared his thoughts quite bluntly: ‘Names like ‘Phillip Phillips’ are proof that some people are too stupid to be allowed to breed.’

RELATED:

‘American Idol’ finale recap: Phillip Phillips takes the win

‘American Idol’ finale: Nokia becomes the House of Phillip

‘American Idol’ 2012: Record-low ratings for Phillip Phillips victory

-- Patrick Kevin Day