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A Two-Hour Debacleby Donna Reynolds -- 05/22/2003
View Printable version of this article Let me tell you how sure I was that Clay would win American Idol 2. Tuesday night, after the final performances, I sat down at the computer and wrote my wrap-up article for Foxes on Idol. It was a sticky-sweet ode to the miracles of modern technology, extolling the power of the Internet community and praising the strength and organization of the “Clay machine.“ If that wasn’t enough, I wrote another article on speculation for the Syracuse Post-Standard. This was a meatier piece, delving deeper into the sociological implications of all of this, examining the bigger picture. I included a quote from an esteemed Syracuse University professor of sociology and felt that I had written an intelligent, worthy piece that was certain to be published. I submitted it to the features editor and went to bed, smiling smugly, thinking about the nice paycheck that I would receive from the newspaper. Perhaps this would be my “big break,” I was thinking. I too would benefit from this show, let’s call it “Writer Idol”! Boy was I wrong! Select All, Delete. What happened to me? Perhaps I was hypnotized by the Claymates after all – lulled into their spell. It is not that I thought Clay should have won – I really believed he would. There is a difference. And it isn’t that I am unhappy for Ruben. I’m not. I just feel as though we were “had.” I woke up this morning emotionally hung over, feeling as though I have finally overdosed on American Idol. In the clear light of day, I am unsatisfied, frustrated, and ready to surrender. In short, I have had enough. Somewhere in the middle of last night’s debacle, I started to feel as though I wanted to screech. Talk about schlock. It was unreal. Sorry Sting7, I don’t think that your recap truly captures the horror of this ordeal. In the past, I have tried to take the high road and I know at times that I have come across as being indecisive – wishy-washy if you will. No more. Last night’s show was truly painful. In an attempt to appease the fans of both Clay and Ruben, Fox destroyed the sense of finality that I enjoyed so much when Kelly Clarkson won last summer. They further diluted it by bringing Kimberley out to sing as part of the top three. Before you Lockettes attack me, please know that I am more convinced than ever that she should have won this thing hands down. Her performances in the semi-finals were solid and in my opinion, she blew both Clay and Ruben away. Last night, once again, she outsang them both. The only time I actually teared-up was during “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The producers of this calamity were very much aware of how divided the audience would be and, rather than celebrate one person’s victory, they attempted to appease all three fan bases. I think they failed miserably. Ruben won… but did he? Both Clay’s and Ruben’s first full-length CDs are going to be released the SAME DAY?? Last year Kelly was guaranteed a head start. No one else from the show could release a CD before her. Poor Justin was relegated to singing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But this year, Clay and Ruben will compete once again, this time on the Billboard charts. Or maybe Clay’s CD will be marketed as Pop, while Ruben’s will show up on the R&B charts so there will be no clear “winner” once again. I am not even going to get into the debate over the voting. All I will say about that issue is that, like many other people have reported, I tried to vote but was unable to get through even once. To be honest, I did not work it with the same fervor that I used the week before but I did try. Enough said. I knew that filling two hours would be a stretch but had I realized what a total waste the first hour would be I wouldn’t have even bothered to watch it. The only possible redeeming factor was the first group song lead by Kelly Clarkson. Even so, her voice was forced and the whole thing felt under-rehearsed to me. I liked that they were all wearing white and, since I am somewhat of a clothes hound, I paid attention to the costume changes throughout the show. I lost count of all the outfits but it seemed like Clay and Ruben changed clothes five or six times. Was this necessary? I am on a roll now! The group medley was awful, horrible, pathetic – feel free to substitute your favorite “Simonism” here: ___________. Charles looked lost on the stage and his duet with Vanessa made me want to run screaming from the room. I never believed that I would utter these words, but they are just not the same without Josh Gracin. Charles and Vanessa together cannot make up for his absence. If he is not going to be on the tour, I may have to reconsider whether or not I want to drive 120 miles to see them. Seriously. I don’t know if I could stand it live. There would be no way to escape. Hopefully, four weeks of rehearsal will help, but I doubt it. I should probably stop now! It’s just that I was so excited about this show and now I am so disappointed. Why didn’t they just declare it a tie? Ruben won it but what has he won, really? 19 Entertainment owns him now, lock, stock, and dimples. He is going to have to do whatever they say and I would bet my keyboard that the first thing they tell him he MUST do is lose some weight. They can’t have him up there sweating buckets in front of a paying crowd. Welcome to reality, Ruben, hope you can maintain your cool because once they get through with you we won’t even recognize you anymore. Case in point – Kelly Clarkson. Do you really think she wanted to perform “Miss Independent”? Hell no…her performance was as uninspired as it could get. There are at least five songs on Thankful that she does better. But she is obliged to perform it. Why? To sell more copies of the single. It’s all about the money, honey. Ruben is going to get so sick of “Flying Without Wings” that he will be ready to pull them off himself! Have I said enough? I could go on and on, but I try to limit myself to 1000 words and I have already gone over! When I submitted American Idol – A Guide to Withdrawal, I told our esteemed editor that I would write a wrap-up piece and that would be it for me. David responded “Yeah, right!” I guess he knows me better than I thought. I need another day or two before I will be ready to “let go” of American Idol. You have not heard the last of me yet! Peace out… Donna Reynolds is a freelance writer and technical writer from Syracuse, NY. You can e-mail her at dlrturtle@earthlink.net. Be sure to sign up for the RealityNewsOnline/FoxesOnIdol e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on both sites! For all of the RealityNewsOnline articles about this show, check out the American Idol page. For more news about reality TV, be sure to check SirLinksALot! View Printable version of this article
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