Idolator's American Idolatry: Why Jeff Archuleta's Backstage Ban Has Pretty Much Sealed The "American Idol" Title For David

idolator's american idolatry

Why Jeff Archuleta's Backstage Ban Has Pretty Much Sealed The "American Idol" Title For David

There are lots of weird things about American Idol banning David Archuleta's father, Jeff, from rehearsal sessions—the timing (the news was released late Friday, after the three remaining Idol hopefuls had mostly completed their homecoming tours), the source of the leak (did a Fox source tell TMZ about the ban?), and the fact that the producers were citing David's "unfair advantage" of having his own musical arranger now, instead of at the beginning of the semifinals among them. But what's most frustrating about the ban is the way that it's turned the contestant at the center of it into a bulletproof entity, and how the conclusion of American Idol is even more foregone than it was when the Archuleta clan was just beginning its whirlwind tour of Utah's mall parking lots and basketball stadia. The reasons why we're going to definitely see David have his now a week from tomorrow after the jump.

If he bombs, the pity votes will come rushing in. The stress of the week, from the trip home where he broke down crying to Papagate, will probably make him even more nervous than usual, so anything that involves him not fainting onstage midway through "And So It Goes" will be seen as a victory by the Archie Angels. (Hey, the sympathy vote kept Brooke White around for an extra week.)

If he does well, it'll be the type of redemptive story that will make his fanbase exclaim, "See? He's a true artist! to anyone who'll listen. Pretty self-explanatory, I think, although I still believe that anyone who thinks he interprets his lyrics well—or at all—should get their ears checked.

If he just does semi-decently, he'll still get a ton of votes from his fans, since things like "forgetting lyrics" and "lacking charisma" haven't dissuaded them yet. Just look at the reception he got at the Utah Jazz game last week, where he sang the national anthem with the runs and melodic liberties that he's been known for:

Nice way of hitting the high note early so you got even more applause, dude.

Oh, and the show's producers have decided to have David sing a freaking Dan Fogelberg song, which should be a huge honking neon sign that they're really excited about the prospect of cash from grandma-types flowing Archuleta's way once his debut album is released. Who's psyched for November?

Ban on Archuleta's father stirs a lively "Idol" debate [USA Today]

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3:00 PM on Mon May 12 2008
By Maura Johnston
2,884 views
11 comments

Comments

by Chris N. at 03:26 PM on 05/12/08
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Shoulda been "Leader of the Band."
by Chris Molanphy at 03:59 PM on 05/12/08
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Guess what came up during Mother's Day dinner yesterday? Idol. Guess who at the table was an outspoken Archie fan? My 70-year-old Mom.

It's a good thing it was her Day, otherwise I'd have had to enumerate the reasons why I disagreed. Instead, I just looked down at my plate uncomfortably and changed the subject.
by punkybunky at 04:14 PM on 05/12/08
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If voters start taking those Asperger's syndrome insults towards David A. as an actual possibility, then the sympathy votes just might come streaming in.

[mjsbigblog.com]
(it's first mentioned near the end of the comments)
by revmatty at 05:05 PM on 05/12/08
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Once I realized that Idol was all about appealing to tween girls and grandmas I stopped caring (not that I cared much to begin with) and just enjoyed heckling the mediocre hacks who make it to the top 10 (or top 2, or top 1 in some cases).
by Mary at 10:11 PM on 05/12/08
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None of the points you bring up seem unique to "dadgate":

-If he bombs, he will get votes (anyone who is likable but bombs will get the sympathy vote).
-If he does well, he will get votes (has been true, will be true).
-Regardless of how he does, his fans will vote for him (duh).
by Maura Johnston at 09:06 AM on 05/13/08
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@Mary: well, no. basically his fanbase is crazy.
by Manola at 10:47 AM on 05/13/08
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@Maura Johnston:

Not crazy, hormonally unbalanced.
by Archiehatersgetalife at 01:44 PM on 05/13/08
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Can't tell who wrote this but you really are not that smart. David Archuleta is a legend in the making. He has more charisma than you have by far and more talent in his little finger then you or any of the other contestents. He deserves to win and he's such a different calliber, it is almost infair for them to have to compete with him. Psssst! Got a secret too...it's not just tweens and Grandmas who love him! It's only the non rocker group 9 - 99. Yeah, he should win it!
by Jack Fear at 04:06 PM on 05/13/08
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@Archiehatersgetalife:

Can't tell who wrote this but you really are not that smart.

There's a name at the bottom of every post, genius.
by Chris N. at 10:56 PM on 05/14/08
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"He deserves to win and he's such a different calliber, it is almost infair for them to have to compete with him."

It is infair. It's also injust and unright.
by NapoleonCypselus at 02:05 AM on 05/15/08
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I am a 45 year old man who was raised on rock and roll and I am a huge fan of David A. Forgive me for liking someone with a truly great voice! Is he too clean cut to be cool? Give me a break! Open your ears and listen to the vocals. David C has proven he can't deliver Tyler quality vocals. He's a great guy but style alone will only get you so far - CIP: Taylor Hicks. I would not be able to recognize David C. on the radio if the DJ didn't say his name and neither would you. Jason C, like David A, has a truly distinctive voice and will make millions. Don't believe me, wait and see.