So Pia Toscano, the pinnacle of Italian Beauty in about the fullest sense of that description, was voted off of American Idol. Perhaps this is good for her.
However, people were quite surprised. Why shouldn't they be? I'll explain why.
1. American Idol is a TV show first and foremost.
American Idol makes so much money off of the advertisements because it has consistent sky-high ratings (Number 1 for the last SIX YEARS--more than The Cosby Show and All in the Family). Why does it have consistent sky-high ratings? Because every year something different happens. It's always unexpected. And just like a good movie or great television--that's exactly what it has to do in order to maintain the top place.
2. Everyone likes different winners--Not Dynasty, DIVERSITY.
The reason for the variety of winners is the fact that they spread the love. Kelly Clarkson won the first contest (and went on to have the greatest success aside from Carrie Underwood)--and that was probably the most honest contest in the show's history. The show's second season had the male pop equivalent in Clay Aiken--ever as capable with his range as Clarkson was with hers. However, if the competition show were to have two white winners in the first two seasons--they would've been under a heap of criticism for being racist. Producer Lythgoe even stated that Aiken had led all the voting from the wild card week up to the finale, and there are discrepancies regarding how many votes Ruben won by. Fantasia won the next year--and yet their album sales were markedly lower than Kelly's and Clay's. Clay's first single was the BEST-SELLING single of the year. Was that because he won? No. It's because he was better. AI's first misfire. Carrie Underwood won the next year, partly because she was the BEST singer of that group, and partly because they reached a NEW demographic--The Country Market. With Taylor Hicks--exception to the rule, however--with all the crazy twists and turns and demographics represented within the top 12--it was, and still is the highest rated season in spite of the underwhelming winner and runner-up, but--it was unexpected, it was shocking, and what did the AI producers have to gain if Katherine McPhee won? She would undoubtedly be the one with the 'Streisand' career with her range and ability--and the producers would see zero of that profit. So they did the math. 15% of $250,000 is a lot better than 0% of $5 million. They Win. They always do. It's about THE RATINGS not the contestants or artistry or music or integrity. Jordin Sparks was the first plus-sized model to win the show the next year. She also had a great voice. However, Sanjaya will be another point of interest. David Cook was the first rocker to win the show. Are you noticing the pattern here? AI can't make money off of David Cook's music--but they'll make even less if they were to award Archuleta (the better singer) the prize (in the long run). Kris Allen wins over Adam Lambert--now, here's a compelling case for Lambert--it would've been the first "gay" idol. However, the majority of viewers that tune in to AI are from America's Heartland. And the Heartland don't kindly abide to the ways of "the corrupt" this would have smashed idol's numbers. Fundamentalists and Family-Centered groups would've cried out. And here, it wouldn't've been the best time to do it. Already, the show's ratings were sauntering. And with Simon's departure imminent, they needed every boost they could for the short term--which meant giving them a winner who wasn't the best singer (again) but the safest choice. This deeply affected the show, still. It was caught between a rock and a hard place. Simon's Last year, an even more bland winner in Lee DeWyze won the competition. Furthering and cementing the fact that AI has ALWAYS been about "THE SHOW"--neither of them had a "coronation song"--instead, the runner-up and the winner EACH released a cover song. Only showing how little they care about their life beyond the show.
3. Colorful Language--I'm sure Sanjaya and Daughtry would like to use as deftly.
Both of whom were "leaving us tonight after the nationwide vote". Notice the wording in that statement. It's not a matter of "having the lowest number of votes" it's merely--"who no longer competes" are you understanding this? If I said, I can't hang out because I have a party, that's different than if I said, I can't hang out because I'm busy. One implies it's the reason for the other happening, the other is merely stating what is. Therefore, the votes are not an indicator of who America likes--it's merely an indicator of how much revenue AT&T received and in part how much AI received. The Producers have to word it in this fashion because otherwise, one would be able to sue the show. Howard Stern called to see the voting results the night Sanjaya was eliminated--because Sanjaya was consistently in the middle of the pack; Simon cried "No way." And--got it. Howard Stern, however, never received the results of the voting. The producers said that revealing the results would have unintended consequences; that it was unnecessary. Obama says the only people who don't reveal the truth are the people who have something to hide. And given the sort of winners that won, and the departures that have occurred, Pia withstanding, it shows the level of Drama that the producers themselves create in order to retain viewership and keep the audience on their toes. Notice how they don't say "winner" they say "After the Nationwide vote, your american idol is" Which is different than saying "the Winner of this year's American Idol, with the most number of votes is". The Producers have foolproofed and fullproofed their picks based on this ambiguous yet direct language.
4. TV = Money. Music ≠ Money (anymore).
The ads on AI run in the high six figures for EACH SHOW. WAY more revenue is made in one season from the ads alone, than on what the contestants will make in a lifetime.
5. Stop Watching the Show.
The Finale is a Spectacle, yes. The auditions provide entertainment everytime, however--go out and hear live music. It's a greater satisfaction, and--you could possibly meet some really cool people--including the performer(s)! Don't spend 2 hours in front of a box, how boring :P Oh, and Pia--you're amazing. Godspeed with your career, perform in California, please!
