Video Beat EXTRA - AMERICAN IDOL'S IDENTITY CRISIS

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

To the now departed Scott MacIntyre AI judge Paula Abdul said, "You are a classy gentleman. God bless you, we love you." She never mentioned that she was sorry for misleading this young man down the path of self destruction in confusing him by suggesting that he do something different and challenge himself and get up and perform away from the piano. Now MacIntyre has lived and learned from this bitter experience. He was not led down the path of righteousness - Recommended TV Listings

Monday April 13, 2009

MacIntyre Led Down the Path of Righteousness?

Blind contestant Scott MacIntyre received a lot of praise but the results were the same, he was voted off the American Idol show and not saved by the judges. When AI host Ryan Seacrest informed MacIntyre that he was the contestant who received the fewest votes the Phoenix, Arizona native seemed composed. Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai were also in the bottom three.

It was a 2-2 tie among the judge's in their decision to save MacIntyre. As the back and forth decision was being made by the decision makers it appeared that Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi had the most to say and could have been the two who wanted Scott off the show.

This is the point where Simon 'The Merciless' Cowell has his tiebreaking power go into effect and he pointed out to MacIntyre, "It's not only about you but others that we might save." The two ladies simultaneously blurted out "You've been getting it right the weeks before." DioGuardi added, "It wasn't the right song." And that's where the problem originally began.

Two weeks ago Abdul urged MacIntyre to get up off his piano and take more chances and perform to the audience. Cowell pointed out why should he and noted to Abdul that MacIntyre was comfortable doing what he was doing at the piano. Cowell also pointed out that Elton John had a great career sitting and performing from behind the piano as did Billy Joel. Ironically on a results show Stevie Wonder who is also blind performed for the American Idol audience.

It was Abdul's misleading suggestion that set MacIntyre on the road of self destruction. The week after Abdul made her remark he continued to perform while playing the piano. This past week much to the surprise of the judges he played the guitar while singing 'The Search Is Over.' Our notes indicated great rendition, moving. Simon Cowell had a different point of view.

"The song was horrible, atrocious," he stated in a petulant manner. "And the guitar playing wasn't that much better."

"It wasn't that bad," MacIntyre replied.

The guitar playing remark exasperated me. As a former musician as was Cowell, he should have known better and not have made such an unnecessary comment that could have made a heavy impact on the voting of which from 34 million votes of which only thirty thousand distanced MacIntyre from Anoop Desai.

MacIntyre was only playing CHORD CHANGES with the accompaniment of an orchestra. How can Cowell justify his statement? How can one play chord changes badly? He played all of the right chords.

Most of the American Idol voters can't tell the difference but having been a musician one can and Cowell is supposed to have been a musician. His negative smug comment was uncalled for.

MacIntyre's defense was, "I just wanted to show my versatility and a different side of me that I didn't get a chance to show."

Despite his plea he wasn't saved and his search was over in his quest to become the next American Idol.

Prior to his being led off the stage Abdul had some sweet parting shots for the blind contestant who she said was an inspiration to the world. "You are a classy gentleman. God bless you, we love you."

Abdul never mentioned that she was sorry for misleading this young man down the path of self destruction in confusing him by suggesting that he do something different and challenge himself and get up and perform away from the piano. Now MacIntyre has lived and learned from this bitter experience. He was not led down the path of righteousness.

As the closing montage of MacIntyre's experience rolled the screen one clip during the show stood out. Since he is blind he can't dress himself and doesn't know how his hair is styled by AI staff. One week his hair was styled very differently and Abdul said she liked his new look. MacIntyre replied, "That's my punk side coming out."

The point being is that the show is looking for the best singer, it a SINGING CONTEST and not versatility contest of who can play the most instruments. In the past the program banned the playing of instrument but started to permit it last season.

It was last season's winner David Cook who broke the barrier as he played guitar on his way to the title. The point being he was and is a ROCK MUSICIAN and not a singer who can play an instrument. There is a huge difference between the two. A musician can play music with almost anyone and a singer who plays and instrument can't since they don't truly know how to play their instrument.

Many of this season's contestants keep referring to Cook but Cook is different in many ways. His being in a band and having previous stage experience was an advantage. He also didn't listen to the judges comments that much as he pointed out to Cowell's comment's about Cook's attitude that he didn't have to please Cowell but it was the American Idol voters that he had to please. Cook's retort caused Cowell to take a deep gulp and swallow hard.

NEXT - INDIVIDUALITY LOST

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TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia - Thailand time zone. Check your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES AT OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

9:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE USA - AXN Channel

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

8:00 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

8:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

10:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

12:00 MIDNIGHT - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

4:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

12 NOON - FRONTLINE - Australia Network

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

??? - STAR SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK ALL of NBA TV SCHEDULE for East Asia

12:00 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

4:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

8:00 PM - FIRST EDITION feturing Richard Keys - Humorous insight to football news headlines - ESPN

8:45 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

??? - ESPN SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK NBA TV SCHEDULE for East Asia

7:30 AM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

8:00 AM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

4:00 to 4:15 PM - AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - Channel V

4:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN Channel

7:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - (1 1/2 hr) Star World channel

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

11:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Star World channel

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