Island Idolatry

There's no escaping it. Here in Hawaii, American Idol is everywhere. Even I've TiVo'd it in order to be able to function socially at work. Last night was a tough night for our binary star system, with both Camile Velasco and Jasmine Trias at the bottom of the heap, and with Camile sent home at the end of the night. Are you watching? What are your predictions? Just how far can Jasmine go from here?

Camile's departure was, perhaps, inevitable, with harsh words aimed her way in past weeks, including two previous trips to the "bottom three." Nerves, to many, were her downfall. No doubt she'll still come home to applause, and as far as her future... well, Jordan Segundo is still stretching his 15 minutes of fame, with a stint on KHON and a Subway ad. And, if I recall, he was eliminated earlier in the finals last year.


Jasmine's placement this week was a surprise, but then again, even show favorite LaToya London was there last week. Hopefully her close call, plus a now unified island voting base, will help keep her on track. Of course, her performances are what matters most.


Apart from my local loyalties, I have to admit a fondnes for LaToya and George Huff. The real mystery to me remains John Stevens. Just what is America smoking?

Comments

I want to know what kind of support base that red headed kid has. He should have been the one to go, not Camille. Then again, that girl has a nice, deep, throaty voice, she's going to do fine if she decides to pursue singing professionally.

I gotta admit, I did not watch one iota of American Idol until this season. The prospect of two local girls in the competition was just too intriguing. And can you believe this show has Super Bowl like ratings? Good Lord... KHON must be making some major $$$$ with their advertising.
Anyway, that's my two cents. Good luck Jasmine...

"American Idol" has been nothing but great news for KHON TV, Hawaii's Fox affiliate. The show is bringing in good ratings along with the station's traditional dominance in the local news race. KHON is also the top Fox network TV station in the nation.

Read more at this link.

I watched part of the program last night for the first time. I don't go much for these types of shows... Camile did look kind of nervous last night... and her farewell song was most fitting... "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" indeed.

I'm more of a fan of American Idol than KHON but whatever.

Speaking of which, one day someone needs to fix the way ratings are gathered in this town because this diary system is skewed. I don't think KHON is as dominant as the ratings indicate but that's just me.

Jordan Segundo is still stretching his 15 minutes of fame, with a stint on KHON and a Subway ad.

Is this the Subway ad where the mom gets sandwiches from Subway and everyone thinks that she made it?

But KHON's viewing numbers right now don't mean diddly because it's not one of the three times a year sweeps periods. Yes, they're making extra from local spots right now, but if Jasmine doesn't make it to the upcoming sweeps period in May, they won't be able to fully capitalize on "Idol."

BTW Sin, I totally agree...I actually find KHON's news pace getting slower and slower and find myself changing the station.

yes that's the lame ad, Helen. So far everyone who's seen it totally loathes the cheesy ad.

Besides starring in badly-shot and conceived sandwich ads, the metrosexual media whore has been spotted selling out the star-studded Midpac Hoolaulea and several Brunches on the Beach.

Is it fair to call his career Posthumous?

The real mystery to me remains John Stevens. Just what is America smoking?

I think Randy is correct when he says that JS is "no Tony Bennett." But I also think people are clinging to JS because he's giving us something different, in terms of style and interpretation. Sometimes, I think singers (and musicians alike) try to strive for a certain virtuosity or thrill tactic while losing sight of the songwriter's intent. This is exactly why I'd probably rather hear a sixth grader sing the Star-Spangled Banner over a Mariah Carey-wannabe (or maybe even Mariah Carey herself).

I'm not really following AI, but I have to agree with Sin that Camille has a unique voice. On the instrument alone, I'd say I preferred Camille's voice of all the singers. But, at this stage, the instrument accounts for only a portion of the package. Star quality is a different beast entirely.

John Stevens is still there because he probably has a large following since many older viewers identify more with his style. His fan demographic range, young to old, is larger than the other competitors, much like how Clay Aiken's was.

I'm probably going to be the unpopular voice here since I really think Camile overstayed her welcome. She has a decent voice, but her stage pressence was awful, and did not show signs of improvement. She always looked like she was in pain on stage.

I think Jasmine has a better voice than Camile, but if I must be honest, I don't think it's as good as some of the other competitors like La Toya London and George Huff.

I really wonder if the people of Hawai`i are voting for Jasmine (and were voting for Camile) because they truly liked them or because they are simply from Hawai`i? I believe it's the later, and I'm sure that will not be a popular opinion here.

Hmm, Cheyne. And I was about to comment that you bear a mild resemblance to our former not-quite-an-idol! It would not be a compliment, I gather. But hey, look at William Hung. Kudos to anyone who can get more than their alloted quarter hour.

Grant, I don't think you've got a minority opinion at all. On Camille, I'd say the local commentary I've overheard can best be described as "charitable," whereas the chatter elsewhere has been downright vicious.

On why they're getting votes, of course it's because they're from Hawaii. Local pride isn't anything new to American Idol, and is certainly not unique to Hawaii. I think I just saw a small town paper on the web's plea to keep whomever in because the show "needs someone from Georgia. And I think that's a much bigger state!

If popularity contests were judged entirely objectively, they'd be... well, like nothing else I can think of right now. Loyalties, biases, silly whim, they're all part of the big show.

Man Ryan, don't go there with Cheyne, he spent a lot of time explaining on his own website about how he hates being mistaken for Jordan. I'd hate to see it bubble up again here.

About Camile, I won't say that she overstayed her welcome, but I will say that this competition wasn't for her. She's got a great great voice but for other songs. Elton John? Good God, who the hell sings Elton John songs besides Elton John? That was like the death bell for her. Camile should be singing the blues and maybe try some jazz to expand. I think the sky is the limit for her career and just depends on her and how hard she wants to work but she's got all the tools.

like Sin said, Ryan, I loathe the boy and any remote likenesses I bear with him.

Besides, why would I want to look like a plastic boy toy who wears shirts tailored for 3 year old boys?

O-kay, Cheyne, I apologize. Beware the trap of protesting too much...

Meanwhile, back in the present, conspiracy theories abound on Camile's ouster, and Jasmine's near miss. Ah, it's Idolgate! (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Oh god please. Camile Velasco should have been gone WEEKS ago. I know red head kid was bad and deserved to go but still, Hawaii should have dumped Camile and rallied around Jasmine earlier.

Nahhhhh...it was fun having two local gals in the show. Besides, you Camile was a cutie. Her being on the show probably kept a lot of male viewers that otherwise would have changed the channel.

Notice I'm not talking about her singing. Besides, the whole point about the red-headed kid is that if there's no WAY she should have gotten kicked off before he did. That boy just sucks. But I think he pulled the "Awww...he's just a baby" sympathy vote from a lot of female, motherly types. At least, that's what it seemed like with all my office co-workers.

I like that there's so much coverage and discussion about this show because then I never need watch it to know what's happening, thereby leaving me safely esconed in my ivory tower of indie rock hipsterdom.

Although if pressed, I might admit my fantasy Idol audition song would be something by Shiina Ringo.

P.S. WTF? MT flagged doesn't like me using the word c-o-o-l.

I sat in the rain one hour to see Jasmine last night and was not disappointed. The police were so kind to me allowing my handicap scooter up close. She is so sweet and every bit the American Idol. I did not get a picture, too many people. What ever the out come of the show is she is still a winner. And a wonderful representative for Hawaii and the Philippine community. Maryknoll is selling tee shirts with her picture and I am wondering if I could buy one on line? Anybody have information?

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