Every year prior to this one in the McCullough house we've engaged in a little ritual. It goes something like this.
The Lovely Bride asks me who I think will win, and my answer is always the same.
"The most original one will..."
And every year I have been correct until this year, where about midway through the season it was obvious that the most original, theatrical, and possibly more vocally talented singer might not win.
Guess Google Pics count for something after all...
But NO ONE should have been surprised at tonight's results.
And that haters who are already screaming "homophobia" need to shut up!
Look at the math people.
In the final three of this year Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, and Adam Lambert were more or less evenly split with 30%, 31%, & 32% respectively.
Voting patterns on Idol are an interesting cultural phenomenon because I do think they tell us something about the culture at large. The fact that Allison did not squeak into the top three was very telling this year. But it also probably shows that fewer Latinos watch and/or vote for Idol than some other groups. And since no African American has made it into the top three since Fantasia several years ago draw your own judgments about the power of black households as well.
And before you dismiss that last assumption consider that African Americans are the only ethnic population in the country that is shrinking.
Tonight's finalists were gracious to each other and in the end the more talented all-around musician, singer, songwriter, player of multiple instruments edged out across the board the guy with the more flamboyant flair and gifted vocal range.
Consider also that Danny Gokey and Kris Allen were both born-again Christians. One entered the competition as married contestant (Kris) who was even openly advised by Simon in the early rounds to "keep that marriage thing" under wraps if he wished to get the single girl vote. Kris did the opposite and openly expressed his love and appreciation for his bride. Danny entered the competition with the most heart wrenching story of all attempting to win the competition as a sign of dedication to his recently deceased wife. His song choices throughout the competition said it all.
In the end the fact that there were so many more Gokey voters that preferred the IMAGE of what Kris was as a person, artist, and musician to what Adam was discovered engaging in seemed to be the issue that decided the matter.
Americans were not ready for on-stage open bisexuality to be the icon of the American pop culture scene... at least not yet. Katy Perry eat your heart out.
And I for one...
Was on some level...
Reassured.
There will be more debate in the days to come. And my rule still generally holds true - originality will usually trump the field.
This year, in the largest vote ever cast, America instead voted for tradition...
Now if we could just get those who focus on public policy to do the same!
WRITTEN by Kevin McCullough in his blog at TownHall.com on May 20th, 2009
