Comments about ‘Marie says 'Idol' ought to be judged on talent’

You forgot to mention that the winner of "So You Think You Can Dance" season 3 spent 10 years living in Utah, and the previous year's winner was Mormon. And SYTYCD held auditions in SLC for season 4, so Utah could yet have another winner this year.

I voted for Brooke every week based on her talent. I loved that Idol finally showcased a female voice that wasn't just all about big glory notes. I know she struggled with her nerves but if you listen to her studio recordings on Itunes, she's amazing. I didn't vote for her because she was LDS. I voted for her because she was unique vocally from the parade of Whitney/Celine wanna-bes Idol usually provides us each season. I've purchased nearly all of her studio recordings and her version of "You Must Love Me" is superior to Madonna's. I hope she has a long career in the recording industry. I will probably vote for David Cook now. Much as I like David Archuleta as a person, his vocal style is not really my cup of tea, although I wish him well.

I agree that it should be judged on talent. Of course for that reason I don't believe that they should allow America to vote. Every time someone from Utah ends up on one of these shows people hold parties to watch and then call in multiple votes and I'm sure it's like that in other states too.

The shows success is because of the way the voting takes place, right or wrong. In the end they (the public) seems to get it right.

The popular vote process virtually guarantees a successful career in the entertainment industry for many of the winners and even some close finishers as is the case with Daughtry. Winners are currently on Broadway, in Vegas shows, on television, recording CDs etc. etc. I predict David Archuleta's first CD will go double platinum based simply on his huge following at this very moment. One note on the LDS faith: as a people the LDS faith while being relatively small in numbers is remarkably close-knit. I refer you to the following BYU devotional speech on 11/29/05: " Lightning Out Of Heaven": Joseph Smith and the Forging of Community by Terryl L. Givens. When I travel to Mexico, Florida, or anywhere for that matter I always attend Church and enjoy meeting so many new friends in our faith. Our Institute system as well as our LDS-owned university system fosters the close-knit community we all feel part of. In similar manner our missionary program contributes greatly to our being close-knit. Thus athletes, performers, politicians, etc. are followed with more than merely a passing interest.

As a non-LDS person living in Utah, I always chuckle at how excited everyone gets when an LDS contestant is mentioned in the news, yet how horrified y'all become if any criminal is mentioned as being Mormon--loudly screaming that "No one would ever say anything if that guy was a Catholic or a Baptist."

You really can't have it both ways--claiming no one should mention it if a Mormon is a criminal, yet shouting it from the rooftops if a celebrity is.

Anyway, that's how I see it.

Hey, Scott: You kind of look like a You tuber by the name of "eighthhourlunch".

Any idea about that?

About this topic, I hope the most popular and talented artists win the contest.

Pop music is about that, right?

I agree with you . . . but if they are going to report the negative (which they always do) do you fault any Mormon to take a little pleasure that it might at least go both ways?

I was sad Brooke got kicked off. I don't think Tyesha or Jason should have survived, based solely on singing ability. Both have some pleasant tones and both really struggle with their high register. Brooke reminded me of Carly Simon or Carole King. I'm confident she'll have a good career if she doesn't can the whole thing in favor of concentrating solely on raising a family. As for the LDS connection, I was proud of her for not watching an R rated movie, even though I think it's ridiculous to let a group of Hollywood types decide what is appropriate for a Mormon to watch. Some of the finest movies ever have been R rated and some of the worst PG and PG13. It's nice to see Mormons succeed in the entertainment world because LDS with church standards keep themselves out of a lot of movies and other genres of entertainment in order to preserve their modesty and to avoid vulgarity and obscenity. Also, much entertainment has an underlying message that it's OK to sin, and good LDS people seldom take part in such programs. One reason American Idol is popular is that it's wholesome family entertainment. Go Brooke.

I get a kick out how some non-LDS get chuckles out of our reaction to the positive and the negative.

I think it a natural thing reaction for individuals to be upset when negative things are said about their faith, especially if it is motivated by ignorance or bigotry. I suppose we do rejoice a some when there is anything positive in the press of late. It think that is natural too, don't you?

It was kind of hard to get/be excited last night when Brooke was so sad and crying after being eliminated, but I am. She was over-due to leave (definately should have last week instead of Carly and then Jason this week... Carly should be in the top 4). And per true Brooke fashion, she goofed up at the start of her farewell encore song last night (though this time it was understandable why).

But I agree with Marie, let's judge them based on their talent and not have it be a popularity contest or voting for them just because they're a member of your church. As Carly is gone now, that leaves David COOK as the most well rounded and deserving contestant left... he should win, but I'd rather he take 2nd. Let Archuleta win and be the one to get his debut CD content and his life controlled for the next year or so by "Idol" producers instead.

I am an active member of the LDS Church and I couldn't agree with you more. I don't think the religion of any of the contestants on American Idol or anything else including a criminals religion should be important to the news story being told. I agree with you "we" can't have it both ways, and I wish there was a way to not have it (religion) mentioned at all, EVER. Not going to happen, unfortunately.

As I have stated before, American Idol is a popularity contest for 10 to 15 yr old girls!! That is how we got Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks. Anyone with an IQ of 13 knows niether should have won. David A. is very talented, but he is also a teen heart throb for the girls!Dredlocks should have left 2 weeks ago.Brooke is very talented but we all knew she would not make the final two.I think the 2 Davids will be the final 2.Where it goes from there is is uncertain.

Take the voting away and down go the ratings and the AI producers know it. Who would be the judges making the final decisions, Randy, Paula and Simon? No thanks!

I agree that the American Idol competition is not based on talent; but why should it be? The music industry, especially pop music, has not been based on talent. It doesn't take talent to sell a million CDs - just ask Britney. Pop music is superficial. It matters more how you look, and what your willing to show, than it does on your talent as a singer. American Idol epitomizes this to a T.

The whole show is a popularity contest... they are in it to make money... find a teenie booper idol and sell records....
last years winner disappeared quickly... She will eventually be a great singer, but not for 3 or 4 years.

Same thing for this years contestants.
The best singer isn't the one that wins this thing.
Simon is a brilliant marketing person and he owns the souls of these kids... at least the top 10 are under contract (I believe).

Let's see 47 million called in this week. how much money and where does it go? Not all to the phone company...

It is a business....
I was amazed that last nights loser was stil on the show. She might have a nice voice but how would you know since you can't hear it over the instruments.

Same with the David A. His voice is a child's voice. he'll be great when his voice turns into a man's voice, but only teenie boppers would pay for the records now.

I totally agree with Marie Osmond and the person titled "Jut my opinion but". Religion should play no part in this nor should it be emphasized by the media. Of course in Utah it has always been one of the first questions asked of people in converation. As a Catholic I could care less whether a contestant, star, entertainer, celebrity is of that faith. It really is unique to this culture.

If contestants are judged on talent, Marie would have been gone from Dancing with the Stars the first week. Brooke White certainly has far more talent that Jason Castro.

I agree. It seems like American Idol has turned into a popularity contest. And only the coolest and best looking people stick around. (Except for Taylor Hicks. I don't know how he slipped through.)

And you know this exactly how? Why do hateful people have so much fun lying and making stuff up and "spreading" it? Get a life. Focus on something worth your focus.