The Triangle

Issue date: 5/29/09 Section: Ed-Op

Media Credit: Michael Becker MCT

This past Wednesday night, millions of viewers tuned in to the "American Idol" season-eight finale. It was one of the most discussed television seasons ever; each episode elicited tons of news articles, blog posts and discussion videos - and it was thanks in large part to one standout contestant. Adam Lambert, the 27-year-old California native, certainly garnered more recognition than any other contestant this season with his ineffable confidence, blatant style statements and eerily wide vocal range (have you heard that falsetto?). Lambert quickly emerged as both a judge and crowd favorite.

Knowing "Idol" history, it shouldn't have come as a surprise when Lambert didn't take the crown on the May 20 finale episode - but it still did. Instead, 23-year-old Kris Allen's victory over Lambert was unquestionably the most startling upset in the show's eight-year history, but the phenomenon behind this is certainly not inexplicable.

"Idol" and other shows of its nature are ultimately not a measure of talent or even popularity these days. Rather, they represent cultural differences in our country and the ongoing battle between them. Naturally, the two left standing in this competition seemed to be polar opposites: Kris Allen, the über-Christian, endearingly-humble married college student who flew under the radar for much of the competition, and Adam Lambert, the screechy, "guylinered," sometimes drag queen who oozed star quality and demanded recognition with his black nail polish and over-the-top theatrics.

There are countless explanations behind Allen's victory: his excessively loyal hometown (apparently this area contributed 40 percent of the finale's total votes), the fact that he most probably earned most of conservative second runner-up Danny Gokey's votes, and the fact that Lambert's fans grew too comfortable in their confidence that their favorite was shoo-in to win. However, each contestant represents something much larger about the nature of the voters.

Kris Allen's victory really isn't so shocking after further consideration. After all, he does bare some striking resemblances to last year's Idol champ, David Cook. Both have the respectable acoustic-rock-career potential, low-key confidence and understated styles. Adam Lambert, on the other hand, reminds America of … well, come to think of it, there's no previous contestant to whom we can liken Lambert. There's no previous reality show winner with an ounce of the originality that he possesses, nor is there an artist on the current market with a similar sound. It seems as though the tendency to reject the unfamiliar is a big part of the American way.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools