Idol Talk: No Country for Old Judges
by Vera H-C ChanApr 17, 2008
In the end, "American Idol" is no mystery. Only one singer survives, and every week another roommate leaves the "Idol" dormitories.
Of the past four cast-offs, Chikezie didn't register online except after his rousing bluegrass number. Ramiele Malubay didn't live up to her maturity, and her enormous online appeal dwindled. Talent and judges' adulations aside, Michael Johns never drew much interest.
The latest chalk outline belongs to Kristy Lee Cook. The Oregon horse trainer couldn't bounce back from the brutal feedback she received after "Eight Days a Week." Nevertheless, people were starting to take note in Search.
Alas for Kristy Lee, those fans were mostly male (61%)—not the traditional "Idol" voter. Among her Search base in Oregon, California, New York, West Virginia and Hawaii, only the last two states have traditionally backed the winner.
Now that "Idol" is down to six, who has the widest appeal and who has the appeal that counts? Stay tuned next week.