<p>American Idol voting has always been a joke!</p>
<p>Bummed, yes.</p>
<p>But I don’t think its ever been a fair fight, in any of the seasons. Maybe it was fair in season 1, but since then there have always been web sites telling people how to game the voting, and sites devoted to “Vote for the Worst”.</p>
<p>I’m always reassured by Jennifer Hudson’s post Idol career. She was voted off way too early in her season, but that didn’t derail her career.</p>
<p>I have never thought for one minute that the votes are actually what moves candidates along. If they only went on votes, why don’t they publish how many votes each candidate got either during or after the season?? I am sure the producers have a LOT of say in who moves on and who doesn’t and getting votes from the Philippians won’t make a difference.</p>
<p>I found tonight’s show very underwhelming.</p>
<p>Agreed. Feel like they rushed thru the show and all the songs were short. Jessica sang well but I feel she just mimics the,original singer. The judges sure didn’t buy her “single” song. She seemed kind of awkward with it. I feel like she tries to “act” mature but she just doesn’t pull it off.</p>
<p>Phillip did this thing. Stand By Me was a bad choice just in that it’s like the same three words over and over again! The judges sure were all over his “single” - I’m gonna have to listen to it again. </p>
<p>I’m actually voting tonight! Go Phillip!</p>
<p>I don’t think Jessica “bought” her single either. It wasn’t a very good song. Phillip’s single reminded me of the soundtrack of a Disney movie where a bird soars to a mountaintop…well, you get the picture. lol</p>
<p>
Says it all and of course a bunch of us have been saying that for a while.</p>
<p>I did think Jessica took Round 1. Who knows about Round 2? I like Phillip’s “single”… it had a bit of a Simon and Garfunkel vibe, I thought (layered onto other elements). Jessica was hampered by the song given her.</p>
<p>I’m still in Phillip’s camp. I like originality, not a great voice that - if you couldn’t see the performer - you’d think was the original artist, not Jessica. Maybe she will develop her own style and personality as she gets older.</p>
<p>I cast my first vote of the season, for Philip.</p>
<p>Clearly Jessica has the better voice. I am always blown away by her voice, but underwhelmed by her choice of songs. It was sad that she said that if she makes a record, that she will pick songs that are more ‘her’. I don’t think she knows who she is, and she should have picked a finale song that gave us some clue.</p>
<p>I’m trying to find the writer of Philip’s song. it definitely sounds Mumford & sons/Fleet foxes, like Randy said. But that’s a style I like, so I could definitely hear more like that!</p>
<p>For me, Jessica lost momentum as the night progressed. I see her reluctance to move on stage as a big negative. Granted, a couple of weeks ago she looked really awkward dancing, but I just like her better when she doesn’t just sit or stand. Now she only has the voice and not much else.</p>
<p>Phillip is ready right now to be a star and Jessica simply is not.</p>
<p>EDIT: If we are to believe the Yahoo viewers poll, then Jessica will win. They have her currently winning 57% to 43% for Phillip.</p>
<p>I don’t really care for either of them, but I felt terrible for Jessica when all three judges criticized her last song, which she had no say in choosing. It was bland power pop that did her no favors, while Phil got a song precisely calibrated for his voice and style. (Remember when both finalists had to sing the same song?) I think there was significant producer manipulation in those song selections, as they realize that Jessica just doesn’t have what sells in pop music these days, while they might be able to wring a few decently selling singles out of Phil.</p>
<p>Ouch, MommaJ! You are the new Simon. But you may be right, I have no idea what strings the producers really pull to get someone to get more votes or not.</p>
<p>Regardless, I should have voted, especially after reading jshains comment on the Yahoo viewers poll, because I thought Phillip’s last song was just great. It did sound very Mumford and Son’s, but that is his style and he nailed it. Loved it.</p>
<p>I’m ussually all about the cute white guy with guitar, but really, Phil? He barely sang three words in his last song. Most of it was “ahhahhahh” sang by his back up singers, while he held his mouth in an O pretending that there was sound coming out. What a joke. I was shocked with the judges stood up to applaud that.</p>
<p>I haven’t watched the show for several weeks because they all started to annoy me but I watched last night’s. I don’t think there’s any question that Phillip should win. Whether he does or not, is another question. Phillip is entertaining. He doesn’t have the most beautiful voice but he’s an entertainer, like many, maybe even most successful singer/musicians, and I’d be happy to listen to his music. There’s something strange to me about a 16 year old girl imitating Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. And the sad thing is that she isn’t as good as either of them were when they were 16. Her vocal technique is not good. She has a good voice but she clearly needs some competent training.</p>
<p>I have been reading here and there that the contestants this year actually had a choice of a couple of songs for their single - which was why JLo was getting on Jessica about “choosing” better and standing up to the producers for what is right for her. And Jessica’s comments also were something like “in the future I’ll pick better songs for me”. </p>
<p>Also read that Scotty (last year’s winner) said in an interview that last year he picked on song for his “single”, but at the last minute the producers talked him out of it or something. So maybe there is some legs to that that the contestants DO have some choice on what they sing for that last song.</p>
<p>I just bought Phillip’s song. For him now, while I"d like the thrill of seeing him win, I know he’ll do his “thing” whether he is first or second. I just want him to wrap up the show tonight and go get that surgery so he can feel better and be on the mend. I’ve been frustrated reading comments against him saying “he doesn’t look well”, “isn’t singing with much energy”, etc. - Duh, the dude is legimately ill! It’s no excuse but I’d sure like to see what he can do when he is 100%! </p>
<p>BTW, my 20 year old son breezed through the performances last night with me after the show and he is hooked on Phillip’s sound. He said the comparison to Mumford and Son’s was right on. I agree with Steven that it has hints of Paul Simon as well and for me, SLIGHT vibe of Coldplay. Going to listen to my download now while I work!!!</p>
<p>Crizello, Phillip’s song was written by Drew Pearson. The funny thing is that this “first song” has been sung by various singers already and can be found on youtube.</p>
<p>Abasket - I’ve also heard that the finalist choose their original songs. With that in mind, the conversation at the judges table makes much more sense. Throughout the rest of the season Jessica has done a beautiful job of the ‘smile and nod’ at their feedback. Last night she had something to say, respectfully, which makes me think she had a hand in picking the song.</p>
<p>Yahoo poll now has Jessica leading Phil by a 55% to 45% margin. I still think Phil wins.</p>
<p>Nah. I think Jessica will win, and Phillip will have the surgery his Drs say he must have ASAP. Jessica will do all the post-idol tv shows herself (instead of with PP, as is the custom). They’ll go on tour, and PP will heal and start cranking out a record. Jessica will be slower to the album, while she gets braces, finishes HS and the producers figure out how to make her unique.</p>
<p>^^ this could definitely play out and this DEFINITELY makes me laugh!!!</p>
<p>I watched in the beginning of the season so don’t have a favorite. I was flipping around last night. Thankfully, I caught Phillip’s last song. I loved it. I wasn’t watching but working on my computer with it on in the background. I remember at one point stopping and thinking, I love this song. I totally would buy it.</p>
<p>And I’ve never thought that about one of the last songs before.</p>