Pia's Premature Finale: An Open Letter To American Idol - The Cultute of Pop, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

Pia's Premature Finale: An Open Letter To American Idol

Posted: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 2:24:45 PDT

An Open Letter To The Judges, Fan Camps, Viewers, and Contestants Of American Idol, Season 10

It's a little after the hour of 8 pm CST as I'm typing, here...and I am in a state of shock to the point that I can barely get strength from my brain to type out my thoughts on Pia Toscano being eliminated from American Idol.

Yep, not enough votes from her fan base..and worse? Wonderfully active people who sat on their asses, and didn't lift a finger to pick up their phone or use the easy-as-pie Idol web site to give her additional support...

Granted, Pia has some work to do in refining her stage presence and doing more uptempo material, but I thought a new chapter was born Wednesday night via her fantastic rendition of River Deep, Mountain High which came in at a very, very close second to Paul McDonald's original take on Folsom Prison Blues to me...and I was SO looking forward to the weeks ahead to see her grow artistically with the rest of you Pia voting faithful at home (and okay, I will confess to a bit of a crush on Ms. Toscano that's only grown week by week, but I know when I hear potential musical greatness blossoming, so her talent superseded her beauty, I promise)..

Yet, two of the worst Idol performances of this season or any season (Stefano's When A Man Loves A Woman and Scotty's That's Alright, Mama) somehow bewitched their camps to help them squeak into next week...

Now, I know a lot of you out there may be going, those idiots at Vote For The Worst; they helped make this happen by supporting Paul McDonald...but as you'll find out in days to come on my podcast, they make only a very small impact when all is said and done...and Paul's a genuine talent, in my eyes...

Truth be told?

It's a select, yet significant slice of you on the pie chart who don't want the truly talented to leave prematurely that has to make a difference in large numbers to counter those swayed by good looks, those not blessed with the best of ears, and okay, maybe those Vote For The Worst meanies (who aren't really meanies, but that's another story).

But do I completely cast blame with you out there? No. I also blame the judges...and I've been very kind, been very considerate in my thoughts on them via my blog in recent weeks. However, I'm taking off my Job bible mask off, now...for the patience has ended.

Really, how in the everlovin' world could a real, dyed in the wool, so called Elvis Presley fan think that Scotty's take on That's Alright Mama had it goin' on?

Yes, I'm talking to you (Steven) Tyler! C'mon, man...You're the Demon Of Screamin', the coolest white guy to ever copy James Brown in your salad days at Paul's Mall in Boston before the mighty Aeroforce One became a force to be nationally reckoned with...and a card carrying Beatles fan like me (and your take on I'm Down with Mr. Whitford and the Boston Boys, rules).

Being such a madcap music lover/historian like me, you should know better before handing out compliments the way you have, lately...Go back and look at Elvis' 68 comeback special and tell me I'm not right in my previous Idol blog (link here) comparing Scotty's take on That's Alright, Mama to a Vegas act gone wrong, wrong, wrong. You're better than this, Steven...Be a demon from that judging panel, man...don't lose your sweetness, but give the critiques a little sour to balance it out....

Jennifer: Darlin, I love you to death and you're a sister of my heritage, but you need to take your own advice and study the great performers of rock, country, blues, whatever you can get your hands upon...and, change your judging critique too, sweetie...You also need to be tougher, no matter how difficult it is...You're from the Bronx, you're tougher than you know, girl!

You may say, it's easy for you behind a keyboard without the world watching...yes it is...but I'm also not afraid to be perhaps too over the moon when something moves me like Pia's River Deep, did or really let my Spanish blood boil when something emotionally upsets me. Maybe if I'd been around as a 4^th panelist to give my pointed, but honest views on the performances of Stefano and Scotty that might have struck a chord with true music lovers and judges of talent at home to motivate them to vote with their brains and ears, as well as their hearts, Pia would still be around...no doubt in my mind.

Randy: I respect you as a panelist/musician/record exec/way cool guy more than you know; and for the most part, you've really picked up the ball in being critical where Simon Cowell would be. But dude, there have been times in the last couple of weeks when I've gone WTF at you, man: (Haley's Bennie and the Jets? Scotty's That's Alright, Mama? Really? “In it to win it” moments in retrospect?

I quote Chandler Bing from Friends: Oh my God!

<Scotty, if you're reading, I hate to be using you like a pinata here, but you've been brilliant until this week, partner>.

Randy, please use those usually competent golden ears of yours and judge hard, hard, HARD in your critiques, dude! I've seen you do it MUCH more in seasons past, so don't be afraid to re-embrace that side of your personality again.

Next season? Might not be such a bad idea for you three to really be tough, be super brave, and not use that judges' save so early again.

Yes, I know...Casey's a really sweet, talented kid, and given his health circumstances, I probably would've been part of the “save” consensus, too...But who knows what we've lost in the aftermath after last night...and Casey is blessed with such talent, that's there's no doubt in my mind that if you guys had sent him home, he would have gone on to bigger and better things...He's that good to me.

Despite my toughness in this letter and previous American Idol columns this year, all 13 of these kids are wonderful in their own way when all of the elements come together for them, and even with all the ups and downs, I still feel this is one of the best groups in the show's history...and honestly, I think what's happened tonight is gonna make everybody remaining bring out the best in themselves vocally in weeks to come.

Finally, I beseech all of you out there reading: If you really, really, REALLY want someone you love to stay on shows like Idol, there is strength in numbers. However, you can't blither 'n' blather and go, oh, they were great, they don't need my help; I'll vote next week..and then, they're gone....

...and there's this emotional void that takes a show or two for those of you feeling bad because you didn't participate, to get over it.. at least, for those who still choose to watch...and although such thoughts have crossed my mind, I'm in for the duration with folks like Scotty, Paul, James and Lauren still around.

Please, don't waste future votes entirely on looks, okay? Base it on talent, stage presence, vocal control and career potential...and I have a challenge for you as I close.

Take a listen to some of the Idol performances from this week and past weeks wherever you can find them (American Idol.com/You Tube/etc)...and where visuals are involved, turn the video off on your computer monitor before mouse clicking Play ...and just utilize those ears God gave ya...

In the end? You may find yourself having a WTF moment, too...and re-assessing/giving future votes to someone truly deserving of a final honor...and a win they so richly deserve...and for many of us, that person in Season 10, might have been Pia Toscano.

I welcome your thoughts....

…and Seacrest, aren't you happy to be the only one not singled out here?

Rosado, out.

 

-Jeffrey Rosado, Editor/Creator, The Culture Of Pop

 

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