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UPFRONTS 2013: The Overachievers 
The American Idol voting public does not like women contestants. How else to explain that a field of seven female and six male finalists on Fox’s Idol has now been whittled down to only two women and the same six men? 
All five eliminated contestants so far have been gals. The judges saved the only endangered male contestant. But the voting is so heavily skewed in the male singers’ favor that the voting results can’t possibly be random. Especially after tonight’s shocker elimination of frontrunner Pia Toscano. I wish Nigel Lythgoe & Co could declare the two remaining females an endangered species and grant them immunity for a few rounds to achieve a better gender balance on the show. And while that, of course, can’t happen, the producers should at least keep the gals away from the opening slot on performance night, which often sends singers to the Bottom 3. Yes, democracy is great, but maybe a little affirmative action here won’t hurt. And above all, female voters should try to support their own. Feel free to disagree with me.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Pia was a victim of her own success. She was too perfect every week and thus seemed so safe she probably didn’t garner the votes. She was almost a beauty queen contestant in a way. So good looking, talented, but she was the same every week. Even this week where she tried to be more uptempo, she was still kind of the same. Jacob Lusk is another one who is a marked man now. He is the same every week also. And his statement about America being afraid to look in the mirror didn’t help.
I think the other two women have America rooting for them as underdogs. Haley has come into her own. Alaina is kind of a sweetheart that many teen viewers probably relate to. Stefano or Jacob are probably the ones likely to go next.
My thoughts exactly. Plus…. let’s face it, she couldn’t move. Why wear 4″ heels when you can’t even move in tennis shoes? Pia has a “great instrument” but a mundane voice in it’s perfection (either you get that or you don’t). Plus she’s super polished and there’s something annoying about that. Lastly… Gwen Steffani screwed her good by putting her in that diaper. Yikes! Horrible styling.
Alaina gets my vote (if I were actually to spend my $1 on such nonsense). Great talent, unpolished exuberance and the girl can entertain.
I totally agree with Sam and I’m guilty of assuming Pia was safe. Even so, I hope the judges don’t regret giving Casey the save. Good kid, love the bass.
Sam, I agree with your comments. You’re spot on.
One thing that I haven’t seen discussed is the judges squandering their “save” power early. They should have asked themselves: who do we think deserves to win this thing? … and saved their “save” in case they needed it. At the end of the day, the fact that we have Casey and not Pia is as much their faults as the voting public’s.
Other ideas are to simple have the judges select who goes based on the nationwide vote determining who’s in the bottom three.
Hain, you couldn’t be more right. During the perfomance show, i wondered to myself if i would actually spend money to buy her music or see her live and ended up comparing her to like the last Mariah’s album with songs though perfectly sung, just wouldn’t hit a notch with me. Where i’d go to a concert hoping to hear the older tunes.
Pia’s is too perfect (if at all there’s something like that). She sings great but i find that it lacks some sort of emotion/connection.
Jacob is next out. I respect his decision not to sing a song about ‘wanting to do it now’ but….dude was asking if the TMZ guy is single! Well, he’s also great but I hardly see myself bothering to buy his music. As he was warned, he needs to try avoid sounding ‘overproduced’.
Above all, this is a very talented group of finalists.
Jacob didnt ask the dude at TMZ if they were single – he asked the girl – but I think that was a ruse. Not to matter, I think for the reasons mentioned in these posts Jacob and Stefano will go next because they have peaked and the others will surpass them. I agree this is the most talented group of finalists ever in the competition. And I am loving Haley breaking out – she was my least favorite originally, but is blossoming with a unique edge as the competition goes on. I wish Naema had a little more room in the top range of her voice – she was a magnificent performer. Cant wait for the summer tour!
I think the right person went home. She did not have a personality. She came across like a lounger singer albeit a great lounge singer
And the judges were out of line reacting like they did. Man up!
Sam Hain – haha, funny.
The trouble is Pia Toscano is American Idol’s version of UK X Factor’s Cher Lloyd. Both are great singers, but come off as obnoxious.
You do know where Cher ended up, right? and how her career is about to go BOOM? Your comment doesn’t make much sense.
That is really a misnomer. Cher Lloyd used the negativity to get to the finals. Unlike Cher, Pia was as bland as mint toothpaste. A cute girl that can sing? Not enough. Rock week gave her an opportunity to show some edge and she failed miserably. Even that country guy mixed it up singing the king of rock n roll. While I’ll miss her deadly curves Pia deserved what she got.
Joe, you really are comparing Pia’s vocals to Cher Lloyd’s? You really can’t be that delusional can you? Why Cheryl Cole let Lloyd on in the first place is probably so she can turn her into a mini-Cheryl. Apart from ‘Stay’, that silly girl could hardly carry a tune.
Pia has the vocals, but she’s too perfect as Sam Hain wrote above. She’s always saying that she’s living her dream, she always sings perfectly and doesn’t really have sob-story….Indeed am totally shocked by her leaving the show, but… oh what the hell. This is a huge shock.
It’s a reality television show. Really. Come on.
A chick getting kicked off a reality show warrents a post on a website the calibre of deadline hollywood? Give me a break…
So, just because you personally don’t like the show, and don’t seem to understand its influence over the last 10 years of pop culture, this site should not cover one of the most successful shows in FOX’s history?
Democracy is the right to make the wrong choice.
who’s opinion decides if it was the wrong or right choice. I have watched this show since its’ start, and those who shine too quickly often plateau(sp?) too quickly as well…. it’s almost a hazard that exists and one should be weary about……
Also, I Love love the judges this year, but was apalled at their unprofessional reaction last night? What are the rest of the contestants that they compliment so often? FILLERS? mere fillers on a show on Pia’s way to the win? If I were a contestant last night, that is how I would have felt……. Fact is, they are all superb this year, so we will lose someone dear to us each week, including Pia, who was amazing indeed; but did not deserve to feel she was “wronged”….. if anyone else were to have gone home , would they get the same reaction? They must remain politically correct and not hurt the feelings of those remaining that were OBVIOUSLY voted for…… There are several remaining very very talented singers that didnt deserve to hear that mourn fest from the judges…….. as if they would have rather seen one of them go? one of the many that they have also said are “in it to win it” etc……… It really angered me……. Let’s grow up ppl, enjoy the competition, admit our sadness at those that we love being sent home, without bashing the other good singers left in it!
………….. there i feel much better now
feel free to disagree with me 
Dead on!
Beautifully said! My thoughts exactly!
American Idol voting is hardly democracy in action. Until they get to ONE PERSON/ONE VOTE, you’ll have these situations. I think a lot of folks who actually like the TALENT aspect aren’t willing to spend 2 hours multi-texting or robodialing.
You hit the nail on the head. I’m a 33 year old male and like the show overall, but I’m not about to spend several hours repeatedly sending texts, phoning votes, etc. The one vote process is the only way contestants will get a fair vote.
Exactly. The people willing to sit there power voting for hours are not the people buying the CD’s or going to the concerts. That has been shown with the last two winners. So what is the point of keeping this show a voting competition instead of a singing/talent competition.
Zach you are so right – one vote/one contestant is the way to go. I dont have time to do mega multiple votes each week. I did the first week and then realised the following week that there was no way to continue this. But the obvious fact is more money is being made on a multiple (inaccurate) voting system. So I vote 5 times for my mega faves, 3 times for my mediums and once for my lowest. Pathetic I know-but what can I do?
I think that ridiculous baggy outfit she wore last night is to blame
The judges have only themselves to blame for Pia’s ouster. First, they wasted the save on Taylor Hicks wannabe Casey Abrams far too early in the competition. Second, they continue to heap unwarranted praise on all the contestants’ performances, even ones that are laughably bad. If the judges don’t distinguish the bad from the good, how can they criticize America for failing to do so as well? And why were they so shocked and upset with the votes if they truly believed all the contestants were fantastic? Randy, JLo and Steven need to wake up and start calling them like they truly see them, or don’t complain when one of those horrible caterwaulers wins.
Actually, the contestant who recieves the most unwarrened praise is Casey.
His voice is average at best, his stage presence cringe-worthy, and he’s sooo ugly!
The only reason I’m watching this season is because of Casey…
Everyone else is been there, done that. At least the kid offers something none of the other contestants have– real musical ability.
Anna, you must be in your 30′s right? Why aren’t you out looking for a husband instead of watching American Idol in your PJs?
right on enigma. couldn’t have said it better myself.
This is a completely idiotic comment.
Casey is BY FAR the most talented musician on that stage, and is likely going to be producing other artists records for decades to come.
Ditto the other responders to Anna. Casey is my favorite by far. I will lose interest after he’s out, which is inevitable. There is a ton of talent among the finalists but he’s the most original and truly musically gifted. The judges using their save for him was my favorite moment on the show.
It’s not surprising a bunch of boys are left. This show always ends up giving the win to some pretty boy who is less than half as talented as the other top finalists. It’s not a talent show, it’s a who do the unlimited texting play tween girls like to look at contest.
Disagree! The person who has gotten all praise and no honest critiques what so ever, is James Durbin! Simon Cowell would be having a field day with that kid, lol. Casey is heartfelt & has a great quirky personality. His singing is not perfect by any means, but he brings a lot of true emotion and originality to the show.
Seems like every year there’s a story about a conspiracy. First it’s contestants of color and why they get voted off. Now it’s women and why they’re getting voted off. How about this: the girls are getting voted off because people simply don’t like them? Naima had no voice whatsoever, Thia was a robot, and Pia — good voice, not great — sang the same thing every week. If you watch this show routinely (and my wife and I do; I plead guilty!) you’ll know “one trick ponies” tend to wear out their welcome.
I agree some part of the problem is the judges. This has been a solid season for IDOL but Lopez and Tyler are afraid to criticize the contestants. As was mentioned above, every week they do nothing but tell all of them how wonderful they are. If they were being honest, why were they upset that Pia was voted off? Wouldn’t they have been as upset if anyone else (who they also praised to no end) had been voted off?
Clearly J Lo and Tyler are performers sensitive to critiquing the contestants, but when you are not being honest (as they clearly aren’t), their tears really came off as hollow. For me it’s the only area where Idol has lost something this year. Not only Simon but even Kara used to be critical and say it like it was. Now it’s a lovefest, with the judges building contestants up instead of actually speaking the truth. None of these contestants is above criticism most weeks, but you seldom EVER hear it.
IMO they need to do something to adjust it next season. If Lopez and Tyler don’t want to be critical (and Randy seldom ever is), the show is going to eventually erode during the live performance weeks. Moving Jimmy Iovine into that role on the judges panel might be a good idea, he’s actually gone from an arrogant jerk to a likeable, constructive criticism guy in those pre-song segments (which are by themselves much better than the old “mentoring” intros they used to do with the celebrity guests).
As for Pia, I liked her, but she did nothing but sing ballads every week. She also had scant charisma and stage presence. I liked her voice plenty, but I’m also old…the people who vote are young, so she was too old-fashioned in a sense for them. No surprise, she was never going to win anyway.
Well said!!
Well said! The show’s still solid, still pulling in huge numbers every week. JLo and Steven are very likable but there is a honest/real energy that is definitely missing with the exit of Simon Cowell. I hope XFactor delivers. Say what you want about Simon but he knows what he’s talking about, he commands an audience and he is a smart and talented producer and his absence this season is noticeable.
Instead of voting for who should stay the votes should go for the one you want to LEAVE. It would be more realistic.
One of the biggest problems is the judges comments. If a contestant gets ANY negative feedback they are doomed to the bottom three. Perhaps this is justifiable, but it makes the show extremely predictable. Even Pia got the “Kiss of Death” when Randy mentioned in previous weeks about her stage presence. She probably has the best voice of any of the contestants, but one bad revue puts the seed of doubt into the minds of the voting public.
C’mon everyone knows the only people who watch the show are girls and gay guys. Hence why the female contestants are getting the chop.
I’m a straight man and I love American Idol.
I doubt you’re voting. Statistically, more girls are voting and keeping in their crushes. I don’t know why there’s a discussion on this… that’s exactly what’s happening.
Even if it were true, that would be all the more reason the girls would stay longer. Who loves a diva more than girls and the gays? Do Mariah or Whitney or Celine have more straight male fans than female and gay fans?
Exactly. Women are at a distinct disadvantage. Straight men just don’t pick up the phone to vote. Not saying they don’t watch (with their wives) but they will never vote. So unless the wife is going to vote this trend will continue. It’s just demographics — not some anti female agenda. The Black kid who was saved last night should do well because he appears to be gay and the only black contestant left. Hence he will pull two powerful voting blocks together.
They vanish because majority, or probably all of the voters are woman who vote for handsome guys they like.
Really? It’s taken people this many years to realize…it’s all about young girls voting for cute boys. It’s not about talent. It’s about hormones. Why do you think Jason Castro made it to the top 6? Sanjaya? Archuleta? You can bank on Stefano making it to the final 2, talent or not. Anyone who thinks this is a talent showcase is fooling themselves.
The show just jumped the shark. I know alot of people will say it did awhile back – but it has always been entertaining to me -even when the eventually winner may not have mattered that much. That Lee Dwyse guy winning last year was the worst. But Pia (who was leading Vegas bookmakers to win 2/1) being voted out in 9th place is unbelievable. What is more unbelievable is seeing alot of negative (although definitely in the minority) against here for being too pretty, or not moving, or singing too safe. This is when other girls like Lauryn haven’t even come close to doing anything Pia has done. I just don’t really get it – and I’m really not that square.
I also had worried about the girl problem – sometime it is in the talent – but there are definitely at least three guys that can go right now – I mean they have a hard time putting there routines together at the beginning of the show. And if anyone was watching Pia led the whole charge in that opening dance number. Really don’t get it. And the judges don’t help – JLO criticised her (but was really trying to help her) more than anybody.
Yeah, tonight was bad. Never would have happened if Simon was still on… I still think Idol is some of the best TV out there. My favorite part of the show was when Jacob asked if the TMZ girl was available. Dude… you could be the next Anthony and the Johnsons… you’re like 30 years too late to be the next Liberace.
Pia has a fabulous voice – no doubt
But for middle America and the voting public- which is mostly young gals – she was too beauty pageant
she also was very wooden in her performance last night
couldn’t move
yes Haley should have gone before but she is still cute enough for young gals to identify with
Jacob will go next
great voice but not appealing to the general public
Pia has a strong voice. But Simon would have called her boring, yawned, and then told her she was one step above a great Vegas lounge act. She could have learned from that and been pushed out of her comfort zone of bland ballads and prom queen dresses.
If the judges were really shocked as they seemed to be, it shows they don’t have a feel for what the competition is all about. Simon did. And he usually had a sense of how people would vote. It made things more interesting and heightened the stakes. Also, did anyone else notice the judges interacting with the crowd a lot this week, like they got a note to answer every yell in the audience?
The problem is most of their fanbase is females – young girls and cougar-age women. It used to be more balanced, but as the years have gone on, interest in other demographics has waned. It’s insanely tough for girls to get far at all unless all the guys are total shit like last year, and even last year, a totally shit guy won. It’s just too skewed these days.
It’s well known that young (pre-teen and early teen) girls and women of a certain age are the primary voters. Teen boys and men don’t vote nearly as much. For some reason, they don’t identify with the girl contestants that often and instead do the boy teen idol thing. It doesn’t seem to matter if they change the voting system or not. In the end, no matter who votes, it’s usually been the wrong one that wins. Mediocrity usually rules in these shows.
As previous people have said, the viewers are mostly female. The voters are mostly female. And women hate other women, and want to see them fail. So it’s little wonder the best looking, most talented women receive the fewest votes. It’s pure jealousy. Unless she has some heartstring-tugging backstory that makes women feel sorry for her, there’s no chance a female contestant will get far in this contest.
Speaking as a woman and a feminist…you are exactly right. Thank you for putting it into words. Although I might add that were she not attractive or perhaps carried around a bit of extra weight (I don’t know what she looks like, I am assuming from comments), she might have had a better shot. That demographic loves to “project” themselves into the story.
Let’s be honest though, American Idol is not, nor has it ever been set up to select the “Best” singer and performer. It’s an uber-manipulative soap opera, and the people who cannot see that are most likely the ones doing the voting.
Pleased to say I haven’t watched in years, but this is nothing new.
It’s because young girls are the primary voters for the show. So, they tend to vote for the “hot guy” above other girls; past history of the show has shown this. As a result, good looking guys traditionally stand a better chance of going far in the competition.
I think websites like dialidol end up screwing with the results — if you looked at it, you would see that Pia was more than safe (she was number 3) — so people end up voting for the ones who are at the bottom. Tv guide also said that Pia was the one to beat with their poll. People thought she was safe.
I can’t understand, the bottom three should have been Hailey, paul and jacob — who did a major misstep by his comments.
Pia should have been in the top 3 if not the winner, sometimes winning is not a good thing (look at adam lambert and daughtry and elliot yamin). I hope that they sign a contract with her.
Casey deserved the save. If you look however, a majority of the people who do well are those who lean towards country because i believe most of the south are voting for idol.
the truth is that all of them are very good (except for hailey), but pia stood above the rest that i didn’t think she needed the votes.
It seems almost obvious to me why the “female singers are vanishing” — I hate to say it, but just look at the ethnic make-up/breakdown of the top 12:
ELIMINATED:
12th: Ahston Jones: African-American
11th: Karen Rodriguez: Hispanic
10th: Naima Adedapo: African-American
9th: Thia Megia: Filipina
8th: Pia Toscano: Italian
SAFE:
Casey Abrams: Caucasian
Lauren Alaina: Caucasian
James Durbin: Caucasian
Scotty McCreery: Caucasian
Paul McDonald: Caucasian
Haley Rinehart: Caucasian
Jacob Lusk: African-American
Stefano Langone: Italian
The judges were the ones who picked the top 12, from that point on it’s all on the voting public (except for any saves).
Yes, there have been African-American winners, but in the past few years it seems like the top finalists have, by an overwhelming proportion, been Caucasian.
Remember, this is the same voting public that blocked Adam Lambert from winning. I’m not saying Lambert deserved to win, but it certainly seemed like he was going to. When the nice Christian guy Danny Gokey was booted at 3rd, the other nice Christian guy, Kris Allen, finally stopped splitting votes and won in a landslide against the “alternative” Adam Lambert.
Also, if the next contestant to get the boot is Stefano or Jacob, then perhaps it’s not a female thing.
They’ve certainly run out of female ethnic minority contestants. One by one, that was a piecemeal, business-like ethnic cleansing by the voting public. Gee, so proud
Last addendum…
The other 2 in the bottom 3 were Jacob and Stefano, which means that when they were announcing Pia’s departure, everyone on the other side of the stage on the “Safe” couch was Caucasian.
Hey, 2cents – you, the Moron.
Italian is “Caucasian”. Just as Spanish is Caucasian. And French, among others.
So two of the people you’re crying and complaining about voters being prejudiced against: Pia and Stefano, are both, let me break this to you slowly…Caucasian.
Yes, they may look a little different than, say, Scotty, but they’re still… Caucasian.
And I would bet the house that if there was a disproportionately high number of non-caucasian singers left you wouldn’t be on here complaining. You’d be sitting there smiling and saying how the voters have a such a hard time with all the talented singers.
Look, just cause your multi-racial doesn’t mean you have talent…
Stop playing the race card and get back to your Al Sharpton rally.
Well, what did you just prove with your basically racial comment? Like oh those evil white people, they all hate black people…. That African-American, American-Hispanic, American-Italian people are voting for Caucasian people. Since this is people’s choice. How is it problem of white people? If black people vote not for black people but for white when they like them.
And why is it always African-American people bring racism whenever they lose? Remember that Undercovers TV show? With all black Lead cast. And then it was canceled because of small ratings because no one watched that show? Which means that African-American people DIDN’T WANT TO WATCH show with African-American people as lead actors.
There is only one white judge. Jennifer Lopez is hispanic, Randy is black in case you didn’t notice. There were problems with the contestants who have been voted off this season.
People who make this a race thing are sickening. People vote for who they like.
Quit mixing nationalities and race. You are a moron.
Hey, Dummy – American Italians ARE considered Caucasian. Otherwise, I could have had a free ride to college.
it is strange that the last four who left are women — especially since all four were great singers. what is strange is that the women who are left are the weakest of the bunch.
Its easy. Idol’s voting population is likely made up of young girls. They vote for boys
It’s time to have Simon back! The X-Factor Era is about to start…
Not one idol winner has had true talent.
Sold itune singles, yes. Not talent.
I was stunned…but not. Even though she has the best voice hands down, at least of the girls, its’ not, as Simon used to say, a “singing competition:” it’s a popularity contest. as many have said, the teeny bopper girls vote for the boys. Simple. That’s why there have been such subpar winners the past couple of yrs
There have been MANY other girls who have gone home prematurely due to this skewed voter base.But before us Pia fans get too depressed, lets remember that other “losers” include Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtery both of whom have completely eclipsed the winners of their years ..I don’t even remember who won when Hudson was kicked off..do you? Also, this is, as others have said, a particularly strong field of singers, ..there isn’t a Sanjaya in the bunch. I am sure some record mogul will snap Ms Pia up. And she’ll be on tour this summer.
Anonymous’ claim that the deck is stacked against the women becuase “the only people who watch the show are girls and gay guys” is absurd. Speaking as a gay man, we love ourselves a big ‘ol diva and we will go to bat for them every time before we’ll vote for some Marc Anthony wannabe like Stefano.
Pia was painfully nice to look at but a lackluster performer. I am looking forward to Haley, Paul, Stefano and Casey leaving over the next few weeks. James, Jacob, Alaina and Scotty should be the final four. Scotty could be a dark horse winner this year.
All people have to do is really really watch, stop being whiny bitches and realize that those girls SUUUUCKED. The first four girls eliminated were just awful and deserved to go badly (I liked Ashton and Naima a bit), Pia, the latest girl was a very good singer but was the most boring and thanks to that frustrating contestant this season. She deserved to go too, maybe not last night, but she deserved to go eventually, who cares when it actually happened? She wasn’t going to win anyway.
It’s true that if we’re talking about order of elimination others like Stefano should’ve gone first, but in the end, she sucked, she’s gone. I think it was staged to give further power to the men, but she was still going home in a couple of weeks.