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« The Great American Idol Blog
Controversy Could Have Kiboshed Idol's Carly Smithson
Carly Smithson on American Idol by Frank Micelotta/Fox
What would Jesus do? Isn't that always the question? Who knows, he might have said, "My child, that was a little pitchy for me."
The New York Times speculates that the controversy surrounding "Jesus Christ Superstar," the movie theme song sung by Carly Smithson this week on American Idol, may have contributed to her ouster. She received the lowest number of votes among the six remaining contestants.
Since the movie's release 35 years ago, the song has come under scrutiny by Christians. Many believe it portrays Jesus as unsure of his role as a religious icon.
So, Idol followers, what do you think? Did Carly get caught up in controversy, or were there just simply five better performances than hers? — J.R. Whalen
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Apr 25, 2008 12:44 PM
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Controversial? Maybe in the 1970s, but not so much today. It wasn't even that controversial when my high school band performed the song in the mid 1980s. Sounds like the Timesis trying to create controversy where none exists.
Her performance was definitely not the weakest of the six finalists. Idol has, at this point in the season, become a popularity contest, not a talent contest. You cannot convince me that Brooke deserves to stick around after the start/stop/start performance that wasn't that great when she did finish it. She and Jason should have been the bottom two, and for some reasons the judges were too polite to say so when prompted by Ryan.
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Apr 25, 2008 1:44 PM
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Hahaha! I was thinking that when she said she'd be singing Jesus Christ Superstar!
People are crazy man! That might have played a role. Brooke should have gone home but oh wait "she's never seen an R rated movie" . What a nice gal! Pfft!
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Apr 25, 2008 1:44 PM
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That is so pathetic if they are, obviously knowing nothing about the actual musical. The play is told more or less from Judas' perspective and he sings that song and it is bascially if you are who you say you are, why on earth did you come to such a backwards time, don't get me wrong, I believe in you but you are this superstar and I don't know what you have done, sacrficed or anything to prove it. It is the type of questioning that Jesus always encouraged in his followers and for all those "Christians" who seem to rely on the Old Testament and an idea of the New, well you know, read that and you will also find that because of this questioning, Judas' eventually betrayal was that much more because he was Jesus' actual friend who Jesus knew all along would have to be the one who starts Jesus' actual sacrifice. Sorry, the headline got me and I am bored at work.
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Apr 25, 2008 1:45 PM
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I am a Christian and I wasn't bothered by her performance of the song. Like most people I am not familier with the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" nor have I even seen the movie. When Hollywood or Broadway for that matter takes up a religous theme I get nervous about how respectully they will treat the subject matter. Christians are used to having our faith held up for ridicule in the pop culture so we have a valid reason to be hesitant about it. Her song may have made people a little nervous about voting for her. I would love to see what the reaction would have been if there were such a song as "Muhammad Superstar". Not only would she have been voted off but I fear people would have actually been killed. Remember the Dutch cartoons of Muhammad and the reaction to some of the Pope's comments?
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Apr 25, 2008 1:52 PM
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boatsun
I cant believe you've never seen that movie/musical!! It is one of Andrew Loyd Weber's best ever. You should go out and rent the movie and watch it-the music is amazing!
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Apr 25, 2008 2:05 PM
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Yes, I think that is why she was voted off. I am a Christian and it was offensive to me. I didn't "not" vote for her. But to see her two weeks earlier sing "Shout to the Lord" and then "Jesus Christ Superstar".....Just an opinion.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:08 PM
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Your question is a big reach. There are many other factors that played a larger part in Carly's goodbye:
1. That song just isn't very good.
2. She had started to show that her upper range is limited/not strong.
3. She lacked sincerity in her vocal performances.
4. She seemed desperate at times and tried too hard. Great singers don't do that.
5. Charisma is sometimes more important than actual singing talent on this show.
Having said all that, if she can find the right tunes she'll have a nice career ahead of her. If not, she'll end up like Bo Bice.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:12 PM
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I'm a Christian as well as a minister. I loved her performance! I think it was one of her best songs of the season. The musical "Jesus Christ Superstar is a fine production, one that I have personally been a part of in my high school days. Our church has even performed it during a church conference. I agree with you Boatsun, I thought while she was singing it that it may worry people. I still love Brooke and continue to be bored to tears by David A.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:16 PM
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My family and I were enjoying AI so much this season, up until the past few weeks. What happened to Michael Johns and Carly Smithson is a disgrace to the show. Jason cannot form a coherent sentence let alone sing. The only consolation is that Michael, Carly, David A. and David C. will go a lot further with a singing career than Jason ever will.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:18 PM
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I'm a Presbyterian USA minister and enjoyed the performance. But there are a lot of "drama queen" Christians who get offended by just about everything, valid or not.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:23 PM
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I'm not sure why this song/musical offends Christians? I think it is a beautiful story and the music is awesome!
Anyway...AI has really gone downhill in the last few weeks starting w/ Michael being voted off. I picked him in the begining to win it all. David A. is way too shy and to be an AI and Jason has NO personality and he looks strange. He and David A. need to leave and Brook is ridiculous - why is she still there after that horrible performance on Tuesday???
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Apr 25, 2008 2:24 PM
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Hey Captain...your boat is sinking. The boring singers are still on the show in Jason and Brooke. You must be kidding to think that she can perform "bigtime". I just saw Broadway's "Spring Awakening" last night and wow did I hear singers who had fabulous voices. Brooke is just OK and very pandering while Jason needs a strong cup of coffee of a job on Sesame Street. The Idol show is not for him but since there is no smart voting regulations the doofus teenage girls will continue to text message their votes because he has nice eyes. How lame is that? Carly sang her tatto off the other night and deserved to stay as did Syesha. These girls can sing and in time will develop more charisma.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:24 PM
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If you read enough of these message boards, you can give credence to this theory. I read a LOT of comments that thought the song was disrespectful.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:29 PM
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I just googled the lyrics (because let's face it - they're hard to understand) and this Southern Baptist girl does not believe it is blasphemous. It's not a sin to question God. And blasphemy, from what I understand, is completely rejecting and denouncing God. That is not the case here.
If people were offended by the song that's their own ignorance. Carly did a great job. The problem was it was one of her few fantastic performances - not enough of a fan base to save her. And likely, Brooke's and Jason's fans worked overtime because they knew they were in danger.
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Apr 25, 2008 2:29 PM
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