The new idol format stinks. It's so horrible that I bet the AI execs are even now kicking themselves. So all of these other great people from last week are flushed down the toilet because there was a lack of overall talent in week 2? But moving on...

I was really surprised that Allison could actually sing. I don't know how long she can sustain that kind of belting without needing some serous hot tea, but she did it.

Adam is funny. I don't think he MEANS to be. But I guess you can't take the musical theatre out of the guy. It's kind of like a bad grass stain.

And Kris...I just knew he'd make it. Not because he should have, but because he got the 12 year old female vote. And really, that's all you need isn't it?

The new format is the old format! I have to agree that the people they are putting through mostly suck.

Danny - Yes, he can sing well, but he's not amazing nor worthy of his pimping, plus he's totally gross.

Alexis - All I can say is that she was one of the three best on her night.

Michael - He was probably bottom half on his night, truth be told. It's mystifying why he made it.

Adam - I actually thought he rocked it.

Allison - She was ok. Probably 6th out of 12 in a somewhat stronger field than the first week.

Kris - Definitely bottom half on his night but he was pimped quite a bit.

But in the last couple of years, you could make a strong argument that the format was also not working, particularly season 7 where people were eliminated in the semis who sang really well and also received praise from the judges and were rightfully in total shock!

The funny thing was, none of those contestants were plants. At least this year the plants have mostly been eliminated already, which leads me to believe they were trying to plant themselves rather than being true plants like Carly, Michael Johns, David Archuleta, KKKristy, etc...

dcterra-

Any format that relys on the votes of the A.I. fanbase to select talent, is going to "suck".

They're working from a flawed premise.

I'm not surprised by the results. But I like the format where some people get introduced slowly and grow on the public. That's how they got David Cook.

Plus, we know the demographics of voters. They are either teens or tweens or older FEMALE, white and Southern that's why you get Michael Sarver or a Kris Allen.

Hahaha, Old Tom you have a good point :o)

I am kind of ambivalent on which format I prefer. The end result is the same. Theoretically, you have to be "the best" (most popular) every week and you won't have to worry about being eliminated. True talent shouldn't have to worry about either format.

Having said that, it has seemed in the last couple of seasons in particular that some really horrible singers have made it pretty far. Last season was by far the worst, but more because of the plants than just terrible singing. It was last season that I really began following VFTW, and now it's the only way I can stomach Idol now. To be honest, people like Carly, David Archuleta, KKKristy, etc... are actually good singers, but for whatever reasons they couldn't make it on their own. Idol was literally filling up the slots trying to repackage losers that couldn't make it any other way. I mean, David Archuleta WON Starsearch and he still needed AI?

So whether it's a rigged voting process or just the divine will of the fantards (likely a combination), the end result is disappointing.

Remember how heavily Josh Gracin was pimped as the Iraq invasion started? Talk about a military-FOX network conspiracy! He was terrible, but he was always considered a frontrunner and for all I know was always getting the highest number of votes.

Tantrum has a great point about the southern connection. Usually when someone who sucks stays around a long time, they are almost always white and southern (or might as well be) and for whatever reason a certain demographic latches onto them. Unfortunately, this aspect seems to have way more influence in the voting than anything VFTW can muster.

Remember Bucky Covington? Seemed like a nice enough guy, but I just had to laugh every time I saw him.

I'll be contributing to VFTW mission as much as I can this season, but at a certain point I'll stop watching when there's no-one either amusing or truly talented left. I think last season I didn't watch the last 5-6 episodes, and on season 6 I skipped the final.

"Was it just me or did anyone else hear this on Thursday night?

After Seacrust told Alison she made the top 12 and she was foaming away verbally, I could have sworn I heard her say "frickin".

If I'm right, she has to be the VFTW choice."

van dergraaf- yes, Allison definitely did say "frickin" or "freakin" after she made the top 12... and I'm pretty sure Kris said it as well, haha