lol

AI has done this from day 1. Any contestent who comes on the show expecting a fair competition is off their rocker.

They always set up several singers to go the farthest. And yes, the other contestents are considered irrelevent. They don't have to "rig" the voting system, I think that they can pretty much manipulate the outcome. The sad thing is the contestents that are not chosen try and try to give the judges what they want but never succeed and are left thinking "what more can I do?" The interviews from Rewind on Season 2 are enlightening and show that several contestents felt exactly this way. They don't realize that pretty much there is nothing they can do.

It is interesting watching Idol Rewind, knowing what is going to happen. I realized this week the contestents that go the farthest aren't the ones that are the most talented, but get the most respect from the judges. Ruben is an example of this. Was he a better singer or performer than Clay, Kim, or Josh? No, but he got the most respect.

Here's my breakdown:

Season 1: In Simon's eyes there was nobody else in the competition besides Tamyra and Justin. (and Kelly a bit later.) Tamyra and Justin were lauded as "the best" and "the ones to beat" from day one, and Simon eluded to Tamyra winning many times. (until Kelly blew everyone out of the water and they noticed her.)

Season 2: This Rewind episode, Simon pretty much said that only Ruban, Clay and Kimberly Locke where worthy enough to stay. They praised Ruban, while in his interview he said he didn't do well and thought he was going home because he was sick.

Season 3: After LaToya left, no one could do anything right except Fantasia. They brought Jasmine to tears because they were so rude to her.

Season 4: It was all about Carrie

Season 5 &; 6 the favorites seemed to change and there wasn't really a front runner

Season One they were going for the Pop Star "look" more than vocal talent - this year it seems like they are going for voice/look rather than performers. Kelly was the exception.

We hardly ever get someone who can do everything: sing, perform, look good, and have a pleasant personality. Usually, most contestents lack one or more of these things, while they do others well.

I think season 7 is better vocally, while season 1 had better performers.

Kelly and Carly - Kelly, of course.

David A and Justin - Justin is the better performer on up beat songs, David has the better voice and is more likeable. I'd give it to David A so far.

Ramiele and Nikki - Ramiele has a prettier tone to her voice but is lacking in performance- Nikki was a good performer but was inconsistant vocally. I'd go for Ramiele in a toss up because of her voice.

Syesha Mercado/Chikezie Ezie/Brooke White vs Christina Christian. All of these AI 7 people have wowed me one time or another because of their pure tone. Christina never did, she was just okay - good, not great. So, I give it to the AI 7 guys.

RJ Helton and Michael Johns - I think RJ was the better singer, so I'll go for him

Ryan Starr and Kristy - Neither are very good, so I'll go for Kristy because she has a more pleasant voice

Ok, Professor...this was very funny (and obviously well researched) but I'm breaking out in a rash at the mere suggestion that RJ was better than my bloomin' onion of love. (By the way, I am in my 30s, but I'm no housfrau!!) I always get EJ and RJ confused, so I had to Google them again. Now I remember, EJ was the boy whose hair wasn't quite as out of control as Justin's and his face looked like it was smashed in. RJ was the boy band looking one.

You picked one of Michael's worst performances, by the way.