Are "American Idol" viewers racist?

My blog has been innundated with people who've come via searches such as "american idol conspiracy" and "american idol rigged." And as Prof. Althouse and Adam Bonin have debated, there is a question of whether the voting has an ugly racial component to it, with the three lowest vote getters being (in my opinion) the best singers, but also the three African-American women. To be fair, I've used the deliberately provocative term "racist," but even Adam, who advanced the racial component argument, didn't suggest that the viewers were racists.

I think Adam is right that the notion that Fantasia, Jennifer, and LaToya are all "divas" starts to inject some element of race into the perception of the contest.

However, in the end, I agree with Prof. Althouse that it really isn't race that's at issue: it's the voting system. Because viewers vote for who they want to keep, and they can vote as many times as they want, weaker singers like John S. can stick around for as long as he has enough fans who will obsessively redial to keep his phone lines jammed. After all, Fox can only have so many lines for the calls to roll over to; once all the lines for a contestant are plugged (for that moment), additional votes at the moment are wasted.

Thus, suppose that the line for John S. rolls over to 100 different lines. At 8:01 pm Central Time, the lines are open. John S. only has 200 fans in this time zone (plus Eastern, since the show is on at the same real time), but they will vote and vote and vote for 2 straight hours. Meanwhile, Jennifer has 10,000 fans in the time zone. The fact that Jennifer has 50 times more fans won't be reflected in the vote total, since John S. is already maxing out the number of votes that could be tallied.

But wait, it gets worse. Since we are voting for who want to keep, not who we want to boot, people who think that Jennifer, Fantasia, and LaToya are the three best are in a bit of a quandary. Who do you vote for? You could spend two hours splitting up your votes among all three, but that makes you less effective than the obsessive John-boy fan who spends two hours voting for him.

In short, the system is broken and needs to be fixed. If they are technogically unable to limit the voting to one per phone number, then the vote should be for who you want to see kicked off.

UPDATE (4/23): Prof. Althouse points out some drawbacks to voting for who to kick off:

But the show has a successful formula based on voting for who you like, not ganging up on someone to convey the message that you are against them. The spirit is positive. The voters who are happy with three contestants and dislike one should not be able to kick off the guy that is the only one some other people love. If three "divas" made a great show, why didn't more people watch the all-diva VH-1 contest a year ago? (And why don't more people buy the unbelievably great gospel recordings that already exist?) It's not an objective talent contest. People like the music they like (and much of it is by black artists). The producers want to keep everyone watching to the end, want the winner to sell records (not just be the least disliked, but to have rabid fans, as Clay does), and are not adverse to the drama produced by the constant risk that the "wrong" person will go. That's the successful formula. Don't change it. Just keep reminding people to vote--a lot--for the one they love most. That split vote effect works to keep at least one person of the type that a segment of the audience likes. That's how John Stevens survived after JPL was gone. And Nikki McKibben outlasted Tamyra Gray because people who loved Tamyra also loved Kelly Clarkson and people who liked "rockers" had only Nikki to vote for after Ryan Starr was gone. It's the nature of the game.

Comments

[Jason Steffens]

Good analysis. The voting system really does appear to be messed up. (Which makes Ryan Seacrest's preaching last night at the end of the show even more annoying.)

[Matt]

It's certainly technically possible to limit calls to a set number of votes for any one contestant per phone number--ABC did it with the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire phone game. My thought is that they don't want to do it, not because of the impact on results (I don't watch, but based on what I've read, watching Jennifer, Fantasia, and LaToya perform for the next few weeks would be more entertaining than watching John perform), but because if it were limited, there'd be a lot fewer votes, so Seacrest and the producers couldn't pimp "24 million votes!"

[THERESA MCGEE]

One way they could control this voting situation is by charging per vote that would eliminate all those redial votes

[ISALA]

THE SHOW IS AMERICAN IDOL COME ON THE ONLY ONES THAT WATCH THIS SHOW AND VOTE ARE THE MAJORITY AND THEY ARE WHITE AMERICA IS STILL VERY RACIST, LETS JUST FACE IT THAT ISSUE WILL NEVER BE SOLVED IN THIS TIME WE LIVE IN, ITS ALL A WASTE OF TIME ONLY 4 GIRLS CAN REALLY SING AND YES, I WILL SAY IT ALL THREE BLACK GIRLS AND THE HAWIAN GIRL THEY HAVE TALENT. BUT OF COURSE AMERICA DOESN'T

[Screams]

I think that American Idol goes beyond all duties to be racist. All 3 black singers are great. None of the white or other singers really sounded too good. They were alright - but, that's about it. I think the show 'pre-sets' the winners by making pre-determined choices as to who will even be on the show. And don't give me that bunk about the 'people vote'........who knows what goes on behind the shows closed doors? You?! I didn't think so. Anyway - welcome to the new America. The media sucks and it continues to suck every gullible individual into it.

[Isala sucks ass]

Piss off Isala, stop your damn whining. The people that watch are the ones that spend the money. If it was just a bunch of lousy blacks singing, then the ratings would be just like the UPN Monday night ratings, no one would watch, no advertisers would spend money on it, it wouldn't be on at all. Shut the fuck up, you whining racists fuck.

[redhen]

I applaud Elton John. If more white people would start taking a stand against racism things would change. but white Americans continue to say "its not racism".

Racism is the power to take a less qualified white person and say they have more talent than a more qualified black person, then vote for the white person to be the American Idol. Whites can do this because they represent 81% of the voters.

Institutionalized racism is a system created by whites to exclude blacks. It is a system where white people do not have do anything but be white to win. Can you say "white privilege"?

What we see happening on American Idol is a microcosm of what happens everyday in America;
a less qualified white person competing with a more talented, more qualified black person. The black person gets eliminated. When someone complains the whites say "its not racism".

This is also about gender. How many black females get lead roles on TV and the movies. Most of the time you see a white, latino or very light skinned black woman that can pass for white in these roles.

How about less qualified black that get jobs, or admitted to schools simply because they are black? How about the fact that the quality of job markets and diplomas are dragged down by the fact that unqualified blacks and latinos are given a leg up over the qualified competition. How about the fact that an eduacted minority is an aberation, not the norm that white america is hiding. How about the fact that not a single black who does get cast in roles varies from the steroetypes, and that blacks who go to the movies, or watch them on TV only want to see the gutter trash expoitive crap that hollywood puts out. Drag yourselves ouot of the muck, don't rely on stepping on white people to get ahead.

[Ernest]

Let's remember who are doing the majority of the hiring. White men who may decide to hire the so-called less qualified blacks only do it because they are forced to give oppportunity to those they typically would not. I mean minorities. After they've filled 99% of the jobs (and schools for that matter) with whites with no consideration of hiring anyone else, they then make the minorities compete for the last few positions. Undoubtedly during the hiring (or admittance)process of the first 85-99% there were plenty of more-than-qualified minority applicants, but affirmative action hadn't kicked in yet, since there were still some positions left. The hiring personnel could argue that "Don't worry, we are open to hiring minorities." When the last couple of job openings are left and they look at the lilly white work force or student body, they say "Wait a minute. If we don't hire some minorities, we might get in trouble."

At this point there are three schools of thought that the business owners can have.

1. If we have to hire a minority, let's get the best one we can find. (Which could have easily been found earlier when they were not in the Affirmative Action Zone.)
This is the preferred of the three.

2. If we have to hire a minority, let's get one who is substandard so we can say "I told you so"
This is the most common of the three.

3. If we have to hire a black and a woman, let's hire a black woman and kill 2 birds with one stone.
This can be coupled with either 1. or 2. but typically will go with 1. because a qualified black woman is not as threatening to a white man as a black man, because she has two strikes against her to overcome.

We're doing a great job at dragging ourselves out of the muck that you have worked and continue to work so hard at pushing us in.

[citizendude]

To the twits that constantly talk about us blacks pulling ourselves up and not relying on whites. Get a clue. I went to a prestigious university and I guess affirmative action had something to do with that (not that my 1260 SAT score meant much). When I failed a course did you think I got waived based on my color ? No !!! I had to repeat the course. Where was this holy grail of affirmative action when I needed it on several occassions. Of course little can be said about the white folks that partied all week and was still abled to pull off A's or get waived since "Dad" is a major contributor to the school. Fact is most of us blacks that "pull ourselves up" work twice as hard for less than half the rewards enjoyed by most whites (and that's if we're lucky). Want to end affirmative action ? Buck up and be fair for once in your bloody lives. And then feel free to spew that garbage about us folks needing handouts. And yes, that was some covert ops styled rigging on American Idol.

[Czar Nick]

Shut the fuck up with your whining bullshit. Always some excuse about why the white Americans outpreform everyother color. "daddy did it", or the "profeesors prefere them". How about they are more qualified, you fucknutz. Shut up you whining bitches.

[elizabeth]

Hey Nick, I'm white and I guess your lack of college experience proves it (aside from the need to do a spell check and use of the word f***nutz...spelt with a z) from your lame attempt of an insult. Let me guess Nick, you're white. Here's some reality for you, Nick. I work at public relations firm. One of the persons that was responsible for putting up our websites was this young black kid. He was always at his station before most of us got in and most days we left before him. A few months ago, the one of the supervisors's kid who just graduated with a GRAPHICS ART degree replaced him and now someone from IT has to TEACH this kid how to write codes for the website. Yeah, this black kid was the TOTAL package and replaced with someone lesser. Get a clue, you clueless bitch, step out of mom's basement and deal with reality. The way I see it citizen was telling it like IT IS and not whining.

[Chris]

Well, after tonight, I guess we can all agree that America is racist and American Idol is simply reminding us of it. I tried for the full two hours to vote last night and was unable to do so because the line stayed busy constantly. White america will not let someone of color win two years in a row. in fact, they didn't even allow Ruben to have his own glory, now did they? No, they exalted Clay as if he had won the competition. More White women have benefited from Affirmative Action than Blacks ever have. And, it is interesting that the "superior" whites who have posted comments have not been able to do so without using vulgar, misspelled and grammatically incorrect verbiage. So much for the notion that Blacks are less intelligent. As a strong, confident, and accomplished Black woman, I want to declare that most Black people don't want a handout. In fact, it's difficult enough to simply get what we are entitled to. Anyone that says that racism does not exist is choosing to be blind to it. It is alive and strong, and after so many centuries...I am not looking for White people to apologize for it. I am simply trying to live and overcome it. My advice to those ignorant White people who have posted would be to spend less time worrying about Blacks and how we accomplish what we do, and watch out. We are bridging the gap. While you are busy bombing buildings, eating people, and screwing our men; we are catching up.

[Chris]

Well, after tonight, I guess we can all agree that America is racist and American Idol is simply reminding us of it. I tried for the full two hours to vote last night and was unable to do so because the line stayed busy constantly. White america will not let someone of color win two years in a row. in fact, they didn't even allow Ruben to have his own glory, now did they? No, they exalted Clay as if he had won the competition. More White women have benefited from Affirmative Action than Blacks ever have. And, it is interesting that the "superior" whites who have posted comments have not been able to do so without using vulgar, misspelled and grammatically incorrect verbiage. So much for the notion that Blacks are less intelligent. As a strong, confident, and accomplished Black woman, I want to declare that most Black people don't want a handout. In fact, it's difficult enough to simply get what we are entitled to. Anyone that says that racism does not exist is choosing to be blind to it. It is alive and strong, and after so many centuries...I am not looking for White people to apologize for it. I am simply trying to live and overcome it. My advice to those ignorant White people who have posted would be to spend less time worrying about Blacks and how we accomplish what we do, and watch out. We are bridging the gap. While you are busy bombing buildings, eating people, and screwing our men; we are catching up.

[Czar Nick]

You are a complete idiot. How long will you people hide behind this Racism charge to hide your failings? I can't believe that an entire race will strive for utter mediocrity, and blame others for their lack of station in life.
Have you ever thought that maybe America just doesn't like these singers? No, that would be unbelievable. This is American Idol, not Black woman singers voted on by black America Idol. Get a fucking clue.

[Jeff Findel]

This is precisely why I don’t watch American Idol. I’ve got enough stress in my life already!

[maggie]

I think American viewers are very manipulated by what the judges say. It appears to me that the producers of the show already know who they want to win. I dont think the producers have the votes fix. However, I do believe that they manipulate how contestants are protrayed down to the comments the judges make. I even believe that the producers know all contestants weaknesses in terms of type of music that would be difficult for them to sing. As a result the producers may choose a theme of music that would be most difficult for certain contestants to sing. It all comes down to manipulating American viewers. Of course race continues and will always be an issue.

[maggie]

I think American viewers are very manipulated by what the judges say. It appears to me that the producers of the show already know who they want to win. I dont think the producers have the votes fix. However, I do believe that they manipulate how contestants are protrayed down to the comments the judges make. I even believe that the producers know all contestants weaknesses in terms of type of music that would be difficult for them to sing. As a result the producers may choose a theme of music that would be most difficult for certain contestants to sing. It all comes down to manipulating American viewers. Of course race continues and will always be an issue.

[Britney]

Racism exists, folks. Deal with it.

[Czar Nick]

Shut the hell up about racism, you racists losers.

[mike]

Ok iam sick of of the racist talk. lets see theres the NAACP, theres the nigro college fund. theres BET TV. Theres black history month ...and it goes on and on and on.....how much does white and others colors have to here the above...and now there trying to get into nascar....yea right.....they say the blacks need to be protected at the race track.... come on give me a break... try going to baltimore on the east side...i think a white needs to carry a gun just to get food for there kids in fear of dieing....no how about that black america.... you people need to stop the racist cause it ant going to go away until all of you do...ever watch the cartoon the jetson..no blacks damn the future looks great...

[Eric]

50-60% of the contestents on idol are African American and African Americans are only 12% of the us population the 2 black judges seem to favor black contestents more offten or white contestents that have a so called'black sound'' hiphop-r&b-gossipal flavor so if anything it's racist against whites not for them

[Eric]

for the person who made the ignorant statement that whites do 99% because they can afford to many corparations and trade unions higher a work force of as mutch as 80%-100% minorties not because they can afford to because they get government subsidies for each minorty head.second most major corparations are strong armed in to appointing blacks to managenment-ceo's and executive posistions usually atleast 35% of each corparation well, above their 12% population so, the statement about whites doing highering and beeing in a posistion to discriminate is faulse

[Eric]

Many blacks have been in a posistion to discriminate for years and have taken advantage of that fact.if anything with whites they are more likely to be persuaded by social marxism and sell their own kind out!

[Dude, WTF?]

Once again a quality preformer of a "white persuasion" was voted out while a less qualified minority is kept around. So yes, American Idol is racist.