Salon.com > American Idol http://www.salon.com Sat, 25 May 2013 01:08:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Fox executive behind “Does Someone Have to Go?” leaving the network http://www.salon.com/2013/05/24/fox_executive_behind_does_someone_have_to_go_leaving_the_network/ http://www.salon.com/2013/05/24/fox_executive_behind_does_someone_have_to_go_leaving_the_network/#comments Fri, 24 May 2013 20:55:00 +0000 http://www.railrode.net/?p=13308379 Evidently, he was the one who had to go.

Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative entertainment, is leaving the network, Fox said via press release.

Darnell was the executive responsible for reality series like "American Idol" and "The X Factor" -- as well as the series that debuted last night, "Does Someone Have to Go?," which asks office workers to decide which of their colleagues should be fired. Writing for Salon, Willa Paskin called it "a vile show," noting, "Obviously, someone does have to go, but it really should be all the cameras."

Aside from the two singing-themed reality series -- one of which has cratered in the ratings, the other of which has never caught on despite perpetual reinvention -- Darnell's résumé is full of the sort of provocative specials and series Fox was known for in its wilder early years: “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” “Man vs. Beast,” “World’s Scariest Police Chases,” "The Swan," “When Animals Attack!,” et al.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/05/24/fox_executive_behind_does_someone_have_to_go_leaving_the_network/feed/ 3 RuPaul sashays into the mainstream http://www.salon.com/2013/01/28/rupaul_sashays_into_the_mainstream/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/28/rupaul_sashays_into_the_mainstream/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:57:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13183979 The question of whether or not Michelle Obama was "throwing shade" at John Boehner after last week's inauguration likely hadn't been asked of a first lady before; the term, which originated in the drag world, has officially entered the language. Before there was Michelle's eye roll, there was a winter of Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey reading each other in clips from the nation's most popular television show. Recently, Prince threw shade at Madonna. "Dissing" someone is so 2004!

"RuPaul's Drag Race," the show that helped to bring drag culture into the mainstream, returns for a fifth season tonight, and the question is: Is everyone a little bit queeny? Has "shade-throwing" -- the sort of sly, cutting insults that, coincidentally, tend to clock in under 140 characters -- become a national pastime? And is there anything risky about drag queens when everything from their language to their costumes (the proudly, comically outré Katy Perry and Lady Gaga) is mainstream?

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/28/rupaul_sashays_into_the_mainstream/feed/ 4 Is “American Idol” racist? http://www.salon.com/2013/01/25/is_american_idol_racist/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/25/is_american_idol_racist/#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:17:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13182051 A lawsuit filed by nine former "American Idol" contestants -- Corey Clark, Jaered Andrews, Donnie Williams, Terrell Brittenum, Derrell Brittenum, Thomas Daniels, Akron Watson, Ju'Not Joyner and Chris Golightly --  alleges the singing competition booted them as part of a racist plot to boost ratings.

Attorney James H. Freeman believes his clients were tricked into revealing that they had arrest records in a cheap ploy to hook viewers and build buzz for the show. Freeman alleges that in addition to asking his clients about their arrest history -- a violation of California's employment law -- "Idol" producers used private investigators to dig up dirt on their pasts. After "Idol" revealed, on air, that these men had arrest records -- but no convictions, it's worth noting -- the show used it as an excuse to kick each of them off the show through disqualification.

Freeman also says that it is no coincidence that his clients, the only ones to be disqualified in the history of the show, were all black.

The New York-based attorney began his investigation when Jermaine Jones was kicked off on March 15, 2012, after producers claimed Jones failed to inform them about multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/25/is_american_idol_racist/feed/ 3 “American Idol” catfight: Nicki and Mariah duke it out over “Mean Girls”! http://www.salon.com/2013/01/17/mariah_carey_and_nicki_minaj_fight_about_mean_girls/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/17/mariah_carey_and_nicki_minaj_fight_about_mean_girls/#comments Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:41:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13173947 It was just a little over 10 minutes into the new season of "American Idol,"its 12th, when new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj started bickering about “Mean Girls.” “I want to lose three pounds,” Mariah said, sitting at the judges table getting her hair and make up retouched.  “I know how you can,” Nicki sassed back. “It’s a quote from 'Mean Girls.' If you knew 'Mean Girls' you would know,” Mariah countered. “I do know ‘Mean Girls,’” Nicki replied “Okay, who says ‘I want to lose three pounds?’ Which character?” Mariah asked. Incapable of leaving the bait untouched, Nicki tried, “Not Lindsay. The other one, with the blonde hair.” “What’s her name?” Mariah insisted. “You know something, Mariah …" Nicki began. Australian country star Keith Urban, the other new judge, pinched the bridge of his nose.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/17/mariah_carey_and_nicki_minaj_fight_about_mean_girls/feed/ 4 Coke goes on the defensive http://www.salon.com/2013/01/16/coke_goes_on_the_defensive/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/16/coke_goes_on_the_defensive/#comments Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:55:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13173260 Of all the iconic, untouchable brands out there, Coke would surely be leader. It's like baseball and Snoopy and your grandma rolled into one. Sure, it deluges you every day with a steady stream of magazine and television ads and those promos before the movies, but it's the cola that always somehow acts like it doesn't have to. It's Coke, for God's sake, our great munificent giver of sugary elixir!

But the company, once unassailable, has come under attack. Mayor Mike Bloomberg's ban on beverage portions that are bigger than an average toddler — a late-night punch line just a few months ago – survived the heavy-handed folksy, WHADDAYAKIDDINGME? lobbying of the beverage industry and is about to take effect. Soda sales are sliding, and more and more schools are pushing to phase sugary drinks out of the cafeterias. The home carbonation biz, meanwhile, has been booming, helped along by consumer infatuation and the promise of less wasteful packaging. So you can see why Coke might be feeling a tad defensive. And to that end, the company that has generations been luring the thirsty with the promise of carefree refreshment is doing something unique: It's actually addressing obesity.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/16/coke_goes_on_the_defensive/feed/ 2 Dumb tweet of the day: Colin Powell or Simon Cowell? http://www.salon.com/2013/01/03/dumb_tweet_of_the_day_colin_powell_or_simon_cowell/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/03/dumb_tweet_of_the_day_colin_powell_or_simon_cowell/#comments Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:04:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13161190 [embedtweet id="286933985903398912"]

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2013/01/03/dumb_tweet_of_the_day_colin_powell_or_simon_cowell/feed/ 4 Nicki Minaj goes ballistic on Mariah Carey http://www.salon.com/2012/10/03/nicki_minaj_goes_ballistic_on_mariah_carey/ http://www.salon.com/2012/10/03/nicki_minaj_goes_ballistic_on_mariah_carey/#comments Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:03:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13028934 So the rumors that rapper Nicki Minaj and fellow "American Idol" judge Mariah Carey are feuding are true. Last month producer Ryan Seacrest had to dismiss the speculation, saying on the "Today" show that "There are not too many dull moments between the two of them, but at the end of the day, we all hug and laugh and go home and get ready for another day. They get along fine, but they're strong and candid in their opinion."

Now, TMZ has footage of the two stars at each other's throats. Or at least, Minaj is at Carey's, according to the transcript:

Nicki  Get this s**t in self control.  Get in control.  Get in control.
[American Idol judge] Randy [Jackson] Settle down, settle down
Nicki  Don't lose your head.  Don't lose your head (inaudible).  Don't tell me I'm a gangster.
Nicki  (inaudible) every 5 minutes.  So every time you patronize me, I'm-ma take it back, and if you've got a f**king problem, handle it.
Nicki  I told them I'm not f**kin' putting up with her f**king highness over there.  Figure it the f**k out.  Figure it out.
Nicki  I'm not gonna sit here every f**king minute to have you come down and harass me every minute everyday.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/10/03/nicki_minaj_goes_ballistic_on_mariah_carey/feed/ 0 Kellie Pickler, bald and bold http://www.salon.com/2012/09/06/kellie_pickler_bald_and_bold/ http://www.salon.com/2012/09/06/kellie_pickler_bald_and_bold/#comments Thu, 06 Sep 2012 20:15:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13003219 Finally – a celebrity shaves her head for a good reason. Country star and former "American Idol" contender Kellie Pickler radically updated her look this week with a bold, bald pate, and she didn't do it alone -- she did it  with her best friend Summer Miller. After tweeting earlier that "It's been a great life-changing day," Pickler revealed a video of her and her friend's long tresses disappearing in an act of solidarity -- and awareness-raising about breast cancer.

In June, as Miller writes on her CaringBridge blog, the 35-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with cancer after discovering a suspicious lump. She underwent a double mastectomy soon after and as of August, has been declared cancer-free. But as she embarks on the next stage of recovery, Miller is set to begin chemotherapy – and face the unpleasant side effects.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/09/06/kellie_pickler_bald_and_bold/feed/ 2 Mariah Carey: “American Idol” plays the fame game http://www.salon.com/2012/07/24/mariah_carey_american_idol_plays_the_fame_game/ http://www.salon.com/2012/07/24/mariah_carey_american_idol_plays_the_fame_game/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:45:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=12963044 Once upon a time, a whole decade ago, all “American Idol” needed to be the biggest show in the land was a genuinely critical judge, some talented, green performers desperately in need of a makeover, and an MC to smooth over the rough edges. But as “Idol” gears up for its 12th season, facing depressed ratings and stiff competition for attention and buzz from “The Voice” and “The X Factor,” those simpler requirements no longer suffice. Thus, the singing competition shows are engaging in an arms race for famous ladies. (Celine Dion, you’re missing out on Scrooge McDuck piles of cash.) Yesterday, Fox officially announced that Mariah Carey, she of the eight-octave range, will be replacing Jennifer Lopez on “Idol.” This confirmation comes a week after Aretha Franklin expressed interest in joining the series. Meanwhile, at a panel for the Television Critics Association press tour also held yesterday, Britney Spears was trotted out to nervously answer questions about appearing on a rebooted “X Factor.”

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/07/24/mariah_carey_american_idol_plays_the_fame_game/feed/ 2 “American Idol”: Riveting despite itself http://www.salon.com/2012/05/24/american_idol_riveting_despite_itself/ http://www.salon.com/2012/05/24/american_idol_riveting_despite_itself/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=12926627 The final episode of any season of “American Idol” is always a smiling show of force, a confetti-laden massacre of time. After a nearly 40-episode season, along comes the gargantuan finale, an enormous spectacle that contains exactly one minute of real content — when the winners are announced — and two-plus hours of filler. Last night’s episode was nominally about who would be declared the winner of the 11thseason of “Idol” -- Phillip Phillips, the humorously named yet handsome guitarist with a twang in his voice and shirts cut to display exactly the appropriate sliver of chest hair, or the huge-voiced, personality-less 16-year old Jessica Sanchez. But sleepily good-looking white guys (and Scotty McCreery) have won the last four seasons of "Idol," and Phillips was pretty much a lock before the night even began. And so it is a commendation to the near-military professionalism of “Idol” that somehow, for the last half-hour or so, I was riveted to the screen.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/05/24/american_idol_riveting_despite_itself/feed/ 6 Ryan Seacrest’s bland ambition http://www.salon.com/2012/04/24/seacrest_nation/ http://www.salon.com/2012/04/24/seacrest_nation/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=12908254 Imagine, for a moment, that Dick Clark had died in 2002 instead of 2012. How would his obituaries have been different? In most ways, there would have been little change. In the last decade, Clark has continued with the ventures he'd been known for, hosting and producing a New Year's Eve broadcast, various radio programs, game shows and TV specials. But there would have been two big differences. The first thing was Clark's 2004 stroke, and his courageous return to public life despite a speech impediment modulating his famous voice.

And the second? The second is Ryan Seacrest.

Seacrest appears in Clark’s obits like the Boswell to Clark's Samuel Johnson, quoted instead of family members as the apparent authority on Clark's life and legacy. His tribute to Clark on “Idol” the night after his death became a news story in and of itself. For years, Seacrest had been slowly positioning himself as the new Dick Clark, taking over as the host of the New Year's broadcast when Clark was ill, and modeling his career after Clark's by taking ownership stakes in radio shows and TV ventures. Seacrest has become so entwined with Clark's story that when news of the death broke, it was hard not to picture Seacrest kneeling in some dark rite, screaming to the heavens as Clark's power possessed him, “Highlander”-style.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/04/24/seacrest_nation/feed/ 13 “American Idol’s” niceness problem http://www.salon.com/2012/02/27/american_idols_niceness_problem/ http://www.salon.com/2012/02/27/american_idols_niceness_problem/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:38:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=12435191 Two big things happened on “American Idol” last week. First, the top 24 contestants were chosen. They were a largely bland, unsurprising bunch, selected by one of the most toothless panels of judges on TV, but they’ll still be the ones viewers will vote on for the rest of the season.

More significantly, perhaps, “Idol” was usurped (just barely) as the top show on TV by a fresher-feeling copycat, “The Voice.” There's actual enthusiasm for the biggest hit on NBC in years and waning excitement around “Idol,” whose tired format in its 11th season is undermined further by judges who have been sweetened into acting all nice, all the time.

Throughout this season and last, the three “Idol” judges loved just about every audition home audiences were allowed to see. Nobody was terrible, or awful, or the worst thing anybody ever heard, to use the phrases of Simon Cowell, whose brutal honesty made the show in the first place.

That left with Cowell, leaving the teddy bear Randy Jackson as the meanest of the three, of all things. And the worst he’ll ever say is, “Dawg, singing is just not for you.” But mostly all he, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler will ever say to the rare reject is “You’re not quite ready, sweetheart” or “Come back next year.”

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/02/27/american_idols_niceness_problem/feed/ 15 Is a teen “Idol” star suddenly too skinny? http://www.salon.com/2011/11/02/is_a_teen_idol_star_suddenly_too_skinny/ http://www.salon.com/2011/11/02/is_a_teen_idol_star_suddenly_too_skinny/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:00:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=10160775 Rest easy, America. Lauren Alaina, the 16-year-old "American Idol" runner-up, has lost 25 pounds. In an interview this week with Us, the country crooner -- whose debut album is perched just below "Idol" castmate Scotty McCreery's on the Billboard top-10 -- talks about "changing my diet" and learning "correct portion control" to achieve her newly slimmed-down physique. Whew, now she can be a real star.

Naturally, the online and print tabloids have eagerly celebrated her triumph -- noting how weight loss success "does a body good" and marveling that "her figure is looking fabulous." Reminder: This is copy written by adults -- about a 16-year-old-girl. Suddenly I've lost my appetite.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2011/11/02/is_a_teen_idol_star_suddenly_too_skinny/feed/ 11 The night my family won “American Idol” http://www.salon.com/2011/08/15/night_my_family_won_american_idol/ http://www.salon.com/2011/08/15/night_my_family_won_american_idol/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:30:00 +0000 http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/08/15/night_my_family_won_american_idol On a Wednesday evening last March, my daughters and I had an "American Idol" campout in our living room. I made hot dogs and microwaved s'mores as we watched the contestants croon through a crowd-pleasing roster of Motown hits. The next morning, my father-in-law died. That night, the girls and I gathered again in the living room, huddled on the couch in our pajamas, and watched Casey Abrams sing just a few bars of "I Don't Need No Doctor" to be granted reprieve from elimination.

For a decade now, "American Idol" has been winning fans with its weekly wallop of suspense and surprise, along with a fairy-tale conceit that fortune can smile on even the most obscure among us. It was a message that never really resonated for my family and me until this past season, when its variety show shtick turned out to be a surprisingly effective balm for our heartaches. The competitive song showdowns of James and Paul and Naima got us through a lot of rough, tearful nights, and so a pilgrimage to see our vocal heroes on their Idols Live tour seemed like an inevitable indulgence of grief therapy. And this week, after a new round of doctor visits, setbacks and concerns for loved ones, we had found ourselves clinging again to the prospect of awkward dance moves and Journey covers. Yet before last night, I'd never imagined how potent the show's magic could be.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2011/08/15/night_my_family_won_american_idol/feed/ 12 Today’s must-see viral videos http://www.salon.com/2011/08/09/viral_video_barney_frank_fart/ http://www.salon.com/2011/08/09/viral_video_barney_frank_fart/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:50:00 +0000 http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/08/09/viral_video_barney_frank_fart 1. Barney Frank may or may not have passed gassed on television last night:

OK, I've watched/listened to this video of Democrat Rep. Barney Frank talking to Rachel Maddow three times now, and it definitely sounds like a fart.

We can pretend like there are more important things going on in American politics right now than a natural bodily function, but let's not kid ourselves. Flatulence remains the No. 1 key issue for voters during election years; everyone knows that.

2. The smallest living area in New York that you still can't afford:

For only $800 a month, you too can live in this 78-square foot closet that some Manhattan real estate dealer pawned off as an apartment.

 

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2011/08/09/viral_video_barney_frank_fart/feed/ 6 Five pop culture items we missed http://www.salon.com/2011/06/29/pop_five_harrison_ford_vs_shia_labeouf/ http://www.salon.com/2011/06/29/pop_five_harrison_ford_vs_shia_labeouf/#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:01:00 +0000 http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/06/29/pop_five_harrison_ford_vs_shia_labeouf 1. Grizzled old man uttering profanities of the day:

Harrison Ford on Shia LaBeouf talking crap about the last "Indiana Jones" movie, "I think he was a fucking idiot." Boom!

2. Major nerd accomplishment of the day:

Fifty thousand Lego pieces and a love of "Lord of the Rings" is what inspired Kevin Walter to create the world's most complex model of the Dark Tower Barad-dûr. One block to rule them all?

3. Exposed Twitter (non)scandal of the day:

The reason for Lindsay's sudden interest in the Federal Reserve? The Twitter blast was actually a sponsored message paid for by the National Inflation Association. Are there really so many people out there that look to Lindsay Lohan for financial advice? Wasn't she just released from house arrest today for stealing a necklace?

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2011/06/29/pop_five_harrison_ford_vs_shia_labeouf/feed/ 1 “American Idol’s” pageant of boredom http://www.salon.com/2011/05/26/american_idol_2011/ http://www.salon.com/2011/05/26/american_idol_2011/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 12:27:00 +0000 http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/05/26/american_idol_2011 In its buildup-to-payoff ratio, the "American Idol" finale might be the most bloated, least thrilling TV event of any given year. If you, the loyal viewer, follow the show's mini-drama from January through May, watching the contestants strive and then disappear and developing an attachment, however fleeting, to whoever's left, the Fox network will reward you with a two-hour special that wraps up the story. Problem is, the conclusion will be packed into the last five minutes of an old-fashioned, eclectic variety show that advertises everything from the earnest foxiness of Beyoncé to the domestic heat of "Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony's superstar marriage, plus a totally gratuitous number from Broadway's "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark." (Spoiler alert if you spared yourself the annoyance and didn't watch.)

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2011/05/26/american_idol_2011/feed/ 21 Scotty McCreery wins “American Idol” http://www.salon.com/2011/05/26/us_tv_american_idol_2/ http://www.salon.com/2011/05/26/us_tv_american_idol_2/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 11:38:34 +0000 http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/05/26/us_tv_american_idol_2 Scotty McCreery won the "American Idol" battle of the fresh-faced country crooners Wednesday, pulling more of a record 122 million-plus viewer votes than competitor Lauren Alaina.

"I never in my wildest dreams," said McCreery, a 17-year-old with a strikingly deep, old-soul voice that contrasts with his youth. "I've got to thank the Lord first ... he got me here."

McCreery of Garner, N.C., and Alaina, 16, of Rossville, Ga., represent the first all-country finale and the youngest duo ever to compete on "Idol," which is in its 10th season.

The exuberant, big-voiced Alaina performed on Tuesday's final sing-off despite a vocal cord injury that needed medical treatment. She received raves from the judges, who said she won the night.

But the consistently popular McCreery, who'd never been at risk of elimination, claimed the title and a record contract.

The teenager seemed overwhelmed as he took the stage for a celebratory version of "I Love You This Big," halting to embrace his parents in the audience, Alaina and others. Then he playfully stuck his tongue out, trying to catch falling confetti.

"It felt like a dream," McCreery said backstage in his dressing room. "It still hasn't sunk in yet, and I don't think it will for a while. I'm on top of the world right now."

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2011/05/26/us_tv_american_idol_2/feed/ 4 Lady Gaga on “American Idol” http://www.salon.com/2011/05/06/lady_gaga_american_idol_edits/ http://www.salon.com/2011/05/06/lady_gaga_american_idol_edits/#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 16:40:00 +0000 http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/05/06/lady_gaga_american_idol_edits Lady Gaga performed on "American Idol"  on May 5, 2010, in order to up the hype for the new video for "Judas." There were smoke machines, masks, and all the creepy stuff we've come to expect from the Madonna-alien hybrid. But Gaga's not happy: She took to Twitter to complain that Fox edited her version down from six and a half minutes. (She has since deleted her post.)

So what did we really miss in the performance? We compare the edited and unedited versions below.

Full version:

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2011/05/06/lady_gaga_american_idol_edits/feed/ 6 Why “The Voice” deserves to topple “Idol” http://www.salon.com/2011/05/04/the_voice/ http://www.salon.com/2011/05/04/the_voice/#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 13:05:00 +0000 http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/05/04/the_voice I have a crush on NBC's "The Voice" (Tuesdays 10 p.m./9 central). Whether it will blossom into an obsession remains to be seen, but I can already tell you that just two episodes into its run, the show is giving me everything I used to get from "American Idol," plus things that "Idol" never thought to provide.

For one thing, there's something at stake for the judges. The auditions began last week and wrapped up last night. By the end, the show's celebrity judges/mentors, or "coaches"  -- Christina Aguilera, Cee-lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton; all influential and accomplished pop music stars -- had placed eight performers in their personal stables, for a total of 32 personal votes of confidence.

This is a huge difference from "Idol," a show where the judges are detached from the singers' struggles. They sit there like decadent aristocrats readying a thumbs up or thumbs down, confident that about 90 percent of the decisions pertaining to a singer's fate will rest in the hands of the audience; all they really have to do is make pithy remarks. The hard work of shaping the performers' technique and stage presence falls to guest gurus (this season it's Interscope Records founder Jimmy Iovine), plus whatever big-name composers, performers or record producers stop by.

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