Writing "give back" on one's hand is obnoxious for several reasons-- it implies that you believe you have a special status and are in a position to encourage people to do good, and yet, he used his podium to write the least specific expression of charity one could think of, and treated it like it was a big, courageous thing. Fair trade actually implies something of controversy. "Give back" is pabulum.

Well, the entire Idol thing this week is "Idol Gives Back" so I think you gotta give him a pass on that one. It was a promo for the show's big promo event, not something he thought up on his own because it was so profound.

So he chooses arrangements of songs that aren't as well known so he can have an excuse to: 1) not have to use much of a range, 2) make it so unrecognizable you can't even tell what he's singing until he's halfway through it, 3) try to convince everyone this makes him "arty."

Gotta say, I find it such a breath of fresh air to hear someone who isn't mimicing (mimicking?) something everyone knows by heart. And you are taking a chance there, because I think a lot of people are voting based on the level of mimicry.

From bonny:

But, does that mean the 'idols' should only be amateurs/amateurish?

From tiggy:

makes him more marketable in my book

These two things are sort of the heart of Idol. One, the person who wins really needs to be marketable. Two, they have to let Idol be the one to market them. That is why DC is peeving Simon. David is an amateur marketer. Just sing, damn it, and let Simon and his crew worry about boxing you up when you win.

I find it such a breath of fresh air to hear someone who isn't mimicing (mimicking?) something everyone knows by heart.

This is the thing that has impressed me the most. The different versions of familiar things are so much more interesting to me than say, the one who sang Whitney Houston's version of Dolly Parton's song. That was pretty predictable.

I even liked the fellow who did the bluegrass/hoedown version of a Beatles song.

And, as stated above, the version of Over the Rainbow sent me off to learn all about IZ and his music. I kind of love it.

Two, they have to let Idol be the one to market them.

OOOOOHHHhhhhh. NOW I really DO get it. t smacks forehead . I see.

it's possible i'm watching the show from a different angle than the general public, as well. i'm not really into cookie-cutter pop stars and i know that's technically what the winner is supposed to be. i almost always enjoy the ones who buck that trend and go for it.

Honestly? David Cook is the only American Idol contestant I've heard in the entire run of the show whom I didn't immediately hate on hearing him.

it's possible i'm watching the show from a different angle than the general public, as well. i'm not really into cookie-cutter pop stars and i know that's technically what the winner is supposed to be. i almost always enjoy the ones who buck that trend and go for it.

Oh, me too. I have no interest in hearing anything Clay Aiken or Fantasia sings, ever.

Also, I don't think Simon and crew do the marketing. Once the winner is crowned, or whatever, it's up to the label, I would imagine.

I find it such a breath of fresh air to hear someone who isn't mimicing (mimicking?) something everyone knows by heart.

This is what I like about David Cook. He clearly knows what kind of artist he'd like to be, and he's offering that. He doesn't sound exactly the same to me every week, but he's definitely got a style.

For me, too, a perfect voice is so not the point. But as someone who listens to mostly rock, I'm used to it. I like a voice with a little character, some rough edges, some personality. David Archuletta, for all he can sing, bores me to tears.

Also, I don't think Simon and crew do the marketing. Once the winner is crowned, or whatever, it's up to the label, I would imagine.

Oh, I don't know about that. Idol's got a pretty big stake in the success/image of the winners, such as they are. I imagine they keep a hand in for a while at least. (And "they" pretty much equals Simon.)

David Archuletta, for all he can sing, bores me to tears.

This is me.

Plus, I just went and watched some of the behind the scenes packages at Fox and I have to say I'm worried for that kid. I heard something vague about his da being a nightmare...that coupled with a really shy, weak-seeming constitution, I can't imagine this thing ending well for him, whatever the outcome.

I wonder if the organization pays any attention to the emotional well-being of the contestants. Do they get 'how to be a success' help at all?

when you say Simon are you referring to Cowell or Fuller? because Cowell isn't really involved after the show is over. Simon Fuller is the 19 Entertaiment founder and his label is the one that signs all of the winners. he and Nygel Lythgoe are the brains behind Idol the tv show.