the buzz log
Idol Talk: Hometown Pride
Hometown Pride May Help Idol Contestants
"American Idol" is back on the straight-singing express, and viewers may be in the mood to forgive last season's celebrity detour. Since the show's season premiere, searches on the talent contest have been equal to, if not higher than, what they were this time last year.
Each Top 24 hopeful has developed an online following. That's markedly different from season 6, when people were still enamored with the rejects. True, ousted Josiah Leming and Reynaldo Lapuz are still the most popular Season 7 contestants thus far: They each attract more buzz than former "Star Search" winner David Archuleta (who currently leads the Top 24 crop). But still.
The slideshow here ranks the contestants according to Buzz, but there may be another way to rank the newest darlings: hometown pride. The southern states tend to be traditional "Idol" Buzz territory, and this year's no exception, with Oklahoma leading the show's searches. Southern favoritism could portend well for Alaina Whitaker (Oklahoma), Alexandrea Lushington (Georgia), Colton David Berry (Virginia), as well as a handful of Texans (both Jasons) and the Hoosier contingent.
Ah, but beware the mendacity of such hope. Ultimately talent and likeability may trump parochialism in the final stretch, as Arizona native Jordin Sparks showed by breaking the southern stranglehold. Will voters help repeat history? We'll find out in the coming weeks. In the meantime, weigh in with your own "Idol" analysis.
Filed under: Reality TV, American Idol, Music, Television
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what's the buzz?
A subject's buzz score is the percentage of Yahoo! users searching for that subject on a given day, multiplied by a constant to make the number easier to read. Weekly leaders are the subjects with the greatest average buzz score for a given week.
For more detailed information, visit our FAQ.
comments
Posted by dogwalker21 | Tue, February 19, 2008, 2:45 pm PST
The talent is super this season. I am excited about the irish girl - I want her to have another chance to prove her star power. She is fantastic irregardless of her past record deal.
Posted by dogwalker21 | Tue, February 19, 2008, 2:45 pm PST
The talent is super this season. I am excited about the irish girl - I want her to have another chance to prove her star power. She is fantastic irregardless of her past record deal.
Posted by ladyegg | Tue, February 19, 2008, 2:52 pm PST
"irregardless" is not a word.
Posted by singvansingvan | Tue, February 19, 2008, 3:02 pm PST
SIMON .......IS A COMPLETE TOTAL IDIOT AND KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT GOOD SINGING AND YOU CAN TELL HIM I SAID HE SHOULD CONSULT ME, A REAL SINGING AND VOICE COACH. HIS COMMENTS ARE SO TERRIBLE, AND THEY PROVE HE DOEN'T KNOWMTHE FIRST THING ABOUT SINGING........RICHARD VANDER BLOEMEN
Posted by purple_petal_1967 | Tue, February 19, 2008, 3:03 pm PST
The Irish girl and the Aussie guy have absolutely no right to be in this contest.It is meant to be for undiscovered talent.Vote them out.They have had their turn.
Posted by bobeffingham | Tue, February 19, 2008, 3:04 pm PST
I think Americans should band together and ger rid of Smithson right away. First of all she isn't American. I find it very strange that she didnt audition for the British version. Second of all, come on, shes had a record deal. I dont care if the record deal was past or present she had one. She proved she doesnt have what it takes to make a career. Come on, millions of dollars spent and they still couldnt sell CD's. The best way to get rid of her is for no one to vote for her. That will insure her fast exit.
Vote for Americans not foreigners. Its called American Idol not foreigner's idol.
Posted by bobeffingham | Tue, February 19, 2008, 3:05 pm PST
Oh yeah lets all vote for the irish girl. What a dummy. its called American Idol not irish Idol, let her go audition for Irish Idol. She should be disqualified.
Posted by reddog_stiner | Tue, February 19, 2008, 3:13 pm PST
Becouse of the moron wanting to send the Irish girl home becouse of a stupid reason she will be the one I will stand behind
Posted by lcwrght | Tue, February 19, 2008, 3:14 pm PST
Richard, you are too mad! Stick to your first love, butchering the English language! Luv, Simon's friend
Posted by jobs_c | Tue, February 19, 2008, 3:14 pm PST
Smithson (aka "the Irish girl") lives in America now people - she is an American. Just like your parents or grandparents or great grandparents. This is a melting pot - anyone can be an American. Evolve already.
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