Carrie is my favorite Idol and I agree with Simon she will go on to the most career success. She is in the country market where fans are more loyal. In pop music, fans are very fickle and move on to the next big thing. Fantasia is my second favorite and I think she is building a loyal following. Having a great career isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. We can argue about who is better, but twenty years from now the proof will be in the pudding. Kelly is a good singer, but she is my least favorite Idol winner.

I loved last night's show. How the heck did that freak at the end make it to Hollywood? He was kinda cute though. LOL

The two girls talking about who was better was hilarious. I heard there will be a lot of sniping this year.

That's true, but the fame really never goes away. Look at Britney Spears. When you become a big pop idol, your mark on pop culture never really fades.

Country stars never really reach idol status, nationwide. Unless you're, say, Keith Urban. Fans are loyal. But you just aren't THAT famous. And to me, it's all about the fight for fame, LoL

Carrie will never touch Kelly's success, not by a longshot. I still think the only talented people from this show are Will Young and Kelly, both original winners. They've each proven that they can survive two or three albums, I'm not sure Carrie, Fantasia or Ruben can say that.

When I think ghetto, I think... cheap looking, trashy, classless, dirty. In a 'ghetto' neighborhood, it's usually a place where you'll find trashy streets, rinky-dink, falling apart houses, graffiti, violence. In other words... cheap looking, trashy, classless, dirty. Therefore, using 'ghetto' to describe something that I find cheap looking, trashy, classless or dirty is the perfect analogy.

This is exactly the reason why I don't like you using the term ghetto. A ghetto is more than a place filled with trashy streets, falling apart houses, and graffiti. It's a place where lower class black folk are struggling to survive, so who the hell are you to think that you can use it so easily and to describe a person's "character"?

I'm intrigued -- because as far as I'm concerned, it's not offensive to any one particular group of people, is it?

Uh...yeah! Who are the first people that you think of that live in ghettos? Black people. It's even how you're so quick to put Fantasia in that ghetto category.

If my comment rubbed you the wrong way, I think that you're simply stereotyping and getting defensive due to your own stereotyping.

My own stereotyping? Excuse you, I'm not the one associating an outspoken black woman as ghetto. Also, as a black woman from a poor upbringing, I'd like for you to explain to me what "my own stereotyping" is.

And if you dare reply and say that it was simply mean to say about Fantasia... I've got one word: Divins.

Where does Divins fall in the discussion of my belief that your use of "ghetto" was offensive? Divins sucks as an actor, I've made no bones about it. His race sure as hell has nothing to do with the fact that he's terrible.

Monster ratings for AI!

THR: http://www.thehollywoodreporter.com/thr/ar...t_id=1001880887

NEW YORK -- The ratings juggernaut that is "American Idol" had a monster season premiere Tuesday night, coming back with a vengeance to become the show's highest opener ever with more than 35 million viewers.

That propelled Fox to a historic night, its highest ratings ever for entertainment programming in total viewers and, among adults 18-49, second only to the "Joe Millionaire" finale on Feb. 17, 2003.

The fifth-season premiere averaged 35.5 million viewers and a 15.2 rating/34 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research. That was up 6% in total viewers and up 9% in the demo compared to last year's premiere of 33.6 million viewers and a 14.0/33. It also scored big among adults 18-34, averaging 14.7/36 compared to the 14.3/37 a year ago.

"Idol" started off strong, averaging 29.5 million viewers and a 12.2/30 in its first half hour at 8 p.m. It quickly climbed up and over 30 million viewers before peaking at 38.7 million at 9 p.m. and with a 17.1/36 at 9:30 p.m., Nielsen said.

Thought this was interesting..

Clarkson Won't Let 'Idol' Use Her Songs

PASADENA, Calif. - Singer Kelly Clarkson, who vaulted to fame as the first "American Idol" winner in 2002, is not letting any of her songs be used by new contestants on the show.

A spokesman for Clarkson insisted it's nothing personal, but the stance prompted a public scolding from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell.

"I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there," Cowell said Tuesday.

Clarkson has become a major star in the past year, with her hit "Since U Been Gone" earning both massive sales and critical respect, particularly from a rock community that has looked upon "American Idol" contestants warily. Her album "Breakaway" earned a Grammy nomination for best pop vocal album.

Yet it may have cost her a good relationship with the nation's most popular talent show.

"American Idol" must obtain permission from owners of song licenses before the music can be used on the show. While many love the exposure, some artists _ the Beatles, for one _ like to rigidly control use of their music.

Clarkson is not allowing any of her songs to be licensed for other uses, said Roger Widynowski, a spokesman for Sony BMG. "It has nothing to do with `Idol,' " he said.

The show's executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, said he requested songs to be used on this year's show. He said he's not even sure Clarkson herself is aware of the situation.

Before "Breakaway," Clarkson fired Simon Fuller, the "American Idol" creator, as her manager, saying that although he is a "great guy," she needed someone who could give her career more attention. She teamed with Swedish hitmaker Max Martin on "Since U Been Gone."

It's the same delicate position faced by countless other musicians through show biz history, wanting to break away and show artistic independence without alienating those who gave them their start.

Cowell said he hoped Clarkson would let her music be used on "American Idol."

"No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she's in now without winning this show," he said. "And forget the way she feels about us or the producers or anybody else, or the terrible songwriters she alleges she was with which sold her millions of records.

"It's the public who bothered to pick up the phone to vote for her," he said. "If she refuses to give songs to be used on the show, it's like saying to every person who voted for you, `you know what? Thank you. I'm not interested in you anymore.'"

With the seemingly unquenchable public interest in "American Idol," it's not like the show really needs Clarkson. But she's plainly the best example producers can point to as proof that they can open the door to wish fulfillment.

Sony's Widynowski said he would not comment on Cowell's remarks.

Clarkson, in an interview with The Associated Press last year, said she knows she'll always be identified as an "American Idol," and she has no problems with that.

"That's where I got my start," she said. "They always talk about the big first thing that you did. I think the only thing that I do mind is I don't want people to only focus on that."

For his part, Cowell said, "I don't like this, when they walk away from the show and kind of forget."

Those sisters are awesome!! Leah and whoever else. Plus the two sets of twin brothers. These 6 are the ones i am cheering for at the moment.

Whatever the case, it's annoying.

See, I disagree. I like the judges and all of their different, quirky qualities. They are pretty much all I watch the show for at this point, and the stupid auditions. I think that Kelly is the only American Idol and nobody will ever match her; I don't really watch the show anymore for the "talent." I do, however, enjoy the judges.

Class has NOTHING to do with this. Its all about talent.

Fantasia. has. none.

Jennifer Hudson. Truly talented.

Danii, why can't you just respect people's different opinions? If you don't like, don't read the thread. Why spoil it for everyone else?

I'd also care to know how she's a classless scumbag? Is it the fact that she was a young mother from a poor upbringing who actually admitted that she was functionally illiterate?

It was in reference to how she treated the judges and how she took her criticism.

Carrie is my favorite Idol and I agree with Simon she will go on to the most career success. She is in the country market where fans are more loyal. In pop music, fans are very fickle and move on to the next big thing. Fantasia is my second favorite and I think she is building a loyal following. Having a great career isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. We can argue about who is better, but twenty years from now the proof will be in the pudding. Kelly is a good singer, but she is my least favorite Idol winner.

I can definitely see that arguement, but I don't think it will be the case.

Uh...yeah! Who are the first people that you think of that live in ghettos? Black people. It's even how you're so quick to put Fantasia in that ghetto category.

See, black people is the first thing YOU think of when you think of a ghetto. And that's why you're offended. That's not the first thing I think of when I think of a ghetto. Besides, I've referred to many people as "being ghetto." White folks, black folks, all kindsa folks.

As I said, it's your own perception and stereotyping that's making it sound offensive.

Hell, I live in a ghetto right now! Seriously. And I'm white. So, that says it all.

OMG, someone found the girl with the fake ass tan's myspace:

www.myspace.com/xokissmex369

HAHAHAHA

People are leaving her comments telling her how beautiful she looked on Idol and how good of a singer she is, and how Simon is a jerk and Paula is just jealous. Seriously, WTF? All those people must be on crack.

HAAAHAHAHAHA!! That's hysterical. Look at her with her coon best friend. It must be in the local water.

"So all i want is for things to go good for ME.. Nothing good ever happens to me.. and IM SUCH A FRIKKIN GOOD PERSON.. all i get is peple making fun of me, yelling at me, hurting me, never getting ANYTHING IN LIFE, Wanting, ETC and Im just SICK OF IT! I still havent frikkin gotten my christmas present because my mom didnt have enough to take it out.. which is b/s cause I mean I SPENT EVERY dime on everyone that i had and she managed to get EVERY child but me.. their present which is bogus! Then danielle MAKES her dog sick.. an IM GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER? im sorry if it sounds mean but Im NOT GONNA BE PUT ON A BACK PEDAL ANYMORE BECAUSE DANIELLE DOESNT KNWOHOW TO TAKE CARE OF THINGS! She's NOT RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH to own anything and is just wayyy too lazy .. SHE CANT EVEN GE UP TO GET A FRIKKIN FORK! HOW damn lazy is that!"

See, black people is the first thing YOU think of when you think of a ghetto. And that's why you're offended. That's not the first thing I think of when I think of a ghetto. Besides, I've referred to many people as "being ghetto." White folks, black folks, all kindsa folks.

As I said, it's your own perception and stereotyping that's making it sound offensive.

Hell, I live in a ghetto right now! Seriously. And I'm white. So, that says it all.

And if she was white, would she have been called "ghetto"? I HIGHLY doubt it. The fact of the matter is that the term "ghetto" has the automatic connotation with poor black folk. That's not my "stereotyping" in the least. Blame society for that. Either way, I'm done with this. You think whatever the hell you want to think. I'm not going to be the representative of poor black folk.

And for the record, I'm a black person who grew up in a ghetto, so spare me.

And if she was white, would she have been called "ghetto"? I HIGHLY doubt it. The fact of the matter is that the term "ghetto" has the automatic connotation with poor black folk. That's not my "stereotyping" in the least. Blame society for that. Either way, I'm done with this. You think whatever the hell you want to think. I'm not going to be the representative of poor black folk.

And for the record, I'm a black person who grew up in a ghetto, so spare me.

Yes, if she was white, she would've still been called ghetto. I call white people ghetto all the time! I don't understand what race has to do with it. What do black people have to do with the ghetto? All kinds of folks live in a ghetto. White folks, black folks, asian folks, mexican folks. The only one associating "black" with "ghetto" is you and you alone.

Society may create the 'automatic connotation' between poor black people and the ghetto. I'm not all society.

And don't stand there and tell me that you've never called someone ghetto in your life. I'm sure you have. The only problem with me saying it is that, in this case, you're obviously a fan of Fantasia and didn't appreciate the negative commentary. Stop trying to take it and misconstrue it into something entirely different involving race. I called her ghetto. I didn't use the N-word. Don't imply that I'm racist or making racist comments simply because YOU associate ghetto with black folks. I -- I -- don't.

Anyway, I'm glad you're done with this. I see no need for this standstill disagreement to last any longer.

Carrie is country pop and if you listened to the album you would see that. Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Martina McBride have all been successful in this field. Carrie's album got great reviews and so did Bo's. They will both be successful. I may not like Ruben and Fantasia but they have done well in their respective fields. Country isn't everyone's cup of tea so I can understand why people would find her boring but I love the girl.

Tonight's show was great. I loved that 16 year old girl. She was really good.

OMG what was that last person. That was one confused..well better not say anymore but the hair and the clothes was .

The judges usually annoy me but they are hilarious this year. These auditions have been great so far. Can't wait until next week!!!