Droid, I have to agree with you on some of this. The powers-that-be have total control over who makes it to the top 24, so it is fairly easy for them to be able to seed that pool with some ringers if they want. If the ringers are good enough, and they put in enough cannon-fodder to guarantee their ringers make it through to the top 12, they then count on the spin to keep their chosen ones in the fans' eyes. How? Package good stories. Give them face time. Cover up the details not worth mentioning (like former attempts at sales). It's all marketing and manipulation.

Even the voting can be juggled a bit and no one knows the difference.

I guess I'm just a little bitter this season as no one has jumped out enough in their talent to make me say "yes, I can't wait for that person's CD". Past seasons I have had a couple. This season - I'm feeling indifferent towards the entire lot. Yes, some of them are good singers and have a chance at making a good career. None of them interest me though.

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