The last show (5/21/03)
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: American Idol (FOX): The last show (5/21/03)
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Hotlantan

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 02:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The final paragraphs of this Slate.com article are so-o moving, I just HAD to share:

Full article:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2083469/

Inside the American Idol Studio
By Michael Joseph Gross

<snip>

I went outside to the souvenir stand, where Kimberley Boloven, a pretty 12-year-old girl, was buying an American Idol T-shirt for $20. Her sister, who lives in Los Angeles, got her into the show, but for Kimberley the satisfaction of nabbing a hot ticket was clearly secondary to the deep connection she felt with Clay. She held a big homemade poster that said, "Northville, Michigan [heart] CLAY!!" I asked, "Did you come all the way out here just for this?"

She wheeled around and looked at me with tears in her eyes. "Yes," she said. "And he lost."

"Are you glad you came? Was it better than watching on TV?"

She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. "It's a lot more exciting to be here. You feel like you're a celebrity, too. Because we were screaming and he was mouthing 'thank you.' To us. Right to us. You feel like you're inside it."

Faerygdds

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 03:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
OMG! That is so sweet and sad!

Llkoolaid

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 05:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
My little girl is almost 9 and she is still upset that Clay lost. I didn't realize that she cared about it that much. I tried explaining to her that they both got the same prize and it didn't really matter that much and that Clay was happy for Rueben, so she should be too. She just gave me the look.

Walker

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 05:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
lmao LL..i feel the same way your daughter does.

Ketchuplover

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 07:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
(((likoolaid's daughter))) :)

Catfat

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 10:46 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I liked both Clay and Ruben, but was sorry Clay lost. Somewhere, I heard that Ruben's mom voted 240 times and got all their friends and family to do the same.
I'm not sure if that would have made a difference or not, but it really spoiled it for me, it seems like cheating, somehow, even though it was legal. It was like when Chicken George's wife got the whole town to vote off Brittany, which I still think was because his wife was jealous of the relationship so obviously going on between the two. Not sexual, but very friendly, lots of interaction, hair dyeing, hugs, etc.

Texasdeb

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 11:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
hey, catfat - this whole thing isn't anything like that. Some locations have more "out" lines than others. I really think the whole thing is blown out of proportion: It's over! They both got record contracts. I personally will buy anything CLAY puts out.

Catfat

Monday, May 26, 2003 - 05:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Texas,
I agree, it is blown out of proportion, I am so not in favor of a recount. Both kids sang really well, I am glad the prize was the same for both of them.
Still don't like Chicken George, though.