Jason wrote:

I completely agree with you.

March 29, 2006 01:17 PM

anonymous wrote:

I'm from Albemarle too. In fact I think I know who you are. Anyway I dont really agree with you or the artcle on the other blog. Kellie did go through hard times and I think she is a good singer. To each his own (or her) I guess.

March 29, 2006 03:53 PM

Jan wrote:

I agree. If it's not your idea of fun don't watch it. We had four episodes of Survivor recorded we planned to watch and tonight I decided let's forget about the past episodes cuz it will allow us to avoid at least four possible disappoints and it'll be like tuning in on Idol after theyre down to the final 9 and the rest of them have been eliminated. For one thing the talents of the remaining artists will show more. For another we won't have to scratch our heads in amazement that viewers actually kept Kevin arounf longer than Ayla, way better dawg pound material than Kevin. I don't understand. I guess I'm just dumb.

March 31, 2006 05:23 AM

Anna K. wrote:

First, the whole 'if you don't like it, don't watch/listen/participate' argument is null and void. We're talking about honesty, manipulation, deceit and lack of thought. Everyone should always think before they follow, and those who lead due to ignorant followers need to be shown for what they are. That's part of Brian's message, I think, not just an unthought-out "KELLIE PICKLER SUCKS!!!!"

April 3, 2006 08:22 AM

Dee wrote:

I agree with you Brian 100%. This season seems to me is not based on finding the "best singing performer" but merely based on finding the "best sob story teller". I personally think for next years show, they should forget about doing the "contestant background life story clips". Only because I believe it causes too much nonscence and controversy. I feel that viewers everywhere this year are basically picking their favorite not for their talent but only on their life story. For example, all the" hype" and focus over "Kellie Pickler". If they had never shown her "life story clip", none of this craziness would exist. Viewers and voters everywhere are basically "Picking Pickler" because of her "sad life story". Soooo many people can relate to her life and feel they have something in common with her. That's why soooo many people view the show and vote for her. Which I think is unfair to the other contestants, who have talented singing voices but unfortunatley are overshadowed by Kellie's "dumb blonde act" on stage and her "sad story life", which I'm not blaming Kellie for. I blame the show for playing an unfair game and creating the "Kellie Puppet" for their own personal financial gain to make money. I guarantee they're going to keep Kellie on the show till the end, because she does bring ratings, which brings money. I couldn't believe that Katharine McPhee was in the bottom 3 last week. I was very disappointed. If anyone should have been in the bottom 3 last week, it should have been Kellie or Bucky. Only because to me they don't have the best singing voices. Although I do like their personalities. They're very sweet and polite. I believe Katharine has the best vocals. She's a natural beauty, with a wonderful singing voice and carries herself with class. I think she would be a great role model for girls and should be the next "American Idol".

April 3, 2006 03:56 PM

Colleen wrote:

I hope Kellie feels goodabout her self because she couldn't shine Elliot, Chris, or Taylors shoes!!!!!!!!! SHE SUCKS

April 12, 2006 09:24 PM

Ruth and Thomas wrote:

Pickler seems to be putting on an act and it's getting old. HEr talent is measily, compared to the rest of the contestants. We may pity the fact that her father is in the big house, but she needs to tame the accent cause she overdoes it. WT WHATTTTTT

April 12, 2006 09:33 PM

Carol wrote:

What is with that photo of Kellie in her prom dress that shows a shadow below her naval (voteforthesworst.com) I thought I was seeing things? Was this computer generated? Kellie surely comes across as being America's country darlin' but a lot of people of had tough lives and this American Idol competition is based on singing talent. Let's stick to business.....I think she has a good voice for C&W for sure, but Kathryn is the most polished and versatile voice in the entire competition. I think the song choices that were afforded by the star groups did not prove to be an advantage for these upcoming talented people. I also love Taylor.....he lives for music and it is in his soul. Thanks for listening.

April 12, 2006 09:49 PM

Anonymous wrote:

I agree that Kellie is putting on an “act”. I also think she has a fairly good voice. I’m sure that she, in Albemarle is a very smart and nice person to get along with. As the show continues, the tension will also be waxing. I believe that she will continue to put on an act to impress people with her “I’m so sad and pathetic” story to make people feel sorry for her. I always hear the story of her dad going to Jail and what not. I have friends that their dad’s have gone to jail but they still live there life without making people feel sorry for them. She needs to come back to reliatly. I’m sure she really wants that money and I would to, but she sure doesn’t deserve it (to me).

April 13, 2006 11:53 AM

Steve Decker wrote:

I lived in norwood when i was age 5 to age 13,and later worked at the brickyard for 3 years(pure hell).am so happy it closed down.I think the show is great,is great family time,and is also great Albemarle

April 19, 2006 10:13 PM

Joyce wrote:

People who are saying mean things about kellie Pickler are just people upset that they were too afraid to follow their own dreams. I don't think Kelli tries to make people feel sorry for her. Every American Idol contestant has to speak about his or her family. It is a wonder why any one in this country tries to step outside of the box. Thank God some people like Kellie realize that, rude comments and put downs are just from people seeing themselves suffocating by their own lack of ambition. If you don't like Kelli then don't vote for her, that is your right. But kellie has a right to a life that she has dreamed of and unlike some of you she has the guts to go after it.

April 20, 2006 11:16 PM

You Know Who, #02 wrote:

Too afraid to follow their own dreams, eh? First, those with legitimate, virtuous dreams base them on something valid and selfless. Becoming self-actualized involves no fame, unless that renown is altruistic, devoted to the well-being or betterment of others with no personal gain involved. With shows like American Idol shaping and defining your principles and goals you achieve nothing and contribute nothing. Wisdom allows one to see that idols are unnecessary and even redundant. The weak, the unintelligent, those who are far from self-motivated, who have no true inner light, seek out idols. Idols lack substance and divert one from a self-guided path. You're wasting your money and time and squandering any effort you currently have to do something worthwhile. Turn off your televisions and go do something to better yourself and others.

"Rude comments and put downs are just from people seeing themselves suffocating by their own lack of ambition." Unfortunately, many see fame and fortune as an ultimate goal, which goes against everything truly virtuous. Those who have gained (or have been given, like Brian might say, the dolt) wisdom understand how futile these pursuits are. Only if these are used to help others are they any good. Why does she want to be a famous singer? To share a gift? OK, we'll see.

"But kellie has a right to a life that she has dreamed of and unlike some of you she has the guts to go after it." OK, same point. Again you are attributing recognition (and perhaps wealth) as some sort of pinnacle. I know that the ultimate goal of our species is true wisdom and peace, which naturally go hand in hand. I know all of this sounds like a roll-your-eyes kind of preachy diatribe, but again that's the problem: we don't want to address deep, meaningful issues such as this. We just want to watch American Idol and switch off our hearts, souls, intellect, whatever.

Brian and I disagree about religion, but the points above are universal, we both shout. Rid yourself of idols--they only do harm. They prevent, they block, they distract. At best, they put you in a dither. Bri won't say it because he's too nice and he actually believes in God, but I'll say it: God damn your selfishness. "Grow some perspective," and a brain while you're at it. Stop wasting away. Care!

April 21, 2006 12:33 PM

Brian wrote:

Good points, all, "You Know Who," but I don't know if I agree completely. I've seen ground on both sides of the fence when it comes to God, faith, and religion. I know these aren't a part of your main point, but I'd like to say something about them. I know that one can have faith in God or a particular religion and still strive for the "ultimate goal" like you said. (We can all believe in different religions, or not believe in anything, and still seek a wisdom common to all humans. A collective understanding and compassion is available, but only for those seemingly fit to find it. If only the Middle East could seek this approach out. And America, too.) I can believe in God and also go for that self-guided path of which you speak. If you believe in God, you can believe that wisdom comes from Him, directly or indirectly, externally or innately. It might not be a burning bush, but it's there in some form (heck, a deist could believe in this). Where am I going with this? I don't know; you're more organized than me. I agree that if one is truly seeking a "virtuous" life, then he or she needs to forget about loyalty to any idol (God is not an idol), such as fame, wealth, celebrities, or whatever. I agree with your call for less selfishness, though I don't "shout" it as violently as all that. (We have to keep that in check or we risk ruining any good in hopes of being accomplished. Everything is lost when doctrines and ideas turn to violence.) Thanks for your thoughtful input, though; I don't get much of that around here.

P.S. Actually, I don't know who!

P.P.S. I'm glad someone chose to appreciate the "deep" and "meaningful" side of things. It's hard to do that sometimes. I wish we all could.

April 21, 2006 12:57 PM

Dave wrote:

Dude......It sounds to me like she refused to go out with you at some point, and you never got over it.
Otherwise, why would you spend so much time dissing her, and worry about what her self-interest is?
Your blog sounds like the only self-interest here is defense.
If she is that wrong about everything there, go make your mark in the world, better yet run for office in that North Carolina town of yours, and make them forget all about her.

April 14, 2007 01:23 AM

Brian wrote:

Fortunately, a year later, few talk of Kellie anymore.

These stupid little articles I wrote were more about my frustration over these facts: 1) Trivial things like American Idol have such prominent places in society; 2) People are inclined to support something simply because of proximity, without further thought; 3) WE CARE MORE ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL AND KELLIE PICKLER THAN, OH, I DON'T KNOW, POVERTY?

Maybe I will run for office. It's something I've thought about occasionally. As soon as I raise a couple hundred thousand dollars, I'll consider it.

April 15, 2007 03:06 PM