[2003] And the winner is....

[Unimatrix Prime™]

...RUBEN STUDDARD!!!!!!!

lol... I guess it wasn't much of a surprise, since the media seemed to be all over this guy, but the difference in voting between these 2 was a bit over 13,000 votes out of the 24+ million that voted... I suppose this won't be the end for both Ruben on Clay, and AI3 is coming soon...lol

So what do y'all think of this?

edit: edited for "correctness" of names...

[Chireresu]

Yay!!!Clay is pure evil!!!!!!!Oww!!!My braces hurt!!!!!X_XI want to be on the new show, American Juniors.

[~*Aria*~]

Yay for Reuben!

[Cientifik]

i think a lot of people knew that Ruben was going to win but the margin between the two was not big at all.

American Juniors looks hilarious! its funny to watch the kids just stand there while the parents get mad and scream because their kid didn't make it to the next round.

[miruku]

Haha
Amercian Junior?? i onli watch a small part of that.. hehe, would be funny to see all their parents yelling at them..
omggg.. i'm so evil

[AyuMiHypErMiX]

YES!!!!! THE WINNER IS


RUBEN STUDDARD!!!!!!


And for his winning song... he sang....

"Flying without wings"

From what i know Westlife originally sang the song...


AND it sooo happens that BoA sang it with them as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


IM SOO excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hopfeully this will be his first single!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




I STAY 110% Dedicated to RUBEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Belinda]

yeah i think the other guy will end up getting some sort of deal, i seen on tv, that, the guy from last season who lost, has an album coming out this yr i think (sry i dont know nebody's name but kelly's...i dont even watch the show...am i missing out? ^^

[fantaisie.sign]

Funny picture. ^_^

Again, JoJo, it's "Studdard." And Trinity, can you explain the Clayton evilness? I don't see what's evil about a good natured person with an outstanding personality and will to consistently do his best. *scratches head*

It's disappointing to me since the phone lines in my area (not too far from the Charlotte/Raleigh alliance) were jammed resulting in the quickened busy signals. During the entire 3 hours, I managed only 4 votes while others in the east and west coasts managed less than that. American Idol made me want a cell phone even more while the limits of dialup services proves my desperate need for the divine text voting accessory. But there were phone and cellular phone problems last night too, causing some people to not vote at all. I guess Bellsouth, AT&T, and Fox are to blame for that one. Oh, and Simon too. Why is Simon on my bad side now? Here's a passage from a Newsweek article(http://www.msnbc.com/news/914098.asp?0cv=KB10):

"SIMON’S NEVER BEEN much for chitchat, but he’s particularly on edge now because of something strange occurring onstage. Kimberley Locke, who most everyone believes is a long shot to make it to the finals, is singing the pants off Ruben Studdard. Clay Aiken isn’t at his best, but Studdard is really off. His rendition of Peabo Bryson’s “If Ever I’m in Your Arms Again” is so obviously uninspired that the judges are clearly worried. They even tell him to take off his distracting hat and sing again, even though the judges almost never comment on performers before the show.“We have a problem,” Cowell is overheard carping outside the soundstage later. “I want Ruben to be in the final two, and Kimberley just had a great rehearsal.”
By the next night, Cowell has gotten his way. America has voted—or at least 19 million “Idol” worshipers have—and it gives Locke the boot. [...] Locke is actually the most composed; she’s expected this all along. “The judges play to who they want to win,” she told NEWSWEEK the night before. “I believe they want Ruben. Simon says that every opportunity he gets.” [...] Cowell is feeling relieved himself. While Ruben was clearly better on camera than he was during rehearsal, Kimberley still outsang him. Yet Cowell muzzled his praise for her and spared Ruben his trademark venom. “When there’s only three left, you are going to be slightly tactical,” Cowell admits. “What you’re trying to do, if you can, is to tell the audience who you want to be in the final. You’re not getting accurate judging. You’re not.”"

Thanks. Simon. For the "constructive criticism." Your favorite won and all is right with the world.

I've been browsing around the Television Without Pity boards and the American Idol Usenet newsgroup ever since tonight's show began. The overall feeling seems to be devastation and shock in the Clay and K-lo fans. Oddly, a very small amount of Ruben supporters have commented even on the success of their "idol." The main thoughts are: "Simon got what he wanted," "Ruben can't give an interview worth a damn," and "The CD single sales next month will determine the true American Idol." Claybees and K-Locomotives have taken over the boards with little Rubenites in sight.

Comments disliking the win:

"Geez... I cannot contain my frustration regarding this show. I feel completely ripped off and like I wasted my time watching all of the weekly shows. This show is so obviously fixed. When Ryan announced how close the numbers were in the final vote, I knew right then and there that Ruben had won. I do believe that Ruben is a talented singer. But for too many weeks now, he has been channeling Luther Vandross, Barry White, and Peabo Bryson. His performances have become increasingly boring. And the strain of the competition was really starting to show in his stressed expressions and actions as well as his bucketloads of sweat. While Clay is certainly not the best singer in the world, I also believe that he is talented, and much more diverse than Ruben. Some may say that his voice is more suited for the stage; I suppose I can see that with his enunciation problems. But there is no doubt in my mind that he could make a fantastic pop singer with a little bit of help. I also loathe the way that Simon acted during tonight's finale. His little statement about how the final was "image versus talent" and that "America got it right... talent won"? Dude, you just totally gave it away there; it's obvious that you know who won already before anyone else. No wonder he was so damn happy. His little pet student won. And who's to say that Ruben is the only one in the top two who had talent? Last night Simon himself said that Clay gave a performance to win the competition. I guess he just didn't have the talent to go along with it, huh? I don't have any hard feelings against Ruben. I wish him the best in his recording career. I just wish that TPTB had just let him compete in the competition on his own instead of the constant Ruuuuuuuuuuuben-pimping that pushed him into the viewer's faces during the past few weeks. Then tonight's victory would have been a lot more fair. Ruben, I hope you know what you have just gotten yourself into. Get ready for a lot of interviews and public appearances. I hope that he sounds a lot more intelligent than he has on the show because I'm starting to think that boy is a blank slate. I'm wondering what a concert from him is going to be like. And I half expected him to have a heart attack on stage when they announced his name as the winner."

"After spending 3 hours voting for Clay and only getting through once, I am on board for the conspiracy theory. And the theory that 19E wanted to piss off Clay's fan base so he would sell more records?? Wow, that's amazing. TPTB are gleefully adding up the cash they're going to make on this - dare I say it?- debacle as we furiously type. It will be interesting to see whose album does better. And who has a career. I feel bad for Ruben, though. Another reason I think TPTB anointed him is that he doesn't strike me as an independent thinker. Best quote of the night? "I go where they tell me to.'"

"I was wondering what the phone lines for Ruben were like. I keep hearing here about Clay fans (like myself) who didn't get through once. I wonder how they even thought about how one contestant may have more people dialing and getting busy signals than the other. That's where the winner should be determined! Can someone explain exactly how this voting system works ( I figured that you all on the conspiracy thread here, would know best). The whole thing bothers me with the idea that if x million place votes for clay, and y million place votes for ruben, but only z million (less than both x and y ) can get through and avoid busy signals, then wouldnt you get an almost equal vote every time, no matter who the two that are facing off are??? Please someone explain this, it doesn't make sense."

"First off I wasn't surprised or upset about Ruben winning tonight even though I was hoping it would be Clay. Bottom line is that the winner between these two didn't really matter because it has been pointed out how flawed the voting system is. The true battle for American Idol 2 begins when both of their albums and songs hit the stores and radio at the same time. That will be a real indication of who the winner is based on who sells the most records and has the most #1 hits. My bet is on Clay but we will have to wait and see. Ruben winning makes sense because he needed to win more then Clay. Clay has a large contingent or rabid fans (8,700 buyers of his CD were sitting in Raleigh) so he is gonna do fine win or lose. Ruben needed the credibility of the win to boost his image. As a side note I am really worried about Ruben because there were a number of times during the show where he looked like he was about to pass out. I really hope he doesn't drop during one of the shows on the concert tour because I don't think his stamina is very good. The boy needs to lose a little weight."

"I'm sad and angry and upset at tonight. A guy who was LAVISHED with undeserved praise beat out a far mor talented boy who worked EVERY SINGLE WEEK, and it's made me extremely upset. I'm trying to console myself by telling myself that Clay will still be around, but it isn't enough. CLAY WAS CHEATED OUT OF HIS MOMENT , and I don't care if Fox intentionally manipulated the votes or not- they gave Ruben an unfair advantage with all the pimping. Well, good luck, Fox. I hope you're happy that you've broken the PRoC's heart. Congrats to Ruben and Clay for a good competition and it will be fun to see who really wins when their albums are released. Hopefully this will be a battle that lasts for a while. Same thing, I tried voting last night time after time and only got 2 calls in for Clay. He not only had the talent, but the show made him better. It let his looks measure up to his personality. His singing moved me, it really did. He becammmmme the American Idol. A typical American story: special ed teacher with nerdy looks blossoms into a vocal talent with showmanship and class all the while maintaining his roots and sense of humor. Class act. I'm buying his album since my two damn votes couldn't give him the title. (P.S. And whoa, did Kelly Clarkson suck tonight! Yikes!)"

"Best vocals of the night came from Kimberley Locke, hands down, and that includes you, Miss Independent. I'm hugely disappointed but not really bitter. I vented all my bitterness over the KLo debacle as chronicled in Newsweek. I genuinely wish Ruben the best but someone better put him on a fitness program and quick. Sometimes the best man doesn't win but 19E got what they wanted so good luck with all that."

"not.happy, Congrats Simon you won! By the way even though I like Ruben I will not buy endorse or support anything you have tainted. Am I bitter - damn rights. You have crammed Ruben down my throat even thought I may have decided on my own that he was a fantastic singer. You manipulated people to vote of K'Lo when she was way deserving and found some way of finding enough people in the US to vote for a man who (as sweet as he is - is a fame *****) over a man who I want my children to look up to. Congrats Rube- you are a wonderful singer and performer - did you deserve to win -NO but I applaud you for your talend and sweetness - but at the moment I a mad -not a Tamara over Nikki mad - but a seething mad. Why?Because I do not beleive that over 50% of the votes went to you - I think you are talented beyond belief by I do not beleive you have won on your own and that is more of a discredit to you than a favor. Sorry - end rant."

"Well, Ruben may have won the popular vote, but CLAY WON THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE!"

"It is so clear that the phone lines couldn't take it. Both lines were jammed from what I read on these forums this morning (I'm in Canada, so I don't know). Therefore, there is no way to get an accurate representation of the votes - I'm sure there are thousands, if not millions, of Ruben and Clay votes that are forever lost. The phone votes must've nearly cancelled each other out. The 1300 is simply a technical blip - with 24 million votes, how is it even significant? And I'm not getting all 'sour grapes' over Clay - I think Ruben supporters would say the same thing if it'd gone the other way - honestly... 1300 votes? That is ridiculous... when people report that they called maniacally for 3 hours and got in something like 2 votes that clearly shows that there is something seriously wrong with the technology... You'd think with some of the truckloads of money that they're making off this show that they could afford to upgrade the voting system and/or phone lines or whatever... *sigh* I HATE reality television."

Comments liking the win:

"Wow. For the first time ever, someone I liked won a reality TV show. And all is right with the world. All the glory notes didn't quite pay off for ya, did they Clay? That said, he handled his loss well."

"On the bright side, I think Clay is better off in second place. I hope he can have a little more freedom on his album."

"I am glad Rube won but I am not worried for Clay or Kim, after they are released from their indentured servitude with 19 Entertainment, they will have more than enough offers to choose from."

"I can't be upset at this. Even though Clay should have won but not for the reasons that matter. I think Clay has more range and more talent than Rueben but to be honest these two both won. Clay won everything but the title which is just words. They both get what the deserve. A record deal and a chance to be huge stars (and I believe they both will be). I have to unfortunately disagree with Shack. I think this season was light years beyond the first. Talent wise and performance wise. I see so much feeling behind both Clay and Rueben's performances tonight, maybe its just me. So yea Clay is better suited to be an American Idol and maybe has a bit more talent but I don't think it matters. So I am just happy for both of them. I was really glad to have heard both of their fantastic voices."

"They both had a good demeanor about winning though. I think they both know they've got the start of their careers in the bag. Clay, for sure, isn't Justin II. I think he's got a long career ahead of him. Another nice thing to see was how the moms hugged each other and then hugged the son of the other, like everyone was just one, big family and their was no division. It's was lovely to see; one only wishes the whole world was like that."

All in all, it comes down to these points according to both sides:

- Simon won. All is right in the world.
- Ruben will not do well in interviews.
- Both are winners, but CD sales in the next few weeks will determine the real idol.
- New voting methods should be used for AI3.
- Fox. Ruins. Everything.

Funny and good points in the show:

- Did anyone see Paula fall off the stage during the credits? Hilarious!
- The Ride Wit Me promo. I loved it the first time and love it even more after the 100th time.
- Foreign Idol! The funniest international clips were the French ones and, of course, Keith. I've never known anyone else to give a Madonna song so much justice.
- Sing a Song! I think that's what it was called with the rejects from the first episodes of this season. Edgar, the off-key brothers, the "play ball" boy, but why was the rocker (can't remember name) included? Wasn't he in the top 32?
- Vanessa and Rickey! Hi guys!
- K-Lo! Hi! I miss you!
- Charles! Hello to you too!
- The footage in Raleigh. So many people, yet so much disappointment.

Not so funny and good points:

- The Simon/Paula erm. . . commercial. It was funny at first, but then the kiss made it a little sickening.
- Miss Independent -- Kelly was off-key during the beginning and didn't redeem herself until the end.
- Ruben in his room backstage. It was a boring segment since Ruben seems to be one of very few words.

I'm still stuck in the suspense of the moment so I still can't quite give an honest opinion of the night, but the supposed nationwide responses are above.

Info about the single releases:

Clay's single (ranked #1 at Amazon)

Ruben's single (ranked #3 at Amazon)

[destiny_ayu]

Can only say congrats to ruben... coz i dunno much of dat guy...

[Chireresu]

Clay is eeeeeeeeeeevillllll!!!!I think he is eeeeeeeeeeevillllll because he is!!!!!!!!!I just don't like him!!!!!!!*hisses*Eeeeeeeeeeevillllll!!!!!!!!

[pSyko_mEi_ xD]

interesting... i didnt watch dat one... but i saw wen ruben got chosen ... he couldnt reallie sing... dere was this episode wen dis azn guy went and he could sing and he didnt get chosen !!! grr...

[Cientifik]

he probably couldnt sing because i think he was starting to cry when he got picked. when people got eliminated before they started to cry and they couldnt sing either.

[Super Ichiban]

I don't think the judges got what they were looking for in this round of American Idol. They goal of this show is to find an idol superstar who has a combination of singing ability, charisma, looks, personality, etc. They were looking for the total package and if you look at the top 3 finishers this year, I don't think any of them qualify as "idols".

If the contest were based on singing ability alone, then I think the right person won. I can't stand Clay's singing and frankly, I don't see how he made it as far as he did. He's like another Barry Manilow (apologies to Barry Manilow fans). He's so cheesy and theatric.

I think the junior edition will be hilarious especially if they show really awful people trying out like in the real American Idol. That's all I want to see. I doubt that they're going to have some mean judge who tells them that they are pathetic.

[squarenuts]

as i said to my brother- it didn't really matter which of the 3 finalists finished, because in all 3 cases i would rather listen to their music with my eyes close frankly, not a single one of them strikes me as a pop star, or "idol"... they each pretty much sang within only a certain style for the most part... lol i heard there was an episode where a bunch of them sang beatles songs... man i gotta find that one, because i said i wouldn't have any respect for the show unless they did either a nirvana, beatles, or aerosmith cover... lol obviously i don't want to listen to either ruben or clay since they don't sing rock... which brings up another point- this contest doesn't include songwriting ability. sure they can perform and everything, but does an "idol" sing what he/she's told to sing? i don't think so- they tend to write their own music (with the exception of the brittney clones)... so the fact that show doesn't even test their songwriting capabilities really doesn't show which one is a truly great music artist.. instead it just shows which ones the best performer... i'm sorry, but i like hearing new songs, not just covers...

[Cientifik]

american juniors looks like a show just to watch because of the parents even though the show is suppposed to be about the kids.

my kid can definitely sing better that one!!

[ayuzilla]

yuck