…we’re in for one serious popularity contest.

While both Kris and Adam truly impressed with their initial performances of the night, they both underwhelmed with the subsequent two.

And while there is always a significant popularity component in any contest, with singing removed as the primary distinguishing factor in this singing competition, all that remains to determine this year’s winner is fan loyalty.

Who inspired their fans to get on the phone and stay on the phone?

While their personal and professional styles couldn’t be more (more…)

Kris Allen and Danny Gokey are a contrast in verbal styles.

Need we point out how few words Kris seems to need in order to say what he wants compared to how many words Danny needs?

The judges may rail on about Kris needing to do more of this or less of that, and he simply takes it in and offers a brief word of thanks. Danny, on the other hand, gushes on and on about why he made the choices he did, explaining where no explanation was requested, and inadvertently reinforcing any negative comments from the judges by repeating them in his eagerness to acknowledge them.

Two different approaches, two distinct styles, both communicating a certain amount of humility, yet one far more effective than the other.

Kris stands calm and unflappable, which communicates that he is comfortable in his own skin knowing that he has done what he can. Danny prattles on with nervous energy, which communicates that he needs to be understood in order to feel like he has done what he can. Kris gets his validation from within himself. Danny from outside himself.

How do you respond to criticism? Can you receive it calmly, learn from what has value and discard what has no merit? Or do you need to explain yourself until you feel the other person understands your position?

Both are expressions of humility. One is more effective than the other. Sometimes saying less is more.

It’s a battle for genuine cuteness.

Yes, it’s a singing competition… on the one hand. But on the other, it’s not merely good vocals that inspire viewers to get on the phone and press ‘redial’ repeatedly.

My teenage daughter loves Kris Allen. It’s an attraction that extends beyond his vocal capabilities. Far beyond!! I know I’m pointing out the obvious. What’s interesting to me is how little attention the Idol contestants themselves pay to this “attraction” factor.

There are many aspects of one’s appearance, personality, poise, sense of humor, and personal story that makes them more or less attractive to others. Anoop never came to terms with the simple reality that as infectious and endearing as he was when he smiled, he was a turn-off with his grim-faced nervous scowl while waiting for the results.

Kris Allen is trying to hold himself more confidently (Thank you, Simon, for that two-edged sword of a gift.) In my house we’re torn as to whether he’s starting to come across as merely arrogant and losing some of his original charm.

In all relationships we control only how we choose to show up. We do not control how others perceive us. Effective showmanship, leadership and communication use awareness of the second to inform the first.

Naivety about the importance of others’ perceptions blinds us to the extremely wide array of options available to us for maximizing our approach, our style, our word choice, our manner, etc.

What do you know about how others perceive you?

Interesting decision, isn’t it?!

The judges are giving feedback in pairs in order to save time.

It’s an interesting decision because there are still as many commercial breaks.

In other words, to solve the problem of the show exceeding its time slot, the producers cut back on the content instead of the commercials.

Is it pure greed?

The biggest implication is that not every contestant is at risk of experiencing Simon’s withering critique. (Or his highly coveted praise, as was the case with Kris Allen, whose feedback time this week was dominated by Randy’s negative comments.)

Here’s the rub. The content that has become so valuable as to attract top advertising dollar is being compromised, which in turn risks reducing its advertising value.

Obviously the producers are supremely confident that nothing they do will lose a single viewer, which may be true. But I’m disappointed nonetheless. I want each contestant to hear from each judge. It’s more fair. It’s better entertainment.

I already get up and complete a week’s worth of chores during the marathon commercial breaks, so I can’t protest by boycotting the commercials.

I guess I’ll just have to redirect my frustration toward my campaign to replace Ryan Seacrest as the show’s host.

Maybe I’m a softy for the rags-to-riches or the going from complete unknown to pop superstar drama.

To say it the other way around, there’s something about an amateur competition that provokes resentment when I discover what polished professionals some of the contestants are.

Granted Adam Lambert and Alison Iraheta are amazing vocalists. But the fact that Adam has sung professionally for some time now, and that Alison has won a major singing competition previously takes something out of it for me.

Let’s just say they don’t get any votes from me no matter how well they perform.

Unfair? Or is it appropriate in an amateur competition that there be a bias toward the true amateurs?

There’s something to say for sheer determination.

Determination to stay in the game. Determination to play at the top of one’s game.

How close to being eliminated has Anoop Desai come over the last several weeks? He didn’t get the votes to make the top 9 chosen by the viewers. He was the last wild card contestant announced and surprise 13th overall. His first performance was panned by the judges, and the producers chose to him to stand with Jorge as the next most likely to be voted off.

Enough to shake the confidence of the best of us. Not Anoop.

He worked even harder. His energy and determination levels grew. He pulled together everything he had to violate one of the judges’ most sacred rules, “Don’t take on a haloed classic.” And he pulled it off to their astonished admiration.

There’s something to say for sticking with something we love. Something we want. Something we’ve worked hard for. That others are doing better, getting more attention, experiencing more success cannot be the criteria by which we measure our own success.

Until Anoop is voted off the show, he is very much still on the show and in the running… no matter what the odds… no matter how well the other contestants are singing… no matters what the pundits think. (Who would have believed Taylor Hicks had a chance?)

Going from zero to hero involves not giving up on yourself. Are you pulling out of the game when you need to be adjusting your strategy and pushing harder? Are you disqualifying yourself by letting discouragement, long odds, or criticism from the sidelines drag you down?

You know you’re good. You know you have a lot to offer.

What do you do to up your game, bolster your confidence, or push from a different direction? What do you need to go from zero to hero?

On your side,

- Karl

It’s not uncommon for the judges to give what seems like contradictory feedback.

“Don’t mess with the melody” and “Put your own twist on the melody.” “That song was too big for you” and “You played it safe and didn’t stretch yourself.”

The contestants get frustrated, “But you told me last week…”

While I feel some of the judges’ feedback is confusing and contradictory, the contestants’ real problem is their own “cut and paste” response to the feedback.

It’s as if their only goal for the next performance is responding to the judges’ most recent criticism. I call this approach, “cut and paste,” because it (more…)

Simon Cowell is sabotaging his own distinct brand.

Known for his direct but not always sensitive feedback, Simon is increasing his air time with additional antics that are coming at the expense of this powerful “brand.”

His inability to resist throwing barbs while the other judges (particularly Paula) are talking, has the effect of diluting what we like best about Simon… his withering critiques of the contestants.

(All right, his homo-ambiguous sparring with Ryan Seacrest is becoming an Idol staple. But this is the exception that proves the rule.)

The proof comes when Simon wants to give positive feedback. It gets diluted, if not entirely lost. Watch for this.

Disastrous for Simon, in my mind. There’s a lot of power in his positive responses precisely because they are so rare and (previously) so focused. Is he forfeiting his power to influence?

What are your brand distinctives? Are they getting lost by trying to be too many things to too many people? Is it time to refocus, get back to basics, or cut out the side shows? What power are you forfeiting when you dilute your brand?

I love American Idol, but its commercial breaks are longer than the show itself. If you add the previews (which duplicate most of the content,) there’s time to accomplish quite a bit between segments.

How do you use all that time?!

Here’s my list of 10 tasks you can complete during an American Idol commercial break:

1. Pay the bills.
2. Give the dog a bath.
3. Clean out the garage.
4. Make popcorn… for the neighborhood.
5. Repair a popped balloon.
6. Install software on Windows.
7. Navigate the menu of telephone prompts to get a live person at the phone company.
8. Replay Obama’s inaugural address.
9. Explain Twitter to your grandmother.
10. Delouse a screaming child.

Those commercials make up a good part of one’s evening. Why just sit there?

What else belongs on this list?