American Idol Visits…Michael Sarver’s Hometown

LOL. I see a pattern here.

Yup. Top 12 home visits. Alexis is somewhere playing with the baby and looking at her soldier fiance’s picture longingly for the camera as we speak.

Don’t forget going to church tinawina!! I have nothing wrong with people being religious, but WOW!! Such a theme! At least this is the first i have heard of Michael’s religion……

I do have to say, I am glad to hear Alexis gets to go home and spend time with her daughter, along with Michael getting to spend time with his kids. I totally see their long term goals, but as I put my daughter to bed every night and wake up to her every morning, even if it’s WAY before I want to get up, I couldn’t imagine going for even days let alone weeks without her! It’s got to be hard for them in the mean time.

Well I suppose they have to balance all that Gokey coverage with something moderately religious or it will look too obvious.

I can’t wait for Wednesday’s show and all those fresh faces. This set up sucks.

Uh-oh. Alexis better join a church real quick if she doesn’t belong to one, already. Or at least let them film her lighting votive candles and gazing skyward.

Here’s the thing. They’re doing all this with the first group of 3 from the Top 12. Obviously, they’ll have time to do it with the second group as well. But, what about Group 3 and the WildCard? There’s no way they can expect them to film packages, do press, and get ready for Top 12 performances in that short time frame.

Zsus, yeah, especially the wild cards. I’m guessing they will get the shaft.

It sounds like Michael may get some of Danny’s backlash thrown his way. However, his church didn’t seem to plan a service and have him preach a sermon.

I have reservations about Danny’s church, this one not so much.

They film packages from week to week during the finals….I don’t think those will get the shaft, they’ll just be busier with having to prepare their song. I’m guessing the earlier ones voted in will not be given the theme so they won’t have extra time to pick their songs…..well at least I’d hope not.

If this church is a big part of Michael’s life then it is relevant for the package, just as it is for Danny. Didn’t Michael say that he performed at church related stuff during the interviews this week?? If that’s where he mostly sings then it does make sense. Alexis said she sang the bar scene so if that’s what they show for her then so be it (well at least for me). Don’t get me wrong, I love God and all that but I’ve spent more time in bars in my life than churches so I wouldn’t judge anyone based on that lol.

The hell is this??? They are getting hometown visits already? What, they don’t have to make the Top 3 for that anymore? God, I hate this format.

It not the same as the hometown visits of the final three. It’s probably a getting to know the contestants kind of thing.

Michael won’t get any backlash about him attending church as idol’s have always had christian contestants. From the first season in fact. The backlash about Gokey is about the pimping of his wife and now the pimping of his church, and the cross pollination of both pimpages.

A family man going to church on a sunday is no scandal.

As long as they don’t spend too much time at the church’s coffee bar! From Top Idol:

Harvest Church claims to be one of the most exciting Spirit Filled Churches in all of Southeast Texas. Their logo literally looks like something you would see hanging at the entrance of an overpriced gourmet sandwich shoppe (yesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦spelled just like that) boasting artisan bread.

Their homepage features a simple Congratulations Michael Sarver in a somewhat tasteful way. No big flashy photo. Nothing too out of control. Now letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s check out what they believe down there at Harvest Church, one of the most exciting Spirit Filled Churches in all of Southeastern Texas.

They donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seem too badà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see much about the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“prosperity gospelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , but I havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really begun to lookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦you know I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t trust any place that baptizes you by dunking you in a big-ass tub. And I get kind of freaked out when people raise their hands up in such a fervent manner.

But will they give me Artisan Jesus? Pastor Marshall does use a laptop on his pulpit à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Check out this video of Sarver singing in church.

Who knows, perhaps I will be compelled to find out what Pastor Marshall is driving these days, but I am definitely curious about this Hebrews Coffee shop located in Harvest Church. Whoaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦what? I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s supposed to be HeBrews? Oh come on nowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦making Jesus coffee and calling it Hebrew? This seems kind of wrong to me. But Hebrews Coffee Shop AND Harvest Church both offer free wi-fi.

Where art thou, Artisan Jesus, where art thou? On your Macbook Pro, I hope.

http://topidol.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/idol-worship-michael-sarver-harvest-church/

Ok, this it just getting to be the weirdest idol trip evah. What is up with these churches these days.

Maybe Starbucks could star their own church, and Dunkin Donuts. That way it could be one stop shopping, a cup of Joe and the book of Job in the same trip.

Goodness gracious.

Why is it starting to feel like I’m going to be going to church two nights a week now?

I wish I could say this was something new.

I remember a similar visit to Tamyra Gray’s church, Season 1.

I would imagine that if a congregation was big enough–and some of those mega churches are huge–they might have places like coffee bars where the members can hang. I don’t really find it that weird.

Although, I am loling at the name of that church’s coffee bar…

I think they also either visited Bo Bice’s church or interviewed his pastor. I have no problem with that.

ETA: The coffee bar doesn’t seem weird. It’s like serving coffee in the church basement, I guess, but on a larger scale. It’s marketing for sure, but that’s nothing new in religion. Missionary work isn’t just helping people in need, but also spreading the word. I hope that the “helping” aspect doesn’t get lost, though.

I remember church visits previously in other seasons

But this is getting to be a little too much for me. I can usually handle one visit at some point in the season, but this much upfront already?

I just am feeling like this is getting to be a big pill to swallow.

What is Idol looking for? The next top Christian artist?

They visited Melinda Doolittle’s church as well. Her mother was there. If Chris Sligh had made it further, I’m sure they would have visited his church, where he is a praise and worship leader.

What is Idol looking for? The next top Christian artist?

I doubt it – not if they’re looking to make money, anyway. Unless you’re Kirk Franklin, Steven Curtis Chapman, or someone similar, it can’t be that lucrative.

I know if tons of churches with coffee bars, ATM machines in the foyer, bookstores, video stores, etc.

Nothing wrong with belonging and being involved in the
Church of your choice. Not really my right to criticize anyone on
that.

Because I just saw it on Idol Rewind not too long ago, I remember them visiting one of the season 4 semi-finalists’ churches during his initial audition packages – David Brown, I think it was? I agree that this is not a new thing.

And yeah, my church has a coffee bar and offers free wi-fi. It’s not a mega-church by any means, but it’s one of the larger ones in my city and its primary demographic skews younger.

It’s a new thing that WE’VE HEARD THESE PEOPLE SING ONE SONG! Why are we going to their hometowns? Why is there so much press on these people ALREADY????

This is insane.

I might be done with American Idol now.

So apparently Michael is the worship leader in his church too. How many worship leaders will be in the Top 12?

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a new thing that WEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢VE HEARD THESE PEOPLE SING ONE SONG! Why are we going to their hometowns? Why is there so much press on these people ALREADY????

I don’t think it’s that serious. They do these packages all the time. Hell, they do them for folk’s AUDITIONS. Remember Ramielle serving noodles? Brooke singing to the babies? During the semis, I vaguely remember Chris Daughtry working at the car dealership and kissing his wife & kids goodbye. It’s not new.

Neither is church stuff, frankly. There are always church going contestants, and they have had shots of them in action before.

I refuse to get peeved until these segments actually air and I can get an idea if they are going to show anything out of the ordinary. Until then, I am assuming it is all status quo.

I wish AI would just go back to singing. Maybe it’s me, but it seems like Idol has already been going on forever this season and we’ve heard so little actual singing since the auditions. I guess I’m going to have to break down and do the TIVO thing to edit out all this other crap.

Honestly, I am not impressed with Sarver or Gorkey in terms of talent. I doubt either of their back stories will help, but they can hurt (at least for me). Right now, I’m okay with Sarver as a person, but he has done nothing to endear me to him as a performer.

The backlash about Gokey is about the pimping of his wife and now the pimping of his church, and the cross pollination of both pimpages.

one stop shopping, a cup of Joe and the book of Job in the same trip.

Oh, Abbysee, you so have a way w/words! Lolz :laugh_tb:

My goodness! What is up with all of these Church franchises? I really really really do not need to see this or know about this. Religious belief and practice is private and should remain so.

It also bugged me about Jason, Brook and David A. I do not want to hear about their religious life.

What if a contestant is Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu? Will we get to see their places of worship?

I. can. not. stand. this. I call manipulative bullshit!.

I’m not going to work myself into a frenzy over the backstory shit. Besides, we have only read about what MAY HAPPEN on AI, neither Michael’s or even Danny’s home visit have been televised yet.

I must say, though, that I am really interested in seeing how all of this spins out. Are they going to “down play” Danny’s church ties by highlighting other contestants who have a religious background. Are they going to really work an angle, once all top 12 are chosen, about those that embrace the religious right as opposed to the heathens on the other side? Are they going to force the viewers to categorize contestants based on their moral and social backgrounds, as opposed to their singing talents? And then they are going to put these very diverse people into a house together!

AI as we knew it has ceased to exist. This is now just a frigin’ dramatic reality show with a mediocre prize at the end. Since the music industries profits are spirally downward as fast as the economy, 19 is getting their whole share of the pie at the front end and will send out the winner to be devoured by the economic wolves. SO sad!

I had already decided to stay away from the Danny Gokey threads for the time being, and now we have Michael “everyday man” Sarver and his church to discuss too? I “pray” Alexis does NOT take us to see her church.

They’re trying to get the church votes? And there’s a lot of church people who watch idol. If it gets to be too much (which it is already coming close to) they might as well call it “American Christian Idol.”

Christianity practices manipulation by scaring people (hellfire), pressuring them to fall into line and believe the same way, and urging followers to go out and convert the whole world.

Idol is also a master of manipulation. Could this be a match made in, um, heaven?

(ETA: Fox is owned by Murdoch, a very conservative member of the religious right. Maybe that’s why we’re seeing the religious overtones.)

It also bugged me about Jason, Brook and David A. I do not want to hear about their religious life.

I don’t remember any of these three talking about their religious lives on the show at all and I don’t remember seeing them in a church. It did come out that Jason was in a christian group at school and DA is Mormon, but I think that was stuff on the internet, not on the show.

Anyhow, if they’re doing a “day in the life” kind of thing and part of Sarver’s day is going to church, that’s fine with me. As long as he’s ATTENDING, not PREACHING. It’s to give an idea of who these people are, not to try to get you to imitate them (well, in most cases anyway, heh).

Theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re trying to get the church votes? And thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a lot of church people who watch idol. If it gets to be too much (which it is already coming close to) they might as well call it à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Christian Idol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Christianity practices manipulation by scaring people (hellfire), pressuring them to fall into line and believe the same way, and urging followers to go out and convert the whole world.

I’ll comment on the second paragraph first….I really think that’s a matter of opinion. I was always taken to church as a child and I have continued that into my adulthood. No one (except the priest, I guess) told me that I HAD to go to church or I HAD to believe this or that or whatever. I go and I believe because I choose to. I have had a lot of friends who have made different choices than mine, and that is fine. I don’t feel manipulated into doing anything though. I just do what feels right to me. And I like going to church. It gives me a nice break from the hectic-ness of my everyday life.

On to the first paragraph…I just really can’t imagine that there are a lot of people out there (certainly not enough to make a difference) that will vote for a contestant because he/she goes to church. Most people don’t buy their music that way (and the people who do probably don’t watch Idol in the first place) and certainly won’t vote that way either. JMO.

^^
KK… I agree with every single thing you said. Thanks for your post. All I need to add is Yeah – that! :)

On to the first paragraphà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I just really canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t imagine that there are a lot of people out there (certainly not enough to make a difference) that will vote for a contestant because he/she goes to church. Most people donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t buy their music that way (and the people who do probably donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t watch Idol in the first place) and certainly wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t vote that way either.

I would like to believe that you are absolutely correct, but I fear you are absolutely wrong. I appreciate your balanced approach to religion and music/performer preferences — and I believe I share it to a large extent — but living in the midst of the religious right, I’m stunned at what I see and hear and read sometimes. To me, people can have an absolute blind loyalty to anyone who asserts him- or herself as a believer (without regard to whether it’s true or even arguable) and an absolute rejection of anyone who does not (even if that person exhibits traits and lives his/her life in a much more charitable, moral manner than the self-proclaimed believer.) Sad, but true.

Without getting into the nitty gritty, you only had to be on some websites last year to read the outright rejection of David Cook by some of his fans when they learned of rumored information that he may not be “a believer.” Stunning.

As for the characterizations of church mentalities, atmosphere and atmospherics vary widely, so it’s impossible to generalize, imo.

I find it interesting that they’re doing video packages for the top 12 but not surprising. This is a strange format for getting to know them so anything they can do to give us a backstory will help. I would have liked to see more of them last season. The only ones I remember seeing a lot of were KLC’s horse and Syesha’s baby voices. I don’t have a problem with seeing their churches if that’s a big part of their lives but am not going to vote for or against them because of it. I have a feeling Michael’s will end up being part about that but also his work and family.

As for the characterizations of church mentalities, atmosphere and atmospherics vary widely, so ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s impossible to generalize, imo.

Yes. That.

How many worship leaders will be in the Top 12?

I read that Kris Allen is a worship leader in his church. I detect a pattern.

How are they going to have time to do these packages for the finalists from group 3 and the wildcards? Surely they would be at a disadvantage if they have to make time to go home to get footage of them going to church or whatever before the Top 12 performance show. The wildcards will already have one less day to prepare.

Yes but the wildcards have the advantage of a 2nd performance so it evens out, Cheese. My guess is that unlike normal weeks they won’t have to wait for the winners because the judges will know on performance night who they’ll choose plus producers will probably have scouted out the most likely picks already. The last 3 picked will be at a bit of a disadvantage for the first week but on the other hand they’re getting a 2nd chance at the show.

I have a feeling TPTB are slowing developing a Red State vs. Blue State show down in the finals. In addition to the large number of Christian fundamentalist “praise worship leader” types, there are also a large number of openly gay contestants too. Then there are the weirdos like Nick/Normund and Tatiana.

I feel sorry for the non-polarizing but talented contestants like Anoop or Matt Giraud, they’ll most likely get lost in the shuffle.

AI as we knew it has ceased to exist. This is now just a friginà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ dramatic reality show with a mediocre prize at the end.

This is what I brought up on Danny’s thread. Someone had mentioned that AI has never had so many “gay” characters. I am seeing the set up for drama. You bet Adam will be in there plans.

To me, people can have an absolute blind loyalty to anyone who asserts him- or herself as a believer (without regard to whether ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true or even arguable) and an absolute rejection of anyone who does not (even if that person exhibits traits and lives his/her life in a much more charitable, moral manner than the self-proclaimed believer.) Sad, but true.

Anyone around when Carmen kept returning and getting all those votes? She was not a good singer but very pretty. The Mormon Church has a huge base of voters and they DO vote.

I watched Ricky performance again, and now I know why we didn’t see him at all prior to the TOP 36. He is an outstanding singer compared to Danny and Michael. Now, I totally understand Simon’s comments about Michael.

I watched Ricky performance again, and now I know why we didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see him at all prior to the TOP 36. He is an outstanding singer compared to Danny and Michael. Now, I totally understand Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s comments about Michael.

The thing is that Ricky is a graduate of Belmont University, also a Christian school (and Melinda Doolittle’s alma mater), and one that a lot of evangelicals I know consider sending their kids to because it’s known to have a great commercial music program. From Belmont’s website:

Ricky Braddy, a 2007 Commercial Music graduate from Belmont, was named Wednesday night to the Top 36 of “American Idol.” During his time at Belmont, the North Carolina native was selected to participate in the 2006 Commercial Music Showcase where he performed “Dying to Live” and the Ray Charlesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ classic “Song for You.”

Is it just that Ricky, in addition to being a great singer, is not as polarizing a figure as Danny? Actually when I first saw Ricky perform last week, I thought he looked a lot like Danny, and I could have easily gotten the two confused.

Why would they choose to pimp Michael over Ricky? I just don’t get it.

Thanks, BootStar! Ricky doesn’t have a wife and children, does he? I would just like to get to know him better.

I wonder what religion Anoop is?

snuffles, a red state, blue state American Idol showdown? Could be. Leave it to AI to come up with something like that just when we’re trying to bring the country together. This season is just getting weirder and weirder.

Michael doesn’t bother me at all. I see him as a nice, average guy who would definately love to win this thing (but I don’t think he has a chance in hell). Yeah, he’s a church guy, but that’s ok. He just doesn’t seem to have the ulterior motives we’re seeing with Danny boy nor does he seem to be manipulating or is trying to recruit anyone to his church. I wish him well.

If they are going to do the church thing for the video packages then I want Tatiana (if she makes the wildcard) in a wildly inappropriate dress and ginormous crucifix around her neck, attending mass while the beginning strains of Madonna’ “Like a Prayer” plays in the background of the segment. I’m assuming she’s Catholic and would rather her capitalize on that in a subversive rather than serious way.

Oh and in all seriousness I’d totally go to church more often if I could get a good hazelnut latte while there.

I wonder what religion Anoop is?

Somebody commented on this forum that they saw him at the local Hindu temple:

OMG I missed watching this audition… I have seen this guy in the hindu temple once or twice. He is from my state and city. I hope he makes it to the hollywood rounds.

Red State, Blue State. Christian, Other. God, I hope the producers don’t go there! I don’t mind the Gay vs. Evangelical thing so much (in fact, I’d relish it), but I don’t want this to dissolve into an epic Battle of the Religions.

this is so NOT fair to the agnostics–atheists–and free thinkers…….

I can just see TPTB jumping for joy over all this controversy! They love see a ton of posts and there had been much conversation everywhere!

This is a debatable situation.

Again, thank youBootStar.

I feel sorry for the non-polarizing but talented contestants like Anoop or Matt Giraud, theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll most likely get lost in the shuffle.

Or they’ll end up as the victors at the end, when the dust settles, and the two opposing sides have killed each other.

*sigh* I’m starting to hate this season.

I think think it’s very far fetched to assume that taping at a couple of the finalist’s churches means they’re going to be doing red state/blue state in the finals. With Adam they’re likely to show the “Wicked” production without playing up his sexuality. The only theme this season that I’ve heard is it’s the year of the guys just like last season was best talent ever and 6 was the season of the girls.

I think think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s very far fetched to assume that taping at a couple of the finalistà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s churches means theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re going to be doing red state/blue state in the finals.

Amen, bean99. For Gokey, I think his livelihood was being a worship leader, so showing him in action would be no different than showing Daughtry at the car dealership. For Sarver, apparently his church is the venue in which he regularly sings (we know his job is on the oil rig), so if they showed Anoop singing with the Clefhangers from UNC or Alexis with her band at a bar it would be the same thing. But I do not doubt that some serious thought goes into casting the final contestants in this show, and the more interesting or outrageous (“Chicken Little” Kevin in Season 5), apparently the more viewers. I think TPTB are salivating over having someone like Sarver and Adam together.

Danny is from a blue state…Michael is from a red state. So I don’t get the blue state/red state argument. All this proves to me is that there are Christians in blue states as well as red states.

edit: read my guidelines!

Ripping on peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s churches?

The only church being ripped on is Faith Builders and I don’t think there is anything wrong with it because what they preach is, in my opinion, a bastardized version of Christianity. Others are free to say otherwise. They are a modern day PTL Club, existing primarily for the financial gain of Pastor Pruitt. FBIM and Pastor Pruitt aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt from me anymore than Jim and Tammy Faye did.

Up until Danny Gokey I have not had a problem with contestants who talked about their faith, not even Mandisa, who was also controversial. I find Danny, his backstory and his calculated use of his wife’s death repugnant. Seeing that he is tied to FBIM just sealed the deal.

repugnant

That is a fabulous word.

Great post, Niall.

OhSnap
Feb 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Danny is from a blue stateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Michael is from a red state. So I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get the blue state/red state argument. All this proves to me is that there are Christians in blue states as well as red states.

Oh, you know what I mean. Ultra conservative vs. ultra liberal showdown.

oh boy. This isn’t about ‘persecuting’ Danny or Christians. It’s about Danny looking like a manipulating douchebag with the help of AI and using his widower status to further an agenda, whatever that may be – maybe it’s to win American Idol, maybe it’s to further other interests – who the hell knows. Of course people are going to look at his church, especially after reading the pastor’s message. Let’s face it – there have been a ‘few’ problems with churches like this and a lot of people are suspicious of their focus on money and fundraising. Like it or not, this is the way it is and kind of what Danny has brought on himself.

sorry, MJ, I probably should have posted this in the other thread.

Is their some à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Ask, Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Tellà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  policy on AI that I should know about?

Yes, and it’s like nearly everything else of public interest in this country, it seems to apply to all religions and beliefs OTHER THAN Christianity. IMO and based on my experience and observations only, YMMV.

Religion is a personal matter and doesn’t belong on a secular show. What is offensive to one is not offensive to another, and vice versa. Safer and more fair to leave religion off the show and not make it a central highlight. Some love it but others, do. not. Some of us have our own beliefs, spiritual and otherwise, and don’t appreciate the constant pushing down throats of Christianity. So yes one gets defensive after enough of it.

Message to Oh! Snap!

Welcome to my blog. Now read my guidelines and follow them please.

http://mjsbigblog.com/?page_id=1172

People who sign up to engage in sanctimonious finger-wagging will be edited and deleted.

Nevermind.

After this weekend fury over the religious slant, I will be curious to see what AI will do next. Perhaps they will have a change of heart? Naw.

At this point, I have no complaints about Michael other than he did take the place of two other fine singers. Thank you, Simon.

These blogs are quite amusing. :) Why is someone’s religion such a big deal to worry about? AI will show tidbits about the contestants lives. A big part of Michael’s life (and Danny’s for that matter) is his faith. That’s not changing and that is a part of who he is. He has actually been a worship leader for many years. People choose occupations in the religious arena and he did for a while…then he decided to work on an oil rig. In Texas that’s not so abnormal.

BTW…The church has a small area that serves coffee, other beverages and some food items. It is run by volunteers and it is also not a big deal. There are a few members who really enjoy coming up with new coffee drinks, etc. It’s not a mega church with a jet or anything crazy like that. It does however have some creative members who like to add a little paint on a wall or a coffee shop(pe) to the building.

I have a question for these fun little bloggers: AI is a reality tv show…we get a small glimpse into the personal lives of these people. What’s wrong with them being honest about the personal aspects of their lives such as their faith?