The Asknosticator

   

One of our favorite parlor games is to use the Ask Jeeves query stream to predict the winners of reality TV shows. American Idol represents the purest form of this pursuit because the winners are voted on by the American public, rather than the contestants themselves. Hey, we've got 20 million of those people using our site each month, so surely their search volume is an accurate reflection of a contestant's popularity, right? Wrong.

The latest victim is Anwar Robinson. Called the best singer of the competition by no less an authority than Paula "Cold Hearted Snake" Abdul, Anwar was the 3rd most popular American Idol contestant on Ask Jeeves. Only Carrie and Constantine ranked higher. Then Anwar dug into the Earth, Wind & Fire songbook, and put his hands up in the air and waved them like he cared a little too much. Goodbye, Anwar.

Here were the rankings for the contestants for the week prior to last night's show. By our count, Scott, Anthony and Vonzell should be in the Bottom 3 next week. Unless the Curse strikes again.

1. Carrie Underwood
2. Constantine Maroulis
3. Anwar Robinson
4. Bo Bice
5. Scott Savol
6. Anthony Federov
7. Vonzell Solomon

This is not the first time the Asknosticator has failed us. We also thought Kwame would win the first Apprentice, and Johnny Depp would win Best Actor last year. At least we got Lord of the Rings and Charlize Theron right.

For the rest of the American Idol universe, here are the rankings for the past 7 days. Since she's been gone, Kelly Clarkson is still America's Sweetheart. Paula is mas macho than Simon. And Clay just won't go away.

1. Kelly Clarkson
2. Fantasia
3. Paula Abdul
4. Simon Cowell
5. Clay Aiken
6. Ryan Seacrest (out)
7. Randy Jackson
8. Ruben Stoddard
9. William Hung

Scott Grieder, Product Manager