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Does "American Idol" punish religious heresy?

By Ann Althouse

The NYT is on the case:

Carly Smithson might be the first ?American Idol? contestant to be voted off the show for blasphemy.

Of course, no one is voted off the show. It's not "Survivor." People vote for their favorites, and the least-favorite goes.

Online chat boards devoted to ?American Idol? have been abuzz since Ms. Smithson performed the title song from ?Jesus Christ Superstar? ? the 1970 rock opera, which many Christians consider offensive ? on Tuesday?s episode....

Since its debut, and particularly following the release of the 1973 film version, ?Jesus Christ Superstar? has been railed against by some Christians for its portrayal of Jesus as confused and at times unwilling to accept his role, and because it hints that he had a sexual relationship with Mary Magdalene.

Watching the show and blogging in real time, I wrote:

Now they make Carly sing. "Jesus Christ Superstar" ? she's bellowing. To me, it's ugly. She's essentially yelling "Jesus Christ!" which isn't very pleasant. This is a family show. Blasphemy's not apt.

I wasn't tapping into old controversies about the Broadway show, just reacting to the harsh voice and the angry tone addressing Jesus that reaches its very loud height with the words "Jesus Christ" and comes across like the way a very coarse person swears.

Have a listen:

Dreadful, isn't it? Quite apart from how Carly sang it and whether blasphemy is abhorrent, it's an ugly, angry, repellent song.

Full post as published by Althouse on April 25, 2008 (boomark / email).