Brian. I think you're spot on with AI's manipulation of their voting audience with the cuts they choose to show. Steven's comments about Lauren A after her audition have been continually shown throughout the contest in order to influence the voters.
As far as you're assessment about why I watch AI, you're not even close. I just get cozy with my wife on the couch after putting the kids to bed and listen and enjoy the entertainment. It's not until some time after the show that I analyze what happened.
Your assessment may be better applied as to why I post this thread. As creative people, many of us who'd like to have more success in the business of music fail to see how business decisions are made and the reasons why. Marketing does interest me and I've been involved in creating strategies to sell products to distributors and to the public. It's all a crap shoot anyway - but the better strategies improve your odds of success. As songwriters and songwriter/performers we view AI from a different perspective than most people. We should be able to judge talent more accurately than the average AI voter. With my experience in sales, I bring a perspective from one with a background in creating music, performing music, marketing, and selling a product and am sharing that with others.

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