More On American Idol's Latest Fallen Luminary
Published May 01, 2004
The Detroit Free Press has a classic piece that should be required reading for aspiring critics — and lovers of good music of any kind anywhere.
"Tell "American Idol" fans that this season's worst singer is coming to Detroit and they're bound to ask the obvious," writes Julie Hinds. "Would that be William Hung or John Stevens?"
She answers the first part: Hung, the he-so-bad-I-can't-believe-he's-serious flunk-out who became a national sensation following his capital-punishment-deserving version of "She Bangs" — leading to his own album which hit the Billboard top 40 (on a list with the similarly talented artists) — is indeed performing at mall in Oakland.
As for Stevens? She describes him as "the bad singer who was voted off "Idol" Wednesday night, thus reassuring music critics that America has regained its sanity. " (I woudn't go THAT far...)
Her overall description of him is even more..ahem...colorful (and accurate):
- The 16-year-old redhead has a voice only a relative could love, yet he advanced to the top six despite his Dean-Martin-crossed-with-Porky-Pig sound and Stan-Laurel-crossed-with-Conan-O'Brien looks. According to a gossip item on the "Entertainment Tonight" Web site, Stevens has spoken to the show's staff counselor to deal with the pressure. That's good to hear, because he's seemed so miserable during the "Idol" results nights that even he must be thrilled the agony is over.
But there are serious issues, which she also raises: how fitting it is for 16-year-olds to be put in this position of being humiliated on national t.v., theories as to how he survived and other talented singers didn't, what happens when a good kid goes back to school with a national reputation as bargain basement Sinatra.
- But William Hung? He's in a different category. Hung belongs to a long line of lovable novelties who've done their bit for show business, from ukelele-strumming Tiny Tim to the "Gong Show" contestants.
Hung isn't taking up valuable finalist space and ruining the chances of another singer with natural gifts. He's merely succeeding on a weird combination of chipperness, chutzpah and a complete lack of self-consciousness. Without shame, he's living out the revenge fantasies of every person who's ever gotten booed on karaoke night.
- More On American Idol's Latest Fallen Luminary
- Published: May 01, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Culture: Media, Music: Popular and Standards, Video: Television
- Writer: Joe Gandelman
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Comments on this articleComments
Joe, there is an interesting piece saying Hung is the Asian version of Buckwheat I meant to blog, but did not get around to yet. You might want to Google it. Worthwhile reading.
There are a lot of articles and reviews expressing distate at the appearance (if not the fact) of William Hung being exploited as a joke.
If he were just a joke, the joke would be over - it's as Julie Hinds said, a "weird combination of chipperness, chutzpah and a complete lack of self-consciousness."
Plus, he IS such a stereotypical Asian there is a Buckwheat element.
Joe, I'd like to see the link to the story so I can read the whole thing. Thanks.
Another interesting aspect: it's impossible to parody someone like Hung. They tried on Mad TV last Saturday and the guy who imitated Hung was better than him at singing and dancing, which kind of undermined the endeavor.
I liked that American Idol tried to do something different by not having all the contestants have a full "lahd, have mercy" soul sound. (Ahem, LaToya, Jennifer, Diana, and Jasmine).
But John Stevens was a joke. He clearly couldn't hang with the rest of the contestants with his monotonous sound. I think it was the fact that he sung every song in the same uninspired boredness.
Next time, AI can get people with a rock or alternative edge to them. Soft, Rat-Pack inspired singing ain't gonna do it.
BLOGSKANK!
Could you please e mail me at st_colton@yahoo.ca indicating your place of where there having the next American Idol auditions and mailling adress!
Please!
AND
THANKS
A LOT!
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Either La Toya or Fantasia or George will win so what??? Is there excitement in watching AI until one among the three will be declared the winner? Time to switch to other channels. Why not try this formula: La Toya or fantasia vs Jasmine or Diana. The diva vs the pop idol. It will be a more exciting game and AI show rating will be maintained.
I'm amazed at how these racist people spontaneously react at the slightest cue they get from my previous comments about the show. They accused those comments as implicating racism. They made a very big deal out of it and wrote tons of essays about racism. I was just freely expressing what I feel now about the show and this critic is making a big serious issue about it. Your mind is so malicious, judgemental, and negative. You hate others' opinion just like you hate yoursel.
For me, AI Season3 is already over.
The winners are Fantasia or La Toya. They're the best when it comes to singing.But they're not cute. Personality wise, the others are cute like JPL,Jon, Camille, Jazmine,Lea.(and they can sing a little)