Last week’s American Idol came off as a mutant version of Truth or Dare. Evidently, prior to the show, Paula had dared Simon to say at least one positive thing about each contestant. When he took the bait, he got the smooch. And the smooch. And the smooch. Okay, STOP.
After the dirge-like Week One show, where the contestants seemed to be singing from inside pods reminiscent of the Stonehenge scene in This Is Spinal Tap, clearly the judges became concerned that their crushing criticism was morphing American Idol into Fear Factor.
This cannot be allowed. Forget about the music. Scared witless singers do not make good television. And American Idol succeeds only if it’s about good singers making good television.
Thus, the sugar pills and Paula’s ecstatic response. The show is still a hit. The check is still in the mail.
The judges, however, still remain largely clueless on what constitutes constructive criticism versus what American Idol in fact is accomplishing.
It’s one thing for me, your humble blog critic, to sit here and say that Bo’s performance of “Spinning Wheel,” in my mind, just didn’t do justice to the original by Blood, Sweat and Tears.
It’s quite another thing for Randy “Mr. Big” Jackson to tell Anwar, basically, that he should not even dare to sing a song recorded by Chaka Khan because he’s not even worthy to kiss her ring. Or for Randy to stand amazed that Carrie Underwood would even attempt a “Janis Joplin” song, something even Paula dismissed as “not credible.” Carrie attempting Janis? Simon might as well admit that Camilla really can be Queen.
Pssst to judges: We know you’re not actually Recording Industry Gods, but you do play one on TV.
I thought the point was for the judges to evaluate how a singer would do in today’s market. If the song is just weak, that’s one thing. But to pontificate as though there are some songs that have become unattainable because of the mystique associated with a particular artist is just myopic, hypocritical and unhelpful elitism.
Article comments
1 - Temple Stark
That's goof stiff stick
especially When are the judges going to get a clue that half the television audience of American Idol has never heard of Janis Joplin? Or that the other half thinks that Chaka Khan possibly is a Yu-Gi-Oh card?
In this context, yep, that's the way it is.
I think the audience is mixed - there are probably more than I or some people may think, that are there solely for the music and the faces.
The others who think most of the music is sub-par are there for the bitchy judges. AI is one of the best reality shows, and there's alot of good singing talent.
I wonder if they talk to them more after the show and just tell the contestants, "That was television and yes, you do have a good voice, you just didn't show up today." to ease the pain.
2 - Temple Stark
er, "stuff." Yikes :-)
3 - Scott Pepper
Sticker, this post has been syndicated at the Advance.net family of sites, including sites such as the Cleveland.com TV weblog.
4 - Sticker
Thanks for the info, Scott. I also saw it was picked up from BC at an India/Pakistan news etc. site.
Who knew American Idol (and BC ?? :-)) was watched 'round the world.
5 - Sticker
Okay, so you guys finally let me post a comment and the mouse farted a double post.
My bad.
Sorry.