Some people have absolutely NO grip on reality....
By Bongoheads
@Bongoheads (283)
February 10, 2007 8:53am CST
I'm in England but we have American Idol shown over here and I've just watched some of the auditions. The thing that strikes me, and it's the same with the English programmes like this (X-Factor for instance), is that so many people who audition for these programmes have absolutely no grip on reality. I find it absolutely astonishing that they are prepared to stand up with a straight face in front of a panel of professionals and present themselves as 'singers' or, even worse as 'performers'. Do you think their families and friends big them up so they believe the hype?
There was one girl on just now who had apparently 'sung' for the Mayor of somewhere (sorry I forget where) and her audition song was the most HORRENDOUS version of Black Velvet. In fact, had she not said that was the song she was singing I really wouldn't have been able to tell. She was terrible yet, so convinced by her own talent, burst into tears when Simon did the inevitable and told her she was crap! What the ...????? I've heard cats wailing in the street at night that were more tuneful. Anyway, the point is I think these people deserve everything they get, I think Simon is absolutely right to tell it to them like it is - don't let these deluded halfwits walk away with any misconceptions that they're going to 'make it' as singers. The more brutal the better for them longterm in my opinion - what do you think? Should Simon dress it up or tell them straight?
2 people like this
5 responses
@bananamanuk (835)
•
10 Feb 07
Totally agree with you. I can't stand watching these shows because I just cringe and feel awkward on behalf of these people, silly really since I would just laugh at them but I can't. Some of them really do think they have and ability and all that happens is that they make total fools of themselves not in front of a small group of people but a whole nation. The only people to profit out of all of these shows are the tv networks and the production teams.
4 people like this
@Bongoheads (283)
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10 Feb 07
You're absolutely right - it's virtually exploitation! Very often the winners disappear forever after just one single anyway with the exception of Leona, the winner of the recent UK X-Factor, who I think will be a big success (even though I totally dislike that style of singing I can accept she's talented) and the USA's Kelly Clarkson who seems to have done very well. They're the exceptions though, all the other winners have totally bombed (thankfully!)
3 people like this
@mmiller26 (1930)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
My feeling is that a majority of the people who audition for shows like these go in knowing full well that they're going to be atrocious, in hopes of getting on TV so they can show off for their friends. And it seems to work. I don't know about you, but my favorite part of American Idol is the auditions, because they're so damn funny. After they've selected the contestants I lose interest. And you're right, the more brutal Simon is, the more fun the program is. You may notice that as the seasons have gone by, the judges and even Ryan Seacrest have gotten a lot meaner to the people that come in to audition. I think the producers have encouraged that because it brings in the ratings.
2 people like this
@Bongoheads (283)
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24 Feb 07
I'm with you on that one - I could watch hours and hours of the 'losers' in the early auditions but as soon as they get to the final stages I've lost interest and moved on!
1 person likes this
@Poison_Girl (4150)
• United States
24 Feb 07
I have to say I agree with you. Simon should definitely tell it like it is and spare others the misery of having to listen to people who THINK they can sing. Now, I'm not a fan of American Idol. I never watch it, but I have seen at least one "Best Of The Worst" episode, so I know what's going on. How those people can think they can sing is beyond me.
2 people like this
@Bongoheads (283)
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24 Feb 07
I'm not a fan as such either but I find the early stages of the competitions excrutiatingly cringy yet entertaining at the same time!
1 person likes this
@tammyr (5946)
• Etowah, Tennessee
24 Feb 07
I also love the auditions. Being one of those people that sing off key, pitchy, and all those other BAD things, I do not sing in public unless there are LOTS of others like at church or girl scouts, I do believe I am as good as some of the people on this show and thought I could get on TV! But I could not do it, I would be humiliated! I do like the show and I watch it every time it is on.
I never watched it till last year and I fell for it by watching and laughing at them. I did love Chris Daughtry and even bought the CD. I listen to it often and am glad I got it. He even has songs on the radio now, here anyway. So even though he did not win the show, he is still a winner as far as I can see.
1 person likes this
@Bongoheads (283)
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24 Feb 07
I'm afraid I don't know who Chris Daughtry is. American Idol is shown here at weird times like Saturday morning and I only catch it occasionally. Simon is a judge on X-Factor on British television and has been a judge on our tv screens for quite a few years now - I must admit I really admire the fact that he calls a spade a spade - I find Paula Abdul on the American programme a complete wet-blanket!
@honeyangel (1991)
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24 Feb 07
i love these shows they are so funny expecaly the auditions,i know i cant sing to save my self,i would never go on but these poeple are so confinced they are great.its sad when simon is so hurtfull with his commants but its still funny.
1 person likes this
@Bongoheads (283)
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24 Feb 07
It's even funnier when the contestants finish a cringeworthy audition and then smile at the judges expecting a good response - I always think 'nooooooooooo, don't smile! because then Simon really lets rip.
