American Idol - no, wait, really

[2manband]

So I'm watchin American Idol last night - yeah I know, it does suck, but I'm being a good sport w/ the girlfriend, it's her turn to pick a show, and the first coupld of episodes with all the hacks actually are pretty funny.

Anyway, I noticed that you can tell who's gonna go on to the next round, cuz they get reverb on their voice. All the suckers are dry, all the next rounders are rather heavily reverbed - It's not subtle at all, and they do it for all the next rounders, and nobody else.

Then it struck me, if that's not a dead giveaway for most viewers, then most viewers are probably total morons when it comes to music.

Then I remembered what show I was watching, and it all made sense.

[seclusion]

Ya I was thinking it's the room, cause I really only heard it when they belted it out! It's my understanding at this point they don't use a mic etc.

Later

[Alndln2]

Originally posted by seclusion It's my understanding at this point they don't use a mic etc.

Wether you see one or not,it is being recorded and that mic is plugged into a board somewhere. Maybe one day we'll see those engineers featured in EQ discussing their "chain" and plugs/mics/pre's etc.

[Base]

The first few shows of these type of programmes are always worth a watch, you'll always see a few with real talent, but you know they don't have a chance because they don't look the part. Then again you wonder why they are so concerned with the instant fame aspect, they've got the ability, they don't need this.

 

I've always thought that an entire series of just the audition stage would be better. Maybe get a different panel each week of established people in the biz, artists, managers, producers, etc, people with knowledge, not the novelty big mouths like simon cowell, and just give some opinions and advice then send them on their way, no further contest. The idiots would be entertaining, the no-hopers could get a short, sharp shock about their 'talent' and you just may find some real potential who will get a little welcome exposure...

[bbach]

My wife, daugher, and I love watching that show. What fun to watch the performers grow as the season goes on. Yes yes it's all a bunch of commercialism crap, but it's fun for us. We like to pick out our favorites and see how they perform each vocal task each week and judge them ourselves. We never call in to vote and quite frankly, we don't understand how the hell some of them get any votes, but we have fun watching together. Just fine for family entertainment as far as we are concerned.

[2manband]

There was a series for a little while on cable - The WB maybe- in which they advanced the worst singers and dismissed the best.

It was great, cuz you got to see the hacks embarass themselves over and over again. Then at the end of the season, they told them that the whole thing was a joke; that they were actually the worst singer in America. Tears, shattered egos, temper tantrums ensued - now that's good family entertainment.

[bbach]

I haven't quite been able to figure out if the really bad singers that try out for American Idol actually believe they can sing or if they know they suck and just want their moment in the spotlight. How can you not know how bad you suck when you actually really suck?

[Billster]

I posted a bit of a rant about this in the MP Guitar forum.

 

I think the format of the show, where they put the performers through various styles and coaching leads them to singers who are talented and versatile, but don't really have an individual artistic voice. I think the process leads to the best jingle singer available.

 

Think about it - after four seasons of this are any of the finalists singers that you could recognize straight away, compared to somebody who is a clearly limited singer, but extremely distinctive like Bob Dylan or that guy in the Rolling Stones.

 

I also think the producers saddle those singers with generic, predictable material.

 

As for the no-talents that dominate the early programs, I think at this point we're seeing the "Real World" effect, where people go over the top to make sure they get on TV, just like those "reality" shows where everyone behaves like raving loons to create "drama" instead of cinema verite.

[meccajay]

It's a laugh fest in the beginning with all the badd singing and the plants the producers throw in etc.

There are a few good one's, but it's into the 3rd-4th week or so before you get to the cream contestant's then that becomes the focus.

 

The most overwhelming thought about this season-

How badly the Twins {censored}ed up there shot!

[Jimbroni]

I haven't watched since the second season. Not that I don't like the show, I just don't have time for TV anymore. I think it is one best ideas for a TV in Years, its a wonderful combination of Star Search and the Gong Show. They nailed it, IMO. It really put FOX on a whole new level.

[meccajay]

Wanted to bump this because of the other nights show. Let me just say that 2 of the contestants blew me away Tues night(Greensboro NC show).

 

The 1st was Kellie Pickler, a young girl with a bitter past singing a Kelly Clarkson song with ease, while looking a bit like Carrie Underwood. What a talent, and she has a sad but great backstory. I'm betting she'll be a final 12 contestant at the very least. Definately a star in the making!

 

The other singer was Paris Bennet, all I can say is incredible! Wow! She's a 17 yr old girl who happens to be Ann Nesby's grandaughter.....and one hell of a Diva. Paris sang a country song by The Dixie Chicks and did a great job, then switched from country to jazz, and without skipping a beat did Billie Holiday's Take 5! You have to hear it to believe it!

 

I'll not shy away from saying that any of us in here would love to record either of these 2 girls. I wonder however if Kellie will be hurt by her resemblance to last year's winner? You get the feeling that the competition would be all hers if Carrie hadn't won last year..

As far as Paris is concerned, it's almost unfair to everyone else that she's in the competition because her grandmother's won multiple grammies, and Ive heard her mother sings back up with Janet Jackson. This girl has the support and guidance of people who have as much experience and savy as the 3 judges. It will be interesting to see what happens with her.

 

 

You can find the video of the auditions on youtube.com by typing in there names.. I'll post a link to both here though..

 

Kellie's audition

 

Paris's audition

[tucktronix]

 

Originally posted by meccajay As far as Paris is concerned, it's almost unfair to everyone else that she's in the competition because her grandmother's won multiple grammies, and Ive heard her mother sings back up with Janet Jackson. This girl has the support and guidance of people who have as much experience and savy as the 3 judges. It will be interesting to see what happens with her. You can find the video of the auditions on youtube.com by typing in there names.. I'll post a link to both here though.. Kellie's audition Paris's audition

 

 

I could care less about her having a relative in the music business. She is just plain dynamite, and IMO the best singer in the competiton thus far. I really believe that her talent will make everyone forget about her having a famous relative.

[elsongs]

I don't really care about Ameircan Idol or any of its finalists, but I must say that I saw Fantasia perform as an opening act for Stevie Wonder's annual Christmas benefit show this past December.

 

She may be illiterate, and a little on the ugly side, but HOT DAMN THAT WOMAN CAN SANG!!!!!!!! Kind of like Patti LaBelle meet Stephanie Mills meets a slightly less-ducky version of Macy Gray. And her debut R&B album doesn't sound bad at all. In fact she's the only American Idol finalist that I give a damn about.

 

I didn't give her much thought when she won on TV, but after seeing her perform live, Fantasia is the real deal.

[Anderton]

I watch American Idol and make no excuses for it

 

We have Tivo so we record it and watch it during dinner. First of all, it takes a LOT less time when you can fast forward through the commercials! Second, my daughter's way into it. I think she's actually learning about what it takes to get across to A&R type people.

 

Things feel much more staged this seasion, more like a wrestling show than Star Search or whatever. But I can cope. There are two things I find interesting: When someone's good, you know it after they sing one phrase. That's all you need. Second, how can some of the people sincerely think they're good when they suck so horribly?!? Can't figure that one out.

 

IMHO American Idol has produced only one bona fide star, Kelly Clarkson. She's generic and pop and all that, but she's the real deal and the production values are there. She's been able to maintain a career, unlike the others.

 

I think the big problem is that they're looking for singers, PERIOD. As a result you have people with voices but no distinctive artistic point of view and are molded to fit the flavor of the day. To me, it would be a MUCH more interesting show if the contestants had to be singer-songwriters and be judged on their songwriting as well as their singing. And then you might produce some true stars rather than, as someone so aptly pointed out, superior jingle singers.

 

I'll keep watching when I can, though.

[2manband]

It would be a MUCH more interesting show if the contestants had to be singer-songwriters and be judged on their songwriting as well as their singing. And then you might produce some true stars rather than, as someone so aptly pointed out, superior jingle singers.

 

 

 

+1

 

I personally can't take American Idol after the first couple of weeks - when the competition gets serious I lose interest. Good singers, but pretty dull, homogenous music. It's like a lame night of Karaoke - all the singers are good, but nobody's drunk.

[bbach]

There's another young lady they found in San Fran that has the most wonderful voice. At 22 she has a little more character going and is going to give Kelly and Paris a run for their money. I've not heard much to like from any male performers this year yet.

I guess I really don't care if AI is searching for the flavor of the month. That's up to them, it's their show. I tend to find it very entertaining and I can't say that for too much else on tv. On top of that, my family enjoys it too. Gee, something we can actually watch together!

[meccajay]

Originally posted by Anderton I watch American Idol and make no excuses for it Things feel much more staged this seasion, more like a wrestling show than Star Search or whatever. IMHO American Idol has produced only one bona fide star, Kelly Clarkson. She's generic and pop and all that, but she's the real deal and the production values are there. She's been able to maintain a career, unlike the others.

 

I hear ya Craig, and can relate to the comments about the show feeling staged.

 

It's season 5, and they're looking for new angle's. One of them is the new 'comic' side of Simon Cowell. He's been a lot more spacey regarding his comments and critiques.

Another issue is the producers pushed the 'bad talent' angle very hard in the recent weeks. Trying to give you the cheap entertainment moments thru constant ad's feat people sounding miserable. In the pre-audition phase, the producers are infamous for sending the very good and the very very bad thru to meet Simon Randy 7 Paula for ratings sake. now they've added the nutcases too.

 

I disagree with the comment about Kelly Clarkson being the only true star.. Wrong, wrong wrong!! Kelly is a real star. No doubting that. I also think she should have gotten more than just 2 Grammy nods. Her CD is that dominant in Pop. There are other's however..

 

Last years winner Carrie Underwood is the real deal!! She was the highest debuting new artist in the Country genre since SoundScan began. She also sold more units than any other debut female American Idol star to date. In addition, Carrie's album is the highest charting album for a debut artist in 2005. She's a bonifide star! She talks the part, looks it and walks it. Her song Jesus, take the wheel is the #1 Country song!! Her Album, is the #1 country album!

 

Another is Fantasia, not only is she an incredible singer and performer as mentioned earlier in the thread, but she's sold almost 2 million CD's and has 4 Grammy nominations.

She's no Mary J, or Aleshia Keys, but she sure beats the hell outta Keysia Cole, or 75% of the R&B standard fare.

 

Craig, Billboard & Grammy's aside, sometime this weekend just load Fantasia's version of Summertime into your Ipod, and tell us what ya think?!

[TheWewus]

Did you see my home girl on AI?

 

Go HERE and fill in Johnson Rhonetta to see the mug shots of the next SUPERSTAR

[D Charles]

Saw it for the first time the other night at my sweetie's insistance. It was a hoot!

 

Yeah, that girl that went from Chicksy Dicks to Billie Holiday was unbelieveable.

 

Don't know why they spent so much time on that huge fatty girl dogging out Paula? Man, she couldn't sing for sour apples.

 

What was up with the MJ wannabe and the dude that held notes for days?!

[meccajay]

 

Originally posted by D Charles What was up with the MJ wannabe and the dude that held notes for days?!

 

 

Plants by the producers.

[philbo]

I really liked when Fantansia sang 'Summertime' - - that was the best performance ever on that show, bar none.

 

I wonder if the 'reverb' thing might be that singers who really belt out excite the room a bit more than those who are singing shyly from the back of their throats? Just a thought... There are plenty fo really loud BAD singers, but I haven't noticed if it sounds like they have reverb or not.

 

I find the show hugely entertaining - - sort of like slowing down to check out a car wreck on the freeway.

 

But so far haven't bought any music by anyone from it - - Well, I did get a Clay Aikin CD for my wife's birthday present, but that doesn't count, it wasn't for me...

 

I can say this: At least they don't have that god-awful 2 & 1/2 octave glissando in every song like they did on Ed McMann's Star Search. I couldn't stand to watch it anymore after a while!

[aliengroover]

I only usually watch the auditions here and there, and find them to be more entertaining than most stuff on the telly (I'm like Craig, too, with recording everything and zipping through commercials and the like).

 

My problem with AI this season is that they ARE pushing the crazy and awful TOO much. I want that, but I want a decent balance of really good people to go along with it. With the exception of 2 or 3, they breeze through the good ones in an end of the show wrap up.

Peace

[Raymar]

One of my new years resolutions was to disconnect the TV antenna and this particular show was one of the reasons why. Can't stand it or watching bits of it again on the news of all places! I'm writing and learning music instead.

 

Steve

[2manband]

Wow - this thread has gotten a lot of responses that I didn't expect - who knew there were AI fans in the musicians community.

 

I like the hacks for their train wreck appeal, but I can't take the show (or anybody on it) seriously.

 

Say it with me now:

 

Kar - a - o - ke

[Ernest Buckley]

Yeah I watch the first episodes until they narrow out the talent and then it gets boring. Sorry, I actually enjoy watching people who think they can sing make asses of themselves. Just like I laugh when someone else stubs their toe. Its a sickness, I know. Oh well...