Simon Cowell ref'd Plan 9!

[yousonuva]

it's just that I don't think it's evil and is entertaining and fun

And millions like you. I do see some of the appeal and have watched it the whole way through once....ONCE!
The only thing that really bothers me is the grandure of it. The fact that it is THE biggest thing to hit tv in like forever, when there are shows like The Chevy Chase Show and The Jimmy Kimmel show (I'm being sarcastic if you didn't notice). Someone please hire the brains or something as creative as our beloved and I will stop griping. For now I'm gonna watch my new downloads. Have fun with Escape 2000 and remember to give it time if you don't like the 1st time.....and watch out for snakes!

[Blurryeye]

Oh, and I don't care for Celine Dion, either. Let's see, what singers do I listen to? Ummm, Morrissey (exposing myself to more ripping-upon here. Also, he writes lyrics), Billy Joel is fun to listen to sometimes ('course he writes music and plays piano, too), Elton John (ditto), Neil Diamond, Aimee Mann, OK I mostly stick with people who write their own music, don't I? I don't even have any AI singer's CD, but I might buy Ruben's someday. Oh yeah, Frank Sinatra, he was a great singer and artist who didn't write the music or lyrics to any of the songs he sang. Of course, none of the AI singers should be mentioned in the same breath with him. Especially not John Stevens!!!

[Blurryeye]

Oh (again), I also don't like much TV. I only watch American Idol and Angel. If I'm at my fiance's house I'll look for good movies or British comedies on BBC America. Oh wait, I also watch Law&Order: CI and Crossing Jordan on Sunday nights. But other than that, TV is pretty crappy.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and Cowboy Bebop. But other than those 5 shows, nothing! Except reruns of Seinfeld sometimes.

[yousonuva]

Hehehe, we just gave this board a lot to read. You, should give everyone a thread-repot (awww, isn't that a cute wittle titowl) on this......but don't really. That would be just plain stupid!

[Blurryeye]

Well, I'm gonna go now. The boards are dead again. Let me close by saying, I predict George Huff will win American Idol this year. Of course, most of you don't care.

[nightfalcawk]

Blurryeye said:

Well, I'm gonna go now. The boards are dead again. Let me close by saying, I predict George Huff will win American Idol this year. Of course, most of you don't care.

Latoya London for me.

[colemanfrancisfan]

I do watch AI, but I must say I'm disappointed with the crop of singers this year. They really are bad, and they're only winning by being popular. John Stevens is terrible and Jon Lewis is almost as bad.

And another thing is that they keep singing dumb songs. Finally last week they did some songs I actually own. I wish they'd do something cool, like maybe some more David Bowie, or Jimi Hendrix, or maybe even the Cure. But maybe that would be a sacrilege with these performers.

I'll still watch this show no matter what, just to see the conclusion. And Simon Cowell gets no respect, when he is the only one who has any sense about what is good. Paula just panders, and Randy just says aight all the time. Hmmm, maybe I ought to vote someday. Nah.

[nightfalcawk]

colemanfrancisfan2 said:

I do watch AI, but I must say I'm disappointed with the crop of singers this year. They really are bad, and they're only winning by being popular. John Stevens is terrible and Jon Lewis is almost as bad.

And another thing is that they keep singing dumb songs. Finally last week they did some songs I actually own. I wish they'd do something cool, like maybe some more David Bowie, or Jimi Hendrix, or maybe even the Cure. But maybe that would be a sacrilege with these performers.

I'll still watch this show no matter what, just to see the conclusion. And Simon Cowell gets no respect, when he is the only one who has any sense about what is good. Paula just panders, and Randy just says aight all the time. Hmmm, maybe I ought to vote someday. Nah.

The guys (besides Huff) all suck. I love Jasmine Trias though, but she won't win.

[nightfalcawk]

Forrest said:

Why I hate American Idol:

1) It's reality TV. We need much less of it.

2) These people are not exceptionally talented, except at siging vocals, and using lyrics from other songs. They're not Beethoven, they are not Motzart. They are assholes that can sing a song.

3) It's shows like this that get excellent, through the roof ratings, and crushes ratings for shows like MST.

4) The other two judges, minus Simon, have no taste in music.

5) I could give a rat's ass who wins the competition.

6) I can bet my bottom dollar, that anyone here at this board can do a better job as host than the host of American Idol.

7) Simon did those pathetic Vanilla Coke commercials, that are meant to be funny, but they just make me want to throw a brick through the TV.

8) It led to the worst film of all time From Kelly to Justin (though I've never seen it, I still think it has to be the worst film of all time)

9) That Justin guy, if he got ran over by a bus, I'd say: "Is the bus okay?"

10) People at my school talk about it too much.

11) The theme tune is annoying (doo doo doo doo doo, hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm) GAWD I HATE IT!

12) Fear Factor, Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, My Big Fat Boyfriend Wedding, Elimidate, The Bachelor, The Bacheloette, Joe Millionaire....the list goes on and on...is there room for American Idol? There's already too much reality trash.


There. I'm sure If I continued every nit-pick my list would go one for hours. No, it's not literally "evil", but it does continue the horrifying reality TV chain that's clogging up home entertainment systems at an alarming rate. We need less of it, and as I understand it, AI is the king of reality TV.

DIE AI!!

I agree with all of those but GUESS WHAT?!
It's entertaining! Just because a genre of TV that you and I hate is dominating the airways, doesn't mean that one out of the hundreds of these reality shows can't be entertaining. I agree with every item on the list. I don't care who wins a whole lot. I just like the singing and the people who get crushed just as their dreams crash down in front of the nation.

[colemanfrancisfan]

Besides it's great fodder for riffing.

[mightyjack]

As a musician, song writer allow me to weigh in...

1) Simon's a bully. Period. When he's called out by the host, asked to elaborate on an opinion, he can't and responds my making another snide remark.

I've gone to NSAI meetings where songwriters are critique by publishers etc. It can be brutal; you have to have a thick skin in this biz. BUT, they are at least able to articulate their critisisms and in doing so, give the artist a tool to work with, to examine, test and perhaps use to improve as songwriters.

If they simply made some "Plan 9" quip? Well, That's funny but meaningless and I find it frustrating. Paula and Randy are just vapid. Geez, they need at least ONE experienced vocal teacher on the panel who can offer a reasonable and intellegent opinion.

2) The show is promoting the, "Bringing a cannon to a tea party" mentality. Hit those high notes, blast the song out of the water. But that's not what vocal talent is all about.

Listen to Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit", get a good copy when she's on (vocally, not on the drugs which hurt her voice)
She doesn't slay the song with power, but interprets the haunting lyrics and melody. She conveys a mood and feeling and her voice accentuates the song without overpowering it.
Today's singers are losing that ability.

3) William Hung I loved because I love the absurd. But... The guys a little off and that's actually sad because he doesn't realize that it's all a game. He thinks it's real and that takes some of the fun out of it.

4) I hate how they drag the show out, and some of the cookie cutter music (Gawd, watching them all get together to perform some broadway tune is wretched. It's like watching a Brady Bunch episode when the "gang, puts on a show". GAACK!) but I do love that singers have a forum and a national stage to let the world hear their talents AND that's a lot better than watching some fool munch on a pigs anus during "Fear Factor". At least these people (on AI) have an honest dream their persuing.

[yousonuva]

Bully, may be. But with these people? I understand where you come from that constructive critisism is better than just blunt honest truth. I also see you as a musician have had some critisism and it doesn't feel good (of course). But most of these people have absolutely NO talent. They are retched and talentless dreamers. I would certainly understand a bully would be the worst thing for a judge, but these people know full well going in there that he IS a cold a-hole (which is the fun of watching.....what very little fun there may be). It would be completely different it this were a legit record label company (or what ever it is) and just plain snide remarks were all that were said. However this is a show where the critisism is the sole entertaining purpose and everyone who goes in there with their horrid voice, knows it. They should be very prepared to be knocked down if they've ever watched the program, which I'm sure they did.

Me, I hate the singers and everything that comes out of this pseudo-talent search (I mean what's star search ever givin us? Britney Spears? ugh) and think it further hinders any true music out there. That is the last thing this commercialized media-junk-whore needs right now.

but I'm bitter.

[Blurryeye]

Judging: It would be great for the singers to have a vocal teacher on the judging panel. Paula is vapid, but Randy does have a decent ear, just not interesting or clear articulation of his views.

Oversinging: yes, it does happen with a lot of the finalists. And Simon is actually pretty good about pointing it out and telling them that it gets boring really quickly. Some of the top 12 this year have softer, huskier, more subtle delivery (not that any of them are like Billie Holiday!). Unfortunately, as MightyJack said, it's the power-singing, blasting the roof off the place, bright sound that will always be favored. I personally am not touched by that kind of voice most of the time.

I don't think this show hinders "true" music or musicians. Pop music will always be the biggest money-grabber in the industry, and what people listen to most, but there are countless other styles and genres. There are plenty of people in the world to make an audience for your art, and plenty of people who don't sing pop music. If money isn't the only thing you care about, you will find satisfaction in pursuing your art, whether 100 or 10,000 people are witnessing it.

Oh, and yousonuva, are you the commercialized media-junk-whore? That's what you seemed to be implying.

[yousonuva]

Blurryeye said:

Oh, and yousonuva, are you the commercialized media-junk-whore? That's what you seemed to be implying.

No. Well, only on Friday nights when I play funny dress-up and hang around Club Scum.

[vanhagar3000]

American Idol is poopie but it did bring a great line out of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog

"Simon Cowell, you tell people singing they suck. That's like poopie telling vomit it smells"