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Is American Idol too mean? Tis the season so here's my contribution.
Stumbled across an article on fomer American Idol co-host Brian Dunkleman and his statement that, "...but I quite honestly had a very difficult time with how cruel the show was." This reminded me of other past and recent headlines... ‘Idol’ results show revels in cruelty - MSNBC http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11532583/ 'American Idol' develops a mean streak - Miami Herald http://www.miami.com/mld/...701800.htm ‘American Idol’ auditions deliberately hurtful - phillyburbs http://blogs.phillyburbs....773&cat=39 'American Idol': Is It Too Mean? - AOL News http://aolsvc.news.aol.co...3209990012 'American Idol,' so needlessly cruel - Media Life Magazine http://www.medialifemagaz...riday.html 'Idol' is an increasingly cruel reality - Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/ae/...l_reality/ ...I could go on but you get the message. Let me state very clearly that the "mean/cruel" element i'm referring to only involves the elimination of what i'm calling the untalented Delusional, Deaf or Deranged (DDD) contestants that voluntarily audition for the show. What is mean or cruel about (and this is generally Simon) calling a spade a spade and telling the truth about this group's (DDD) chances of making onto the show or making in music business in general? If you want to get pissed off at anybody, look to the individual "support groups" (friends, family, etc.) that don't have the stones to lay it on the line to these people in the first place. For example, the one guy from last season that said something like, "Everybody tells me I sound just like Luther Vandross." 
Nothing could have been further from the truth. Let's face it. Sometimes the truth hurts and life is unfair. Deal with it. There is one thing I will blame the show for. Aiding and abetting the ascendance of William Hung to 16 minutes of fame was the equivalent of throwing gas onto the flames of the DDD crowd. The only thing I can figure these auditioners are now thinking is, "Hey I suck worse than him maybe i've got a shot." NOTE: This isn't a thread about "How I hate American Idol". (start your own  ).
It's about the whether you feel it's "mean/cruel" to tell certain auditioners the uncut truth about their lack of talent and if so, why. tA 
Tribal Disorder http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 [Edited 3/2/06 11:58am] "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Have every right, cause i thought the guys sucked and i don't mean pickels. They were horrible yesterday and the girls were too boring with they country mess. I couldn't wait til amazing race came on and turned the damn TV!!! | |
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Please tell me that a great music connoisseur such as yourself does not watch this show. I consider the whole idea of 'American Idol' to be very anti-music.
But to answer your question, any person who is that bad and is too "DDD" to realize it needs to have cold water thrown in their face by Simon. Why waste the judges' time with your awful voice? Unfortunately, many of the AI veiwers love the opening rounds with the rejects.  | |
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sextonseven said: Please tell me that a great music connoisseur such as yourself does not watch this show. I consider the whole idea of 'American Idol' to be very anti-music.
But to answer your question, any person who is that bad and is too "DDD" to realize it needs to have cold water thrown in their face by Simon. Why waste the judges' time with your awful voice? Unfortunately, many of the AI veiwers love the opening rounds with the rejects. Are you talking to me!! If so yes i do only for laughs only. I think everyone who won are bad and didn't accomplish anything but a quick million thats all. Kelly Clarkson i don't consider one anymore cause the girl grew up, can blow, and can sing. Fanasia one song, free yourself. Carey underwood, i shutter to hear anything, Rueben, is he still alive!!! | |
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Everybody who tries out for that show knows what they are getting into. If they don't want to be humiliated on national TV, they better think deeply about whether or not they are AI material before they try out. | |
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sextonseven said: Please tell me that a great music connoisseur such as yourself does not watch this show. I consider the whole idea of 'American Idol' to be very anti-music.
But to answer your question, any person who is that bad and is too "DDD" to realize it needs to have cold water thrown in their face by Simon. Why waste the judges' time with your awful voice? Unfortunately, many of the AI veiwers love the opening rounds with the rejects. Appreciate your compliment but I most certainly do and am not ashamed to admit it. 
Honestly, my interest is more sociological than musical. 
There's been a running contest between myself and a friend of mine for the past few seasons to pick a male/female finalist and then the ultimate winner. So far it's 1-1 and this year is the rubber match. We also pick, what we call a UM (Unwashed Masses) winner. This is someone we feel that the voters will keep in the competition for no good reason. You see, i'm not always all serious "*and stuff". 
* A Rip-ism And thanks for the honest answer. 
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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theAudience said: sextonseven said: Please tell me that a great music connoisseur such as yourself does not watch this show. I consider the whole idea of 'American Idol' to be very anti-music.
But to answer your question, any person who is that bad and is too "DDD" to realize it needs to have cold water thrown in their face by Simon. Why waste the judges' time with your awful voice? Unfortunately, many of the AI veiwers love the opening rounds with the rejects. Appreciate your compliment but I most certainly do and am not ashamed to admit it.
Honestly, my interest is more sociological than musical.
There's been a running contest between myself and a friend of mine for the past few seasons to pick a male/female finalist and then the ultimate winner. So far it's 1-1 and this year is the rubber match. We also pick, what we call a UM (Unwashed Masses) winner. This is someone we feel that the voters will keep in the competition for no good reason. You see, i'm not always all serious "*and stuff".
* A Rip-ism And thanks for the honest answer.
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 Okay, I think I can accept that answer. For a minute there, you had me worried! | |
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nope. Somm'a nem kids need to hear the truth, or they'll keep inflicting that painful crap they call singing on the masses. It would become an epidemic.  "Pedro offers you his protection." | |
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sextonseven said: Okay, I think I can accept that answer. For a minute there, you had me worried!  Cool. Now I know you'll be able to sleep at night. 
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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theAudience said: There's been a running contest between myself and a friend of mine for the past few seasons to pick a male/female finalist and then the ultimate winner. So far it's 1-1 and this year is the rubber match. do you have him?  | |
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The only time I think it's cruel is when Simon criticises appearances.
Otherwise, I say let them have it. It's as if some of them have never heard a recording of themselves. | |
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newpower99 said: theAudience said: There's been a running contest between myself and a friend of mine for the past few seasons to pick a male/female finalist and then the ultimate winner. So far it's 1-1 and this year is the rubber match. do you have him? I don't have to commit to choices until the final 12. He did very well last night. I'm wondering how he's going to fare when they have to sing material from specific genres. My opinion is that there should be an "expert judging panel" (this would obviously put Ms. Abdul out of a job) that must vote every week. Their votes should make up about 75-90% of the final vote with the "Unwashed Masses" only counting for about 25-10% of the final vote. This would hopefully negate any "professional phone banks" these contestants probably have at this point. tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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CinisterCee said: The only time I think it's cruel is when Simon criticises appearances.
Otherwise, I say let them have it. It's as if some of them have never heard a recording of themselves. You mean an actual reality check?... 
...Quit trippin'. 
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Almost forgot.
I also proposed a side bet as to who Paula would "nail" this season... 
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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theAudience said: I also proposed a side bet as to who Paula would "nail" this season...
 | |
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theAudience said: Almost forgot.
I also proposed a side bet as to who Paula would "nail" this season...
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 Well lets see, Chris is married , Ace is gay , Bucky is braindead, Elliott has nasty teeth , everyone else is jail bait. I say she looks past the teeth and hits it with Elliott [Edited 3/2/06 13:17pm] | |
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saintsation said: sextonseven said: Please tell me that a great music connoisseur such as yourself does not watch this show. I consider the whole idea of 'American Idol' to be very anti-music.
But to answer your question, any person who is that bad and is too "DDD" to realize it needs to have cold water thrown in their face by Simon. Why waste the judges' time with your awful voice? Unfortunately, many of the AI veiwers love the opening rounds with the rejects. Are you talking to me!! If so yes i do only for laughs only. I think everyone who won are bad and didn't accomplish anything but a quick million thats all. Kelly Clarkson i don't consider one anymore cause the girl grew up, can blow, and can sing. Fanasia one song, free yourself. Carey underwood, i shutter to hear anything, Rueben, is he still alive!!! Are you a great music connoisseur? | |
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theAudience said: sextonseven said: Please tell me that a great music connoisseur such as yourself does not watch this show. I consider the whole idea of 'American Idol' to be very anti-music.
But to answer your question, any person who is that bad and is too "DDD" to realize it needs to have cold water thrown in their face by Simon. Why waste the judges' time with your awful voice? Unfortunately, many of the AI veiwers love the opening rounds with the rejects. Appreciate your compliment but I most certainly do and am not ashamed to admit it.
Honestly, my interest is more sociological than musical.
There's been a running contest between myself and a friend of mine for the past few seasons to pick a male/female finalist and then the ultimate winner. So far it's 1-1 and this year is the rubber match. We also pick, what we call a UM (Unwashed Masses) winner. This is someone we feel that the voters will keep in the competition for no good reason. You see, i'm not always all serious "*and stuff".
* A Rip-ism And thanks for the honest answer.
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 Actually, I like things like that? Just wondering, who did you guys pick to win over the last few seasons? Who was your UM? | |
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When somebody is bad and they're getting all funky about it, I think they need to be told they're bad. Your DDD rule is kinda funny. That makes sense, but where it starts to feel mean for me is when they're getting a laugh out of somebody that is clearly mentally ill. Some of those folk go beyond being delusional and are just plain unwell. It feels like kicking somebody when they're down when Simon(e) trashes an easy target. But, hey, if it gets him the attention he seeks so be it.
The only judge that I think routinely gives good feedback is Randy. He knows the studio, business and creative side of music. I like that he has a broad knowledge of musical genres. The more painkillers Paula takes, the bigger the joke she becomes (if it wasn't already a joke to include somebody who was consistently derided by critics for her inability to sing...and took singling lessons after recording her first album). Simon has valid points sometimes, but they're overshadowed by his attention-seeking. | |
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theVelvetRoper said: Actually, I like things like that? Just wondering, who did you guys pick to win over the last few seasons? Who was your UM? Last season, my friend won with Bo Bice (I had Nadia Turner and my UM pick was Carrie Underwood) and I won the season before with Fantasia (Diana Degarmo was my UM pick). tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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RipHer2Shreds said: When somebody is bad and they're getting all funky about it, I think they need to be told they're bad. Your DDD rule is kinda funny.
That makes sense, but where it starts to feel mean for me is when they're getting a laugh out of somebody that is clearly mentally ill. Some of those folk go beyond being delusional and are just plain unwell. It feels like kicking somebody when they're down when Simon(e) trashes an easy target. But, hey, if it gets him the attention he seeks so be it.
The only judge that I think routinely gives good feedback is Randy. He knows the studio, business and creative side of music. I like that he has a broad knowledge of musical genres. The more painkillers Paula takes, the bigger the joke she becomes (if it wasn't already a joke to include somebody who was consistently derided by critics for her inability to sing...and took singling lessons after recording her first album). Simon has valid points sometimes, but they're overshadowed by his attention-seeking. I agree that someone who has mental problems shouldn't be made fun of.  It's odd to me how they end up there in the 1st place.
Randy is generally OK. However last night after Kevin Covais did a horrid performance of Grapevine he said: "I really enjoyed that. You can really sing. My boy can blow." 
Simon does it for me most of the time because he usually doesn't pull punches. I have seen his judgement clouded by a pretty face however. Paula is a complete waste of space. tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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theAudience said: RipHer2Shreds said: When somebody is bad and they're getting all funky about it, I think they need to be told they're bad. Your DDD rule is kinda funny.
That makes sense, but where it starts to feel mean for me is when they're getting a laugh out of somebody that is clearly mentally ill. Some of those folk go beyond being delusional and are just plain unwell. It feels like kicking somebody when they're down when Simon(e) trashes an easy target. But, hey, if it gets him the attention he seeks so be it.
The only judge that I think routinely gives good feedback is Randy. He knows the studio, business and creative side of music. I like that he has a broad knowledge of musical genres. The more painkillers Paula takes, the bigger the joke she becomes (if it wasn't already a joke to include somebody who was consistently derided by critics for her inability to sing...and took singling lessons after recording her first album). Simon has valid points sometimes, but they're overshadowed by his attention-seeking. I agree that someone who has mental problems shouldn't be made fun of. It's odd to me how they end up there in the 1st place.
Randy is generally OK. However last night after Kevin Covais did a horrid performance of Grapevine he said: "I really enjoyed that. You can really sing. My boy can blow."
Simon does it for me most of the time because he usually doesn't pull punches. I have seen his judgement clouded by a pretty face however. Paula is a complete waste of space. That is why I almost completely disregard his opinion. It happens often. That's partly why he pushed Underwood so much. I only caught the last two performances last night, so I didn't see Covais' performance. I'm not sold on that Chris dude. He sounded good last night, but his voice has limited potential, I think. He's also kind of a cornball, but he's just "edgy" enough to get by. [Edited 3/2/06 15:47pm] | |
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Simon Cowell is nothing compare to Pete Waterman.
Remember Pop Idol (This was the original UK show, 2 years before American Idol)? By all accounts, Pete was a little bitch as a judge. Even Mike Shock & Matt Atkins verify that Pete IS LIKE THIS in real life!  | |
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TonyVanDam said: Simon Cowell is nothing compare to Pete Waterman.
Remember Pop Idol (This was the original UK show, 2 years before American Idol)? By all accounts, Pete was a little bitch as a judge. Even Mike Shock & Matt Atkins verify that Pete IS LIKE THIS in real life! Never got to see Pop Idol here in the States. Pete sounds like someone i'd like to meet.
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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Not mean enough, if you ask me. I want onstage trapdoors that can be activated by the voting public. 
Hell, at least give me Sandman...  a psychotic is someone who just figured out what's going on | |
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Stax said: Not mean enough, if you ask me. I want onstage trapdoors that can be activated by the voting public.
Nice idea.
I'll do you one better. The trap door with an... 
...alligator pit below.
Triggered by... 
....a pitch comparator.
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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I guess you could say I picked 3 out of 4 tonight.
The message I sent my wagering buddy went something like... Females: Brenna Gethers Heather Cox Kellie Pickler Males: Kevin Covais David Radford Bucky Covington (I'm giving Shay a pass based on his prior performance) In a perfect world, 2 from each list (Female/Male) would go home tonight. But we both know, stranger things have happened on this show. ...Should've considered the UM factor more heavily in Shay's case. 
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 "Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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theAudience said: Stax said: Not mean enough, if you ask me. I want onstage trapdoors that can be activated by the voting public.
Nice idea.
I'll do you one better. The trap door with an...
...alligator pit below.
Triggered by...
....a pitch comparator.
tA Tribal Disorder
http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431 cold a psychotic is someone who just figured out what's going on | |
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