Simon Says: the American Idol thread
In this thread you can comment about the good, the bad and the unexplainable performers, Simon being mean, how many times Randy says dawg and the trainwreck that is Paula, or in other words: All things American Idol.

Heee--the guy with the really deep voice that cracked up the judges also cracked me up. I really liked the guy named Jonathan. He was great!

So was Sparkly McImitator -- the one who "did" Grace Slick -- really doing a scene from Spiderman after she wasn't advanced to Hollywood? I just loved seeing Paula nearly do a spit take after Simon noted that.

What a nice girl that Angela, such a sad story about her little girl :(

Okay, this stalker guy is FREAKY. I can't believe the pre-judges let him through.

It wouldn't surprise me if they *encouraged* him. Hopefully, even though he was clearly at least 80% joking, several very large guys escorted Paula out of the building that night. I don't usually watch this early in the season because there's always either something better to watch or something better to do. Watching it last night I remembered why I stopped in the first place. It's just painful. I know that the "bad auditions" sell, but between the assholes who just want to get on television and the pathetic people who clearly have no friends (because friends wouldn't let them do that), it's just hard to get through. I find myself hating people like the Leia girl and feeling horribly sorry for tour guide guy. And even though I like mean Simon and deer in headlights Paula (though I could do without cocky Randy), I can only take so much awkward. That said, I probably could have stood for them to be a lot meaner to Grace Slick girl because she was just a pain in the ass. If she was clueless, she needs help. If she was playing it up for the camera she probably needs even more help. That said, I liked the last girl (and felt kind of bad that it was just her and Ryan there at the end to celebrate) and a couple of random people earlier on. And even though I agree with Simon about her affectations, I liked Angela. I just find it kind of annoying that most of the "going to Hollywood" people at the end were never actually seen.

The audition rounds are easier on the ears if you fast-forward through, watch for Simon to look like he's actually listening, then back up to the beginning of that person and watch at normal speed.

I love the trainwrecks. That's what I watch for in the audition rounds. The ones that are delusional about their 'talents' are the best. With some I find it odd that there is no one in their family or any friends that try to talk them out of doing something like this. I mean, I know I can't sing and yet I'm sure I sound better than some of them who auditioning.

In the beginning, when the show was just taking off, the trainwrecks were good because they were real and even when they were painful they seemed more genuine and less cruel. It's like the first season of any reality show where people don't really know the impact of it yet. Now everyone mentions things about how friends and family and coworkers told them to audition and it all just seems like one giant game of Punk'd. And I don't watch Punk'd for a reason. Granted, I'm a huge, huge, huge hypocrite because I'll watch it again tonight, but I'll probably lay off after that until it gets a little more stable. I think I enjoy seeing the crash and burn of the people who actually make it through past Hollywood more than the sad delusional people who humiliate themselves on television.

Sometimes I do find it painful to watch some of the really bad people sing. I feel so bad for them and I really hate to see anyone get hurt.

I didn't think it was quite as heavy on the trainwrecks last night, but I didn't watch the whole thing. Of course I'll admit that I just have TiVo pick it up, then I fast forward and stop just for the first few notes of someone's "singing" or when something looks interesting. I can get three a one-hour broadcast in 25 minutes, tops.

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/01/carly-smithson.html Did folks see this about one of last night's contestants? I do think this should have been disclosed - isn't the point of this contest to find unknowns & give your average Joe a shot??

No, for example, there are a lot of back ground singers who try out for AI as well, like Melinda Doolittle. Yeah, it all sounds nice and all, but in reality I doubt any of the chosen ones have no music background at all. Which is why I hang out at the Grassy Knoll thread at the other place.

Didn't Cowell once say that all you needed to be eligible to audition for AI was to not be under current representation by a recording label? I remember something about it being, "Britney Spears can audition, as long as she isn't under contract..." or something like that.

I'm not sure what the fine print is, but they've always played fast and loose with the idea that these were supposed to be amateurs. If that's the rule then I'd say there's probably been a quick paperwork shuffle to make sure that no one is signed at present. Apparently one guy has already dropped out as a reult of being a bit more professional than usual (i.e., Grammy nominated). I didn't click the link above, but I'm assuming it's about any or all of the dozen or so people that Vote for the Worst is bitching about. On one hand, I can see the point that some of those people shouldn't be on the show and even if they're not ringers or plants the *perception* that they're ringers or plants is damaging and annoying enough. Otoh, places like Vote for the Worst frame it in the worst possible way and people feed off of it. It'll be interesting to see if there's any fall out or if most of the people being criticised are weeded out before we get to the viewer votes. It's wrong to manipulate the show (though they've always manipulated the show) but I almost understand it based on the way that anti-Idol viewers controlled things last year until the game stopped being funny and just became deadly sad. eta: duh. Carly's name was right there in the link and I didn't notice. I don't think she actually is currently under contract with anyone. I think they've crossed the i's and dotted the t's to try to make her a star and are just hoping no one pays attention to any negative writing about her. No, for example, there are a lot of back ground singers who try out for AI as well, like Melinda Doolittle. Yeah, it all sounds nice and all, but in reality I doubt any of the chosen ones have no music background at all. Which is why I hang out at the Grassy Knoll thread at the other place. Yep. It goes all the way back to Kelly Clarkson and her work with Jerry Goffin, among others. She has a great story and I like her, but she had already gotten her foot at least part way in the door when she got Idol.