Sharon Osbourne Putting Down American Idol

[Neigh]

I know American Idol is not considered cool on this forum but I happen to be a fan. As I have said before, that is a real reality show. Those contestants cannot fake it and millions are watching them. It is instantly apparent if they cannot carry a tune...particularly in the beginning stages when they sing with no back-up. Anyhow, AI has two really good singers this time.. a guy name Caleb is who 23(?) and a girl named Jena who 17 or 18. This guy Caleb did a kick-ass version of Rush's Working Man and kick-ass versions of a bunch of other songs. Jena did kick-ass versions of Bring Me to Life and other stuff. Who the fuck is Sharon Obourne to put down Caleb and generally all the rest as of them as shit. Has she ever represented a signer as big as Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.? Oh, that's right, Insane Clown Posse.

 

[blyons200]

Uh, I do believe Ozzy Osbourne, represented by Sharon Osbourne is a multi-platinum artist selling over 100 million records world wide. Ya Sharon doesn't know shit about the record business.

 

[wickerbill]

When was the last time an AI winner had huge success? Carrie Underwood nine years ago? It's definitely gone way down in popularity. I didn't even realize it was going on right now.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I know American Idol is not considered cool on this forum but I happen to be a fan. As I have said before, that is a real reality show. Those contestants cannot fake it and millions are watching them. It is instantly apparent if they cannot carry a tune...particularly in the beginning stages when they sing with no back-up. Anyhow, AI has two really good singers this time.. a guy name Caleb is who 23(?) and a girl named Jena who 17 or 18. This guy Caleb did a kick-ass version of Rush's Working Man and kick-ass versions of a bunch of other songs. Jena did kick-ass versions of Bring Me to Life and other stuff. Who the fuck is Sharon Obourne to put down Caleb and generally all the rest as of them as shit. Has she ever represented a signer as big as Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.? Oh, that's right, Insane Clown Posse.

Let's take this one step at a time. While I agree that some very capable singers make their way through AI (and into the public eye), the show is in no way "real" reality. Those auditions, where many contestants clearly cannot sing, and in some cases have no sense of tone or rhythm, are completely staged. The contestants would need to be mentally disabled before I'd believe they aren't aware they can't sing. And anyway, there's no point in wasting airtime with these people, so it's not reality; it's done for entertainment value.

The judging is fake too; they use TV-speak instead of being honest, and the "banter" between the judges/ host is fake too. The audience reaction is TV-fake too; even when a singer clearly sucks, they boo a critical judge. Better to give everyone a "participation" award. The background stories are often fake, and besides that, it's irrelevant.

But ultimately, it's a karaoke contest, no different than at your local chinese restaurant. It takes no talent to sappily belt-out someone else's song, without playing an instrument, or writing the music. The style of singing that works best for the show, does not translate to the appeal and success of true singer/ songwriters. Carrie Underwood lives in a world where it's common to sing songs written by a corporate machine, hence her success. Sharon Osborne lives in a world where artists write and perform their own music.

 

[Neigh]

Let's take this one step at a time. While I agree that some very capable singers make their way through AI (and into the public eye), the show is in no way "real" reality. Those auditions, where many contestants clearly cannot sing, and in some cases have no sense of tone or rhythm, are completely staged. The contestants would need to be mentally disabled before I'd believe they aren't aware they can't sing. And anyway, there's no point in wasting airtime with these people, so it's not reality; it's done for entertainment value.

The judging is fake too; they use TV-speak instead of being honest, and the "banter" between the judges/ host is fake too. The audience reaction is TV-fake too; even when a singer clearly sucks, they boo a critical judge. Better to give everyone a "participation" award. The background stories are often fake, and besides that, it's irrelevant.

But ultimately, it's a karaoke contest, no different than at your local chinese restaurant. It takes no talent to sappily belt-out someone else's song, without playing an instrument, or writing the music. The style of singing that works best for the show, does not translate to the appeal and success of true singer/ songwriters. Carrie Underwood lives in a world where it's common to sing songs written by a corporate machine, hence her success. Sharon Osborne lives in a world where artists write and perform their own music.

You don't watch the show. If you watched this show from the beginning of season to now you would not dismiss it as you have. I do not believe the auditions of the totally untalented applicants are "staged" except that they would never had made it past the screening to the judges except for their comic value. They don't do that as much as they did before. I don't know what else the judges can say during their critiques. Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban are often quite technical. There is no law that says only singer songwriters are real singers. I don't give a shit if the singer did not write the song. It's the singing that counts. As for non-songwriters, how about Frank Sinatra. The leading singers in this years completion do what they do their way. Nothing Karaokeish about them. (Check out Caleb and Jena on You Tube.) Carrie Underwood is a wonderful singer, hence her success. Did you ever hear her sing "How Great Thou Art"? I am not religious but she could make me a believer. Other AI successes have been Fantasia, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Jordan Sparks and Jennifer Hudson. It is true they need a new big star now for credibility. Sharon Osborne lives in a world where her stock in trade is shitting on people.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I did watch the show for a few years, if not, I wouldn't know what I know. I would never presume to debate personal taste, and many people (like you) enjoy a good song without caring if the singer wrote it. I liked Linda Ronstadt and Joss Stone, both of whom didn't write their music. But that only represents a small corner of music today; however, it represents 100% of AI's performers. So for that reason, it's not for me. I'm a musician, I primarily enjoy the songwriting and performance of a band of musicians. And judges like Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson epitomized what I hate about TV judging

You twisted my words; I never said "only singer songwriters are real singers", what I actually said was that singing someone else's song, while a backup band is providing the music, doesn't require a fraction of the talent of someone like Dave Mathews, or Ray LaMontagne, or Amy Mann, or Eric Clapton, or Billy Joel. And ultimately, the former's impact on music will very likely be much less than the latter. You may not care, but I do. Different strokes......

 

[Kryptonite]

When was the last time an AI winner had huge success? Carrie Underwood nine years ago? It's definitely gone way down in popularity. I didn't even realize it was going on right now.

I remember seeing commercials back in December/January when it started up, but I haven't seen much since then.

 

[Bark]

My wife watches this show. She had me watching it for a few years before I told her, "Peace and love. Peace and love. I can't watch this anymore. I have too much to do."

The problem with this show is that it's a factory, and it's primary purpose is not to find the next star. It's to perpetuate the show itself. I'm not knocking the talent or judges, just the producers. My wife loves the show, but I'll tease her to name all of the winners in order from the beginning, and she'll miss a couple of them.

The show is pop culture, and pop culture is not very deep. How many constestants have gone on the show compared to the number of sustained stars? It's a very small fraction.

 

[scotchandcigar]

True. Of all the names on this list

Fantasia, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Jordan Sparks and Jennifer Hudson.

only Daughtry's a big name. Jennifer Hudson is famous and successful, but not for her music releases. Like I said, I understand the appeal of the show; you meet contestants who sing well, and you root for them as they go through each week. Plus you hear all these pleasant renditions of some much-loved pop songs. But in the long run, most of these "singers-only" can't contribute to the music industry like a Jack White or Bruce Springsteen or Lorde.

 

[Neigh]

I did watch the show for a few years, if not, I wouldn't know what I know. I would never presume to debate personal taste, and many people (like you) enjoy a good song without caring if the singer wrote it. I liked Linda Ronstadt and Joss Stone, both of whom didn't write their music. But that only represents a small corner of music today; however, it represents 100% of AI's performers. So for that reason, it's not for me. I'm a musician, I primarily enjoy the songwriting and performance of a band of musicians. And judges like Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson epitomized what I hate about TV judging

You twisted my words; I never said "only singer songwriters are real singers", what I actually said was that singing someone else's song, while a backup band is providing the music, doesn't require a fraction of the talent of someone like Dave Mathews, or Ray LaMontagne, or Amy Mann, or Eric Clapton, or Billy Joel. And ultimately, the former's impact on music will very likely be much less than the latter. You may not care, but I do. Different strokes......

Many of the AI performers are songwriters. Kelly Clarkson is a songwriter. Last season they had a contestant named Angie Miller. She performed a song, accompanying herself on the piano, she had written that, in my opinion, was better than all her other performances. She came in second, I think. (check out her live duet with Adam Lambert singing Titanium...so damn good). It's true I do not care about the "impact on music" of a particular performer. I only care who entertains me. American Idol is about finding a pop star .. an idol of the masses. It is not a songwriting contest or a search for an institution.

 

[hyson]

I think Clay Aiken is a congressman or some shit.

When is Diving with the Stars coming back on?

 

[Neigh]

True. Of all the names on this list

only Daughtry's a big name. Jennifer Hudson is famous and successful, but not for her music releases. Like I said, I understand the appeal of the show; you meet contestants who sing well, and you root for them as they go through each week. Plus you hear all these pleasant renditions of some much-loved pop songs. But in the long run, most of these "singers-only" can't contribute to the music industry like a Jack White or Bruce Springsteen or Lorde.

Don't you think Jennifer Hudson is famous for her music releases too? Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are certainly not in Bruce Springsteen's league (hardly anybody else in the world is) but for millions of fans they "contribute to the music industry" more than Jack White (a not for everyone guy) and Lorde (she's 17 for god's sake and also a not-for-everyone singer).

 

[HecticArt]

Don't you think Jennifer Hudson is famous for her music releases too? Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are certainly not in Bruce Springsteen's league (hardly anybody else in the world is) but for millions of fans they "contribute to the music industry" more than Jack White (a not for everyone guy) and Lorde (she's 17 for god's sake and also a not-for-everyone singer).

This. Everything but the Jack and Lorde bit. Like em or not, those two are famous and making a big impact on music today. Even if Lorde doesn't hit with her next album, we'll still hear the influence of this album on other peoples albums for a while.

 

[Kryptonite]

Remember the Sanjaya thing? Howard wanted people to vote for him every week. Well, it comes time for "Idol Gives Back" and all of a sudden, here's a guy who was voted off, even after not being in the bottom three ever.

It's obvious the show is a fix. I think even they admitted as such in the credits that the producers can adjust things, but maybe I'm making that up.

American Idol controversies - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sanjaya Malakar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yeah, sometimes the runner-up gets a better deal than the winner. The prize for the winner is a recording contract...but how do the top several people get recording contracts?

Part of the show also died for me when they started allowing guitars and pianos and all that onto a singing show.

 

[hyson]

Remember the Sanjaya thing? Howard wanted people to vote for him every week. Well, it comes time for "Idol Gives Back" and all of a sudden, here's a guy who was voted off, even after not being in the bottom three ever.

It's obvious the show is a fix. I think even they admitted as such in the credits that the producers can adjust things, but maybe I'm making that up.

American Idol controversies - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sanjaya Malakar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yeah, sometimes the runner-up gets a better deal than the winner. The prize for the winner is a recording contract...but how do the top several people get recording contracts?

Part of the show also died for me when they started allowing guitars and pianos and all that onto a singing show.

Impossibru!!!!!

 

[microbob]

William Hung got a record deal..Enough Said,, Hahaa..

 

[Bark]

I read some of the article on Wikipedia, and it backs up what I said about the producers and branding. The "winners" basically have to sign "slave" contracts. It makes me dislike the show even more, or at least justifies my initial dislike. I feel bad for the contestants. They're going on so that all of their dreams will come true, but they're just kids. If they have some success, it will be exploited and exported into someone else's pocket book.

It all goes back to that expression, "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

 

[Neigh]

The AI graduate seem by and large to be grateful to the show. If you watched this season from the beginning, you can see the growth in the top contestants Someone was giving out good advice. The No. 4, Jessica Meuse, was lugging her own audio equipment from bar to bar. She has a unique voice and enough power. She needed something like AI to upgrade her act. Caleb Johnson is a another contestant who had a band has the goods but needed some honing. Jena Irene was out of the competition but saved as a wild card pick. She improves every week and she really has the goods. What the hell.. she's 17.

 

[Bark]

The AI graduate seem by and large to be grateful to the show. If you watched this season from the beginning, you can see the growth in the top contestants Someone was giving out good advice. The No. 4, Jessica Meuse, was lugging her own audio equipment from bar to bar. She has a unique voice and enough power. She needed something like AI to upgrade her act. Caleb Johnson is a another contestant who had a band has the goods but needed some honing. Jena Irene was out of the competition but saved as a wild card pick. She improves every week and she really has the goods. What the hell.. she's 17.

I think there's some political motivations to that. It's better to be on AI's good side than have AI attempt to blacklist you.

The fact is that if AI had the best interests of the contestants at heart, that AI would allow more creative freedom, intellectual property ownership for the contestants, and just cut all ties and obligations once the next season gets rolling. Afterall, AI got what it wanted, a good season with good contestants. It would seem though that this is not the case. It would seem AI is a juggernaut that wants to lock-in contestants, manage their image, control their business interests, and basically have final say long after the contestant's season has wrapped.

Which goes to my original point, the show's number one priority is the AI brand, not any talent it discovers. You are free to like it though, just bear in mind what the producers' interests are. I happen to love steak, but I'm under no illusions. They kill the cow.

 

[semipenguin]

'American Idol' stars: Where are they now? - CNN.com