American Idol

concealer404

Alright, i hate to admit that i've been watching this show, but i have.

Here's an observation:

The judges... they're all tone deaf. And i don't understand why. 3 of them have composition experience, and one of them has performed with some fairly big names.

What gives?

Last night, when the 12 final girls were singing, every single girl that they said had pitch problems was DEAD ON KEY. THE ENTIRE TIME.

The girls that they said had great pitch, were TERRIBLE.

Just ticks me off. I don't have perfect pitch, but i do have something that my college professors called "Relative Perfect Pitch." That being, if you give me one note and tell me what it is, i can tell you what anything else is based off of that note. I cannot hear a note out of the blue and tell you exactly what the note is with no reference. I can always come really close, and even usually get it right, but not 100% of the time.

Ridiculous. The wrong people are going to win, then suck for the rest of their lives, and there's a few this year that are EXCELLENT musicians, but won't win, but i would bet will sell quite a few cds. There seems to be an uprising of singer/songwriters, and i think it's great.

But mannn.... these judges are ridiculous.

Anyone else man enough to admit that they've been watching this season?

polkatese

I do. nothing wrong with watching idols with the family.

I agree, there is one african-american girl that shouldn't made it to top 24. I am rooting to have her boot out.

btw, Kara is hot.

concealer404

polkatese wrote: »

I do. nothing wrong with watching idols with the family.

I agree, there is one african-american girl that shouldn't made it to top 24. I am rooting to have her boot out.

btw, Kara is hot.

Yeah, that first girl last night was TERRIBLE. Simply awful. And they sat there and told her that she was great and was on key the entire time!

The guy that did his own rendition of the Paula Abdul song is my dark horse pick to win the show. He's got some serious chops, and i really admire his guitar playing.

As for Kara, hot or not, she's the worst offender in my book of the pitch issue. She seems to take great pride in having a good ear, so she brings up pitch almost every time. She shouldn't take pride in it at all.

bobman1235

One thing to remember about the judges (apart from the fact that they're mostly retarded) is that they also watch the rehearsals, and tend to formulate most of their opinions there rather than on the live performance we see. So if the two things vary a lot I think that can cause a lot of confusion (similar to two years ago when Paula critiqued a song that hadn't yet been sung).

It's not really a valid excuse - they get paid enough to pay attention to both performances and adjust - but it's something to consider.

polkatese

I wasn't paying attention to what she said. I was busy admiring her other assets.

AsSiMiLaTeD

My wife watches it, I absolutely hate this show because, and have ever since the first season. I can't even sit in the room because I just sit there and **** the whole time and it ruins her enjoyment of the show.

concealer404

Yeah... the girls were a little annoying, save for two of them. They all either sounded like some soul singer with the same voice, or like Regina Spektor. You got your choice.

I don't like either.

Ricardo

I ALWAYS watch it. Nothing wrong with seeing a bunch of young singers, some really good.
Still too early for favorites. First night, nerves, you know. Though I think the girl with a latin name (Rodriguez?) will be leaving tomorrow.

superjunior

concealer404 wrote: »

Anyone else man enough to admit that they've been watching this season?

my wife makes me watch it, and she makes me like it
I do miss Paula's drug induced escapades

concealer404

Ricardo wrote: »

I ALWAYS watch it. Nothing wrong with seeing a bunch of young singers, some really good.
Still too early for favorites. First night, nerves, you know. Though I think the girl with a latin name (Rodriguez?) will be leaving tomorrow.

Yep. She sucked. Bad. I think she and the first girl are leaving. Or at least i hope.

coolsax

My wife and I agree, we couldnt' believe that they liked the first girl and killed some of the others.. I thought Katie, the last girl was really good, she's 17 yet was dead on pitch perfect the whole time.. yet the told her she was off. I wonder if the acoustics are really different for them on the stage than what is being recorded through the mic.

Fongolio

I watch it. I admitted this last year. I never buy or listen to any of the music that comes from it but the show itself is entertaining.

Both my son and I really like the girl that played guitar and harmonica. She's got a style all her own and a genuineness I don't get from any of the others. Plus she's a great singer. Too bad she was only given a luke warm reception from the judges. I've noticed in years past the judges really try to sway audience opinion to their favorites. Even if sometimes they suck. I definitely felt some of that going on last night.

shack

I never watch it.

Instead of a show "creating" stars, I prefer an old method:

Go sing in bars, talent shows, and all the "paying the dues" venues and if you are good, the public will want more to hear more and if lucky one will become a star. If not you can go back to waiting tables or driving a truck or a "real world job" like the rest of us...without the "15 minutes of fame" afforded by shows like idol. I been in a cafe or bar where the performers deserved the spotlight much more than some of the contestants that have evidently won idol.

I'm evidently in the minority here and around the world as it just doesn't interest me.

Tony M

I watch em with my wife and last night was BACKWARDS for what the judges thought and what we thought! The last three were great! Ol simon told the harmonica girl she was 1 of 10,000 on the street. nothing special. WHAT? BS!
That girl has more talent than Cary Underwood has by a mile.

The guys tonight, we're wondering what will happen.:rolleyes:

I also think the judges hear something different from us!

jerryj12

I watch it.:eek:

I will have to agree with Ben on this.

bobman1235

shack wrote: »

I never watch it.

Instead of a show "creating" stars, I prefer an old method:

Go sing in bars, talent shows, and all the "paying the dues" venues and if you are good, the public will want more to hear more and if lucky one will become a star. If not you can go back to waiting tables or driving a truck or a "real world job" like the rest of us...without the "15 minutes of fame" afforded by shows like idol. I been in a cafe or bar where the performers deserved the spotlight much more than some of the contestants that have evidently won idol.

I'm evidently in the minority here and around the world as it just doesn't interest me.

Rabble rabble rabble.

Most of the people who make it far in this show HAVE been paying their dues (the older ones at least). The point of the show, ostensibly, is to find talented (and marketable) people who have NOT been able to break their way out of the clubs and bars.

Beyond that, it takes a colossal ignorance of the difficulty of the music industry to think that because someone is good in a bar that means they're going to be successful. It takes an extreme amount of luck to make that leap, regardless of how many "dues" have been paid, so I don't know what the big deal is about having a show trying to publicize these people.

BottomFeeder

I've been watching it for years and, while I have my opinions, I tend to think that the judges - at least Kara, Simon & Randy - have better ears than I do. They've been in the music biz for a long time and have a better feel for talent than I ever will.

I like the show, although last night made me question whether or not I'll be watching for the rest of the season. I thought it was really bad. There were a few whom I thought have some potential, but I didn't hear anyone about whom I thought "wow!" We'll see w/the guys tonight.

Might have to go back to watching 24! :eek:

Pycroft

I have been an AI fan ever since season 3, I believe it was, when a very good friend of mine went quite far. Since then, I've watched every season. I'm picking either Anthony Garcia, or the girl that sang the Beatles, "Oh Darling!" last night to be the winners. I like them both!

James

Pycroft

Oh...and as a judge, I like Simon, always have, and I've NEVER liked any of the others...except, now they have Ellen, and I LOVE her.

James

Tony M

Ellen just iritates me. I don't like anythig about her and her voice...my ears tell me to run.It's like fingernails on a chaulk board to me.

My wife likes her so...thats why we're married for 20 yrs...opposites.

shack

bobman1235 wrote:

Rabble rabble rabble.

Most of the people who make it far in this show HAVE been paying their dues (the older ones at least). The point of the show, ostensibly, is to find talented (and marketable) people who have NOT been able to break their way out of the clubs and bars.

Beyond that, it takes a colossal ignorance of the difficulty of the music industry to think that because someone is good in a bar that means they're going to be successful. It takes an extreme amount of luck to make that leap, regardless of how many "dues" have been paid, so I don't know what the big deal is about having a show trying to publicize these people.

It has little to do with real musical talent and ablitiy IMO. It's all about what makes good TV. Like I said, I don't watch the show...but I've heard some of the performers when my wife and daughter watch it...and I cringe at what I'm hearing because it sounds so bad. Surely these aren't the best of the thousands that have auditioned.

And the winners...wow...great sucess there. Of the 8 only Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have had any commercial success..and Clarkson was relatively short lived. If they are that good...having been in front of that many people...why haven't they done better?

And how many people do you know in the recording industy? Having worked with some country music folks (both talent and business sides) when I worked in our Nashville Music Row office I have a pretty good appreciation of what the business is like. We have a close friend who is the road manager for one of the "biggest music stars" in the US. I also have a couple of nephews right now trying the club/bar scene, making their own demo DVDs, trying to make contacts,etc...after they do their day jobs. I know how hard it is because I see what they are going through...and if they are good enough...and lucky enough...and willing to do everything it takes and more...maybe they will have some success...but probably not.

AI is TV fantansy land...TV fairy tales...TV's version of the mega lottery. It's the story, it's the drama...but not so much about the music IMO.

If anyone who enjoys it...fine...but it's not for me.

BottomFeeder

Yeah, I got to agree w/you, Shack. It's all about the Hollywood music bidness juggernaut.

But I still like it. :rolleyes:

squeeb

Watching the guys tonight - actually, the kids are watching it and I am listening while surfing the web.

So far, the guys suck more than Adam Lambert at a Village People concert!!! :eek:

superjunior

all right, I admit I'm not forced to watch it per say. With that said, this group sucks compared to past years. there's maybe two or three female vocalist that have talent. my wife has the hots for Casey? but I think all the male vocalists suck this year as well. no talent this year imo...

BottomFeeder

My daughter & I thought that the guys were waaaaaaay better than the girls. At least this round.

concealer404

shack wrote: »

I never watch it.

Instead of a show "creating" stars, I prefer an old method:

Go sing in bars, talent shows, and all the "paying the dues" venues and if you are good, the public will want more to hear more and if lucky one will become a star. If not you can go back to waiting tables or driving a truck or a "real world job" like the rest of us...without the "15 minutes of fame" afforded by shows like idol. I been in a cafe or bar where the performers deserved the spotlight much more than some of the contestants that have evidently won idol.

I'm evidently in the minority here and around the world as it just doesn't interest me.

I'm with you... karaoke bars amuse me to no end.

concealer404

Pycroft wrote: »

I have been an AI fan ever since season 3, I believe it was, when a very good friend of mine went quite far. Since then, I've watched every season. I'm picking either Anthony Garcia, or the girl that sang the Beatles, "Oh Darling!" last night to be the winners. I like them both!

James

Yeah that's his name. Dude has some serious talent.

Ricardo

Andrew Garcia

heiney9

shack wrote: »

I never watch it.

Instead of a show "creating" stars, I prefer an old method:

Go sing in bars, talent shows, and all the "paying the dues" venues and if you are good, the public will want more to hear more and if lucky one will become a star. If not you can go back to waiting tables or driving a truck or a "real world job" like the rest of us...without the "15 minutes of fame" afforded by shows like idol. I been in a cafe or bar where the performers deserved the spotlight much more than some of the contestants that have evidently won idol.

I'm evidently in the minority here and around the world as it just doesn't interest me.

I used to agree.........but the past couple of seasons there have been a lot of the type of singers you describe who are very talented but just not getting the exposure the old fashioned way. In the end we only hear about "the" American Idol, but the stand outs (who don;t win) get a huge advance with their career. So I think that's some of the good that comes out of it.

I have never been even the slightest bit interested in the winners after the fact because the Idol marketing machine shapes them into a pre-packaged commercial product. I thought Kathryn McPhee had some great chops, but after hearing cuts off her cd (which AI produced), no thanks.

Still if this show was aired during the Spring or Summer months, I wouldn't waste my time because I'd be doing more productive things...........since it's Winter here I tend to plop down in front of the TV more.

I started watching 2 season's ago and while it's not the greatest show, I do think it's interesting sometimes.............but I'm a huge fan of female singer/songwriter types. Don't care so much for the male singers, unless they are spectacular.

H9

heiney9

There is a hugely talented female singer here in town who has played on the scene since she was a teen. Her dad is the lead singer of a very famous and once hugely popular band who still tour 200 shows a year and have made and still have huge contacts in the business and are up for inclusion in the R-n-R Hall of Fame.

..............and she still can't catch a break. She's done TV theme songs for Dawson's Creek. She is a pop singer/songwriter whose former band was relatively well known around the Midwest. Currently she's in band doing covers and some solo stuff until she can get another band together.

H9

AsSiMiLaTeD

I generally agree with the two posts from Shack in this thread.

I hate the show and everything it stands for...