I'd like to see American Idol judged by people with talent and taste

[Rabrrrrrr]

Let's get David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Dweezil Zappa, Pierre Boulez, Placido Domingo, Cecilia Bartoli, Nancy Wilson, Gwyneth Jones, Tom Waits, Robert Wilson, Peter Sellars - people like that, with distinctive voices/artistic-viewpoints who aren't desperately trying to sing and move in whatever is currently faddish, but who actually have something to say with their art and style - to judge.

It would be a total bloodbath, but a bloodbath a lot funnier even than Simon Cowell's always-deserved hilarious derision.

[skygazer]

1. I'd like to see American Idol go away

But no such luck.

[graywarrior]

5. I'll toast to that one

I can't even stomach the name of the show

[DarkTirade]

26. Hear hear!

:toast:

[av8rdave]

2. I have no talent nor taste, but have judged the show for myself

It sux, IMO.

[MorningGlow]

3. I've got a better idea

Let's kick the amateur karaoke singers to the curb and let the talented folks you listed perform. It would make much better use of an hour.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. I like it! Two minutes of them sending every contestant home, then saying, "Here's how it's done"

and 58 minutes of them.

:rofl:

[Orsino]

6. That would defeat the purpose.

The derision is why most people tune in--not to see talent, but to see people humiliated.

[DS1]

9. There's always bamboo rods to the feet of the hacks while the real performers sing

[kentauros]

7. All we need is Chuck Barris

and the Gong!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. You just don't understand

If we had talented people judging and performing on American Idol, then the audiences might learn to tell the difference between artistry and shlock, and that would ruin the whole music industry.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. And it would destroy the whole foundation of our culture - worship of mediocrity.

Thanks for the head's up reminder on that one!

:rofl:

[LostinVA]

10. Both Kara and Paula ARE very talented people

Randy Jackson also has major cred in the business. Simon less so, but he, too, is legit.

And, there have been exceptionally talented people on AI. many who never would have gotten a real chance without this exposure. For all the cannon fodder, there are some terrific contestants.

[grasswire]

11. Simon knows what sells.

And that is the object of the show. He might like someone, he might like the voice, etc. But if it's not marketable, he says so.

[blue_onyx]

13. Not always

During the first season, he wasn't a big fan of Kelly Clarkson.

[nickinSTL]

33. yes, but do you actually remember that season?

Kelly Clarkson wasn't much to hear until a couple weeks from the end, when it seemed that all of a sudden, something clicked. She had weeks of fairly mediocre performances, and then, BAM! - she just took off - and was great. Early on, Simon had every reason to not be impressed, she wasn't impressive.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. Simon's the only I respect, because he knows it's not about talent, but marketability

and demographics and what's in and what's out with the CD buying public.

He knows it's bullshit.

I gotta give him credit for that.

I despise him for buying into the bullshit, but at least he isn't pretending that it's anything other than marketing a face/body to sell as much musical product as possible.

[blue_onyx]

12. I agree about Kara

She wrote half of Kelly Clarkson's CD "Breakaway" and I loved that CD. There have been many talented people on AI but the last few season's have suffered.

"Many who never would have gotten a real chance without this exposure."

This is usually true but the producers started in recent seasons casting people that have had chances. Last year they had several people who had record contracts and failed. This year, they had one girl who had TWO record contracts, had released a CD, and had prior relationships with the producers of AI. There are several contestants that have been on Nashville Star or The One (a show Kara was a judge on). This why the last few season haven't been good....they're recycling people who didn't have what it took the first (or second or third) chance they had. I wish they would get back to helping average people have a chance at getting into the music industry.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

14. Having worked on American Idol

I can explain why they're recycling people.

Frankly, there aren't that many people who actually 1. have a voice, 2. want to be a singer and 3. want to be on American Idol.

In my little stint on the second season, the producers were talking about how many more people came to the auditions than did in the first season. In my little stint on the third season, all the producers could talk about was the fact that the exact same people from the previous years kept coming to the auditions.

Now that they're up to season 8 or so, I'm sure they can't find enough quality contestants without digging up some failed semi-professionals.

[blue_onyx]

16. I wish they would be open about it

When they disqualified Joanna, they acted like the prior relationship with producers on the show was unknown. Come on...they disqualified her because they got caught, not because she kept the relationship from the show.

I think they could change the show. They keep calling it a "singing competition" but it really isn't anymore. Many of the people the judges have advanced to further rounds of the competition weren't the next Celine Dion. We all know vocal ability is necessarily the number one thing people care about. They could open it up to "performers" (Madonna/Britney/Janet Jackson types) who can sing well enough to get by but are better known for the performance. They could the show up to duos and groups (which the British version does). I like the show but there are issues I have with it and I think some changes could improve it.

[LostinVA]

15. I don't like the "stunt casting/stealth casting" either

Joanna was doomed anyway, and I think Brent Keith will be, too -- his little "Nashville Star" outing is getting around.

But, I'll still say that alot of people get a break from this show -- even if they don't become "idols."

That little freak Paula is a very talented and respected choreographer.

[blue_onyx]

17. Yes, Joanna wouldn't have done well

She's like Carly from last year. They had their chance and probably didn't succeed for a reason. I think Brent will make it into the top 12 (through a wide card spot). I think Joanna was disqualified because of the relationship with producers, not the record contracts. So I think people will overlook Brent's prior opportunities (like they did with Carly and Kristy Lee Cook last year).

I also have a problem with the judges overly praising the contestants they want to advance. Last season, they kept call David Cook "original" for singing other people's original interpretations of well-known songs. When they got called on it, they just kept praising him. This year, the contestant they'll praise, no matter the quality of his performance, will be Danny (I'm not a fan at all).

Yeah, I'll given Paula her dues. She has been a little dull this season. She's really toned down the crazy (luckily Tatiana made up for that).

[mvd]

18. I think Joanna has talent, but talent doesn't always go a long way

She was given some pretty generic material to work with. I'd like to see what she can do as an indie artist. The disqualification was correct IMO but should have been done earlier. On Idol, she would have had her fans, but perhaps too many detractors to win due to her recording history.

[LostinVA]

22. Tatiana was scary in TWO WAYS last night --

1.) Her deadly calm was creepy, but worse

2.) SHE WAS PROBABLY THE SECOND BEST FEMALE SINGER OF THE NIGHT!!!!!!!!!

[blue_onyx]

25. She was the best, IMO

I know the judges were falling over themselves to praises Alexis but I don't like her. She looks like a teenage girl playing dress-up. The judges told her to "dirty" her image but it isn't working. Vocally, it was average. I think she will probably be the top girl, Danny will be the top guy, and Anoop will get the last spot. I'll keep my fingers crossed for Tatiana (I voted 5 times for her).

[LostinVA]

27. I liked Jackie better than Alexis, although Alexis' vocals were better

I LOVE Tatty. She is the first truly and completely bonkers contestant to make it this far. Plus, she has a decent set of pipes.

I loathe Anoop. Another one being "pimped," and more than a bit boring.

[mvd]

28. Tatiana was second best female IMO; Alexis was first

I was disappointed in Anoop. He had some standout Hollywood Week performances, but his version of the Monica song fell a bit flat.

[LostinVA]

30. Some of them just can't handle the live shows

Jackie wasn't the best vocal, but she was comfortable... as was Freakitana. The mysterious boy from NC whom we never saw (Ricky Braddy) was comfortable -- he did a very good job with that Carpenters song.

[mvd]

31. Yes, Jackie had the entertainment factor down pat

Even if it wasn't a great vocal, she was certainly having fun.

[CreekDog]

21. If they are judging Barry Manilow covers, then what's the point?

wouldn't taste kind of screw it up? :shrug:

[TZ]

29. Funny

I thought you were Barry's biggest fan! :P

[mitchum]

23. That would be like having Harold Bloom critique memo pad scribblings

[KittyWampus]

36. that would be interesting. why can't things like that happen on tv?

[hobbit709]

24. What good is having judges with talent and taste

when there is no talent or taste on the show.

[Parche]

32. i would like to see american idol even have any taste

even tho i cant stand the fukin show :grr: :hi:

[MrPerson]

34. This post is dreadful.

Can I be a judge?

[MissMillie]

35. I'd like to see American Idol w/ the loser being fed to the wolves

a girl can dream, can't she?

[mitchum]

38. I would like for all professional sporting events to end in that way

it would make all that "warrior" talk a little less ridiculous and would help justify those obscene salaries

[Fire Walk With Me]

37. Who would dare get up in front of those giants?

It would make for a very short show every week.

A victory, if filtration is your goal :)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

39. Like me.

I know what good stuff is like. I've been a musician all my life.

I think Sharon Osborne is a good judge, and Piers usually has something reasonable to say. I've watched America's got Talent when they have all sorts of acts on.

But yes, the contestants are all trying to sound the same. Pretty horrible.
I won't watch American Idiot anymore. Simon is always nasty, but truthful. Paula tries to smooth over these peoples' feelings.