American Idol Season 6: The Official Thread

[WI_DisneyFan]

I hate the circus-like institutionalized humiliation of the less talented.

My wife's cousin's wife (would that make her my 2nd cousin-in-law? or my cousin-in-law-in-law?) is a very good singer, and decided to audition for AI last year. I was very surprised to find out that she never even got to sing in front of Simon and Randy and Paula. She first sang for a producer type person, who told her that she has a very good voice but didn't have "it" (or something like that). So now that I know this, I realize that everybody that you see on TV has already been through a preliminary audition before they even get to the three judges and in front of a camera. Which means that these terrible singers aren't on there by chance, but they were lied to by the producers and told that they made it to the next level. Don't get me wrong, I still get a kick out of all of these people who think they are great when they are truly awful. But I think it is sad that they are passed along to the next level for the sole purpose of getting made fun of by the judges and millions of people watching on TV. And meanwhile, people that do have some talent are told to scram because they don't have a certain look or other trait that the show is looking for. It really took some of the luster off of the show for me.

 

[bicker]

I was very surprised to find out that she never even got to sing in front of Simon and Randy and Paula. She first sang for a producer type person, who told her that she has a very good voice but didn't have "it" (or something like that).

This typically is mentioned two or three times each audition season, on air (and of course is discussed in great detail each year in the press).

So now that I know this, I realize that everybody that you see on TV has already been through a preliminary audition before they even get to the three judges and in front of a camera. Which means that these terrible singers aren't on there by chance, but they were lied to by the producers and told that they made it to the next level.

Saying that they were "lied to" is unnecessarily inflammatory and inaccurate. First, they obviously did make it to the next level, an audition in front of the three judges. Second, quite a lot of these people are just looking for exposure, and know that they're not Hollywood material.

But I think it is sad that they are passed along to the next level for the sole purpose of getting made fun of by the judges and millions of people watching on TV.

If people didn't watch it, they'd stop this cruel practice.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Count me in! I can't wait for AI to start

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Last season was the first time I'd actually watched it the entire season through. I totally fell in love with that one kid..the one they called Chicken Little. He was so cute, I wanted to stick him in my pocket and take him home with me.

I never was a fan of Elliot Yamin..I just couldn't get past his looks. He reminds me too much of a monkey, even if he can sing half-decent.

Never really was a fan of Taylor Hicks either, though I could see how he'd be appealing to some.

Can't wait to see what they've got in store for this year, though.

TOV

 

[bicker]

One of the things that I don't like about AI is that there is some tendancy towards fostering a lowest common denominator.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

This typically is mentioned two or three times each audition season, on air (and of course is discussed in great detail each year in the press).

I honestly never heard it mentioned until last season.

Saying that they were "lied to" is unnecessarily inflammatory and inaccurate. First, they obviously did make it to the next level, an audition in front of the three judges. Second, quite a lot of these people are just looking for exposure, and know that they're not Hollywood material.

This is a competition to find the best singer in America. So when bad signer auditions for this competition and is told that they are moving on to the next round, they must secretly think "I'm going to audition for the judges, so I've got a chance to be the next American Idol". And I'm sure the producers know what the bad singers are thinking when they are told that they made it to the next round. So whether it is intentional or not, in my mind if they don't flat out say "you really stink, but it makes for good TV so we are sending you on", that is no different than lying to them and telling them that they are good.

If people didn't watch it, they'd stop this cruel practice.

I don't mind people going on TV to make fools of themselves. But they are unknowingly being made the butt of a big joke and that just seems wrong to me. But again, if they are told in advance that they are really bad but Fox needs about 45 minutes worth of clips of bad singers to draw in viewers and they still agree to go on, then more power to them. And if that is the case, I'll take it all back. But based on the reactions of some of the people Simon lays into, I really doubt that is the case.

 

[sweetspicy]

I honestly never heard it mentioned until last season.


This is a competition to find the best singer in America. So when bad signer auditions for this competition and is told that they are moving on to the next round, they must secretly think "I'm going to audition for the judges, so I've got a chance to be the next American Idol". And I'm sure the producers know what the bad singers are thinking when they are told that they made it to the next round. So whether it is intentional or not, in my mind if they don't flat out say "you really stink, but it makes for good TV so we are sending you on", that is no different than lying to them and telling them that they are good.


I don't mind people going on TV to make fools of themselves. But they are unknowingly being made the butt of a big joke and that just seems wrong to me. But again, if they are told in advance that they are really bad but Fox needs about 45 minutes worth of clips of bad singers to draw in viewers and they still agree to go on, then more power to them. And if that is the case, I'll take it all back. But based on the reactions of some of the people Simon lays into, I really doubt that is the case.

I think a lot of them have to know that they're bad, but they just want their 15 minutes of fame any way that they can get it. Hence the silly costumes some of them have. And it does provide good TV.

I loved the auditions last year and the whole competition last season--the first one that I'd ever watched. Can't wait for the new one to start!!

 

[Philadisney]

I think a lot of them have to know that they're bad, but they just want their 15 minutes of fame any way that they can get it. Hence the silly costumes some of them have. And it does provide good TV.

I think so! Remember Mary Roach - I mean, Mary Gilbeaux?

She's a comedienne - it was a total act. She really looks like:

 

[bicker]

So when bad signer auditions for this competition and is told that they are moving on to the next round, they must secretly think "I'm going to audition for the judges, so I've got a chance to be the next American Idol".

Sorry, but I give them more credit than that -- credit that they should know that a large percentage of those let through to Simon, Paula and Randy are put through because they are bad. People must be responsible for their own choices.

 

[cats7494]

We are looking forward to it too! I like the whole show from the bad auditions to the "real" competition! I did not realize it was coming up so quickly!

 

[mantysk8coach]

I think so! Remember Mary Roach - I mean, Mary Gilbeaux?

She's a comedienne - it was a total act. She really looks like:

Woah, cool! Thanks for posting that! I'll have to show my husband, he got a kick out of her. That's actually really funny!

 

[Sthronds]

I am looking forward to this year. I missed the first season because I thought it was just like Star Search, but have been hooked ever since. Plus, I'm in Reality TV withdrawl right now. My aunt's cousin apparently made it through to the Hollywood round so we will be watching for her.

 

[Robinrs]

This is a competition to find the best singer in America.

Actually it's a television show to find the best clients to pay for it every year... and the bad singers are there to entertain and to keep people watching.

It's a business.

Of course I can't wait for the new season... after all I can pick em, can't I??? LOL!!

It's my year to be disappointed I'm sure. I have one year on and one year off every time. Kellie Pickler should try again!

 

[Jeanny]

I'm looking forward to it this season. I watched the first season, then turned most of the others out until last season, which I was totally hooked.

I hope they offer on-line voting also like Dancing with the stars did. I had a hard time getting through on the phone lines sometimes.

 

[mantysk8coach]

In case any die-hard idol fans (like me) are interested, US Weekly magazine this week has a huge section devoted to what many past Idols, from all five seasons are doing now.

Has anyone been watching American Idol Rewind? I thought they were going to be showing all of Season 1, but for weeks and weeks now, they've just been showing audition highlights.

 

[Virgo10]

Has anyone been watching American Idol Rewind? I thought they were going to be showing all of Season 1, but for weeks and weeks now, they've just been showing audition highlights.

Yes and that show drives me nuts! They should call it American Idol REPEAT. I've seen the same ones over and over and over. I think the farthest they got was the final 30 had been chosen. Then the repeats started again.

Eh, maybe tonight will be something new. I watch it on WGN which is out of Chicago but shown down here on cable.

By the way, at least this far along I cannot understand why Justine didn't win it all. What a great voice he's got.

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm hoping I'll be watching. If you can believe this, Time Warner is in a contract dispute with FOX & has until the end of today to settle, or they pull the station.

I told DH it's dish or Direct TV if that happens.

BTW - I also enjoy the preliminaries. It's DH's favorite part of each season.

 

[sweetspicy]

I just saw a commercial for the season premiere today. Can't wait!! Though this year's winner is probably not going to be as great as Taylor...

 

[bicker]

I'm actually expecting this year's winner to be better than any from the past few years.

 

[ImMarcik]

I'll be watching it!! I got a new media pc for Christmas where I can record shows like a tivo right on my pc. I will have it set to record to whole season in case I would be out.