American Idol is Back!

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 9 Feb 2008 11:12 am

Joe, first of all, there's already a 'Canadian Idol' show. Not sure if there's any affiliation with 'American Idol'. It's the same format...three judges, two of whom are civil and one who's a Simon clone. It's the old 'good cop, bad cop' routine.

I wouldn't have anything against Simon taking the show to Canada or any Country that would love his talented judgements..Would there be any support for an CANADIAN IDOL? Surely theres a lot of people in other Countrys that would just love to be made fun of

Why in the world would they want to do that? The show has been wildly successful for seven years and Simon Cowell's behavior has been a big part of the appeal. The U.S. market spawned this type of sensationalism. The WWF? The Jerry Springer Show? Dr. Phil...where people go on T.V. and bare their souls and blubber and bawl shamelessly before millions? How about Judge Judy? If you're trying to sell humiliation you couldn't find a more receptive audience anywhere. 'Humilivision'.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 9 Feb 2008 11:15 am

There is a Canadian Idol and guess who owns the rights to the program?

Canadian Idol is almost a mirrored to American Idol. Genuine talent is forsaken for showcasing. Smoke, lights, sparks and dancing lasers seem to be a prerequisite to winning these things in North America.

If you want to see what real musical talent is, if you have TV access to it of course, watch Europe Has Talent. I know for a fact that we have that same level of talent here in North America; however, it seems that if our entertainers over here are not on a path to self destruction, the kids and/or promoters don't want them. They don't sell.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 9 Feb 2008 8:05 pm

Bill Miller wrote: The show has been wildly successful for seven years and Simon Cowell's behavior has been a big part of the appeal. The U.S. market spawned this type of sensationalism. The WWF? The Jerry Springer Show? Dr. Phil...where people go on T.V. and bare their souls and blubber and bawl shamelessly before millions? How about Judge Judy? If you're trying to sell humiliation you couldn't find a more receptive audience anywhere. 'Humilivision'.

AMEN to THAT, Bill!!

I enjoy the show - even the kooky stuff sometimes. I find it entertaining and fun. We tivo, so that we can fast-forward when we want. But now that they've weeded out the "novelty" contestants, we'll start to hear what the rest can really do.

I wanted Melinda Doolittle to win last year, too - as she was clearly the best singer and very humble; however, Jordan Sparks was fantastic, too. I liked her style and personality.

By the way, Jordan is going to be on Oprah this week!! And you can catch Dr. Phil immediately following Oprah! Don't miss it, guys!!

Hey Teresa - let's check back here after this week's show to discuss our favorites!!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 9 Feb 2008 8:25 pm

By the way, Jordan is going to be on Oprah this week!! And you can catch Dr. Phil immediately following Oprah! Don't miss it, guys!!

Donna, this belongs in the Humor section!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 9 Feb 2008 9:55 pm

One word:

SANJAYA

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Feb 2008 9:58 pm

If you're trying to sell humiliation you couldn't find a more receptive audience anywhere. 'Humilivision'.

LOL

'Humblevision' didn't make it they switched to
'kick'em before they can get up' vision

Ain't the truth ain't it the truth.

Thinking back;
after All In The Family, the 'average joe',
just being himself was fully open for ridicule.
MEATHEAD!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 9 Feb 2008 11:34 pm

If you're trying to sell humiliation you couldn't find a more receptive audience anywhere. 'Humilivision'.

You're right. They dish it out, and most people eat it up.

Newton Minow's 1961 speech regarding Television "A Vast Wasteland" still holds true today. It's been 47 years since Minow coined the phrase, and much of what's on the air is still junk, only More of it. CLICK

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 10 Feb 2008 3:16 am

Thanks for posting that link, Doug; it's an interesting read! I particularly liked:

"If parents, teachers and ministers conducted their responsibilities by following the ratings, children would have a steady diet of ice cream, school holidays and no Sunday school."

If one leaves an item of value on display in a parked car there's a reasonable chance that it will be stolen, so we can't be too surprised when programme-planners take the path of least resistance, assaulting us with ever-more gratuitous and sensationalized drivel. They're engaged in an all-out battle to win the viewers' attention, and the results have became catastrophic.

My problem is not with them - it's with the people who are lapping up the TV companies' appalling banality.

There's actually a correlation between 'The Andy Griffiths Show' and, say, Jerry Springer; the raw material is human weakness, yet one succeeds as a gentle homespun morality tale, while the other is crass beyond words. We should, perhaps, take some heart from the fact that the former still enjoys a sizable audience for its re-runs on cable, but it's tragic that TV's standards have sunk rather than risen in the last fifty years.

No-one ever lost money by underestimating the public!

RR

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 10 Feb 2008 3:29 am

Roger Rettig wrote:Thanks for posting that link, Doug; it's an interesting read! I particularly liked:

"If parents, teachers and ministers conducted their responsibilities by following the ratings, children would have a steady diet of ice cream, school holidays and no Sunday school."....

...the raw material is human weakness,
yet one succeeds as a gentle homespun morality tale,
while the other is crass beyond words.

No-one ever lost money by underestimating the public!

RR

Roger right on for sure.
The 1st reminds me squarely of Calvin and Hobbes,
Calvin always telling his dad he is lower in the ratings, and then the eye roll.

Second is VERY astutely observed, and a curious tie-together.

Last one has made many a morally challenged man a bundle.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 10 Feb 2008 6:44 am

It's a date Donna!

I wanted Melinda to win too!
Jordon was my second favorite!

I'll set my DVR on Oprah. Thanks

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 10 Feb 2008 7:13 am

I guess when its all said and done..Even live executions could be a top rated program.On Saddams debut on the Idol was as follows..

Randy says "I like the originality" Paula said "I love the beard" Simon says "That was horrible it was like a bad karechokee"

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 10 Feb 2008 7:23 am

Melinda has her first single coming out on Tuesday. (My Funny Valentine). It will be available on iTunes. I rarely buy anything but country but when she has a CD out I'll buy it.
Donna, I thought Jordan Sparks was excellent too but she edged out the even more excellent Melinda on the basis of youth and sex appeal...or that was my take on it. The window of opportunity is narrowing for someone like Melinda and that's another reason I wanted so badly for her to win.
This season no one's name has stuck yet but that edgy little nurse who was riding around on the Harley really impressed me with her Joplin cover. She may go places.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 10 Feb 2008 7:42 am

There was a pretty lady Air Force pilot who I thought was judged unfairly...She had on pitch bluesy good voice....And she was pretttttty..

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 10 Feb 2008 9:52 am

American Idol and it's ilk have resulted in the discovery of some real talent, and the launching of some careers. On the other hand, the Jerry Springer show is a disgrace, and I'm ashamed of Springer, the network that puts his show on, and the people who support it.

Be that as it may, TV at least the premium channels, has matured considerably since Minnow made his "vast wasteland" comment. We have stations like CNN that inform people, and HBO and Showtime that are running movies uncensored and without interruption, and producing first class shows like "Sleeper Cell" and "Weeds" and "Real Time" with Bill Maher" and "Oz" and my personal favorite; "The Wire."

We never saw shows like these in the past.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 10 Feb 2008 11:39 am

Mike Perlowin wrote:If Dolly Parton married Salvador Dali, she’d be Dolly Dali, and if she divorced him and married Tom Dooley, she’d be Dolly Dali Dooley, and if she then opened a restaurant, it would be the Dolly Dali Dooley Deli, and if that restaurant was open 7 days a week, it world be the Dolly Dali Dooley Daily Deli, and of course their napkins would be called the Dolly Dali Dooley Daily Deli Doily. I hope this is being duly noted.

Good God Mike, you have to get out more. Do you know what cabin fever is?

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 10 Feb 2008 12:41 pm

Les Anderson wrote:
Mike Perlowin wrote:If Dolly Parton married Salvador Dali, she’d be Dolly Dali, and if she divorced him and married Tom Dooley, she’d be Dolly Dali Dooley, and if she then opened a restaurant, it would be the Dolly Dali Dooley Deli, and if that restaurant was open 7 days a week, it world be the Dolly Dali Dooley Daily Deli, and of course their napkins would be called the Dolly Dali Dooley Daily Deli Doily. I hope this is being duly noted.
Good God Mike, you have to get out more. Do you know what cabin fever is?

Les, you should be be grateful that I didn't say "If Dolly Parton married Tommy Smothers and divorced him and married Martin Short and them divorced him and married Buddy Guy, and then divorced him and married Ted Danson, she'd be Dolly Parton Smothers Short Guy Danson."

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 10 Feb 2008 2:08 pm

Do we have any members who live close to Mike? I think someone should check on him to make sure he is getting enough sunlight!

You obviously have too much time on your hands Mike. You are good for a much needed laugh.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 10 Feb 2008 5:12 pm

Take Mike's Sterno away from him.
He's been drinking way too much Canned Heat!!

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 10 Feb 2008 8:18 pm

Bill Miller wrote: This season no one's name has stuck yet but that edgy little nurse who was riding around on the Harley really impressed me with her Joplin cover. She may go places.

Bill - Tommy and I both liked the nurse. You could tell that nothing was fake about her persona - VERY unique!! Also, thanks for the heads-up on Melinda's upcoming release. When she has a CD out, you can bet I'll be in line to get it, too!

Joe - I liked the pilot, too. I'm still scratching my head over that one.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 12 Feb 2008 1:34 am

I mentioned earlier that Jordan Sparks was going to be on Oprah today, but she's actually going to be on the Dr. Phil 1000 Show Celebration. Sorry for the confusion.

Ken Thompson · Post by **Ken Thompson** » 12 Feb 2008 10:18 am

Hey Donna and Teresa, can I play also? I guess I am the only guy on here that enjoys the show. I actually like watching many of these folks develope into budding stars. Some of them have terrific voices and are truly diamonds in the rough.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 13 Feb 2008 4:53 am

You sure can Ken.
I agreed with most of the cuts. Not sure about cutting Jessica? I really liked Brook, Jason, & Michael. I can't remember all the names, even though it was a 2 hour show. It went too fast. Alot of talent to be heard yet!

What did you think Donna, Ken, all that watched?

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 13 Feb 2008 5:17 am

I wanna play! Josiah needs to go, talented and different for sure, but his whining and crying is kind of pitchy.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 13 Feb 2008 5:48 am

Larry, Josiah is the young one that lives out of his car?
He dismissed the band on that last song. To bad he didn't trust the musicians. It will be interesting tonight.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 13 Feb 2008 6:44 am

He dismissed the band on that last song.

I've certainly worked with a lot of singers who might as well have...

I wasn't as impressed with the nurse last night... I'm afraid she's a one trick pony.

The Steel Guitar Forum

American Idol is Back!

Jordan Sparks on Dr. Phil 1000 Show Celebration today!