American Idol
 

I think the audtions are the best part of the whole damn show :p

agreed - tonight's was good too....

could you believe that one that ended last night's?

that was one unstable lady. if it weren't funny it would have been a little sad

Mary Roach

at's her.....

oh man... I forgot that it was on again tonight... I'm hooked on Lost and was watching that instead. I love the auditions, too, they're my favorite part, especially the horrible ones. :grin: Though usually I can find a reason to keep watching...

Mary Roach was something else for sure!

I have never watched the show until these past two nights......

Do you think some of the bad ones are for real or a set up to provide a laugh?

I found myself squirming in my seat feeling embarassed for some of them,

Oh..they are real alright BIBI! William Hung (from last year) is proof.

The first year "Idol" was on they didn't have as many of the bad as they do this year. It's even more this year than last. I think they've realized that bad can be good...for ratings. But truthfully...there are actually people out there that think they are good. They even have friends and family that might tell them they are good. They'll get so caught up in the compliments that they actually believe it themselves. And then there are people like Mary Roach, who go through this life with rose colored glasses on (to spare her my harsher thoughts). People might be teasing her into getting her to sing in her personal life...and she takes it as encouragement and trips her own trip.

bigmike01 said if it weren't funny, it'd be sad. I agree...though I think that if the Mary Roachs' of the world had some "true friends" in their life, instead of people encouraging them to get a laugh at their expense, we wouldn't have as many goofballs on the show. It's harmless fun...but it's sad in a deeper sense.

Then there are the peeps who are so full of themselves. They are my fave part of the show. I like to watch them get knocked down a peg or two!

I'm hooked again this year!

Lixy your post sort of touches on something I've been thinking about the show. Some of the people trying out show serious signs of mental or emotional handicaps (well from this Special Ed teacher's point of view). I worry about how some of them handle the criticism and I worry about how much we seem to enjoy the parade. If a local school for the handicap wanted to parade their adult students through town so they could be criticized and gawked at,with no possibility of achieving a goal or any point to the exercise, would that be allowed??? I'm not sure it should be entertainment even if it's entertaining.

Lilith...I knew a girl when I was young, who reminds me so much of Mary Roach. She went to our "rival" school and I knew her from church. I'd pass her house on my way to church (I walked 2 miles to get there) and I'd stop at her fenced yard and ask her mom (turns out it was her grandma...her "sister" was her real mom) if Linda was coming along. Usually she did...and all the rest of the way to church Linda would "entertain" me. I didn't encourage her, or even ask her to sing and dance. She just wanted me to like her and this is how she got attention from people she wanted to "hang out" with.

My mother always taught me right from wrong and I think I was one of the few who didn't exploit Linda's "talent" I was once told that she went to her school one day...sans underwear...in a dress, and got up on a desk and sang "I Left My Heart In San Fran Cisco". People where making fun of her and saying stuff like, "That ain't all you left in San Fran Cisco Linda"! When I heard this I was appalled! I went to her mother and told her what had been happening...that the "friends" that Linda thinks she has are really no friends at all. Her mother thanked me and from that day on Linda was a staple at my house. She'd come over everyday and we'd visit for a while till I finally had to tell her she had to go home now...otherwise she'd stay all day and night! One summer morning, I woke to find Linda in the baby pool my mom had set up for my younger sisters. She was "swimming" and splashing like a 4 y/o. I called her mom and she didn't even know Linda was gone. They eventually moved so the could get Linda into an appropriate school for her condition. She needed to learn protocol and ettiquette and manners (needed to learn how to live...actually) and her mother didn't think a regular school could give her that. I never saw her again...but I've never forgotten her.

It's a shame what some people use as an excuse for entertainment! I'm with you Lil...in saying tsk tsk to the producers of Idol...for some of the people they exploit!

BTW...I heard an interview (on Howard Stern's radio show) recently, with William Hung. Never fear Lil! He isn't mentally challenged at all. He's smart and funny and has snowballed the attention he has gotten from Idol into a money maker for he and his family. He's just really naive for his age and it's due to his overbearing mother!

((Lixy))...great story. I have had a few Lindas in my life too and some of them faired well and some have been exploited, duped, and abused because they could be. Because they often have the naive attributes that correspond to their cognitive/emotional age.

I think the producers should just be a little more wary of who they choose to place on exhibit. Just as it would be unacceptable for them to show a specific race of people and then point out all their racial differences while dashing their hopes, I think using mentally handicapped people on the show, and then pointing out that they are unacceptable by their standards, is just bad television..

I completely agree about some of the unkind remarks during the auditions. To make it even more horrific ( in honor of Simon, haha), some of the "saddest sacks" are shown again and again on commercials and in Mary's case, on the opening page of AOL. It's all about ratings, so there won't be any sensitivity shown... except by the families and loved ones of the contestants.

On a separate note- I love American Idol (once it really gets rolling) and am glad that's it's once again Idol Season!

I think that after the William Hung explosion of last year, Idol realized it could gain from the non-talented as well as the talented.

Thus begins another year of American Karaoke Star.

I'll not be tuning in.

can you explain to me the thought process of the guy who not only thought he could sing, but chose a David Hasselhoff song to audition with ???

I'm unable to explain why men do what they do, as I've yet to begin to figure out the way their minds work *shrugs*

I wonder if we'll see Scooter Girl this season.

....well both of them do go hand in hand ;)

we watched a bit of the auditions and i gotta admit that some of 'em are funny, which is why i bother to watch in the first place. but sometimes...those poor people!...i feel so bad for them that i can't even watch. it's like i don't want to be a wintness to their humiliation. but as long as there are people like me, who watch the auditions soley for the crazies, they'll put more and more on and hope it hooks me for the rest of the season.

I've gotta admit...I was completely entertained by Leroy Brown this past week! So much so that I can't even name any of the "good" singers who got through. And, there are a few that I can't wait to see in the top 30...but I'll be damned if I can remember their names. Guess I have to wait till they weed them all out.

Now...is it just me (I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say, Yes...it's prolly just me) or was anyone else insulted by some of the comments Gene Simmons made to some of these contestants? I mean...for shit sake! He's Gene Simmons! A lousy singer who ended up in a band of rockers who can't carry a tune in a bucket, but for some strange reason their lyrics "hit home" with a generation of teens on drugs! OK...maybe not all were on drugs...or maybe not all who were on drugs liked KISS...but you get my gist, eh? I personally hated/hate KISS and I never thought they had any musical talent...just made a lot of noise and did some pretty good make-up and if all of that failed to get attention there was always that really long tongue!

BTW...everyone's tongue is just as long if you'd learn to relax the muscles! But, I digress...

Gene sat there...so pompous (as he usually is in any genre I've ever seen him) and critiqued these kids as if he were a serious expert...giving them an alternative to being a pop singer. "Your voice is interesting, but I don't hear the strength or range needed to be anything special". Hey Gene? You suck worse than some of them!!!!!!

OK...nuff about "the tongue"!

I liked the show better when they had only Randy, Paula and Simon choose who gets through and then later brought on some guest stars to help with the rest of the show. Oh well...I'm not a director or producer...so what do I know?

I can already see some real talent...and I can't wait to learn their names...lmao!

What is happening to me?

I watched it again. I have never watched anything to do with that show until now!

I got a kick outa Leroy too Lixy.

Thanks Lix....trying to relax my tongue now! Sitting here looking like a moron..........;)

As far as Gene Simmons goes. He looked evil in his makeup and he looks evil without. That man has always sent shivers up my spine AND not in a nice way! Geesh you'd think with all his money he could find a hair stylist.....

Amen sister!! He totally pissed me off when he told that cute Christian that he should stick to only country music. Who the heck does he think he is? There are plenty of good pop and rock songs that don't deal with sex, drugs and being bad.

Not to mention that Gene Simmons is a lousy singer and butt ass ugly too. Personally looking at him has always given me the creeps.

I like it better when its just Randy, Paula and my man Simon. Damn that guy cracks me up when he gets Paula's panties in a bunch. :D

Leroy was funny as hell! But he couldn't sing. He stated his case when they asked why he was auditioning for a singing competition, and said he was there to get noticed. He was looking to get discovered...and quite frankly, he deserves it. He was entertaining. I hope someone picks him up.

As for Gene Simmons...he's an egocentric arse. Goes to show you how overconfidence can compensate for lack of personality, huh? :D

I was very surprised to see that Simon said "yes" about the plus sized lady that was last on last night's show. Her voice was great but he usually votes no on the basis of them not being "idol material". Kenny Loggins was very honest and told her she had "image problems".

OK...so far all who have replied to my comment, agree Gene Simmons is an ass with a tongue who has an opinion much like most assholes! (<----geezzzz...that's kinda funny if I do say so myself...lmao!)

But who liked/likes KISS?

Oh wait...nevermind! This thread ain't about that!

Carry on!

Bump!

Gettin ready for tonight!

oh noooooooooo!!! :hair:

I was going to pass up tonight's show, but my daughter wasn't having it. I'm glad I watched, I thought there were some interesting people chosen to go on. I liked the way Paula went to bat for that one guy.

I was so "off" on what the judges would think last night. I'm usually on their same wavelength...but I don't know what happened. Those I thought were good, they didn't, and vice versa.

I didn't care for the guy Paula nearly quit for, but he could be interesting down the road. He sang the song better than James Brown? Well, that ain't saying much...lol!

I've noticed, at the end of each show they flash through about 10-12 peeps that they claim made it through...but we never get to see those peeps because they are focusing on the nuts and the tone deaf. That's starting to disturb me to no end!

Oh well...I'm hooked now!

I was surprised about the one Paula went to bat for too. Didn't they show them passing up several people who were just as good, if not better, earlier on because they were made for theater (dancers, singers, showy types) and not "idol material"? Of well there doesn't seem to be a ton of objective decision making going on. I wonder if there is a checklist or some standard criteria?

I loved the goth girl belting out Phantom of the Opera.....

That was last night wasn't it? lol
When is it on again? Did I say that???? :)

Not that I will watch it....I want to know when to avoid it ;)

Right on Lixy about that one guy....real big feat to sound better than James Brown! There's another guy that ranks up there with Gene Simmons...ewww

It's on again tonight... 7 Central - FOX. :)

it was - how shall we say, interesting?

I can't believe some of these people who actually think they can sing? Does anyone think they will change their mind once they see themselves on tv?

Well, tonight the first of the final 12 will be dismissed. Any guesses as to who it might be?
My guess is that it will be one of three females. Either Lindsey Cardinale, Mikalah Gordon, or Jessica Sierra. I won't be sorry to see either of them go.

Good job, SS!! And I personally am ready to see Mikalah go... she reminds me sooo much of Fran Drescher, and I find them equally obnoxious and annoying.

I agree, Maddy. She's very annoying.

They're about to announce the one who leaves tonight. But I won't post anything untill the Pixies out West get to see. Don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone.

I agreed with the bottom 2 tonight and hope the one who got to stay, goes next week (Don't think that gives anything away.....;))

No, that doesn't give anything away at all. And I have to say I had guessed the outcome last night.

I didn't hear them announce what next week's theme is going to be. Did anyone notice if they mentioned it?

I was on the phone will someone please PM me and tell me who got dissed....tell me what they look like it's too early to keep up with names.:p

Theme is Billboard #1's...and I agree with who got voted off tonight. I think the other is gone next week.