Yes, there are the occasional deluded souls like you and me who think they're the awesomest shower singers the world will never hear, but, surely, no one is THIS wrong about their... "talents".
I'm not saying the producers of Idol are trying to cheat their viewers, and I'm not trying to make fun of those contestants; no way. But it's highly unlikely that anyone would be so stupid as to make fools of themselves on a TV show that is watched by millions of people the world over (unless, of course, it's publicity that they're after.. and, as everyone knows, there's no such thing as bad publicity).
It's one thing not being able to sing and to give a less than stellar performance (vocals wise), even on international TV, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that (I can't sing for toffees myself :p ), but it's absolute lunacy to sing something like Genie In A Bottle and dance like a retard, when you know you're a perfectly sane and rational human being.
I find it all a little hard to swallow.
It's a safe bet that more viewers worldwide watch the latter stages of the show (the run up to the finale) than the audition and 'Hollywood' rounds. This, quite possibly, is the case with a majority of so called reality TV series.
Could it not be a ploy on the part of the powers that be at the big networks aimed at giving a boost to a given season's initial ratings (which, to be fair, is not a heinous crime)?
Is it ethical, though, to "display" such auditions? Sure, you watch it, have a hearty laugh at someone's expense, and forget it the moment the next contestant comes along. No biggie. After all, what's TV for, if not entertainment, right?
I dunno.
Anyway Wikipedia has this to say:
Before contestants get the chance to see the show's judges, they go through two rigorous sets of cuts: the first consists of a brief audition in front of one or two of the show's producers with three other contestants. Contestants are then either sent through to the next round of producers or are asked to leave. Only about 100–200 contestants in each city make it past this round, which is a staggering statistic considering that tens of thousands of people show up to audition in each city.
So, clearly, the producers decide who gets to meet the judges (and, consequently, end up on TV). Is it so impossible that they intentionally send the really bad ones to the judges just for laughs? Obviously not.
But what about those over enthusiastic few who go the extra mile to annoy Simon? Contestants are only required to sing; they don't have to do anything else (again, unless they're looking for 15 minutes of fame).
Do they really want to make fools of themselves like that? Or do they genuinely believe that they're good at what they do? OR are they told to get all theatrical like that (for a few hundred bucks maybe?).
Somehow, I don't think it's the first two.
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Disjointed post. Tired. Hungry.
11 comments:
Well I think these people genuinely believe that they are good...and the people around them prolly cater to that distorted view of themselves as well.
I am an avid AI fan and some of the contestants actually seem baffled when told that they aren't good.
People live in their own little rose tinted bubble. Atleast the bubble heads who audition.
=D
I blame your hunger for the post.
and the people around them prolly cater to that distorted view of themselves as well
Exactly. I think the producers do that intentionally. It's funny, no doubt, but is it ethical? More importantly, does anyone care?
Haha you have a thing for conspiracy theories, I can tell. ;D
They definitely aren't acting anyway, they quite obviously believe they're good at it, and the fault lies either with their egos and tone-deaf-ness or just their family and friends encouraging the crazeh retarded singing and dancing.
As for the producers, of course they put the really bad ones through for entertainment: it's a reality show! What fun is a reality show without a few retards to laugh at.
Is it ethical? Showbiz rarely has to answer to ethics, dahling. ;)
Yeah, I suppose you're right, but I'm not trying to say that all of the crappy auditions are staged... just the few... uh... extreme cases.
And, yeah, I like my conspiracy theories. :p
i think now that AMIDOL has been on air for 8 years, ppl know that sure, some contestants are actual comedians who just turn up for a laugh, sporting ridiculous costumes etc.. but as a percentage those are few and far between, perhaps one every two episodes..
i agree with sabby, ppl tend to assume they can sing, and their pals are usually too spineless to tell them that they cant.. ive seen some auditions where the person is heartbroken that he/she didnt make it but the best fren kinda has a knowing look..
yep, the producers let in a few freaks, but hey they actually turned up for the audition, no harm lettin em hear the truth.. no conspiracy here, reality tv at its mildest to be honest :)
Actually, I wasn't trying to suggest that there was a "conspiracy" involved; far from it. Conspiracy is a bit of a strong word for a TV show. :D
I agree that a majority of the bad contestants (including the ones who appear in outrageous costumes, like that Bugs Bunny dude who showed up last week) do what they do because they really want to.
But, I wouldn't put it past the producers (of all reality TV series), to at least consider "staging" a few things, just to maintain/raise their ratings.
I'm not saying it's wrong, though. They're perfectly entitled to do that. After all, hundreds of TV crews and network employees depend on the success of these shows.
i think some of it is staged to give viewers a laugh!
on ethics... since when is american media ethical..hehe...they portray pencil thin women as the norm...and what a difference teen dramas are today... 'wonder years' was so safe compared to today's teen-sex filled 'beverly hills' 'oc' and bimbo-ish what not...
its all about viewership in the end yea... only my opinion :)
Agreed. :)
I vaguely recall bits and pieces of Wonder Years. Me was a kid back then, and I remember how my older cousins used to watch it every week.
TV was so good back in the '90s, man, especially the cartoons. Remember Voltron, Thundercats, G. I. Joe, TMNT, Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk? :D
Bah! They're Americans! They obviously think they're good... And if they signed up for it... Of course it's ethical!
Now excuse me while I laugh uncontrollably at that vid again... =P
Yeah, they totally ask for it. So I guess the issue of ethics doesn't really come into play there. And, like you said, they're Americans, so that sorta thing is expected from them... naturally.
But my POINT is that some of it (not all of it, just some of it) could be staged.
Who cares, anyway? It's funny, and everyone gets what they want in the end: the networks, their ratings; the audience, a good laugh; the contestants in question, some attention). :p
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