So it wasn't just me who thought that last night Paula was back to her antics of last season...drunk, high or all of the above.http://theedge.bostonhe

[Cheri]

More American Idol...Paula Abdul

So it wasn't just me who thought that last night Paula was back to her antics of last season...drunk, high or all of the above.

http://theedge.bostonherald.com/tvNews/view.bg?articleid=128852

 

[Island Visitor]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

Here is the breakdown on the judges:

1. Paula: Paula has been The Big Thang and then watched her sun mostly set into the ocean of Next Big Thangs coming after her. As such, she knows the pressure and angst of being on the noisy end of the microphone. Probably projecting some of her own angst at rejection along the way, she tries to let the kids down easy. In other words, she knows that it sucks to be told "Thanks but no thanks" and she tries to make it as painless as possible. She probably goes home after a show and cries - partly for the many crying kids she just sent home and partly for the crying kid she is/was who others sent home many times. I like Paula and hope that she can keep her three martini rehearsal lunches in check.

2. Simon: Simon has always been on the checkwriting side of the microphone. He doesn't sing, probably can't. But for twentyfive years, his job has had a pretty simple job description: "Son, go out and find an act that we can spend a lot of money on and make a huge return". When he is successful, the higher-ups think he is the Golden Goose. When he signs a bum that doesn't sell, he is the Goat Needing Sheering. So with Simon it is real simple: He doesn't care if he likes you as a person. Can you sing? And, more to the point, can you make a lot of money for The Label? If so, then Simon is golden for recommending you. If not, Simon loses his parking space next to Mr Big. It's just Bidness.

3. Randy: Yo dog. This guy, believe it or not, is a pretty big Player in music circles. For years, he was THE session bass player for anyone who was anyone. He played on the "Raised On Radio" Journey album and toured with them. I even saw him with Journey in that hotbed of concertgoing, Columbia South Carolina. Since then, he has been an exec in the music industry. Having been on both sides of the microphone, he has a little of the Paula Empathy and a little of the Simon Bidnessman in him.

Randy in the Raised On Radio tour

 

[bto]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

I love Randy...he has such a good attitude, most of the time...Paula...she was really weird, and actually, a bit unprofessional that night and Simon, well, I almost always agree with what he says....he's usually right on...I had no idea that Randy played with Journey...that is cool...I must dig out my Journey cd's....

bev

 

[Island Visitor]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

In the city tours, I thought Simon was being a bit "cheeky" just for fun. But the last two weeks, I have rated the singers before the judges spoke. With the exception of all but I think two performances, Simon has almost quoted my ratings verbatim.

What he is looking for, and what some of the singers just dont seem to get, is MARKETABILITY.

If you can do a song almost as well as Adam Sandler did it in Wedding Singer, that is NOT what he wants. If he snoozes, you lose. As such, Lounge Lizards are on the way home.

On the other hand, if you make him sit up and take notice, he's interested. "Can this song get airplay on the radio? Will DJs spin this disk? Is this an 'anthem' that would make a good video? Can I SELL this person?"

Crooning will probably get you steady money in Vegas but an early exit (so long david) from this show. And Safe Songs may get you 30 weekends a year of proposing toasts and singing to The Happy Couple. But it wont crack Billboard.

On the other hand, throwing down John Bon Jovi or belting out an Aretha Anthem or pulling out all the stops on a Nashville Footstomper has COMMERCIAL APPEAL.

That, mes amis, is what the contest is all about. If you want people to vote for you, bring a Package they can vote for.

 

[NYCFred]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

Seem to have read somewhere that ol Simon owned a couple of V successful labels in England, and possibly the production co that invented AI under a different name in the UK...
so, he's been in the trenches, identified talent, spent his $$ to bring em to market and made a ton of bucks....
good for him.

 

[Island Visitor]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

The website says that over the last 15 years as an exec with BMG, Simons has overseen acts that have produced over 100 million albums sold and 50 number one hits.

And yes, he did star in "Idol" - the British version (and original) of this show.

So for Simon, its' all about one thing and one thing only: Can I Sell You?

In that sense, his is the most, LOL, FAIR AND BALANCED opinion on the show. Because Simon is in the business of Giving Da People What They Want.

Apparently, you have to sink a LOT of money into new acts these days with recording, touring, promo, etc. As such, when you go to The Big Room and tell Mr Big and his Yesmen that you have found The Next Big Thang and all you need is a lot of money to get it going, you better be bringing the goods, ya know, dog?

"Simon, that's three acts in a row you have convinced us to support that turned out to be losers. We're thinking of letting Bobby have a go at finding new bands and perhaps looking for something else for you now".

Simon is The Big Fish in this part of the pond. Alas, he is not the Apex Predator in this sea and therefore he follows the Cruel Darwinian Rule of eat or be eaten.

 

[NYCFred]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

<<<<In that sense, his is the most, LOL, FAIR AND BALANCED opinion on the show. Because Simon is in the business of Giving Da People What They Want.>>>>

And with that kinda track record, he's bought and paid for his seat at the table...
Still amazes me...some 16 year old kid, poised, professional and confident in front of an audience of millions...
Even if I could sing, (and believe me, i CAN'T) at that age, woulda been choke-city.

 

[Island Visitor]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

Agree. Lisa is Darizzle Medizzle.

That youngster WILL make a living singing.

Amazing.

 

[Eddie]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

I don't understand the fascination with American Idol. To me, it's symbolic of all that's wrong with the music industry. It's about marketability over talent. Sure, a few of them sing well but, if they don't have "the look", they don't have a chance.
If American Idol had been around years ago, we wouldn't have recordings by: Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, Elvis, The Stones, and, dare I say it, Jimmy Buffett. Those are just a few, off the top of my head.
The music industry is now run by a few mega-corporations, unwilling to take a chance on new music. Instead, in pure marketing genius, they allow millions of people to watch for a few months and vote on a winner, guaranteeing platinum sales.

 

[NYCFred]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

<<<<Instead, in pure marketing genius, they allow millions of people to watch for a few months and vote on a winner, guaranteeing platinum sales.>>>>>

Is this a great country, or what?
I'm just annoyed that I didn't think of it first....

 

[Island Visitor]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

Eddie: I see your point. Even so, American Idol doesn't take away anything from the music industry. It adds to it.

If you check out videos on CMT or MTV, you see that good looks are NOT required to make a living in music.

To me, American Idol is about as elemental and pure as a show can be. It isn't about picking who Corporate Execs say we SHOULD like. It is about picking who we DO like.

THOUSANDS of talentend singers and bands dont make it every year just because they aren't around the music scene or they dont appeal to the Exec who saw them.

St Jimmy made his name The Old Fashioned Way. He played every beerjoint and county fair from The Conch Republic to Seattle. And that is how he made his money as well. It is a little known fact that until a couple of years ago, St Jimmy only had two top forty hits (Come Monday and Margeritaville) and had never had a number one hit until that time. Since then, Five O'Clock Somewhere and Trip Around The Sun have both been chart smashers.

Entertainment is about entertainment. For some, this means obscure artists or movies that are "important". This, of course, means politically correct and without mass appeal but celebrated by The Chattering Classes.

For others, entertainment means Giving Da People What They Want.

Given how large the industry is today, Idol takes nothing away from anyone. It just adds to the process.

 

[Cheri]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

It's about marketability over talent. Sure, a few of them sing well but, if they don't have "the look", they don't have a chance.

Ruben Stoddard won a couple of years ago. He does not exactly have "the look"...more like a male Aretha Franklin with not nearly as much charisma. Clay Aiken does not exactly have the look either. With AI, it is the pubic who is voting. So, the winner is the one who has the biggest following and gained the most votes. No matter what the judges say (unless this is fixed), it is the people picking the winner. Yes, the judges initially pick the contestants who will "go to Hollywood" but IMHO they do a pretty good job of selecting people with different styles, varying degrees of talent, and singing ability. But in the end, it is up to the people voting.....that is the premise of the show.

 

[tim]

Re: More American Idol...Paula Abdul

Cheri,

You mentioned "fixed" voting, and I've often pondered that issue relative to AI. Is there any independent verification?