Eh, I’m Over It

Dating back to James’ post in January To Watch or Not To Watch?, I stated that while American Idol was growing thin on me, I would continue to watch it. But I have to say, I think my fondness of it is over, and for a few reasons.

For one, I’m just bored. No singer is “original” per se, and no one holds my interest. I can’t say I’ve had a favorite the last two years, or even a person I remotely would like to see win. I don’t pretend that I would ever buy a contestant’s CD, but I definitely don’t even try to with this year’s group.

Granted I did make reference to liking Michael Johns, which could be due to the contributing factors of his looks and his accent. Really what struck me about him was his performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" during Hollywood Week.

Since then, I haven’t really felt he did anything spectacular, but it was pleasant enough. But now he’s gone, so I can’t even convince myself to watch for that.

With the remaining contestants… I just really can’t even differentiate them. I just learned that Kristy Lee Cook is gone as of tonight, which is good, as she should’ve been long ago. Syesha is just forgettable to me. Everyone seems to think Brooke is down-to-earth, but I feel she’s smug and thinks she’s better than me (and everyone else). That Jason guy just seems really stoned and out of it all the time, and reminds me of a girl I went to high school with, who also was really stoned and out of it all the time. And there’s also the 80s stylings of the Irish chick.

And this young kid, David Archuleta…why do people love him? I really don’t get it. All I can think of is how Simon loves telling young female contestants how they’re too “precocious.” That’s exactly what this kid is. And he licks his lips way too much.

So whom are we left with? I guess David Cook. He seems deserving enough. Even if some of his rock-covers creep me out, like Lionel Richie’s “Hello” and Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby”, still others seem to love it.

Lastly, I know some people have felt the group song sang on the Idol Gives Back special was controversial. Personally I just don’t like listening to a group of reality show contestants singing a Christian song; not really my form of entertainment. I will leave it to others to debate whether it’s inappropriate or not. Is it the main reason that I’ve stopped watching American Idol? Not really. But it really didn’t help matters.

I guess bottom line is, I’m through. I’m just not entertained anymore, not even on a level of a guilty pleasure. I’ll read online who gets voted off and who wins, and then that person will be forgotten about and they’ll do it all over again next year. I love you dearly Simon Cowell, but your snarkiness alone isn't enough for me anymore.

Reality Confessional

It seems common today to hear people complain about Reality TV. How it’s out of control, overdone, etc. While I do semi-agree, there clearly is a market for this medium if people continue watching.

I've found the reality TV shows I’m drawn to are ones that have some sort of incentive or prize. But I think that stems from my love (aka obsession) of game shows. While shows like American Idol and Big Brother are indeed categorized as “reality TV,” I see them as extended game shows that follow the same group of contestants for weeks.

That being said, I do love American Idol. I had barely missed one minute of it until this last season, because none of the contestants appealed to me. But due to its supreme fan base and the juggernaut that it is in the ratings world, I’m not embarrassed to admit I watch it.

What am I embarrassed about? That I've watched every season of The Apprentice. And yes, I know Donald Trump is a giant d-bag. Hell, I even watched the Martha Stewart Apprentice. Complete with the Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) theme song and awkward not-quite-a-catchphrase, “You just don’t fit in.”

I never really liked the celebrity reality shows like Newlyweds or The Surreal Life. I didn't become engrossed in The Real World. I also never was a fan of Survivor, even if that has a prize, or Big Brother for that matter. I don’t know why. I have friends and family who watch these programs, but they never appealed to me.

However, there is another program I have to admit I watched a large chunk of. And it is one I’m extremely embarrassed about. It’s Dancing With the Stars. I refused, refused, refused to watch it in previous seasons. But the perfect storm of 90210-alum Ian Ziering, embarrassingly idiotic boy-bander Joey Fatone and will-her-leg-stay-on Heather Mills (formerly McCartney) couldn't keep me away.

Currently this summer I’m watching On The Lot. Fox keeps stumbling around trying to find how they want to present it. In the beginning it seemed like The Apprentice. Then like American Idol. Now I don’t know what the hell they’re doing or what day it’s even on. But a reality TV show for aspiring film directors I had high hopes for. I’ll keep watching when I can, even if its horrible.

I’m also watching Hell’s Kitchen at the urging of a coworker of mine. While I wasn't fully engrossed, I must admit I get some pleasure out of watching people get yelled at and seeing them cry. It’s horribly mean, but makes me feel better after a day of work.

Come to think of it, maybe that’s the second tie-in of why I watch the reality TV programming that I do. Not only for the contest/game show factor, but I like shows where people are meanly judged. I like Simon Cowell insulting people. I like watching people getting fired. And maybe that’s what I should be truly embarrassed about.

Pop Goes The Cliché

I know that many people reading this probably didn’t even watch last night’s American Idol performance finale. But I can’t take it anymore, so I have to say something.

THAT was the winning song of the song writing contest? Really?

Lyrically it sounded like the type of poem a 5th grader would write. Perhaps I shouldn’t cast stones since I did not enter, but I am confident I could’ve written better lyrics, even if I can’t compose music. It was like someone opened a bag of clichés, grabbed a handful and threw it at the wall.

Apparently it was written by Jeff Peabody a church pastor and his fellow congregation member Scott Krippayne:

There was a time I packed my dreams away.
Living in a shell, hiding from myself.

There was a time when I was so afraid.
I thought I’d reached the end,
Baby that was then
I am made of more than my yesterdays.

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment.
As I look around I can’t believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts
That was then, this is my now.

Had to decide was I going to play it safe
or look somewhere deep in inside try to turn the tide
and find the strength to take that step of faith

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment.
I look around I can’t believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts.
That was then, this is my now.

And I have the courage like never before, yeah.
I’ve settled for less but I’m ready for more,
Ready for more.
This is my now

I’m living in the moment
As I look around I can’t believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts.
That was then, this is my now.

I am breathing in the moment.
As I look around
Can’t believe the love I see
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts
That was then.
This is my now.
This is my now.

If you’re really dying to hear the finalists each sing it, here’s Blake and here’s Jordin. But honestly, I don’t recommend wasting your time.

I don’t know what I expect. It is American Idol, it is cheesy and it is supposed to be a pop song. And like all the other “finale” songs, it won’t do well. But I’m very sensitive about lyrics and it just really, really bothered me. Thanks for letting me vent.

AI's Final Two: AKA... Him?

Well I guess my prediction, and some other predictions that I read, were wrong. The American Idol Final 2 comes down to Jordin and Blake.

I've expressed my hatred of Blake in my own blog, so I don't really need to get into it at great length here. But once again, I shouldn't be surprised at the "popularity vote" versus "voting for people who can actually sing" after the whole Sanjaya debacle.

So we have two options...a perky 17 year old with a great voice, or an annoying beat-boxing one-trick-pony. Hmm.

Probably most of the Melinda fans or those shocked by her depature will switch over to Jordin's camp, if they're either a) rooting for a female or again b) someone who can sing.

So what do you think, Idol Worshippers? Will it be Blake or Jordin? Will Blake do his own remix on whatever song he's given to sing? Will Melinda end up being a better commercial success regardless? And what was up with Elliott Yamin's hair? Discuss.

Who are you, Tony Bennett?

The following came from msn.com:

By Jeannette Walls
MSNBC
Updated: 2:51 a.m. ET May 3, 2007
Tony Bennett is not a fan of “American Idol” — and the legendary crooner says he has had angry words with Simon Cowell about it.

The “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” singer told the U.K. edition of Time Out that his appearance on the show left him disgusted by how the show’s hopefuls are put through a wringer — and then left out to dry.

“I had it out with Simon (Cowell) when I met him and suggested that he should open up tiny clubs across the countries so the kids could break in and learn properly,” Bennett told the mag. “He said, ‘Oh I haven’t got time for that, I’m too busy making money!’”



Okay, Tony Bennett, simma down.

Let me begin by saying that I like Tony Bennett. I think he seems like a nice guy with a good voice and an obviously strong track record in the recording industry. However, I don't consider him the authority on all things in life.

I also happen to like Simon Cowell. Yes, he can be mean when he judges people on American Idol, but frankly, I think people take him too seriously. Much of what he says is true, but he sets it up in a sarcastic way, which I have come to appreciate about him. Not every performer is as glowing and full of energy as Paula Abdul makes them out to be. (And since when is she one to judge other people's singing voices? She has a terrible voice! But I digress.) Sometimes these people aren't good (Sanjaya, anyone?) and they need to be told so. And, after seeing Simon Cowell countless times, his response about making money in the article above sounds like something he'd say with the intention of getting under Mr. Bennett's skin. Franky, I applaud him for that.

I think my problem stems from the nature of Mr. Bennett's statements. These kids are "put through a wringer," eh? Has Tony Bennett been living the cushy life so long that he has forgotten that people often have to struggle to achieve things in life? I wish I was out there working with celebrities, singing songs that I already know and love (and sing publicly, if I drink enough), and being given a chance to be a part of television history. Instead, as normal people must do, I'm working hard at my current position--which can include taking criticism on occasion--with the hopes of rising through the ranks. Should these singers be coddled? If they're going to take people's money through the record deals (and, consequently, album sales) they no doubt will receive just for participating in the show, shouldn't they have to work to get it? Sorry, Tony, but I don't feel bad for them. They're taking chances by doing the show. It will work out for some and not for others, but that's what makes them risks. If the contestants aren't old/smart/savvy enough to know that, they shouldn't be on the show to begin with.

Anyway, that obviously struck a chord (no pun intended) with me. I must rush off from my lunch break to get back to work. Don't cry for me, Mr. Bennett. This is what people do.