American Idol 2009: To blog or not to blog?
Posted on 16. Jan, 2009 by Per Bristow in American Idol, Performance, Singing
So, American Idol has started up again. How was this weeks show? Should I blog about it again this year? I actually think it is quite interesting and very educational to study up-and-coming performers. It’s good to see what makes a performance exciting, why a performer shines more one week than another. However, there is also a reason I very much dislike American Idol…
Actually, several reasons…but let’s start with one…
Frankly, I missed the show this week – at least most of it – and the little I saw was exactly what I didn’t want to see. Once again, American Idol purposely sets people up to be humiliated in the name of entertainment. Rumors had it they would soften that approach this year, but here we go again…
But if people audition they have to be prepared for it, right? After all, by now they should know what to expect, and therefore they have themselves to blame. Right? Well, maybe. On the other hand, that is exactly how an abuser justifies abuse: The other person deserved it.
Now, it is true that many go to the auditions with no intent of winning American Idol. Some are there just to be part of it. Some are there for the joke – to be as off beat and wacky as they can in order to get on the air. They are the class fools who don’t mind. That’s fine.
But there are also people who don’t have the awareness and capacity to know were they are in relation others. There are people who don’t have the intrapersonal or interpersonal skills, and who are not equipped to recognize sarcasm, or malicious intent.
These are the very people who are brought in front of the cameras. We might think that the cameras are simply documenting what is. But the truth is that these people have been spotted early on – way before they are brought in to face the judges. The intent of interviewing them is to get them to express their grandiose beliefs. The more we can temporarily boost this person’s confidence, the more dramatic the fall will be.
These are the people who are asked: “Do you think you can be the next American Idol?”
They are easily lured to believe that saying “yes” with forceful conviction is what is needed to come across as a winner. They are being cajoled into explaining why. Through the comforting interviews, through the recognition by prime time media, through a newfound friend and ally in Ryan Seacreast who is seemingly on their side, their deep need for recognition has temporarily been answered and their confidence has been pumped up so they say things they might not have said otherwise.
And these are the clips we are shown. The producers know that the higher the expectations are for the contender, the more dramatic the fall will be. And we are being led to feel that he deserved this public lynching.
In fact, if this dramatic build up/fall does not occur, it won’t be shown on TV.
Personally, I find it ugly and would never dream of encouraging my kids to watch it.
Luckily, my kids find playing music and challenging themselves in various endeavors to be more meaningful than watching other people being made fun of.
So now you might wonder what I – a vocal coach – think of these people auditioning. Can these “not-so-great-singers” learn to sing well? Is it really true that anyone can sing?
It’s an age-old question and the answer is obviously yes. The question is as silly as asking if anyone can swim. Even people with severe physical and mental difficulties can learn to swim and find tremendous enjoyment in swimming. That doesn’t mean everyone can get to the Olympics.
(Why so many want to audition for American idol without being remotely trained or prepared is the subject of another article).
Yes, singing is for everyone. The difference between learning to sing well and learning to play another instrument well (or doing sports well) is that learning to sing well is far easier.
Anyway, I’m just reflecting on what I saw. Hopefully there were some interesting performers that we’ll get to know as the show moves on. What do you think? Should I blog about American Idol this year?
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37 Responses to “American Idol 2009: To blog or not to blog?”
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Jordan Kilburn
17. Jan, 2009
very nicely put.
as a singer (who just recently purchased your dvd course, might i add!), i definitely try hard and challenge myself not to necessarily be the best, but be the best that i can be. at 19 years old, i’ll tell you that i still have huge aspirations and goals that i want to achieve through music, and im positive that the young people on that show do too. ive seen Simon make people from cry, to storm out of the room in a rage; and all the while they probably think that they arent good enough.
unfortunately in most cases, the thought of failing is more intense than thoughts of succeeding.
At any rate, thanks Per for posting this, it just proves that you are not only an excellent teacher, but an excellent person too!
if there were more people like you in the world that find pleasure in helping others, it would be a much better place, im sure.
anyways, back to the lessons!
haha
-jordan kilburn
Lasse
17. Jan, 2009
Hi Per,
Thank you for bringing up this issue, I think (me being one) that there are waaay too many people getting a cheap laugh out of watching poor hopefulls getting bashed and humiliated, under the guise of a talent show. Personally I think that the requirements to be on the show should be stricter, and there should be pretrials so that the “rejects” can be weeded out early on. But that wouldnt make for great scandalous tv that people seem to love, hiwever it would make for a “talent” show, about talent.
On another note, I think you’re advise and ideas on great singing is priceless, and would love for you to blog about AI from that point of view, to point out bad habits, good habits, behaviors etc. that we can learn from the singers on the show. It would be great case study, since we see all types of singers.
Just my 2 cents
Great product great blog
One Love
L
Tracy
17. Jan, 2009
I agree very much with you about how sad it is that they set people up for the fall in the interviews. My daughter, age 16, would love to go on American Idol because she thinks it is her “ticket”. My husband and I have strongly discouraged her from doing this.
There are some great success stories that do come from American Idol, and I try to focus on these, what my husband jokingly refers to as “Oh, sweetheart” moments.
I think you should blog about American Idol because I would be interested in hearing what your thought are regarding the criticism given by the judges to the 25 finalists, i.e their pitchiness, etc.
Thanks for all you do,
Tracy, New York
Thomas Gayle
17. Jan, 2009
Per,
I appreciate your sensitivity to those singers who are made to be a spectacle and are essentially “set up”. Aside from those who incur hurt feelings and shame, I am concerned about young singers who in my opinion actually have some natural talent that could be developed and who are rejected cruelly with a blanket “singing is not for you” instead of being encouraged to work on their voices. I fear that the rejection would cause them to give up singing and the joy that can bring to one’s life.
I know I was not one of those who was gifted with a naturally good voice, but after years of work it is much better than it was and I enjoy singing more and more. I’m glad I never encountered rejection like occurs on Idol when I started singing.
That said, I would appreciate you blogging on Idol, your comments have been instructive for me. I just started watching a year or two ago and usually just tape the show and fast forward between the singing.
I’ve also appreciated your blogging about aspects of performance and psychology. Thanks for that as well.
All the best,
– Thomas Gayle
ditas
17. Jan, 2009
Hi Per,
I share Lasse’s sentiments. Please do blog about AI and help us see what the singers are doing right (and how can they get better) or wrong (and how they can correct it). I have heard some of my friends comment on some of the, uh, not so good auditionees: “Don’t they have friends and family who love them enough to tell them they’re not ready for something like this?!”
As a trainer myself, I teach my students how to criticize, and our class rule is: if you point out something wrong, you better have a solution so you can really help, because otherwise, you’ll just be hurting people.
And I think you are very qualified to blog about AI in this context!
Ken
17. Jan, 2009
I will not watch the first weeks of this show. It has been upsetting to me, and you effectively encapsulate a significant portion of why I cannot watch it.
I am interested in watching the last few weeks, while whittling down the last 20 or so contestants, because by that point, we are watching a legitimate contest between able performers. I would love to see your comments from that point forward.
Laura-Lynn McPherson
17. Jan, 2009
Hi-a Per
I am all new to this I stumbled across your sight the other day .
I have 12 kids some have beautiful voices and others are just plain scary .
But when I get the look I wish Mommy wouldn’t sing, I wish I could do something about it.
From the little I have seen you have a passion for what you do and that would include blogging on Idol for the sake of the benefits it brings to others that share your passion perhaps in different ways.
But perhaps you are seeking feed back to set a priority with something else because if you have the time it seems to me to be a must , perhaps in what you just wrote is a life savor to a future Idol and to save one from world wide humiliation would be gratifying, and charity covers a multitude of sins .
I have a daughter that did the Canadian Idol
They told her she had a beautiful voice but didn’t have enough confidence and asked her to work on that and come back next year .
She was doing it because of the fun of it with some friends .
My self last week I just watched Idol 2008 on utube
And I really fell in love with the voice of that wholesome young lad, David Archuleta .
Who like an open book really had to brace for any possible on coming criticism , he knew it was part of it, but it was still hard .
Learning to roll with the punches is part of life you get bitter or you get better .
My opinion Go for the Blog
In Love Light and Laughter Laura-Lynn
Robin
17. Jan, 2009
Hi,
I have never watched American Idol because I live in France, but now I think I never will. I suggest you refrain from blogging about it seen as doing so will probably make more aspiring singers watch it and hence make it seem like ugliness is what people want to see on TV…
On the other hand if you think there is a lot we can learn through it go ahead!
Heinz
17. Jan, 2009
Hi Per,
by all means: let us share your opinions on AI. Being able to tell good from bad is a prerequisite to improving one’s own capabilities!
I live in Austria and therefor can’t watch AI, but we have a clone: Starmania. Thank God, our version seems to be a little less brutal than AI. And at least one of the contenders, Christina Stürmer (who ended up being #2 in the first season) is now a superstar on the German-speaking market. Interesting: The winner, Michael Tschugnall, ended his career exactly when it started!
In order to know what I’m writing about, I just watched a couple of clips from AI on Youtube (among them the hilarious performance of Robin Williams) and I am amazed that Simon is a look-alike of a guy who is on the jury of the German AI-clone called ‘Deutschland sucht den Superstar’, Dieter Bohlen who let one of the contenders know that he sings ‘like a garden gnome on Ecstasy’.
So much for human dignity.
All the best
Heinz
Isabella
17. Jan, 2009
Per, I completely agree.
And I love reading your blogs. Its comforting to know SOMEONE out there in L.A has a heart.
I find “American Idot” and American Idol knockoffs in other countries (the “got talent” shows do the exact same thing) to be disgusting and fake.
It really surprises me how much people will do in order to keep the ratings up. they humiliate people, right after putting them on a high platform.
I was flipping through the stations and I came across one guy and they were showing his “story” and he was talking about how he had spent his whole life training for being a musician and how he was the kid that practised 8 hours a day just so he could get better.
There was a lot riding on his performance, he said that if he got into american idol, it would validate all his hard work, give him a place back in the music world.
When he sang all the judges laughed at him. Ryan Seacrest laughed at him.
You could tell he was heartbroken. And you could tell ryan seacrest new he wasnt getting in, and yet he kept boosting the guys confidence.
I wish that somebody would go and set them upl, judge then and laugh at them, just so theycould realize what they are doing to people.
Best wishes
Bella
Mike Madawi
17. Jan, 2009
Per,
Very well put! My sentiments exactly. Unfortunately, this is our society today…the age of reality TV. Who would have thought? This is what sells and so they continue doing it and as long as people watch, they’ll continue doing it.
I too would like for you to blog on AI from all aspects…singers, judges etc.
As for the bad singers, yes, some of them are really bad, but I guess that’s the price you pay to get to the good ones.
Sarah
17. Jan, 2009
Hi Per
I really appreciate that you’re about suppporting people and not tearing them down. It says a lot about you as a person and instructor. I would love to hear more of your observations because of your optimistic attitude.
Sarah
Shawn
17. Jan, 2009
Yes, please blog about American Idol!
Mark O'Meara
17. Jan, 2009
Google American Idol and Suicide and you get the horrible contribution of the show to the loss of a life.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5146531.ece
I NEVER watch this show nor the Canadian Idol because the judges can be cruel and I take no joy in people being entertained by someone being removed from the show and at times humiliated.
It is behaviour that should not be allowed on TV. In China they had a similar show for the Top 100 models. After a few contestants werent to go forward, they handled this by showing the remaining contestants. They did not focus on the embarassment and humiliation of the 10 who lost. There is no ‘face saving’ in North America. Its something we should learn as a society.
I think this show is a very bad role model for kids these days and numbs out the people who watch it. Ditto for American Bachelor etc…. people are supposedly being enteretained watching people get hurt, criticized etc… Its sad that ‘pain’ has become entertainment.
Yes, BLOG away, for the right reason of exposing the negative aspects of the show and any positive aspects if you find any, and the wonderful courage and hearts of the participants.
MB
17. Jan, 2009
Yes Per, you should blog. It was very helpful last season when you did to point out certain things the performers did or did not do (or attempted to do). It is a great case study and it’s way more interesting to hear what you have to say than the judges!
I have a very hard time watching the “pre-season” with all the cruelty they show, as well as the sob stories.
Once they’re down to 24 or what ever number I will tune in and then hopefully read your blog!
Ron Cribb
17. Jan, 2009
Hi Per,
Me being all the way from New Zealand,We are big watchers of American Idol, but in our country we have a big melting pot of budding singers who show a low tolerance in being made fun of on national TV in order just to give good ratings for the channel that it is aired on.
Although I am a capable singer and have won many a Karaoke competition and Talent contests,I have been halled through the coals when in certain situations,and been made a spectacle of.
But I have a strong sense of self beleif which enables me to evaluate how I actually fare against other good quality singers.All I can say to those aspiring singers out there is never give up hope just because someone tried to bring you down and rob you of all you have worked for.Never let their negative comments manifest and eliminate your goal which is stil within your reach.Know how to decifer when constructive critisim is valid or downright uncalled for mocking just to make fun of you at your own expense
Jeff Abbey
17. Jan, 2009
Which is worse… A show that exploits the humiliation of others or an audience that enjoys it?
Terese Goings
17. Jan, 2009
I felt so bad for the guy with the very low voice.
He said that when he was fourteen, his voice suddenly went that low and just stayed there. It wwas obvious that this poor guy had a voice
problem and it kills me to see people laughing at
him. I have Spasmodic Dysphonia and live with
the difficulty’s of a voice disorder every day
of my life and I’ll tell you from experience, It’s
not easy and my heart went out to him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regine
17. Jan, 2009
I’ve considered not watching the first few episodes in order to skip over that annoying part that spends so much time purposely humiliating people. However I do love to see the people who will be in the show, at their first audition and getting a feel for who I think will make it to the top. I would love to hear at least some comments or blogs from you Per through this season, since this is the first season I will be reading them, but I’ve watched the show every year.
Mark La Flamme
18. Jan, 2009
Dear Per Bristow:
I appreciate your input regarding the “American Idol” phenomenon (and related shows such as “Canadian Idol”).
In your article, you address some of reasons for people wanting to audition and I would agree that it seems the show producers and celebrity judges attempt to humiliate the disillusioned or naive individual(s) in the name of “entertainment”.
I believe that your continued response and evaluation of this year’s season of American Idol would be very beneficial for those novice performers/singers wanting to pursue a career in the “pop” music industry. Thanks in advance for your wisdom and guidance!
Sing-cerely,
Mark La Flamme (aka. MC Stretch)
Coming Soon!
http://www.laflammemusic.com
Loie
18. Jan, 2009
So well put,thank you!! So many times contestants on Idol are told “singing is not for you”, when singing is for everyone and as natural as breathing.The people who are rejected often are simply not centered (yep,and grounded too).Then uphelpful comments and feedback knock the person further off their centre. I believe we all were born to sing – to keep ourselves physically and spiritually healthy and connected to others,ourselves and breath/Spirit itself.I’d like to see a “give-back” with a spin-off show or interactive website that gives prospectives good tips -like the site created for UK’s “Last Choir Standing”
Loie
18. Jan, 2009
-Terese- Sorry to hear of your difficulties,keep strong and relaxed. The guy with the low voice did not have a disorder! He simply has potentially a superb operatic bass voice. X
Dennis
18. Jan, 2009
You had some interesting points. My beef is, haven’t any of these people ever watched American Idol before? Are they completely unaware of what they’re getting into? I’ve heard comments like “my family and friends think I have a fantastic voice” and they’re horrible! I never trust comments from family and friends. I appreciate professional and honest criticism to fluffy affirmation. Many of those people just want their moment on TV so they can say “I was on American Idol”. They should know what to expect. Just my opinion.
Mike
18. Jan, 2009
Your comments, while insightful and demonstrate a kind heart, ingnore the basic fact that individuals are responsible for their actions. No one forces folks to subject themselves to a potentially humilitating experience; the minute of being on national TV is an insatiable lure for some; sadly, for some, it’s not a wise thing to do, particularly if one is trying to become the current AI and can’t sing as well as the competition.The judges on AI can be unnecessarily nasty, I agree, but for the purpose of AI, they are usually correct. I would hope you would continue to share your comments. One candidate, Von Smith, has a spectular voice–he’s on YouTube–but I fear he’s going to toss it away. He could profit from your advice and guidance.
Heather
18. Jan, 2009
As a professional opera singer, I hate American Idol. I use that strong term, because I truly do. I will explain why: on that show, I see singers who are hugely talented, who are NOT recognized by the idiots who are judging them. Those people do not have trained ears. They would not know talent if it sat in their lap.
So, they are damaging potential artists with their ignorance. It is truly sick-making.
Leah
18. Jan, 2009
While I love the show, I also agree with what you said. I would love to hear what you have to say as the season progresses. It is great to have a professional voice coach giving feedback on what actually took place rather than what will increase ratings. That being said, American Idol really is a great place for people to launch a career. What they do with that career is completely up to them!
Solomon
19. Jan, 2009
Completely agree with you, but I think you should still blog on American Idol. We need to know what the “professionals” are doing wrong.
marasou
19. Jan, 2009
I’ve never watched American Idol and I don’t intend to. Music and singing is for everyone, not just an elite few who, “Make it”. Critiqueing is important. But surely there are plenty of examples of all sorts of vocal performance on the web that can be critiqued. We’d save our valuable time, not support this objectionable show and perhaps get a broader, more realistic view of what the singing experience is for most of us.
ike
19. Jan, 2009
There’s a lot I have to dismiss to take a discussion of American Idol seriously. I do appreciate the idea of critique and analysis of singer performers. I’d like to know if you’ve blogged about accomplished artists – there performances and the technique they employ.
There
19. Jan, 2009
Truthfully, if you write, I’ll read it. I’d be interested in your opinion and would rather not watch the show. I haven’t watched American Idol, though, for reasons that you have mentioned. However, I had a former voach coach who was on a pre-AI tv show, commenting on each singer’s styles, etc., and that was the limit for me. I feel that judging singers is far too personal and creates a negative feeling…about styles, pitch and keeping to a ‘limited’ standard… There are so many singers and musicians from the past and present who may not have had ‘talent’ in the conventional sense, but gave a musical truth, and there are others who have talent, but don’t convey ‘emotions. originality’, but then I’m now judging as they do! Honestly, I feel that my own ‘critic-judge’ (myself) is just as brutal as that panel…and getting rid of that type of judgment/analysis is enough to deal with, why watch that happen on tv to others? AI is glitter, placing singers into a molded style, inherently based on personal taste of fools’ gold…All that glitters is not gold when it comes to that panel…the only way I ever participated was with the playstation 3 game…it was fun to play and conquer, when I played with the idea of being judged on known songs with a ‘guideline.’ I do think that having an honest view (blog) is wonderful, though, for those who do watch the show.
Nicky
22. Jan, 2009
I joined the throngs of auditionees for one of these “reality TV” shows here in the UK – the one to find a Nancy for a stage role in the musical Oliver!. I didn’t get through, but the judges were so lovely to everyone who auditioned. They tried to be supportive and objective (I was told I had a naturally lovely voice but it was obviously untrained – one of the reasons I logged on and bought the DVDs!). I didn’t hear any bad criticism of anyone, just encouragement.
This is the 3rd of these type of TV shows in the UK, and I have watched them all. Even in the early stages, there is never the cruelty that there is in AI (or X-Factor, as is its incarnation in the UK). I particularly dislike Simon Cowell because he seems to thrive on bullying people and putting them down. Thankfully we can watch the BBC programmes and see people only being encouraged!
monica
23. Jan, 2009
Well you are right they have only made fun of many of the contestents and turned down many good singers. I’m auditioning for it next year and confedent in myself since I won a couple of competition myself!
Roshanee
27. Jan, 2009
hello per,
i am quite a fan of American Idol and i have noticed what you are implying about ordinary people getting their hope’s given up and basically, being made fun of! i personally feel sorry of such for those people but then again they should be more prepared(for the worst as well as hoping for the best-but that’s just my opinion on this.
I would really appreciate you writing a 2009 blog on American Idol. I, myself like watching the show and learning a lot of what might they consider as a ‘good’ if not great voice. what do you think about the comments they make?
Jeremy Nazareth
06. Feb, 2009
Hi Per,
Not only I,but my two teenage daughters feel the same as you about American Idols. We like the exposure to the young and talented newcomers and their different styles, but we don’t ejoy at all the fun so many are made of by the organisers! However, it’s the only singing program of its kind we get to watch here in our country and we’ve grown so attached to some of the selected singers and would love your opinion on their singing. So please blog!
Victoria
06. Feb, 2009
Hi Per,
This is off topic, but I was struck by this comment of yours and feel the need to comment:
The difference between learning to sing well and learning to play another instrument well (or doing sports well) is that learning to sing well is far easier.
That’s not consistent with my experience. Maybe it’s easier for certain people, but for most of us it takes years of commitment and practice. Rock vocals are deceptively difficult. With all of the hundreds and thousands of bands out there, cover bands or original ones, it is the vocals that make all the difference. I know or have seen many bands who would be terrific with a decent vocalist, but are going begging for one. You can have the most brilliant guitarist in the world, but if he can’t sing, it’s no fun to listen to him trying. The band I’m in went through seven vocalists before settling on me! I’m not talking about “making it,” either, just reaching a place of basic competence with your instrument.
Just a random thought. American Idol, well, why not? Inquiring minds want to know what you think.
Gabor Czako
11. Feb, 2009
Why did you ever change the format of your TV program? The previous format was much more enjoyable.
mimi
05. Mar, 2009
I miss your AI posts, Per!