Comments on: American Idol 2009: To blog or not to blog?

By: mimi

mimi — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:03:00 +0000

I miss your AI posts, Per!

By: Gabor Czako

Gabor Czako — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:50:04 +0000

Why did you ever change the format of your TV program? The previous format was much more enjoyable.

By: Victoria

Victoria — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:44:59 +0000

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.

By: Jeremy Nazareth

Jeremy Nazareth — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:37:04 +0000

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!

By: Roshanee

Roshanee — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:44:36 +0000

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?

By: monica

monica — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:53:14 +0000

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!

By: Nicky

Nicky — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:07:24 +0000

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!

By: There

There — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:21:03 +0000

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.

By: ike

ike — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:29:09 +0000

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.

By: marasou

marasou — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:20:20 +0000

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.