Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I'm not a huge fan of the show. I watch it once in a while and have no clue who is the latest greatest idol. But I do have to say that Simon is doing his job. He is looking at " the full package. " Not only does the person have to sing well, but they have to look good and also be interesting enough that people will stay tuned. I am always surprised by how many people are so certain they are the next idol and then you can tell right away that they can't sing at all. I sing along to the radio like anyone else but I know I'm not the next idol. lol. How can it not be obvious to some of these folks? I guess that is why people watch. Roxanna Re: ( ) Re: American idol Do we know though if the hosts knew that the boy had autism or asperger's or any disability? If the boy tried out and they didn't know he had autism, I can't see being upset with the American Idol hosts for not knowing enough about ASD to take it easy on him because he was showing what they likely saw as social quirks. How would they know that from anyone else? (I personally wouldn't let my child try out on that show, if you blink wrong they're all over you but it's their show.) However, I do think that making fun of someone's physical appearance is wrong...teasing them for funny clothes or weird hair is one thing, and I think the guests open themselves up to that by auditioning, but actual physical appearance is a really bad area to tease in. That said, I hate the show overall -- they are mean to anyone/everyone that gives them even the slightest in. Why it has such a huge following is beyond me. snr_mom wrote: > > The following email letter was sent to idol.web@... > <mailto:idol.web%40fox.com> > > I am not sure if it was the right place to send my comments, but it > was a start. I also plan on sending a similar letter to our local > FOX affiliate.... > > I am not sure if this is the appropriate venue to address my > comment, but you have no other opportunity I could find on your > website. > > I am the mother of a three-year old autistic son. I am also a > viewer that has been on the Idol bandwagon since season 1. Maybe it > is my increasing sensitivity to the issues surrounding autism, but I > was appalled by Simon's comments to and about several of the > participants on last week's audition show. I participate in several > parent's web forums regarding our autistic children, and all of us > were able to identify several auditioners that likely fell into the > autistic spectrum. Autism is a disability, just ike the more > traditional disabilities. Simon's referring to the boy with the > craniofacial syndrome as a " bush baby " was abhorrent. The other > young man that auditioned after him was most certainly on the > spectrum with either asperger's or some other form of autism. > > Children are cruel to each other. I expect better of adults. It is > one thing to show those with poor singing ability to advance your > ratings. But to highlight those that are disabled and continue with > verbal abuse of physical characteristics. I doubt Simon has > children, and should he ever be so lucky, I pray he is blessed with > a physically and mentally " perfect " child, because he would never > want to have someone talk to or about one of his own the way he > talks to these people. > > You may blow this off as an overly concerned parent, but the tone of > the program is increasingly promoting this " school yard bully " > mentality. We try to teach our children not to treat others this > way. You cater to a large viewer base, including children and > teens. You are promoting behaviors that are contrary to what > society expects of others, in what is intended to be a family > entertainment program. Please act more responsibly. I, for one, > will not be watching the program again. I cried during that > episode, and I don't find that very entertaining. The web forum > that I participate in was flooded with comments about the naïve and > wretched behavior on the show. I am not the only person that feels > this way. > > Sincerely, > > Gwen -Mann > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Very Good Point. I absolutely fell in love with this show last year. I love to see what some of us think of our own singing, and I have to say, I am impressed that someone would have the 'nerve' (not my choice word, but watching myself *Grin*) to stand up and sing like that. I do agree that Simon says it like it is, and sometimes people need to hear it, but pointing out someone's flaws, I don't like it when he does that. Pointint out that kids eyes,,,, that was just not appropriate in my book. It's one thing to say they can't sing, but to put them down because of something like that, in such a rude way? That was just not right! A letter to the producers sounds like a GREAT idea to me. *smiles* B > > Even if the kids willingly participated and knew or should have known > what may happen, and even if the judges berated them like schoolyard > bullies, there is still more blame to go around- what about the show > editors who chose to air it? they only show a tiny percent of the > auditions, so some Fox or AI editors consciously decided to include > those auditions for a national audience. > Shameful. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 In the end though, the blame ultimately lies on those who watch it -- ratings are everything, and without viewers, their ratings would drop and make it unprofitable. Problem solved...but enough people like to watch others be berated. My husband says he thinks that the majority of people like to watch the singers, after the audition process is over, but I'm not so sure I agree. Mefford wrote: > > I didn't even think of that! Good point!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > Earl and <earl.and.christine@... > <mailto:earl.and.christine%40gmail.com>> wrote: Even if the kids > willingly participated and knew or should have known > what may happen, and even if the judges berated them like schoolyard > bullies, there is still more blame to go around- what about the show > editors who chose to air it? they only show a tiny percent of the > auditions, so some Fox or AI editors consciously decided to include > those auditions for a national audience. > Shameful. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I have wondered the same thing -- I sing in our church band (alternative, 'hip' music, not just hymns) and while I have some musical ability, I know for darned sure I'd be sent home! Maybe people are tone deaf? Charisma and looks do matter when it comes to making it in the music industry, but you can change charisma and you can change your outfit, but you can't change your eye shape or your face size. SO mean. I saw the two boys on a GMA clip last night, and how sad for them....it sounded, in the little bit I saw, that they were ready to be critiqued, but didn't expect their physical attributes to be part of it. Letters may help, but in the end, ratings and money is all its about. If they don't get a ton of letters, I wouldn't count on change. And their ratings are likely to go up next week so people can see if he does it again. advocateforaspies wrote: > > Very Good Point. > I absolutely fell in love with this show last year. I love to see what > some of us think of our own singing, and I have to say, I am impressed > that someone would have the 'nerve' (not my choice word, but watching > myself *Grin*) to stand up and sing like that. > > I do agree that Simon says it like it is, and sometimes people need to > hear it, but pointing out someone's flaws, I don't like it when he does > that. > > Pointint out that kids eyes,,,, that was just not appropriate in my > book. > It's one thing to say they can't sing, but to put them down because of > something like that, in such a rude way? That was just not right! > > A letter to the producers sounds like a GREAT idea to me. > > *smiles* > B > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Maybe some of these people have a spectrum disorder or similar other type of " social disability " where they simply don't have the ability to see that they are poor singers and don't have very hip clothes/hair styles. Maybe they don't have parents who try to protect them and point them in a more suitable activity that is a better fit for that person. In any event, I just think it's sad that they would choose to broadcast these poor kids trying to reach a goal that is not attainable. And seeing a & Simon laughing at them was like watching a really bad after school special about the popular kids ripping the hearts out of the nerdy kids. Donna B <donnabzy@...> wrote: I have wondered the same thing -- I sing in our church band (alternative, 'hip' music, not just hymns) and while I have some musical ability, I know for darned sure I'd be sent home! Maybe people are tone deaf? Charisma and looks do matter when it comes to making it in the music industry, but you can change charisma and you can change your outfit, but you can't change your eye shape or your face size. SO mean. I saw the two boys on a GMA clip last night, and how sad for them....it sounded, in the little bit I saw, that they were ready to be critiqued, but didn't expect their physical attributes to be part of it. Letters may help, but in the end, ratings and money is all its about. If they don't get a ton of letters, I wouldn't count on change. And their ratings are likely to go up next week so people can see if he does it again. advocateforaspies wrote: > > Very Good Point. > I absolutely fell in love with this show last year. I love to see what > some of us think of our own singing, and I have to say, I am impressed > that someone would have the 'nerve' (not my choice word, but watching > myself *Grin*) to stand up and sing like that. > > I do agree that Simon says it like it is, and sometimes people need to > hear it, but pointing out someone's flaws, I don't like it when he does > that. > > Pointint out that kids eyes,,,, that was just not appropriate in my > book. > It's one thing to say they can't sing, but to put them down because of > something like that, in such a rude way? That was just not right! > > A letter to the producers sounds like a GREAT idea to me. > > *smiles* > B > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I initially thought it speaks a lot about a and Simon, and whatever the other guy's name is, but then I remember it's a job and they get their money for acting that way. So, they are selling out for the $$...and it still speaks a lot about their character. I think there's so many that dress and sing badly and still show up that the odds are too high for too many to have actual disorders -- I hate to look for things that aren't there just because it's such a main focus in my life -- and I don't want to discredit those who just don't care, they're just brave and/or having a good time. These boys though, I can't get beyond them being made fun of for their physical attributes. Tell a she's ugly or Simon he's got a bad hairdo, it'll matter more than if we say we don't like the show Liz S wrote: > > Maybe some of these people have a spectrum disorder or similar other > type of " social disability " where they simply don't have the ability > to see that they are poor singers and don't have very hip clothes/hair > styles. Maybe they don't have parents who try to protect them and > point them in a more suitable activity that is a better fit for that > person. > > In any event, I just think it's sad that they would choose to > broadcast these poor kids trying to reach a goal that is not > attainable. And seeing a & Simon laughing at them was like > watching a really bad after school special about the popular kids > ripping the hearts out of the nerdy kids. > > Donna B <donnabzy@... <mailto:donnabzy%40gmail.com>> wrote: > I have wondered the same thing -- I sing in our church band > (alternative, 'hip' music, not just hymns) and while I have some musical > ability, I know for darned sure I'd be sent home! Maybe people are tone > deaf? > > Charisma and looks do matter when it comes to making it in the music > industry, but you can change charisma and you can change your outfit, > but you can't change your eye shape or your face size. SO mean. > > I saw the two boys on a GMA clip last night, and how sad for them....it > sounded, in the little bit I saw, that they were ready to be critiqued, > but didn't expect their physical attributes to be part of it. > > Letters may help, but in the end, ratings and money is all its about. If > they don't get a ton of letters, I wouldn't count on change. And their > ratings are likely to go up next week so people can see if he does it > again. > > advocateforaspies wrote: > > > > Very Good Point. > > I absolutely fell in love with this show last year. I love to see what > > some of us think of our own singing, and I have to say, I am impressed > > that someone would have the 'nerve' (not my choice word, but watching > > myself *Grin*) to stand up and sing like that. > > > > I do agree that Simon says it like it is, and sometimes people need to > > hear it, but pointing out someone's flaws, I don't like it when he does > > that. > > > > Pointint out that kids eyes,,,, that was just not appropriate in my > > book. > > It's one thing to say they can't sing, but to put them down because of > > something like that, in such a rude way? That was just not right! > > > > A letter to the producers sounds like a GREAT idea to me. > > > > *smiles* > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 The editors did air the boys " fighting back " afterwards telling Simon to go back to England and telling Randy that he wore too much make-up but they left out that Simon wore his hair like a bird....listen to me, I'm doing the same thing as Simon...but that can be fixed, unlike a permanent physical charactaristic -- In , Donna B <donnabzy@...> wrote: > > I initially thought it speaks a lot about a and Simon, and whatever > the other guy's name is, but then I remember it's a job and they get > their money for acting that way. So, they are selling out for the > $$...and it still speaks a lot about their character. > > I think there's so many that dress and sing badly and still show up that > the odds are too high for too many to have actual disorders -- I hate to > look for things that aren't there just because it's such a main focus in > my life -- and I don't want to discredit those who just don't care, > they're just brave and/or having a good time. These boys though, I can't > get beyond them being made fun of for their physical attributes. > > Tell a she's ugly or Simon he's got a bad hairdo, it'll matter more > than if we say we don't like the show Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I personally think all the bad singers are staged. Have you ever noticed how they keep them all around to do a " same-song montage " every episode? The songs they sing in these montages are not the ones they sang for their auditions. It's almost like the Idol producers say, " Hey, you were so fantastically bad, we'd like to keep you around for further footage. " All the contestants--with disabilities or not--appear to agree to the additional takes. Lots of mean things are said to people who are very good as well.....I really do believe that much of what we witness is willingly scripted by both judges and participants..... Jaelynne --------------------------------- Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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