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Your Voice Sucks, Get Over It
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Posted by: retrodog

So I'm watching that American Idol show and some of the people singing on there really suck. But then they act all surprised that the judges don't like them. And then their parents are outside waiting and argue that the judges are being unfair. No, your kid's voice sucks.

I realize that some of them do it just to get on TV and their 15 minutes but some of them are obviously really surprised to be told that they aren't good enough. How can they not know? :rolleyes:

Posted by: Talon

I don't know, but maybe it was Bush. Bush misled people into thinking they could sing, and because of that they have misrepresented themselves and have caused quite a quagmire in the American Idol world.

Posted by: allan

My voice doesn't suck! My friends were just trying to give me tomatoes. They didn't mean to hit me with them.

Posted by: Redstixxx

There's a huge difference between being a good singer and being so good and so talented that you could make a career of it.

Some of the AI kids think that just because tehy were good enough to get a part inthe Sound of Music at their high school that they are ready to be signed to a major record deal.

Posted by: Ereth

I don't watch this show, but I was changing channels the other night and caught the very end of it. Some kid was on and was just awful and the main guy (the mean one?) asked him if he understood that this was a singing competiton. The kid said yes, and the guy asked what tier the kid thought he would be on and the kid replied something to the effect of "not the very highest tier, but close to it", and the guy said "if you were to win this competition it would put the Fox channel out of business". They followed the kid all the way to the street and he was crying the whole way and complaining that he was a brilliant singer and how he couldn't understand that they just couldn't see it and that he'd be back next year to rock their world.

My first impression was that clearly nobody had ever said to him "man, you suck", which people say to me when I sing all the time. My second impression was that the show was rather cruel to focus on him for such a length of time after he'd lost, including following him to the street and showing him crying and disappointment. Humiliation is entertainment here, I guess.

Posted by: colemanr

The part of the audition process that seems ridiculous to me is that all of the people who actually make it on TV have already been prescreened. One of the contestants wrote about her experience, and she said that they first take them up in groups of five or so to audition before some AI underlings. An hour or so later, they find out who was picked to go through to Simon, Randy, and Paula. She said that it's pretty clear that they try to pick the best and worst (to make the show more interesting and to show off Simon's talents), at the expense of those in the middle.

Posted by: jhausmann

quote:
Originally posted by Talon
I don't know, but maybe it was Bush. Bush misled people into thinking they could sing, and because of that they have misrepresented themselves and have caused quite a quagmire in the American Idol world.

What does the rock group "Bush" have to do with American Idol? It's a solo competition.

Posted by: Redstixxx

quote:
Originally posted by Redstixxx
There's a huge difference between being a good singer and being so good and so talented that you could make a career of it.

Some of the AI kids think that just because they were good enough to get a part inthe Sound of Music at their high school that they are ready to be signed to a major record deal.

Posted by: ManOfSnow

quote:
Originally posted by Ereth
My second impression was that the show was rather cruel to focus on him for such a length of time after he'd lost, including following him to the street and showing him crying and disappointment. Humiliation is entertainment here, I guess.

I'd agree with you, but I don't.

These people know they will be on T.V. they know that if they suck, the judges will ridicule them. If you can't handle either of those don't try out for American Idol. These people are, unfortunatly their own worst enemies. I can't sing, so I don't put myself through the embarrasment of going on a nation TV show and saying I can sing. I think it's rather hilarious that these people cry over such stupid things. It makes me feel as if I am normal. :)

Posted by: Rcrew

quote:
Originally posted by Ereth
... Humiliation is entertainment here, I guess.

Isn't that the definition of a 'reality' show?

Posted by: Ereth

quote:
Originally posted by ManOfSnow
I'd agree with you, but I don't.

These people know they will be on T.V. they know that if they suck, the judges will ridicule them. If you can't handle either of those don't try out for American Idol. These people are, unfortunatly their own worst enemies. I can't sing, so I don't put myself through the embarrasment of going on a nation TV show and saying I can sing. I think it's rather hilarious that these people cry over such stupid things. It makes me feel as if I am normal. :)

It didn't bother me that he was made fun of by Simon(?), I was more commenting on the fact that he got another 5-6 minutes of air time where he got to show how upset he was over losing.

I liked the Gong Show better. You got Gonged, they told you why, then you were GONE. Cry on your own time.

Posted by: devdogaz

I guess I could sympathize with the bad singers who were shown on the first edition of AI. They didn't really know what they were getting themselves into and didn't know anything about Simon Cowell. However, anyone who has auditioned since then had to know that if they were bad, they would be ridiculed on national TV. And if they were bad enough to make it on TV and really thought they were good enough to get on the show, maybe they're due for a rude awakening.

Posted by: Leetah

The basic problem is that they DON'T know they suck. I used to sing in a small church choir in college with a young lady who had a very good alto voice... but insisted she was a soprano. :eek:

Leetah

(note: altos sing lower notes, sopranos sing higher notes. really good sopranos sing the REALLY high notes. altos, as a general rule, can't hit the high notes without screeching)

Posted by: SoldOnTiVo

quote:
Originally posted by retrodog
So I'm watching that American Idol show and some of the people singing on there really suck. But then they act all surprised that the judges don't like them. And then their parents are outside waiting and argue that the judges are being unfair. No, your kid's voice sucks.

The comments that cracks me up everytime is the "They don't know what they're talkin about!" or "those who can't do, criticize" (or variations thereof). Well, the guy is not a singer, he's a record exec. Maybe he can't sing, but want he CAN do is recognize acts that have $$$$$ potential.

In general, I think those sucky "signers" just don't have an ear sensitive enough to know they're off pitch. I remember taking a test years ago. A series of 2 notes were played; for each series, you had to pick the highest (pitch) one. As the series went on, the notes became closer together and it became extremely difficult to tell the difference unless you basically had perfect pitch. Some of those guys should take that test and find out if they have an ear. imho, You can have great vocal cords, but if you don't have the ears to go with it, you'll never be able to sing properly.

Those judges, whomever they could be, don't need to be signers, they just need a good hear.

Posted by: SoldOnTiVo

Kind of like people who are colorblind. Those guys can't tell the difference between 2 notes they're signing the same way people who are colorblind can't tell some colors from others. :)

Posted by: Azlen

What I have heard is that some of the worst singers are paid to get themselves humiliated. They have to go through layers of auditions before they get to the final three judges. There is no way anyone that bad is going to get through. It's all just a set up for the show.

Posted by: YCantAngieRead

Two things to keep in mind:

-Both Simon and Randy are VERY representative of auditions in the real world.
-People (myself included) can sound really good when singing with no pressure, but in front of a judge sound like screeching hens. (Myself Included. :)) Nerves tend to tighten your vocal cords until you sound hideous and also make you start singing at a much higher pitch than you're used to, making the song's high notes impossible. Additionally, acappella is the hardest music to sing.

That being said, there are some that really suck. Badly. But I would almost bet they are plants/just in it for their five minutes of TV time.

Posted by: David Platt

quote:
Originally posted by SoldOnTiVo
The comments that cracks me up everytime is the "They don't know what they're talkin about!" or "those who can't do, criticize" (or variations thereof).

The comments that always crack me up are the variations on "what gives you the right to judge me?"

Ummm, hello-- they're the JUDGES OF THE SHOW YOU SIGNED UP FOR!!

Posted by: Jayjoans

I think for some people this is cruel and unusual.

Look at it this way, your family and friends don't have the guts to tell you that you should not chase this dream. Inside your screwed up head your voice sounds like angels singing.

You show up with THOUSANDS of others in some stadium for a chance to be the American Idol. You most likely go through at least a couple of prescreening and each time your heart jumps as you are told you've made the cut. You see THOUSANDS of other people dismissed. You show up the next day or so at a fancy hotel ballroom and look around and see maybe 100 other singers like yourself that have made the cut to see the star judges. Some sound pretty good, just like you do. Your family and friends have now caught the vision, have had sendoff parties for you, baked cakes and told another few dozen people that they know a person that has made it to the AI tryouts in front of the judges. Your head is slowly growing because you obviously have some talent. You desperately work on your nerves, maybe cram in some serious shower time in song, ask friends if you think you oughta add a run here or there during your rendition.

You watch as most people come out saddened and upset they didn't make it, but then that one person comes out waving the yellow card and eveerrybody goes nutso. Screaming, hugging and kissing all around. Now it's your turn....

You stride in, introduce yourself and start to sing....

The judges laugh in your face and tell you that you should never sing another note again. You're horrible and quite possibly the worst singer they've ever heard.

Huh?

It will come to you later in your room all by yourself that you were setup the whole way to be humiliated for ratings. But right after the stinging audition you can't beleive you were that bad, after all they told you a number a times that you were good enough to advance, YOU CAN DO THIS! and you willingly signed the release when you made it through the cuts and had a chance to be the Idol.

Obviously this is not the case for all of the contestants, most are obviously looking to be so over the top as to insure their minutes of fame, and then I feel used, but I cringe when I see the look on the faces of those that truly have been led down the path and had the gate purposely slammed on their fingers. It makes me uncomfortable.

Posted by: cello

I wonder if the people who are terrible (but think they're great) can tell that they're terrible when they hear themselves. I find it hard to believe that they'd think so highly of their singing if they heard a recording of themselves. On the other hand, it would kind of blow me away if these people weren't using recordings of themselves to help them prepare and improve for auditions. If they haven't, I guess they're in for an even more unpleasant surprise when the show airs and they can hear how bad they are, along with the rest of the country.

Posted by: doom1701

quote:
Originally posted by David Platt
The comments that always crack me up are the variations on "what gives you the right to judge me?"

Ummm, hello-- they're the JUDGES OF THE SHOW YOU SIGNED UP FOR!!

My favorite is when people come out of the audition having been rejected, and say something to the effect:

"Simon, I used to really like and respect you, but now I think you're mean!"

What they are really saying is:

"Simon, I used to love the way that you mocked the bad singers. But you weren't supposed to do it to me!"

Posted by: SoldOnTiVo

quote:
Originally posted by YCantAngieRead
Additionally, acappella is the hardest music to sing

Don't laugh, but I actually found some respect for the Back Street Boys after hearing them signing together acappella during a radio show. Pitch and harmonies were perfect.

Posted by: Dafaso

It's a shame that some of the people auditioning would probably make it if they either picked a better song for their voice, or performed for someone with a good ear beforehand and took some honest advice.

Posted by: YCantAngieRead

quote:
Don't laugh, but I actually found some respect for the Back Street Boys after hearing them signing together acappella during a radio show. Pitch and harmonies were perfect.

Yeah, I wouldn't laugh at that at all. It is easier to sing acappella with a group, but it's still impressive. I gained respect for Jessica Simpson (although not much...:)) the same way.

I know they have them sing unaccompanied to weed out those who have pitch problems...but there are singers who are fantastic who aren't able to do this. However, as they say, that's not what this contest is about.

Edited for a question: This is the first American Idol I've watched. Are there usually THIS many episodes focusing on auditions? It's ridiculous.

Posted by: cbordman

the more succesful these reality shows are, the longer, and more drawn out, each season becomes.

Posted by: daperlman

quote:
Originally posted by retrodog
So I'm watching that American Idol show and some of the people singing on there really suck. But then they act all surprised that the judges don't like them. And then their parents are outside waiting and argue that the judges are being unfair. No, your kid's voice sucks.

Hey that's your opinion.

You are making a mistake.

You just passed up the next american idol!

Posted by: LoadStar

quote:
Originally posted by YCantAngieRead
Yeah, I wouldn't laugh at that at all. It is easier to sing acappella with a group, but it's still impressive. I gained respect for Jessica Simpson (although not much...:)) the same way.

I know they have them sing unaccompanied to weed out those who have pitch problems...but there are singers who are fantastic who aren't able to do this. However, as they say, that's not what this contest is about.

Edited for a question: This is the first American Idol I've watched. Are there usually THIS many episodes focusing on auditions? It's ridiculous.

There aren't normally this many episodes, no, but when they've got a winning franchise like American Idol, they're going to stretch it out as long as possible.

If you want to tune in to the Hollywood stuff, start watching next Tuesday. (Monday is a rundown of the auditions of the people going to Hollywood, including some we haven't seen yet.)

Posted by: tanstaafl

Believe it or not, American Idol is currently the highest rated show of the 2003-2004 season.

Also, I can't find the article now but one of the "really bad singers" was a plant put in by a local radio station. Simon actually asked her "Are you for real?" but she managed to convince him she was on the up-and-up. (It was one of the women in the Atlanta auditions.)

Posted by: doom1701

quote:
Originally posted by tanstaafl
Believe it or not, American Idol is currently the highest rated show of the 2003-2004 season.

Also, I can't find the article now but one of the "really bad singers" was a plant put in by a local radio station. Simon actually asked her "Are you for real?" but she managed to convince him she was on the up-and-up. (It was one of the women in the Atlanta auditions.)

Someone mentioned her in last week's thread--she also left the hotel in tears. If she was a plant, she was extremely good.

Posted by: faerie

was that scat girl?

Posted by: cpalma

OMG, Scat Girl was too funny for words!

I guess if the contestants that are told they are bad and don't believe it, all they have to do is watch the show and see on their own televisions how badly they sound on air. The TV doesn't lie or have an agenda (as some of these contestants claim).

Simon may be meaner than he needs to be, but I happen to agree with almost all of his opinions. They are looking for an idol. While Clay and Rueben sort of broke that "perfection" mold last year, at least they had TALENT! In the end that's all it takes.

Posted by: SoldOnTiVo

quote:
Originally posted by cpalma
OMG, Scat Girl was too funny for words!

I guess if the contestants that are told they are bad and don't believe it, all they have to do is watch the show and see on their own televisions how badly they sound on air. The TV doesn't lie or have an agenda (as some of these contestants claim).

No help if those same people are, as I suspect, tone deaf. Even on TV, they'll think they sound great. :)

There was a bit yesterday about "Come back of you find 5 people who like your signing" or something. One of the guys said "Yeah, he got started and was right on pitch... I'm tonedeaf but..." :D :rolleyes:

Posted by: tanstaafl

quote:
Originally posted by doom1701
Someone mentioned her in last week's thread--she also left the hotel in tears. If she was a plant, she was extremely good.

Here's the article. Apparently she has done several interviews where she admits that she was an employee of a syndicated radio show and that she was told to be as "emotional as possible". Apparently Simon almost saw through her act but she was able to convince him by turning on the tears.