May 14, 2004 04:23 PM
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(Updated May 21, 2004 09:26 PM)
I was planning to write about this show for quiet some time but could never bring myself to it until this morning when I was watching this weeks Billboard's singles countdown. Just before the no.1 song they referred to no. 34 on their albums chart. William hung was the singer.
Well if you're not an idol fan you might wonder who he is. Well I?ve not watched idol's first 2 seasons but he is the worst singer I?ve ever heard. His rendition of 'She Bangs' became legendary in idol circles just because it was too bad to forget. You just couldn't stop laughing to his awful singing and dancing and you could not forget his name in a hurry.
Realizing that AI directors did special one hour how show of those who couldn't go past the first round. The second half of the show was completely devoted to Hung, Little must have they thought that he could get a recording contract and debut at no 34 in billboard chart. Of all the American Dream story this one take the cake for me. The call him Hong Kong's Ricky Martin, I?m not sure the people of Hong Kong will be happy or sad after hearing this.
Well that's American Idol for you, the most watched show in America and the highest rated show of Fox television network ever. It is a simple talent hunt show where audience selects a winner every year who gets a recording contract. What's new you might ask, well the taste of the pudding is in eating. After just two and a half seasons, the show has given 3 singing stars and about 10 recording contracts not to mention the 20 odd million calls they receive each week. Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard & Clay Akien are some of the AI products. this is the first season when the show has been telecast to India.
So what's the secret of its success. Well everyone has its own take and I also have one. Apart from the interest in watching your favorite win, I think its the people other than those who sing every week. Two of them Simon Cowell & to a lesser extent Ryan Seacrast. This show is American version of the British Pop Idol show and apart from the format they imported one of their judges the hard nosed Simon Cowell. Well he is the biggest star of the show.
Just go to google and search the names of the singing stars that I mentioned and the search Simon's name and you'll know what I?m talking about. He has his dedicated fan & hate clubs, when all he does is tell people how bad they sing (or good sometimes). He is famous for making people cry on the show, induce violent responses and choicest abuses. His lines like ''If you sing like this in a Karaoke Bar they will turn the power off'' or ''I see you and think, So What'' have become quotes. There are numerous sites which keep a record of them.
As they say America loves to hate him, that?s why Ryan Seacrast, the host of the show comes out with lines like an overpaid egotistical man when he introduces him every week. Simon has himself written a Book titled ''I don't mean to be rude but..''. But however people might say they don't like him in their heart they know he is right.
That?s why he was in the '100 most influential people in the world list' of the Time Magazine, the same which was in news in India for featuring Ash, Aziz premji, A B Vajpayee and BKS iyengar. He indirectly decides who goes and who stays. Even though judges are there just to give comments after the first round and the public decides who goes but out of the top twelve 4 out of 5 exits that I?ve watched till now were told to pack their bags the evening before by him.
Even more his choices George huff and Jhon stevens were lapped up by the voters even though at least one of them failed to impress the other two judges Paula abdul and Randy Jackson. And most of all he makes American Idol an interesting show to watch and different from other run of the mill talent shows, though I would have loved to see his face when he must have heard the news that Wilian Hung got a recording contract. He is the only person to do so after facing Simon just once.
The show is in its final stages this season and things getting tough. This would be the best time to get a first look at the show if you haven't yet.
Njoy P.S.-Well who do you think will win this season? Plz do leave a note. I think Fantasia is favorite to win but would like George Huff or Jhon Stevens to win ;-)) Also I don't go their site as they are 3 weeks ahead in america so it kills the suspense. So dont predict what you know. ;-)))
