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PLEASE NOTE: The Reality TV World Message Boards are filled with desperate
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"Simon's Subtle Barb"
Harrison 173 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Blistex Spokesperson"
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05-25-05, 08:21 AM (EST)
 
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"Simon's Subtle Barb" |
Did anyone else catch Simon's recognition of Bo's nerves last night? It wasn't so much the recognition of the nerves themselves that I found to be needling, it was what came after his point.Simon, after saying that Bo seemed nervous for the first time in the competition (Bo had to run to the mic. in order to start the song on time), he went on to say, grinning, "it shows just how important this is to you." I thought that was a bit of a slam on Bo, considering the fact that he's been on record saying that he really wouldn't be bothered by a loss and then went on to grow a beard, wear sunglasses and other "I'm the anti-AI" stuff. I've always thought that Bo might be trying to have his cake and eat it too by acting like he's indifferent while working hard to win the competition.
I suspect Simon has seen the same thing and was probably a bit defensive about it.
As if to say "What do you mean you don't care??? You'd better care."
Then, last night, Simon spotted a crack in the veneer and went right to it. Ever since I watched him on the Tonight Show sitting alongside a somewhat condescending Tom Petty on the couch, I've thought that Simon has had a bit of a chip on his shoulders about American Idol where "real performers" are concerned.
Simon seemed sincerely torqued and threw darts from his eyes that night (Petty truly could not have cared less about the whole thing.) Bo has been veering nearer and nearer to the tone that Petty took that night (that the competition is ok, but not important) and I think Simon has long been looking for an opportunity to shut that down. Last night, Bo gave him that chance, and Simon took it. (We could take it a step further and suggest that Bo's miscue was by design to allow for Simon's point, but I probably won't go that far.)
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Harrison 173 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Blistex Spokesperson"
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05-25-05, 11:40 AM (EST)
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5. "RE: Bear in mind" |
Yes, I think that's right, Loquatrix.
Simon was letting the audience know that Bo wasn't too cool for the competition.I think his motives were more self-satisfying than others here suggest though.
AI has taken a few hits but I can't think of any greater than the fact that Clay (and others) have sought to distance themselves from the "stain" of AI. But those who have done that in the past have waited until they were off the show.
Then, this season, Mario (a predicted favorite), jumped ship before the Final 12. While he gave a plausible reason (wanting to spend time with his family), most believe he simply wanted to bolt before AI "owned" him. Now we have Bo actually standing on the AI stage and saying that the competition doesn't really matter all that much to him one way or the other. AI can't have that kind of thing going on while they're footing the bill for a contestant's exposure. Especially when one of the show's hooks is the fact that young and desperate singers are doing whatever it takes to win the brass ring.
Clay (through his sales and attitude) and others have sort of lessened the importance of that brass ring. When even the contestants themselves don't seem to care about winning, why should anyone watch? At least that's the concern. Simon's observation about Bo's nerves was not made to "help" Bo. It was made as a kind of damage control for the slipping integrity of the show.
He was smart to do it.
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tamarama 1785 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Herbal Healing Drugs Endorser"
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05-25-05, 01:16 PM (EST)
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6. "overstating it a bit..." |
<<Now we have Bo actually standing on the AI stage and saying that the competition doesn't really matter all that much to him one way or the other.>>First off, that's not quite what he said. I don't remember the direct quote, but it was closer to "my life will not be over, I will continue to make music" than "I don't care, this doesn't matter." Secondly, don't forget that Carrie said pretty much the same thing the week she was asked about it. Really, their answers were perfect as far as I'm concerned. If someone stood up there & said "my very existence depends on my winning this competition..." I would only vote for them to get some mental health care. And frankly, Simon is not that hard to read. He doesn't fake his opionions to manipulate the audience.
Yes, he absolutely does try to manipulate the audience -- but when he does, there's always an extra twinkle in his eye, and extra firmness in his voice - he stresses specific words very carefully -- it's easy to tell when he's "sending a message". He really loves speaking his mind, and he gets people talking regardless of what he says - why on earth would he make something up? I think Simon would be happy with either of them winning. I think Simon figures he could sell both of them really well. I think he only said Carrie "may have done enough to win" because that's what he really thinks, and god forbid he NOT say what he thinks. As for the 'stain' of AI -- while I don't necessarily think it's a myth, I also don't think it's a plague on the entertainment industry that Fox must defend themselves against.
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Harrison 173 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Blistex Spokesperson"
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05-25-05, 02:09 PM (EST)
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7. "Point taken" |
Points taken, especially concerning your perception of Bo's attitude.
I agree that Simon is rarely hard to read, that's what made what happened last night so easy for me to interpret. But again, you have a different take.For the record, I'm not a huge fan of either of the remaining contestants, though I do think they probably represent the best of the field for this time around.
As such, I'm just sort of observing what's going on without any attachment one way or the other. I suspect that Carrie would probably be easier to "sell", but that Bo will likely sell some himself (though neither will likely sell anything to me), so Simon is probably al right with what is unfolding...except for the exhibited nonchalance of some of the contestants. As I've said, a major selling point of the show is that the contestants are willing to do anything for a shot at the title...which includes taking unfiltered (sometimes jaw-dropping) critiques by Simon.
His authority (or schtick, if you prefer) is undermined by any hint of apathy on stage.
Where's the fun (and what's his function) if no one cares?
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okaychatt 2810 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Howard Stern Show Guest"
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05-25-05, 07:54 PM (EST)
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9. "RE: Bear in mind" |
<Mario (a predicted favorite), jumped ship before the Final 12. While he gave a plausible reason (wanting to spend time with his family), most believe he simply wanted to bolt before AI "owned" himMario who? Interesting that the little guy has completely faded from my attention. Big news for a week, then nada. Of course, he might pull a Corey Clark and save up any pieces of gossip to sew into a crazy quilt of innuendo, to be used when/if his first album comes out. I'm getting a little tired of people, and I'm including Clay, whom I enjoy, using AI as a springboard to fame and fortune, then dumping same when they hit it big. I know - the AI folks are taking more than the normal share of the profits, but without AI, these guys may not have made it at all. Pay your dues. Then make the break. You're still rich. 
Everyone is entitled to my opinion.
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Agman2 1506 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Peanut Festival Grand Marshall"
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05-06-15, 02:42 PM (EST)
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11. "RE: Bear in mind" |
I disagree with everything you said
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