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PLEASE NOTE: The Reality TV World Message Boards are filled with desperate
attention-seekers pretending to be one big happy PG/PG13-rated family. Don't
be fooled. Trying to get everyone to agree with you is like herding cats,
but intolerance for other viewpoints is NOT welcome and respect for other
posters IS required at all times. Jump in and play, and you'll soon find out
how easy it is to fit in, but save your drama for your mama. All members are
encouraged to read the
complete guidelines.
As entertainment critic Roger
Ebert once said, "If you disagree with something I write, tell me so, argue
with me, correct me--but don't tell me to shut up. That's not the American way."
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"AI is Cruel.."
formerlywannabe 407 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Daytime Soap Guest Star"
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01-18-07, 10:21 AM (EST)
 
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"AI is Cruel.." |
LAST EDITED ON 01-18-07 AT 10:22 AM (EST)Although the great Eric Cartman once said "I thought handicapped people were put on this earth for my amusement" I must disagree. Now, I am not overly PC or sensitive in any way and I do enjoy watching people humiliate themselves on TV....theres a line. Last night there were the 2 guys, the bug eyed one and the heavy guy with the Hawaiian type shirt. Now the bug eyed guy is a toss up (maybe a little "slow"), but I would put $$ on the heavy boy as having special needs. This would be the kid that Simon asked if Randy lent him his pants, since he had them pulled up to his chest like a pop-pop. DH and I spent many years working at a school for special needs kids and they way that boy talked and his overall mannerisms reminded us of the kids we worked with. I found it obvious he was on the slowish side. Which is fine, they can try out for AI, there's no law against it! However, I know these people go through a process to try out and they are chosen by producers to go in front of the judges over a few days process, and I get that they need "bad" performances to make the show amusing..but to put someone like that on TV, just for a laugh is flat out cruel. Simon, Randy and Paula, you'll notice, didn't laugh at him singing God Bless America and were nice overall..in fact they looked kind of annoyed, maybe they sensed this was not so nice? If I went on AI (I can't sing a note!) and made an ##### out of myself, laugh away! I'd totally deserve it! But don't laugh at people who may not be in on the joke. It's just mean.
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nailbone 27263 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Playboy Centerfold"
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01-18-07, 10:58 AM (EST)
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1. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
Especially when they make fun of physical appearance, like telling the bug-eyed guy he looked like a bush-baby. Tell him that he's not exactly what your looking for or something like that. But once again, they were unnecessarily harsh.
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happybarb3660 7 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "American Cancer Society Spokesperson"
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01-23-07, 01:16 PM (EST)
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42. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
If it counts for anything...I did read a news article yesterday where Simon admitted that he went overboard and was definately wrong in calling the boy a "bush baby". He actaully apologized for it.
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zombiebaby 7356 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Playboy Centerfold"
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01-18-07, 11:00 AM (EST)
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2. "In this case" |
I agree completely. I do think last night those two boys were being used for cheap laughs. I also think the kid who sang Unchained Melody was being used as well. There is a fine line between knowing what you are getting into and being used. It is up to the producers unfortunately to use some ethics here but I don't see that happening. However some of these people do know what they are getting into and are fair game. See the girl whose boss flew her out.
One more of J
Slice's Awesome Creations!
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nogwart 30 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Beauty Pageant Celebrity Judge"
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01-18-07, 12:40 PM (EST)
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7. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
Agreed. I still have a sick feeling in my stomach about those two guys. What nauseates me even more is the near-certainty that there were probably millions of viewers whooping it up at their expense. The greasy-faced guy with the necktie, the Taylor Hicks "lookalike(??)", and the Unchained Melody singer were also borderline "disturbed", in my opinion. Not a fun show to watch.
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cqvenus 9765 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Playboy Centerfold"
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01-18-07, 12:58 PM (EST)
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11. "agree" |
DH was saying that he thinks some of these people HAVE GOT to be planted. he used 'unchained melody' as an example. i don't know, i told him... i can't see them doing that. i can see them lying to ppl and telling them they're really good, and they really have a chance. and given how long they let 'unchained melody' sing on and on for, i think they tell the judges to just not say anything and let it go because this is one of those 'trainwrecks' that bring in the huge ratings. i don't think laughing at the special needs community is funny. i really don't. i don't even think it's funny to laugh at the people who dress horribly and sing horribly and seem to have NO IDEA that they are terrible. it makes me sad for them. i feel truly sad that they actually think they are good, and that they look good, and they have no friends or family members to tell them "sweetie, you aren't good. you shouldn't do it. you'll embarrass yourself." it is very sad to imagine a person with NOBODY to tell them. ugh. i used to think these were funny, but they've gotten out of control. it's one thing when someone comes in and thinks they actually can sing but they find out they can't, and then they seem fine with it, like, "okay, well if i can't sing, then simon's ugly!" or whatever. but lately? this show is unwatchable. we turned it off after 'unchained melody' last night. we missed the first night. we won't be coming back until they're in hollywood, or possibly until they're down to the 24. it's just that i like to watch the whole progression. i like to see the auditions because i like to watch their progress from audition through to final whatever. but now i'm feeling like i'll just sit back and wait until they narrow it down, and maybe watch the auditions of the 24 on youtube or something. ~ cqc
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tamarama 1785 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Herbal Healing Drugs Endorser"
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01-18-07, 03:33 PM (EST)
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17. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
I blame the producers for this (with one exception, below) rather than the judges. Yes, put through the crazy Idol fans that write stories & get tattoos. These are the more "traditional" bad auditions that we are used to seeing...and kinda enjoy in small numbers. (SMALL numbers, 'k?) BUT -- please don't put through people that are obviously developmentally delayed, or have issues beyond the standard "I should be famous" delusions. (Remember the very frightening Mary from a couple of years ago? Putting her in front of the judges was not a good idea.) I noted that the judges were rather kind to the 2nd guy (Jonathan?) - who sang "God Bless America." Aside from the initial trousers comment (which, for Simon, was fairly mild) the judges clearly saw who they were dealing with and were gentle. Yes, Simon's bush-baby comment was uncalled for. That's my exception. He was being Simon. I don't think he realised right away that Kenneth had some other things going on. Regardless, I never like it when Simon criticizes people for something they can't change easily...facial features, weight. However, I don't have a problem with Simon criticizing clothes or hair - general style. I also don't mind his telling people they can't sing, that they need to choose a different career path. Some of these folks could use MORE people telling them that... Like the 16 year old juggling kid -- he didn't appear to have any developmental problems (maybe I'm wrong, but that was my impression). The judges complimented his juggling, encouraged him to try out for other shows, said he was entertaining, and simply told him his singing wasn't good enough. They were not cruel. BUT, this kid exploded out of the room cussing about how he should be famous...and what does mom say? "You'll be famous." MOM should be smacked upside the head. If your kid wants to be a singer, by all means - encourage him. But encourage him to work toward being a good singer -- DON'T encourage him to "be famous." Send him to a good voice teacher. Drive him to concerts. Listen to him, hold his hand. But let professionals tell your kid whether or not he can sing. Kinda like the stay-at-home mom who believed her 6 y.o. son's opinion of her singing more than the judges' opinion...well, that's just not reality. She made it sound like her husband was unsupportive...maybe he was just trying to save her from making an idiot of herself. Of course your six year old thinks you're a great singer. Doesn't make it true. So yeah, the producers should not be sending through people like Kenneth, Jonathan(?) & Unchained Melody...but there are still plenty of delusional people that need to get spanked. I'm OK with that.
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BlueLies 398 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Cooking Show Host"
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01-18-07, 10:37 PM (EST)
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31. "I am not absolutely convinced..." |
that the judges could spot a developmentally disabled person if their life depended on it. (just too dumb, unaware, selfish, dunno -- this in fact would make the judges mentally challenged, but that's another thread) I can't see it in their faces, read it in their eyes, and their reactions don't match it... possibly Simon, but we shall see. It's irresponsible of them not to give these contestants a reality check and stern warning of the criticisms to come. This could be why Simon wasn't sure if he wanted to continue with the show or not. He probably wanted to evolve it to a more professional level, and everyone else said, "don't rock the boat." 
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/
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prosecutor 449 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Daytime Soap Guest Star"
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01-18-07, 03:55 PM (EST)
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21. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
Simon was ok to the guy with the high pants. They all were gentle so what if he joked about the pants? I was proud of simon for not injuring this guys esteem. However Simon seems to be only trying to put through the physically good looking people eveen if they have mediocre talent. Case in point Taylor Hicks, Jennifer Hudson Simon did not want them there Randy and Paula stuck together and put them through. Simon lied to himself that Jennifer Hudson can't sing even when Randy repeatedly told him she can sing. Also, on Wednesday night
Simon did not want to put the 6'7" girl through, Randy and Paula did, hope she gets a modelling contract out of this if
she doesn't make it to top 12. Simon needs to get over the looks are everything mentality. Case in point look at how
pretty ILDivo are. If even one of them was "ugly" in Simon's eye do you think he would be there even being the same talent, I think not.
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finallytyping 401 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Daytime Soap Guest Star"
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01-18-07, 05:53 PM (EST)
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23. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
We know who started this whole thing: William Hung.
Had he not been a UC Berkeley student, people might have
thought it was more sad than pathetic.
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BlueLies 398 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Cooking Show Host"
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01-18-07, 09:27 PM (EST)
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26. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
LAST EDITED ON 01-18-07 AT 09:42 PM (EST)There are a lot of unanswered questions. They should simply do pre-screening and only show those auditions that are moderately high to very good. If the show was willing to do that, they would increase the credibility of the show, and receive a lot less flack about cruelty. Make it more true to life. You'd never see these contestants lining up outside of say Sony or the like, you'd never see them get through the door, and you most certainly would never see them auditioning in front of a major decision maker. The three judges know that, and in this sense, they are guilty of exploiting misdirected and emotionally fragile people. On the flip side, those contestants who never sing in the shower, let alone record themselves, listen to themselves constructively, are actively in a band prior to AI, etc, should know better. Have they not researched the bios of their favorite singers? Most struggle for years, even the very best, so it seems, are extremely lucky if discovered, and further fortunate if offered a recording contract. So with these things in mind, I think one of the only reasons they include the very worst of auditions is for the sensationalism. It should be a wake-up call to the contestants what it actually is going to take, but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. When we finally hear a very good audition from an unknown singer off the street, the differences and natural talent shine through -- it could not be more obvious. Are they enabling people who like to be punished? Are those perpetual self-enabling victims playing it up to make the judges look bad? Probably, bottom line is, the public really doesn't want to see it anymore. It's been the same arguement with each season, and it's getting old... old with those who ask the questions and old with those who provoke the questions. AI needs to show us something real and stop lying to themselves. Edited to add: Here's a secret experiment I have been wishing they would try. Record a few songs from the rejected contestants, place them in juke boxes at various places, wait for the coin to drop, and record the reactions when they hear one of their songs from an unsuspecting group at a popular bar.
http://news.yahoo.com/comics/
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DarwinianAtheist 9 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "American Cancer Society Spokesperson"
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01-18-07, 09:47 PM (EST)
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27. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
It's good to see that many others are just as annoyed as I am. The sad thing is that Fox knows that this stage in the show is the most popular and really tried to outdo themselves. Aren't there enough "normal" bad singers- now they have to make a spectacle of ppl with special needs? Fox has truely hit an all time low. I may hate shows like "The View", but lots of ppl watch it, and it's good that they were talking about it. Maybe next season will be different.
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CTgirl 8013 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Playboy Centerfold"
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01-18-07, 10:13 PM (EST)
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28. "RE: AI is Cruel.." |
I agree with pretty much everything you guys have said. I would prefer to start watching at the final 24, but DH likes the auditions so I watch it too. I read in the paper that Seattle was only supposed to be an hour show, but they "had so much good stuff" they decided to make it two hours. It's kind of sad that some of the "good stuff" was kind of cruel.
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