Upon starting this blog, I tried to figure out a topic to discuss, one that would be engaging and capture the hearts and minds of those reading. An appropriate place to start, in conjunction with these criteria would be a piece on what is arguably the most popular television show on earth. Last week a total of eighty million people watched the Fox juggernaught that is American Idol. Every season one hundred thousand people audition, every finale upwards of 60 million votes are cast for the winner...but with so many incarnations of this format, what makes American Idol stand out?
There are intellectuals and snobs all over the world that dismiss the 'reality-TV' genre as a fad, shallow as it is fleeting. The principle criticism is that she show doesn't create long-terms stars, merely 'flash in the pan' cash cows to provide record company bigwigs with the big bucks fast and efficiently. This is the first factor, among many, that sets American Idol apart. If I was to throw forwards the names 'Steve Brookstien', 'Michelle McManus' or 'Shayne Ward' you I imagine you'd read with a vacant stare. I doubt you'd react with the same unfamiliarity at the names 'Kelly Clarkson', 'Carrie Underwood' or as of recently 'Jennifer Hudson'. The former batch of names are from the UK counterparts 'Pop Idol' & 'The X Factor'. The latter are contestants (not even necessarily winners) who appeared on Idol.
These Idol contestants came on the show, and week by week validated it. As not only a show that is well produced, accessible but also one that finds and nurtures incredible talent. Not only that, but they continue to validate the show through their soaring careers. Appear in the Top 12, and you've walked through the door into a place that, given enough talent and the right career decisions can offer you multi-million selling albums, international notoriety, Industry respect Grammy Awards and Oscars. Year by year it gets harder for the naysayer to knock it, because the success of the audience figures now translates to success in record sales...not only that, every year somebody incredible is discovered.
Third season winner Fantasia for instance (left), who despite not having as much success as other winners, has garnered an unprecedented amount of attention and respect - and day by day is proving herself not only to be amongst the best contestants to ever appear on the show, but one of the best live performers in the world today. The moment she sang The Gershwin's "Summertime" was the moment the show transcended into a whole new stratosphere. The performance (below) remains, unquestionably one of the most captivating live performances recorded on film. Despite this, Fantasia is certainly not unanimously praised. Many of the adamant Idol fans abhor the 'rough 'n' raw' style in which she performs, yet in another of the shows incredible aspects, somebody COMPLETELY different will come on and either win it, or take their exposure and turn it into a credible and successful music career. Thus far the five seasons have all been won by artists representing vastly contrasting genres. The first season winner represented Pop, the second Gospel, the third R&B, the fourth country and the latest 'Soul'. From this sequence of events, there was always somebody different yet equally talented to latch on to, if not in the winner, most certainly in the final five. The place, in which Idol most shines, is when compared to its international counterparts. Being an Englishman, for me this means the tawdry and second-rate Simon Cowell conceived 'X Factor'. Each winter, every Saturday night the British public are subjected to a pantomime affair, with self-indulgent (and or obsessed) judges, circus acts with little talent or ability, performed in a tacky little studio with appalling sound and amateur karaoke backing tracks (See below for an example).
Compare this then to Idol in America which benefits from a huge concert-hall like set, where the contestants are backed by a live band, judges interested in finding the best talent possible and a voting public that sends (almost always) the greatest contestants to the top. On The X Factor, we have to contend with a voting public comprised of teenage girls voting for the most appealing male eye-candy (most recent series excused) to the winning spot, almost every single series. Simon Cowell has more money invested, thus more to gain from 'The X Factor', so Britain has to settle for this farce for a further three series...over in America Simon is just a bit-player, one that would however be wise to stick to not only a far superior format but a far superior show. Audiences of both, guest 'mentor' Rod Stewart and even Simon Cowell himself have pointed out the HUGE gulf in talent between this shows, yet Simon continues to ram 'X' down our throats, sacrificing art and credibility for money. It would be fair to say that anybody, in any season of American Idol would have wiped the floor with any contestant or in fact winner The X Factor. It would seem latest Brit winner 'Leona Lewis' is the exception to this rule...this writer however isn't yet convinced.
Kelly Clarkson Singing "Natural Woman"
One can generally expect a certain level of charisma, charm and diversity from the contestants on Idol never seen over on this side of the pond; nobody proves this more than Miss Kelly Clarkson. The first and most perfect "Idol" in every sense of the word, and the one that has been by far the most successful in terms of sales and critical acclaim. During Clarkson's Grammy win last year, many chastised her for failing to acknowledge the show that 'made' her...yet it is Idol that should be thanking Kelly, because every record she sells, every award she wins, not only affirms her status, but Idol's own. Week by week Clarkson's performances were stellar (all risky, all different - unlike a one Leona Lewis), and since she's proved possessive of one of the most dynamic, diverse and impressive voices on the planet. You may consider me crude and far exaggerating the girl's ability, but in ten years time, I'll be the one with foresight to have called it.
Worth an estimated 2.5 billion, "American Idol' makes money and stars at a equal rate, never sacrificing the good of one for the good of the other. Call it tacky, call it crass, but time and time again the contestants on it will make all of that irrelevant. For those who do watch, you'll know what I mean. For those who don't or are too highbrow to consider themselves in a position to do so, try it...wonderful things my await you.
10 comments:
Nice blog. A little hard to read but still good.
Who do you think you are calling the Macdonald Bros amateurish - maybe you should check your facts before posting about a duo you obviously dont know anything about.
They have already proved Mr Nasty Scowells wrong by getting a 2 album deal with The Music Kitchen a small Scottish Independendant Record Label. And are being produced by one of musics Legends Stuart Woody Woods of the Bay City Rollers who is one of the most respected producer in the British Music Scene.
They are already at no 11 in preorder charts and they only announced their record deal 3 weeks ago.
Macmania is on its way so watch for the impact they are going to make.
American Idol is completely different from the X Factor in that it gives various types of acts such as groups, over 25`s and 16 to 24`s the chance to show their talents whereas American Idol is all about Divas
I would watch the X Factor anyday over American Idol.
OMG why didnt you choose a better example of these Charismatic young artists. The Macdonald Brothers were the only group on the XFactor who did`nt have some type of training before they came on the show. Why did`nt you show the video of their best performance The Proclaimers 500 miles which stole the show that night. To see what these guys are all about you choose a video that did1nt suit their style and they still managed to pull it off.
The X Factor is just a starting point for the Macs they are going there own way now doing things their way and making a huge impact in the UK.
These two guys grew up in the XFactor, taking Simon`s Cowells viscious comments week after week and just got better and better.
I think you may have to eat your words very shortly because these guys are going to be around for a long time. No way are they a circus act or a pantomime act.
I am suprised to see you lambast "intellectuals and snobs" who look down on reality TV and yet it appears you are one and the same. Because an act does not meet your standard (and unless you are a respected member of the music industry community your standard is only a personal opinion)there is no need to belittle people who are trying to make their dream come true.
I feel sorry for you. You are so wrapped up in your artificial American Idol, that churns out acts with no doubt vocal talent but nothing else, you are missing great opportunities to listen to music that is made as part of Scotlands Celtic heritage or even just for pure fun.
Let's be honest. I have seen many of todays huge stars in concert including Madonna, Kylie, Pink and to be honest going on vocal ability they probably wouldn't pass the X Factor or American Idol auditions and the obsession with divas. The Waterboys, Snow Patrol, the Killers wouldn't be rated either. So toddle off to your narrow minded little world and spare the real world from your restrictive view of music.
Your praise of Fantasia is in my opinion unwarranted.
If you really want to see a GREAT performance of Summertime i suggest you check out the Leona Lewis version on Youtube.
It is completely different class to Fantasia.
I wouldnt be bashing X factor so quick. I respect your opinion but there are two things I must say here,
1. Using the Mac D's is a very clever way to make American Idol look far superior. I'm sure if you put Leona's Summertime on there instead your blog post would seem less convicing. Many people probably wouldnt even give it the time of day if you were saying all this and then they saw Leona on the video instead of the worst vocalists of the show. I could just as easily make make X factor look better if I put a performance of Leona up for X factor and then one of Sanjya for American Idol.
2. Lots of Americans who have been tuned into the X Factor because of Leona, have suddenly realised that Simon Cowell appears to put a lot more effort into the production of his UK based show compared to their own, they see that he's a lot nicer on there to contestants, he dresses nicer and many are actually starting to become rather jealous and annoyed at how their show looks compared to X-Factor and its format.
oh and point 3
I wouldnt be surprised if X factor finally makes its way over to the states and replaces Idol's format.
Simon may have said Idol's talent is superior to X-Factors talent (until Leona that is) He has recently said that leona has now given him more faith in the X-Factor.
Simon (as far as I know) has never praised the format of American Idol over the X-factor. American Idol is just like his original Pop Idol and he was VERY unhappy with the format of that show. And he probably feels the same about AI as it is essentially the same thing. I fell that is obviously why he is like two totally different men on both shows. He obviously is much happier and at home on X-Factor compared to Idol.
Also lol sorry this is point 4
I'm sure if you mentioned any other Idol apart from Kelly Clarkson, to people from countries outside of the US you would get a total black stare from almost all of them.
Sorry but The Macdonald Brothers were`nt the worst vocalists on the X Factor in fact they were the only act who were perfectly in tune. Even Leona hit a few wrong notes.
This is so silly comparing X Factor with American Idol the shows have completely different formats and are aimed at different viewers.
Both shows are about lining the music industries pockets and they dont give a fig about the acts.
So let the Americans have their American Idol and Britain their X Factor as long as the viewing public need them or want them.
But just like other Music Reality Shows both will be replaced eventually with something new as the public get tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.
Psh! What an effing loser..
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