<p>Who could forget Queen for a Day! Poor housewives sobbing over their need for new kitchen appliances, the very creepy host, the applause meter that decided who became queen. (BTW, there’s at least one full episode available on Youtube, commercials and all–quite a trip down memory lane, and kinda sad that the woman who only wanted a dehumidifier went home empty handed. I found the video when my kids refused to believe my descriptions of the show.)</p>
<p>I also hate the sob stories on Idol, but while they may garner some votes along the way, I don’t think any of the tales of woe have every helped anyone win. I didn’t even watch yesterday or today. I hate the new judges, so will hold off on taking a look until the finalists have been picked. But if country dominates again, I’ll take a pass.</p>
<p>I think there are some “pity” golden tickets handed out…you know that the kid is not going to survive until the final 12 (or whatever the number is), but what the heck…</p>
<p>Sunday night show spotlights the auditions held in San Diego–someone I know auditioned so I will be interested to see if she is spotlighted. She doesn’t have a compelling backstory, though…</p>
<p>ellemenope, I hope the person you know does well! </p>
<p>I must be the only person in the world that likes those back stories. It used to seem like they only showed backstories of people who went through, but they are at least showing back stories of people that don’t quite have what it takes, but are interesting (miner boy). The true test is how some of these kids will hold up with the stress of Hollywood … sometimes it’s not just their talent that can help them keep it together, so I start to take the competition part more serious as they filter out the one-song-wonders.</p>
<p>By the way, I also like those backstories in the Olympics, too.</p>
<p>“Outdoorsy Amy”, aka “Tent Girl”, from the opening night auditions in Savannah, has quite a backstory as well. Unfortunately, it’s more about her love for alcohol than the great outdoors. She’s been arrested a handful of times in as many years-- mostly for public intoxication. I’m hoping she can become Idol’s version of X Factor’s Chris Rene. She appears to have an uphill battle ahead of her…</p>
<p>I had forgotten about Queen for a Day! Surprised that someone hasn’t brought that back.</p>
<p>I guess I have a love/hate relationship with the backstories. I find them somewhat interesting, but wish the judges wouldn’t use the backstory when making a decision. </p>
<p>I do believe that the only one that made it to the top 4 or 5 with a back story was Danny Gokey. </p>
<p>So, how do they get the info on the backstories ahead of time and integrate it with the tryouts? Ryan always sounds like he knows what is going on, but if they are just meeting them on tryout day, then I’m perplexed.</p>
<p>As I understand it, the contestants have been weeded out through several layers of auditions over time before they make it to the big three, so the producers have the opportunity to select the ones with interesting back stories and do any needed filming in advance. It’s also possible that they could decide to do a back story on a contestant after he or she is selected to go to Hollywood. In any event, the material is then edited in with the audition footage as needed–the televised auditions aren’t live, they took place months ago.</p>
<p>There are several rounds before they ever get close to the judges. Those shots of the stadiums full of people? Usually days or sometimes weeks before the judges arrive on the scene. The best stories are then filmed and ready to go for the broadcasts. It is very much a well-planned and scripted deal once you see it on your tv. The judges and Ryan know everything there is to know about every contestant before they go into that room to actually sing. Them asking a contestant to tell them a little something about themselves is for the viewers’ benefit, they judges have all that info already.</p>
<p>I don’t mind some back story when it comes to the Olympics–it puts a performance in context. But sometimes the Olympics seem like too much back story, not enough sports! It’s less of a problem now, what with more events televised on the different cable channels and on line.</p>
<p>If the televised auditions are already vetted, why do we get some of the perfectly AWFUL singers appearing before the judges? They’ve had some real fruit baskets appear before them over the years.</p>
Entertainment value/comic relief. Sometimes it’s easy to forget this is a show, not just a contest. I do always wonder whether the terrible singers have been told their purpose and consent just to get on TV, or if they aren’t clued in, but are so delusional that they actually think they are being seriously considered (in which case, how cruel). We occasionally hear stories about the whole process from past auditioners, but they’re never the horrible singers who were clearly there just to be laughed at.</p>
<p>Some of the terrible singers that I’ve heard really get incensed to hear from the judges that “Dawg, singing just isn’t your thing…”. Hard to believe that they’ve been clued in that they are on for comic relief…lots of bleeped out conversation, LOL!</p>
<p>When it comes to singing, there are a lot of people who are delusional about their own talent!</p>
<p>[Cannot tell a lie–I found Plank Sister fascinating…]</p>
<p>Enjoyed the auditions from San Diego and the Midway, a short drive down the 5 freeway from my home. My wife and I toured the Midway about a year ago and when my son was a Boy Scout, we actually did an overnight on it. I’m kind of partial to Kyle Crews, since my kid is also at Cal, but I also liked Ashley Robles and “Wolf”.</p>
<p>I saw about 4 girls that could have been the girl I know who auditioned and, according to her mother, got a gold ticket to go to Hollywood. Blond, cute, great smile–there seem to be so many of them in Southern California!</p>
<p>jshain - Kyle Crews did theatre around San Diego with my D when they were younger. He went to hs with one of D’s best friends. She is also at Cal and told D that Kyle is on a LOA this semester so I have to believe he made it through to the live shows.</p>
<p>I thought he was awful good! Look forward to seeing him on the live shows, but the judges are right–he needs a wardrobe consultant and a good haircut!</p>
<p>One thing I learned from appearing on Jeopardy is that they do pick a few contestants that are counter to the type they normally seek - for the purpose of providing the folks at home to root *against.<a href=“Which%20leaves%20every%20Jeopardy%20player%0Ato%20ponder%20which%20category%20he/she%20fell%20into”>/I</a>.</p>
<p>Maybe they do the same thing with this show - deliberately pick a few lousy singers to insult and reject and for the folks at home to to be appalled over.</p>
<p>Another thing I learned about these game/competition reality shows in is that the contestants are heavily coached on how the producers want them to generally behave and react. And if you are unable or unwilling to follow their coaching instructions you won’t be appearing on the show. That’s why Jeopardy players are almost always dignified, even after a great victory, but Price is Right players always go totally bonkers over being selected or winning some prize - because that’s the kind of behavior the producers are looking for. So if you see some rejected singer cussing and acting shocked it’s probably at least partially because he knows that’s what the show wants.</p>
<p>Just found out today that my S is going to pledge Kappa Alpha fraternity, the same one that Kyle Crews is in at Cal. Now I’m really pulling for him to do well!</p>
<p>Tonight’s auditions from Aspen were just so-so. No one really stood out for me except for perhaps Shelby, the girl who is suffering from depression.</p>
<p>I was amazed by Angie Zeiderman, who went from Lunatic Fringe to a voice I loved when she started with an unfamiliar (to me) show tune where she was some kind of Swedish exhibitionist, to a very special rendition of Blue Bayou. Randy hated her first persona as well, but loved her “second chance.” </p>
<p>Otherwise, I agree that we didn’t see much that was great in Aspen. Some of the ones they glossed over (no backstory) but showed a few bars… did sound pretty decent.</p>