May 19, 2004

Simon Cowell Speaks

by Jeremy Blachman

This is about as related to the law as Randy Johnson's perfect game is, but here's an interesting New York Times interview with Simon Cowell about American Idol.

May 19, 2004 07:18 AM | TrackBack
Comments

They keep saying that it's a democratic process on AI, but it simply isn't; that is, unless you take the view that Daley Sr.-era Chicago was the epitome of democracy. "Vote Early, Vote Often" is embraced by the Idol system of voting, and it, through its lax system, encourages gaming of the system. Until that stops — and Fox shows no indications whatsoever that it's going to stop that any time soon — AI is going to keep sending drek to the top and leaving real talent behind.

Posted by: Kenneth G. Cavness at May 19, 2004 09:35 AM

Because clearly, when the American people vote only once, they always pick the cream of the crop...

Posted by: PG at May 19, 2004 11:30 AM

Ha! That's a good point, but it's a little different from what I was going after. I was asking last night why people would want to actually go see these people in concert, and my roommate said that it's because it's a cultural phenomenon, even if I don't think so. I said "Hey, I'm as interested in the outcome of all this as you are," and he said "Yeah, but you have an obvious disdain for the show."

I didn't even notice it before, but it's true. I disdain the show. I think that the people who vote consistently vote out the good talent, and I do not think that Randy/Simon/Paula pick the best and most interesting people from the auditioners.

All that aside, though, the voting system is so skewed here that the talent doesn't even have a chance if the script-kiddies latch on to someone like one of the Jo(h)ns or Jasmine (not to mention the time difference making it easier for Hawaiians to call); something like a pop star is subjective like almost nothing else, but you simply cannot say, however much you may hate them, that Celine Dion or Bryan Adams or Rod Stewart have actively bad voices. If you can't stay in pitch, you've got a bad voice. If you scream out the tune, you've got a bad voice. But if you've got a flower in your hair and a tear in your eye, you can get the 15-year-old kids with computers to dial up your vote every time.

Posted by: Kenneth G. Cavness at May 19, 2004 01:31 PM

Dear Simon,I like you when you say bad stuff about the good singers and good stuff about the bad singers.So people will vote for the good singers because they feel bad for them.You should do that more often.

P.S I never miss American Idol.......
from your pretty big fan.

Posted by: heather at December 21, 2005 08:14 PM

OK, here goes, Please remember this name, LAURA WRIGHT. Now, she made it to Hollywood this year and was cut in the first audition for what NO ONE that was there knows. She was complemented and given the thumbs up by ALL three judges, but Simon did not like the song. THE SONG WAS ON THE LIST OF 12 TUNES THAT AMERICAN IDOL ASKED THEM TO PICK FROM. Laura is AWESOME!! She DESERVES TO BE BACK IN THE COMPETITION. Remember her name, LAURA WRIGHT

Posted by: stephen wright at January 19, 2006 08:30 PM
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