Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Rank Amateurism
I'll be the first to admit that I haven't watched Singapore Idol, and to be absolutely honest, having read what I have about it I doubt I'd be inclined to even bother.
This article about it says it all.
I'm sorry, but aren't we missing the point?
Isn't the point of Singapore Idol - as it is with Pop idol - to try to weed out the talent and turn them into the next Will Young (ugh)?
Actually, no. Channelnewsasia hits it on the head - it's all about entertainment. Without any awful performers to hold the show... it's left to the judges to hold the fort, who now become the centerpiece of the show, with Dickhead and Wannabe getting too big for their already overinflated boots.
Err. I take it there isn't anything else worth watching on the show... like the contestants? No chance of even being wowed by one of them with the super voice and the killer looks? Or at least a lot of jiggy action and thigh? (Read : Will Young. heh heh.)
MrBrown as always delivers us a pertinent, alternative view to the official hype surrounding Bog Idol, by way of an irate Hans Ebert. (I wish he'd titled it Singapore Idol Judges get Hanged...)
More worryingly, if in a fit of ego-masturbation one of the judges scathingly whittles away our next Dido or Enrico's dreams of stardom and actually producing something remotely resembling talent from the little isle we call home... will it have been worth it? Just for a laugh?
*****
Dick Lee's crack about someone being husky, like a dog... was cruel. And also stupid. Dido's got a unique voice, slightly husky. Lots of famous singers have husky voices... makes them sexy even. And they get shot down for their voice - yes, quite.
I can't help but notice that amateurism is beginning to pervade this world... as the day of the professional wanes, shortcuts to stardom (including pop idol) are cropping up like nobody's business.
It troubles me, truly. Talent is well and fine, but I'd rather back talent that has been nurtured, and supported by industry and persistence - and finely honed into an artistry unmatched --- than support a rags to riches story, with a star too busy preening in the media spotlight he/she's been thrust into (as is usually the case) to continue to refine their abilities. Or churning out an endless stream of bland mediocrity. (cough. looks at local "artistes".)
And surely it trivialises the effort, blood and sweat of the true craftsmen out there who actually toil for the sake of their arts, and not (merely) for their shots in the spotlight. Who probably wouldn't be the sort to give a toss, or speak up about it.
Today, singers and writers. Tomorrow... who knows?
Politician Idol, anybody? Or Lawyer Idolatry? Howabout Medi-doll?
*****
Another thing that's struck me is the sheer unharnessed potential of Pop-Idol Singapore.
The now infamous bananaguy was apparently allowed to go up on stage and sing some silly ditty that he composed.
Pause.
Pop idol UK is all about singing a song they choose for you. Meaning, quite possibly that if someone out there in Singapore composed something truly remarkable, he/she could step onto the stage and blow away the crowd with something original. And step into the world arena tomorrow.
Now that would be really special...
Only it's not going to happen.
I don't have enough faith in the people I guess. And I don't have enough faith in the blown-up stooges they picked to play-act their preordained roles as dickhead, and sweetiepie to actually notice real talent when they see it.
Can't they just get on with the show... and play backup for once? Just be judges. Intelligent, impartial - and above all, competent. The story isn't about you. Centrestage belongs to the singers. Start Judge Idol if you want... just for once give the country a shot at something truly remarkable, rather than plain mediocre - yet again.
I'd just as soon have four complete unknowns doing their jobs well, with the occasional heartfelt and sincerely funny comment than four puppets mouthing rehearsed lines.
Singapore Idol is never going to turn out a chart-topper, I don't think. Not in it's current form.
This article about it says it all.
I'm sorry, but aren't we missing the point?
Isn't the point of Singapore Idol - as it is with Pop idol - to try to weed out the talent and turn them into the next Will Young (ugh)?
Actually, no. Channelnewsasia hits it on the head - it's all about entertainment. Without any awful performers to hold the show... it's left to the judges to hold the fort, who now become the centerpiece of the show, with Dickhead and Wannabe getting too big for their already overinflated boots.
Err. I take it there isn't anything else worth watching on the show... like the contestants? No chance of even being wowed by one of them with the super voice and the killer looks? Or at least a lot of jiggy action and thigh? (Read : Will Young. heh heh.)
MrBrown as always delivers us a pertinent, alternative view to the official hype surrounding Bog Idol, by way of an irate Hans Ebert. (I wish he'd titled it Singapore Idol Judges get Hanged...)
More worryingly, if in a fit of ego-masturbation one of the judges scathingly whittles away our next Dido or Enrico's dreams of stardom and actually producing something remotely resembling talent from the little isle we call home... will it have been worth it? Just for a laugh?
*****
Dick Lee's crack about someone being husky, like a dog... was cruel. And also stupid. Dido's got a unique voice, slightly husky. Lots of famous singers have husky voices... makes them sexy even. And they get shot down for their voice - yes, quite.
I can't help but notice that amateurism is beginning to pervade this world... as the day of the professional wanes, shortcuts to stardom (including pop idol) are cropping up like nobody's business.
It troubles me, truly. Talent is well and fine, but I'd rather back talent that has been nurtured, and supported by industry and persistence - and finely honed into an artistry unmatched --- than support a rags to riches story, with a star too busy preening in the media spotlight he/she's been thrust into (as is usually the case) to continue to refine their abilities. Or churning out an endless stream of bland mediocrity. (cough. looks at local "artistes".)
And surely it trivialises the effort, blood and sweat of the true craftsmen out there who actually toil for the sake of their arts, and not (merely) for their shots in the spotlight. Who probably wouldn't be the sort to give a toss, or speak up about it.
Today, singers and writers. Tomorrow... who knows?
Politician Idol, anybody? Or Lawyer Idolatry? Howabout Medi-doll?
*****
Another thing that's struck me is the sheer unharnessed potential of Pop-Idol Singapore.
The now infamous bananaguy was apparently allowed to go up on stage and sing some silly ditty that he composed.
Pause.
Pop idol UK is all about singing a song they choose for you. Meaning, quite possibly that if someone out there in Singapore composed something truly remarkable, he/she could step onto the stage and blow away the crowd with something original. And step into the world arena tomorrow.
Now that would be really special...
Only it's not going to happen.
I don't have enough faith in the people I guess. And I don't have enough faith in the blown-up stooges they picked to play-act their preordained roles as dickhead, and sweetiepie to actually notice real talent when they see it.
Can't they just get on with the show... and play backup for once? Just be judges. Intelligent, impartial - and above all, competent. The story isn't about you. Centrestage belongs to the singers. Start Judge Idol if you want... just for once give the country a shot at something truly remarkable, rather than plain mediocre - yet again.
I'd just as soon have four complete unknowns doing their jobs well, with the occasional heartfelt and sincerely funny comment than four puppets mouthing rehearsed lines.
Singapore Idol is never going to turn out a chart-topper, I don't think. Not in it's current form.
