January 13, 2009

Yes, I've noticed...

"American Idol" is back. Are you going to watch this time?

AND: I liked the way they opened with an homage to the myth of themselves.

AND: After that suicide of a contestant, I think they are making a big effort to show the love. Even when they say no, they say, but you're really very sweet. Hope that doesn't get mawkish.

AND: They've got this new judge, but she doesn't do much. It's as if she's deliberately holding back and letting Paula dominate so it doesn't seem as though she's been brought in to replace Paula. As a result, however, we don't know what she's doing there.

88 comments:

JohnAnnArbor said...

Never seen it.

But I'm a science-engineering nerd. Not their target audience, I suspect.

Anonymous said...

I'm watching it now. My kids love it.

Trooper York said...

Of course.

I would expect that you will blog about it more this season as you missed a bet last year when you blew it off for bullshit like the election.

And this year they have Mormons to drive your fans crazy.

Gary Kirk said...

I don't have a television, so I won't be watching what I wouldn't be watching.

dbp said...

Almost tempted enough to watch it just to understand your blog posts. Almost.

It would be so great if you blogged 24: A show my wife loves and which is just slightly not bad enough for me to avoid.

Zachary Sire said...

I refuse to get sucked into it again. No. Not happening. It really is a horrible show.

24 is back though! And it's actually really good, so far. Hour 3 last night was awesome.

David said...

Did not watch it before (I dislike the humiliation factor) so no reason to change now.

Ann Althouse said...

@David -- they are tweaking the format and having less of the bad people. Also being very sympathetic.

Trooper York said...

You guys don't know what you are missing. It is the face of America. And they like to be humiliated. People thrive on that stuff. It is good clean All-American fun. Nothing is more American than making fun of people who can't sing.

But by all means cop a pose. You are too good to enjoy what the rest of America is watching.

I think they are having a paint drying marathon on PBS.

Jennifer said...

I wish I knew how to quit you, American Idol.

Zachary Sire said...

I don't care about the humiliating part of the show. Those people go on deliberately to be humiliating. It's the over produced show and the overmanaged tweens and the overmedicated Paula that is all just unwatchable.

Trooper York said...

The new judge is the daughter of a former congressman from New York State and has worked with Paula for a long time. So she is seen as an ally to Paula and not a threat. If they replace Paula it will be with another washed up singer.

Hey Madonna I'm looking at you.

Trooper York said...

Or maybe Janet Jackson.

Zachary Sire said...

Madonna would never, EVER do this show. Last year she had another #1 hit, a #1 tour, and a #1 album. Not exactly washed up.

Trooper York said...

Hey Zach, if she would do A-Rod she would do anything.

reader_iam said...

Even when they say no, they say, but you're really very sweet.

The times, they are a'changin'... .

(But I still don't expect to watch, except when visiting my in-laws.)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that was quite defensive ZPS. Are you really Camille Paglia in disguise?

Anonymous said...

My girls went to bed before the bikini babe came on, and now I have to fast forward the DVR before they can see the rest of the show.

Rose said...

Madonna's in hiding. Has a fatwa issued against her. Seems saying you hate Bush isn't enough to keep them from beheading you.

Mark O said...

Trooper, LOL.

Jennifer said...

I liked the new judge until she got all weirdly competitive with bikini girl.

I love that they're showing so many good auditions this year. I get so bored and edgy with the horrible ones.

Anonymous said...

DBP: Jack Bauer really is a superhero. I used to date him before Mr. Incredible.

Ann Althouse said...

I kinda loved when the 2 women got pissed at bikini girl.

Richard said...

Did Seacrest try to high five the blind contestant?

Jennifer said...

I found the singing while bikini girl was singing uncomfortably juvenile. Smack her down like an adult, new judge.

And, I liked Seacrest's "I'm giving you a high five now" play-by-play.

Did anyone else find the playing of "I kissed a girl and I liked it" during the bikini girl/Seacrest kiss odd? Somehow that fit right in with the AI "ha ha ha you're gay. no, you're gay" weirdness.

reader_iam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
reader_iam said...

Oops! Deleted the wrong comment on the wrong thread.

reader_iam said...

Re-post:

reader_iam has left a new comment on the post "Yes, I've noticed...":

You know, not to be weird or anything, but: Waaaaaaayyyyyy back in the day when I worked in a pvt-np, with adults with disabilities working to live independently as possible in the community (when that was a more novel concept), people high-fived. Oh yes they did. Creatively, even.

In the case of blind v. sighted people, one or the other of the parties involved often said: "High five!"

And so they (we) did.

No mocking or disrespect about it.

/OT musing

Christy said...

RiT, too bad, I thought it rather lovely.

So tell the rest of us, what did bikini girl do?

My old TV boyfriend is back as the bad guy in 24. I'm happy.

TitusRenalFailure said...

I can't watch American Idol yet.

They need to narrow down the throngs before I can even attempt to watch.

By the way Maureen Dowd has one of her finest editorials today. I know you all hate her but the good news for most here is she goes off on the Clintons.

blake said...

They need a crossover.

Jack Bauer could snap Simon's next and sing "My Way".

chuck b. said...

"Don't cling to fame. You're just borrowing it. It's like money. You're going to die, and somebody else is going to get it." --Sonny Bono.


Later tonight after the pain medication kicks in, I've got the Real Houswives [Drunk Whores] of Orange County on the DVR.

themightypuck said...

Kiefer Sutherland looks a lot like William Shatner. I wonder about his paternity.

Methadras said...

Paula is getting replaced. After her flub last season it is apparent the show is rigged. However, the moronic seal clapping robots don't care, so they will still drool on themselves to get as close to Ryan Seacrest as possible. I bet you Dunkleman is really really getting pissed about seeing that pretty boy face every season now isn't he?

Mrs. Topsy Canning said...

Bubble bubble, toil and trouble.....

Look who's on Twitter now--

http://twitter.com/maxinesplace

Curses !

The Crack Emcee said...

Zachary Paul Sire,

"Madonna would never, EVER do this show. Last year she had another #1 hit, a #1 tour, and a #1 album. Not exactly washed up."

I dare you to name one good song on that awful #1 album. She keeps trying on "hot" producers, which can stretch out the inevitable, but the truth is she's an offensive hack.

And while I don't think AI is a determinate of talent, by a long shot, it's still a good show - especially when they humiliate those who humiliate themselves. The whole thing is as American as it gets:

Strive, Kids, strive!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

One season was enough for me.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann Althouse said...

TitusRenalFailure....

chuck b. said..."Later tonight after the pain medication kicks in..."

Are you guys okay?

Hoosier Daddy said...

Hey Zach, if she would do A-Rod she would do anything.

I'm betting even money she has.

Shanna said...

Haven't watched and don't currently plan to, although this will be the first year. I haven't watched the auditions in years and since they completely ruined Hollywood week last year and then I hated the season, I took it off my TIVO.

traditionalguy said...

The time spent listening to the singers is time taken away from better uses. But it is a good distraction like circuses in the Roman Coloseum complete with loser gladiators killed off at the end. Besides they prempt House.

TitusRenalFailure said...

I am fine. My company focuses on patient with renal failure.

SteveR said...

I have watched the show for the last six seasons, not every minute, but mostly and I generally enjoy it. With my schedule and with three kids, I don't feel I can fully enjoy a show like 24, which no one else in my house would watch. So its a compromise for the sake of family time.

Anyway last night was good as audition shows go and the new judge seems to have some personality although we've not seen that much.

The girl ("Stevie") who did Etta James was good. And there was some funny stuff too!

Modern Otter said...

The demise of Next Great American Band (which I liked) sets the stage for the Sheila E. Era of American Idol. That would increase my chances of re-upping.

knox said...

My guess is Madonna would kill to be on American Idol. It'd be the most exposure she's had in a long time.

Despite album sales and her tours, it's a very narrow audience she's reaching at this point. Just hangers-on. Nothing wrong with that, but for the rest of us, sorry, she's... well, somebody recently compared her to Norma Desmond. blake, was it you? Anyway, the comparison is apt.

knox said...

Oh yeah, and Althouse, please blog Idol this year. It's always nice when there's a little community built around a TV show.

rhhardin said...

Armstrong and Getty report that they're using the retarded and the special needs heavily.

Which matches the audience, in my opinion.

knox said...

Gosh, thanks, rh!

Trooper York said...

You know the bikini incident reminds me of when you dolls mix it up on Althouse.

Why can't you ladies get along. Hee, hee.

Trooper York said...

The goal in the early going is to stand out, but not too much and not for the wrong thing.

The bikini girl got a lot of camera time but will be out right away in the next round because she can't sing.

And she ain't that hot. Too skinny.

Trooper York said...

The first Afro guy was scarey bad. And I couldn't decide who he reminded of more: Oscar Gamble or the Wild Samoan's.

Of course they sing a lot better than him.

Trooper York said...

The sorta blind guy was kinka milking it though.

Trooper York said...

Hey Madonna called. The Mossad bodyguards she has are not enough. She wants Zach and Titus to join her security detail.

Trooper York said...

Hey did you see when they said they had a roughneck that like to drill pipe up next, Paula got all excited.

As did Seacrest.

Trooper York said...

Man when Seacrest got kissed by the bikini girl he looked almost as uncomfortable as John McCain standing next to Sarah Palin.

Almost.

Trooper York said...

The new judge is the daughter of a former congressman. So we know she knows how to take a bride.

I hope they check her freezer.

Trooper York said...

Every year Randy looks more and more like Idi Amin.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

reader_iam said...

So we know she knows how to take a bride.

LOL!

reader_iam said...

It would be even funnier had Troop gone with ice box rather than freezer. Jes' sayin'.

Trooper York said...

Paula's wearing glasses. She thinks it makes her look smart.
Good luck with that one.

Trooper York said...

Ice box?

Who are you, Alice Kramden?

Trooper York said...

One of the guys looked just like Eddie Munster. Or Loafing Oaf. I am not sure which.

Trooper York said...

Is the girl in pink destined to off herself in a judges driveway in ten years?

Trooper York said...

The girl that sang "At Last" has an extremely big head. Which is very good since most popular actors have heads out of proportion to their bodies.

But man she had a forehead of Klingon proportions.

Trooper York said...

You know I would have given Seacrest ten bucks if he would have thrown the sort of blind guy in the pool.

Trooper York said...

Next week Senator Lugar will replace Paula because he earned it after the way he questioned Hillary.

Trooper York said...

Wouldn't it be cool if Simon asked the next contestant if they paid the social security taxes on their nanny?

Trooper York said...

Don't you think that the southern girl whose family couldn't make it has some relative in jail?

"My mama would have been here but she is doing a two year bit in Angola. This is for you momma!"

Trooper York said...

I think the personality girl who couldn't sing but did the calisthenics in the waiting room had spent too much time hanging around with Coach Reed's kids.

(That's for you AJ)

Trooper York said...

You know I feel like Lem after the bodega closed and I am down to my last case of Bud nips.

Trooper York said...

I hope nobody brings a new born baby like they did last year. Because Paula might try to kill the mom and steal the baby. Just sayn'

Trooper York said...

One good thing. It looks like Simon got control of his nipples this year.

Or maybe the air conidtioning sucked in Arizona.

Trooper York said...

The sort of blind guy has a problem because his brother can’t come to Hollywood because he has to work. So they are going to get him a dog. The timing should work out fine since Hillary’s hearing are going well so Chelsea should be free in time for Hollywood week.

Trooper York said...

What we can only make fun of Palin's family?

reader_iam said...

Trooper is a natural twitterer (tweeter?).

Trooper York said...

I think the girl they pimped in the first spot will be out in Hollywood week. They usually don't show their hand so quick and you really don't see a lot of the real contenders in the first few shows.

Trooper York said...

Why reader that's the nicest thing you ever said to me.

I have always thought of you as a yellow bellied sap sucker.

Hee, hee.

Trooper York said...

Oh sorry. I meant I thought Seacrest was a sap sucker.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Trooper York said...

Hey they say that Castro's brother is in this year.

No not Fidel's brother, Jason's the dreadlocked pot head guy.

You think with all the money their family made inventing the convertable sofa they would give somebody else a chance.

Trooper York said...

Oh wait, let me take my own advice.

Seacrest out.

Well he's not out, but everybody kinda knows.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Are you going to watch this time?

Nope. Never.

The only time I've seen any of it was when it was forced upon me in news clips. And a few YouTube clips of the big winner last year to see what the big deal is. I don't even remember who won. I think it was a woman?

Dust Bunny Queen said...

You guys don't know what you are missing. It is the face of America. And they like to be humiliated. People thrive on that stuff. It is good clean All-American fun. Nothing is more American than making fun of people who can't sing.

I watched the Gong Show a couple of times...That was enough for me. Cruel and stupid.

The Unknown Comic was kind of funny though.

TitusRenalFailure said...

Troop you are mean.

Chelsea Clinton looks pretty good. Love her hair, it's so Veronica Lake.

TitusRenalFailure said...

Chelsea has a nice body too.

Long legs, big tits. I would do her. She was at a gay bar in Chelsea and the queens were all in a tither. They were yelling love your highlights and fabulous hair and you know we know.

Chris Arabia said...

Oscar Gamble, Alice Kramden, Idi Amin, and The Unknown Comic, all in context, within a few comments of each other.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Bravo to all of you. To paraphrase Bush 41, I want to give the high-five symbol to all involved.

The last 3-4 times I've flipped onto the Bravo channel, speaking of Bravo, I have been subjected to a few seconds of those drunken bimbo housewives of Orange County. Awful, awful people.

chickelit said...

Slow day over at Trooper York today?

Nichevo said...

Got any good photos of Chelsea so I can see if you are sane, Titus?