| Author | Message | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1253 Registered: 2-2006 |
Okay, I know I’m setting myself up here for the jokes but I admit I watch American Idol every week. I don’t vote and I don’t really care who wins. I watch because the band is incredible. I mean watch just once and listen to the band. They can play anything and play it well. Ok now that I’ve got that out in the open, hit me with your best shot but my question is "AM I ALONE"? | ||
| jbybj
Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 63 Registered: 6-2006 |
I watch too, but the band is secondary. I love it for the drama, the comraderie, the singing, the insightful judges, but most of all, that spunky Ryan Seacrest, he's just the bomb. No, I'm not gay, but I get mistaken for gay all the time, go figure. I have a theory as to why the early episodes with all the bad singers are so popular. Not because people are mean and like to watch others suffer, but rather we get a vicarious thrill through these people. If I could be as self-unaware as these folks, I could convince myself of anything. There is something very appealing about being able to truly believe anything at all about yourself, no matter how fantastic. I just hope the show becomes so popular they have a spinoff for the over 40 contingent. | ||
| jet_powers
Advanced Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 324 Registered: 2-2003 |
Half the people I know tune in but I have yet to view this program. That's television right? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2312 Registered: 7-2004 |
My wife is addicted to A.I. I do like the early rounds with the terrible contestants. While I find the later rounds filled with pap, I agree with Olie about the band. They have sounded awfully good this year. Ever wonder what would happen if people like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, or Joe Cocker auditioned in disguise? I see an SNL skit! Bill, tgo | ||
| jack
Intermediate Member Username: jack Post Number: 148 Registered: 11-2005 |
I don't watch the show, but it is cool that they're looking for real talent, as opposed to some A&R guy finding a pair of knockers and overdubbing a voice. They audition a cappella and really have to perform. I mean it's doubtful Britney Spears would have gotten anywhere on this show, and I think Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood both are actually excellent singers. They're both cute girls too, obviously, but didn't get where they are solely on their looks. At least that's how I see it. | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 602 Registered: 4-2005 |
How would a young unknown (or better yet an old and unknown) Bob Dylan have been received on this show? That's a question I ask when folks start Idol talking with me. To each his or her own.... drr | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1254 Registered: 2-2006 |
Well as I said I don't really watch for the contestants. My wife watch’s and follows the show religiously. I do however enjoy listening to the band. SUPERB musicians. | ||
| jbybj
Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2006 |
I believe the world of music would be infinitely superior if Mr. Dylan had only published his lyrics, and never sang a note to tape. Who can say what unknown horrors Idol has already saved us from. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1255 Registered: 2-2006 |
It didn’t save us from Sanjaya.  | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1168 Registered: 9-2002 |
I wonder IF Randy Jackson had anything to do with hiring the players; I can only imagine he would have had the cream of West Coast players at his beck and call. The man CERTAINLY knows his way around a bass and a studio. J o e y | ||
| jahnahisti
Member Username: jahnahisti Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2005 |
If Dylan had never sang you would never have had Jimi doing watchtower. Remember approx. 1/4 of the population is illiterate according to CNN this year. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 256 Registered: 3-2004 |
I thought this thread was going to be about Artificial Intelligence, so I guess that shows how often I watch it ;) | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 603 Registered: 4-2005 |
Olie, I know I took off down a different rabbit hole – let me come back up another. I always tried to stay up and watch Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show Band, also known as the "The NBC Orchestra" and sometimes "Doc Severinsen and the NBC Orchestra." This was one hot set of players. Even if the show was off track, the Orchestra was always right on. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1256 Registered: 2-2006 |
I hear David, Doc knew good musicians. Another of my favorites was "The Worlds Most Dangerous Band". Will Lee is one of my favorite bass players. A very solid groove master and very capable soloist. | ||
| hankster
Intermediate Member Username: hankster Post Number: 115 Registered: 6-2004 |
I think the Idol band is terrific - I have always loved watching that band, or others in similar televised situations, playing so well with minimal rehearsal. Whether you like the music or not, the standard of playing is awesome. As a side note, Basscast #12 features a guest host who plays with the Australian Idol band - it is interesting to hear his comments. rick | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 828 Registered: 11-2004 |
I rarely watch "reality TV" including AI. I guess I get enough reality each day. Remember reality TV is TV. It is all about ratings. They get people like Sanjaya and William Hung (remember him?) so you will come back next week to see if they are still around. Kicking Sanjaya off the first week would have been a big ratings mistake. How many people don't ever watch the show but took in an episode or two to see what the Sanjaya drama is all about? People like hearing great singers but they also like seeing someone marginal or downright bad. The show is about finding a huge talent but it is also about a huge audience and huge ad revenues. Olie, I agree about the band. I'm in awe of the fantastic musicians you get to see on shows like AI and of course the late night shows. Rich | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 787 Registered: 6-2002 |
What a coincidence! Tonight was the 1st time I have ever tuned in. The band was just amazing. They did a close up on the pedal steel player when Jordin covered Martina McBride's "Broken Wing". He was playing the slide parts from charts. Did a GREAT job too! I kept hearing about this Sanjaya guy. I caught his interpretation of "Let's Give Them Something To Talk About". I thought he gave a decent performance, giving the song his own twist and style. The review panel hated him and drug him through the mud. I guess that is what makes folks keep tuning in. I turned it off after that. | ||
| hankster
Intermediate Member Username: hankster Post Number: 116 Registered: 6-2004 |
I thought the steel player was right on - did a convincing Western swing thing on the single-neck E9 a little later on in the show. Those cats can play! Rick | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1455 Registered: 4-2004 |
the bass player is the band leader, ken smith most of the time. they [practically begged him to take the job. his leverage was he picked the band and it would be live and no karaoke. the band is very good. there was an article about him somewhere. as for me i am picking my dark horse jordin sparks to win it all. sanjaya is a hermaphrodite | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1257 Registered: 2-2006 |
Oh man Jeff that last line split my sides.  | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1122 Registered: 12-2002 |
I agree with you olie I dont watch the show either but those cats RIPP! nor do i go to church but i listen to modern gospel simply cause the musicians are phenomenal, there's a new breed of players compared to the 70's gospel musicians when i started out. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2313 Registered: 7-2004 |
In my house we refer to Sanjaya as "the Michael Jackson guy". Personally, I'd bet one of the women win. This year they seem to be far superior to the men. Even worse than Sanjaya? Ryan Seacrest! out. Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1258 Registered: 2-2006 |
I always get a laugh out of Randy Jackson tooting his own horn. Last night I heard him say, " As an acomlpished producer I think blah blah blah..." Kind of funny to me. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4981 Registered: 5-2002 |
To address the original question, no, I've never watched the show. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1411 Registered: 6-2002 |
We have the same type of show over here, of course. I didn't survive 10 minutes into the early rounds - as a spectator, I mean. As far as I'm aware, they use canned music over here. | ||
| grateful
Intermediate Member Username: grateful Post Number: 196 Registered: 12-2004 |
The day I watch TV featuring Simon Cowell will be the day I'm in need of some euthanasia! Mark |
