American Industry

Last night I noticed about 5 songs that were by former American Idol contestants in the background while I was dining out at a restaurant. It's become quite apparent that AI has taken over the music industry. It's a no brainer -- The acts have already been "focus group" tested by the American public. At this point all they have to do is get packaged and marketed. It's become quite apparent that AI has taken over the music industry.

The last thing you want to do as a contestant on American Idol is to actually win the competition! It seems there are only 2-3 winners that have stuck around. Most of the airwaves are polluted with the castoffs and we rarely even hear about the winners. Where is Fantasia Barino these days? Probably hanging out with Taylor Hicks at Euro-Disney.

In my experience, you'll be hard pressed to find anyone in the entertainment industry willing to take a risk these days. Almost every song you hear on the radio has been put though the same "hit making" mill, which continuously churns out frothy, forgettable pop. Even Bon Jovi is pumping out country hits. When the hell did that happen? I suppose it's the only way to stay relevant for some. Most industry folk will only go for the "sure thing." This also explains why every single movie that comes out today is either a remake, a sequel, based on a comic book, novel, TV show, toy, a theme park ride, a cartoon carrot, a talking toupee, a popsicle stand, a dog & pony show, a salad dressing, etc. etc. etc.

All safe bets. Where are the original ideas? Where are the "Ghostbusters" of today!?



Our world today lacks vision and needs a great big fucking pair of bifocals.

Piaaaaaaaa!

How could America vote off the best singer in the competition??? The elimination of Pia Toscano is a big enough upset for even me to quit watching American Idol!

I'm convinced the voters must all be smoking crack in order to have voted her off and keep the lame country, microphone flautist Scotty "McDreary."

American Idol has officially OFFICIALLY jumped the shark after this unforgivable moment. This show has always been about likability and vocal talent. They've really offset the ratio by voting for talentless teenyboppers and putting the actual musicians in jeopardy. It just goes to show that you really don't need ability or even good looks to make it in the music biz. The remaining contestants are a bunch of interchangeable garbage faces and Casey Abrams. Let me know who wins, cuz I ain't watchin' no more.

Casey Abrams threw it down.

I've been watching the 10th season of American Idol and the judges (Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler) are completely confounding me with who they send to Hollywood. There's a lot of schlocky stock talent that they've been sending through just because they shed a few tears and said "pretty please!?" The only person that showed any sort of actual musicianship and ability thus far has been Casey Abrams. He effortlessly trumps the other contestants with his jazzy, horn-like vocals, and feel. Sure there have been some people that can "sing nice," but no one has shown that they can actually throw down, command attention and suck you into their performance. Although they edited his introduction to make him appear somewhat awkward, he seems to be the kind of guy who's bigger than the show itself.

Paula Ab-Fool!

Paula Abdul has decided not to come back to American Idol this upcoming season. I must admit, she definitely adds to the entertainment value of the show with her incoherent psychobabble. She's the Anti-Simon in that her critiques make no sense and they are way too nice.

I predict that she will somehow find her way back to the show... at least I hope she does. If the producers know what's good for the show, they'll give her a nice big fat raise.

Amercian Idol Finale

Kris Allen wins! He was clearly as shocked as the rest of us by this announcement at the end of last night's American Idol Finale. He was by no means favored to win, but he seemed to have beat all of the odds and come out victorious.

A couple of my favorite moments of the show were Norman Gentle's antics and when Kara DioGuardi showed up to out-sing and out-bikini Bikini Girl herself!

About an hour after Kris' surprise win, my excitement subsided. I began to wonder how Kris could have won when he is clearly not as skilled a performer as Adam nor is he as dynamic a singer. I can't help but sense that the outcome is a result of American homophobia. I believe that even if there was only a small percentage of people who voted against Adam because he is gay, it was probably enough to skew the vote in Kris' favor.

This thought has stuck with me. Even though I don't like Adam's melodramatic style and false modesty, I can clearly see that he is more seasoned than Kris and by all accounts should have been the victor. It seems to me that this is just another manifestation of modern society's unwillingness to accept yet another minority group.

Gay is the new Black.

Newsflash, America: Gay people exist! They have always been here and they always will be! Get over yourself if you think that they should not be afforded the same privileges, accolades and rights as someone else trying just as hard.

I am still happy that Kris won because I think he's a great talent. He has a sincere connection with music and plenty of room to grow as a musician/performer. I am just saddened at the revelation that perhaps America itself may still have a long way to grow.