Yesterday nearly 20,000 hopefuls stood outside of the Wacovia Center in Philadelphia to wait their turn to audition. I feel sorry for those who were at the end of the line that started before 4 AM.
I give them credit for having the where-with-all to wait for their turn before the preliminary judges. You have to want something bad to wait for so long. By dinner time they were still listening to auditions and there were hours to go still.
The judges deserve some credit for being there all that time. A captive audience you might say.
Several of the early arrivals were singled out by the media to give a little sample of what they intended to sing. As I listened to each of them in turn it occurred to me they all sounded alike. Didn't any of them have something original. Sure, they sang different songs but each one, man or woman, sounded the same in every inflection. I only heard a dozen or so and can only imagine how the judges felt after a few thousand.
Only about a thousand will be chosen to go on to the next round. This gave me pause for thought. This show always lets a certain number of auditioners, who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, through to the next round so they can be ridiculed on camera by Simon and the rest. Is this really fair? Are they letting these few bad singers through at the expense of someone else who might actually be able to sing? Seems unlikely. The judges have already picked the better singers from the rest and just need a few for some reality television. It gives the better singers the incentive to do their best and not fall under the wrath of Simon.
William Hung (I hope I spelled his name correctly) was an exception. Some fast thinking producer saw a way to make a few bucks for a year or so then let William fade away. If he's still in show business it's a big secret because I haven't heard of him, in a while.
There even was a cross dresser there for the audition. What a flamboyant load of whatever. The man was dressed in a white feather dress, a white feather boa, a white feather hat with a huge brim and white high heels. That one I hope got the free pass to ridicule city. Not that I'm a nasty person or have anything against cross dressers, it's just good TV.
Anyway, I wish them all luck but I'll be staying away from the early rounds until the chaff is separated from the wheat.
I give them credit for having the where-with-all to wait for their turn before the preliminary judges. You have to want something bad to wait for so long. By dinner time they were still listening to auditions and there were hours to go still.
The judges deserve some credit for being there all that time. A captive audience you might say.
Several of the early arrivals were singled out by the media to give a little sample of what they intended to sing. As I listened to each of them in turn it occurred to me they all sounded alike. Didn't any of them have something original. Sure, they sang different songs but each one, man or woman, sounded the same in every inflection. I only heard a dozen or so and can only imagine how the judges felt after a few thousand.
Only about a thousand will be chosen to go on to the next round. This gave me pause for thought. This show always lets a certain number of auditioners, who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, through to the next round so they can be ridiculed on camera by Simon and the rest. Is this really fair? Are they letting these few bad singers through at the expense of someone else who might actually be able to sing? Seems unlikely. The judges have already picked the better singers from the rest and just need a few for some reality television. It gives the better singers the incentive to do their best and not fall under the wrath of Simon.
William Hung (I hope I spelled his name correctly) was an exception. Some fast thinking producer saw a way to make a few bucks for a year or so then let William fade away. If he's still in show business it's a big secret because I haven't heard of him, in a while.
There even was a cross dresser there for the audition. What a flamboyant load of whatever. The man was dressed in a white feather dress, a white feather boa, a white feather hat with a huge brim and white high heels. That one I hope got the free pass to ridicule city. Not that I'm a nasty person or have anything against cross dressers, it's just good TV.
Anyway, I wish them all luck but I'll be staying away from the early rounds until the chaff is separated from the wheat.
