Now let me get this straight, I never saw any of the first series of Pop Idol. I think that that’s an important point to make whilst I try to preserve the little bit of credibility that may remain after writing this particular epistle. Just to prove a point, both Will Young and Gareth Gates ... Read review
Advantages: Geezer in gold suit singing Tainted Love Disadvantages: Tis a rip off yer fools
...of the first series of Pop Idol. I think that that’s an important point to make whilst I try to preserve the little bit of credibility that may remain after writing this particular epistle. Just to prove a point, both Will Young and Gareth Gates are as obscure to me as a South American Bolas would be in the middle of Norwich. Notwithstanding, I do think that Will Young’s latest single is quite catchy although both the aforementioned probably belong ... ...in and out of the Pop Idol final. For those self-respecting, upstanding individuals that choose not to watch this pulp fiction, Pop Idol is a concept based on a series of auditions for 10000 (I think) wannabes who get whittled down to an eventual winner via a series of rounds. The real draw is the caustic comments made by the panel of judges who take seeming delight in reducing this year’s budding Maria Carey or Justin Timberlake into last year’s ... more
Now let me get this straight, I never saw any of the first series of Pop Idol. I think that that’s an important point to make whilst I try to preserve the little bit of credibility that may remain after writing this particular epistle. Just to prove a point, both Will Young and Gareth Gates are as obscure to me as a South American Bolas would be in the middle of Norwich. Notwithstanding, I do think that Will Young’s latest single is quite catchy although both the aforementioned probably belong more in the murky depths of a Eurovision song contest as opposed to any manufactured presence in a world dominated by manipulators and deceivers.
So it was that I flitted in and out of the Pop Idol final. For those self-respecting, upstanding individuals that choose not to watch this pulp fiction, Pop Idol is a concept based on a series of auditions for 10000 (I think) wannabes who get whittled down to an eventual winner via a series of rounds. The real draw is the caustic comments made by the panel of judges who take seeming delight in reducing this year’s budding Maria Carey or Justin Timberlake into last year’s cabaret window cleaner not even good enough to star in Peter Kaye’s Phoenix Nights. It’s this pernicious malevolence that inspires thousands, nee millions to join a rolling bandwagon that concludes in a 1 against 1 showdown in front of a studio audience (all holding silly placards imploring a vote for their favoured candidate).
But this year has been different hasn’t it? From the plastic pop clones that are Will Young and Gareth "I did Jordan" Gates to a voting public determined to go against the grain and elect a King or Queen who breaks the mould. Trouble is, with the supposedly independent company collating the millions of texts and phone votes, how would you know whether they have really called it as it is? I mean, it’s so uncanny that the apparent favourites have been voted off each week in floods of tears.
I still can’t believe that I’ve taken in so much of this irrelevant nonsense when there have been more noble causes to pursue. In a time when Saddam has finally been tracked down to a bunker in Tikrit, here I am along with millions of others arguing about whether Sam is really Jamie Oliver trying to launch an alternative career and how come Andy Scott Lee is the only one who actually looks like a rock star and yet is so laid back that he probably still doesn’t realise that he’s been voted off. Hopefully, sis has more time on her hands since the break up of Steps and might call him to alert him to the next round of auditions already planned for next year (assuming Ant & Dec survive a jungle experience with Gazza)
An essential element of Pop Idol is the seasoned comments made by 4 judges who know the world of pop inside out. Poor old Pete Waterman has suffered an almost Bobby Robson type of absent mindedness during this series. Classically, he told the only decent singer in the last 12, Chris Hide, that nobody should attempt “White Christmas” and yet this song was chosen by the judges for him to sing. Still, his on screen love affair with the starry eyed Simon Cowell has entertained the viewing public although the loaded Mr Nasty did get told off for continually taking the Micheal out of poor old Pete, finally trying the patience of Ant & Dec by leaning back and starring at Mr Waterman during his latest ramble. You have to say, Simon Cowell is an astute man. Already the 3rd highest paid star on American TV, his collection of articulated put downs whilst smarming like the rich bloke he is has captured the imagination of women (without any depth) the globe over. His sparring with Kate Thornton has uttered subliminal messages of “do me on a bed of fifty pounds notes” although SC can clearly have his pick of the ladies whilst practising his next round of insults on the quiet with the winker, Anne Robinson.
Nicky Chapman continues to plough the middle ground with her pretty demeanour and generally nice comments although Dr Fox has become cheesier than a packet of Jacobs lost in an Edam factory. Ironically, one of his biggest insults has been to accuse some contestants of being too cabaret whilst looking like he would fit into one of Martin Fry’s glittery ABC suits better than the aforementioned himself.
So to last night. Needless to say, the result was never in doubt. With 10.6 million votes cast (10.5 million by top 12 contender, lovely Kim who split them evenly as she didn't want anyone to lose), Simon Cowell’s bank balance was very appreciative of all those teenage girls furiously texting whilst keeping their telephones on constant re-dial. The vote was never in question. How on earth people managed to convince themselves that the screechy porker from Scotland, Michelle (apologies to rotund ladies everywhere) could actually sing just typifies the mass hypnosis possible with this kind of project. OK, she has a booming voice but then she has a booming frame to generate it and am I the only one that finds her singing whiney and distinctly Scottish when I really just want to listen to a decent singer instead? She’s even managed to come through a weekly visit to the sick bucket just before straining out her latest big number that’s got the crowd rocking and cooing as she belts out those high notes. Poor old Black Country, Mark never stood a chance. With a twinkle in his eye and a mediocre warble, it still beggars belief that he managed to get that far. Even, mini-rocker Sam could sing better than Mark whilst Chris Hide genuinely can sing but is hampered by a geeky appearance and weird sense of humour. Saying that, Pete Waterman did call that one right and you can’t help thinking that if it had been down to the Walsall millionaire, Chris would have won.
I guess that, ultimately, the thing I find most offensive about Pop Idol is it’s unsubtle approach to milking a gullible public out of it’s hard earned. With Pop Idol on tour, Pop Idol Christmas Single, Pop Idol album, Pop Idol games etc together with the millions extricated via a suspect weekly vote, the whole thing smacks of blatant mass mind control. Of course, I can’t escape the trap myself, my daughter insists she wants the Pop Idol album for Christmas (bah).
Will I be watching the series next year? Well, if it’s got blokes like the gold-suited geezer who did a head roll on stage then sang an out of tune “Tainted Love” then I may well just do. Otherwise, a pendulous watch whilst being told that I’m getting very sleepy would do just as well.
Thanks for reading
Marandina (please don’t sue me, I have no money)
Pop Idol features on ITV1 & ITV2 both on Saturday nights and throughout the week when it’s on. Series 3 due 2004.
Advantages: Some great voices Disadvantages: Can't stand the judges
...HE IS A JUDGE ON POP IDOL
I have read several Pop Idol opinions all going on about how bad the judges are. How rude and demeaning they are and I agree. However, am I the only one who thinks it’s slightly fixed? The panel of Nikki Chapman, Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman and Dr. Fox are all gaining a rather unwanted reputation for being too harsh to people who want to have a go. However, I have to say I begin to wonder when they all seem to agree ... ...to him or her.
POP IDOL OR POP PAP?
I can say I am a great fan of the show. It is very tacky to me. The contestants are fantastic and they all deserve something. However, I can’t be a big fan. Very disappointing Please don’t mark me down because I don’t like the show because it is my opinion, whether it’s good or bad…
Thanks for reading and MERRY XMAS TO ALL…
SOLEX/OLLIE ...
Solex 15.12.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pop Idol
Advantages: Eager young faces alight with hope and expectation Disadvantages: Crumpled young faces crushed by cruel rejection
...to demonstrate that these days, pop stars and entertainers are manufactured and inserted into the national psyche through careful marketing and packaging.
"Pop Idol" is a recent addition to the talent search format. Hosted by Ant and Dec (an ironic choice, all things considered), the premise is simple. A panel of judges comprised of DJ Neil Fox, Popstars judge Nicki Chapman, record boss Simon Cowells and the infamous Pete Waterman tour the county ... ...a cappella snippets of some pop drivel- but gradually I became fascinated, albeit in the way you feel when driving past a car wreck. The appeal of the show for me is twofold- firstly, the contestants are so eager and so nervous, and in most cases, every emotion they feel is on display. To be honest, most of them are terrible. A fact not lost on the judges, who are uniformly brutally frank in their evaluations. Comments range from the blunt "That ...
tartantribe 15.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pop Idol
Advantages: Well the judges comments simply have to be put into the advantages section! Disadvantages: Sometimes Simon Cowells comments drive you nuts!, Simon Cowells tops!
..., am addicted to Pop Idol" There, that wasn't so hard was it?! The question is "Why do we like these sorts of programmes?!" When you look at the content of the programme you'll not find much of interest really, but still, millions of people tune in at 6:10 on a Saturday evening to watch the latest rounds of the Pop Idol wannabe's. This Saturday's show (1st Dec.) would no doubt have reeled in bigger crowds because of Darius and Rik Waller. ... ...make a new version of Pop Stars. Why? Well i'm not entirely sure because let's face it, Hear'Say aren't exactly fab are they? (Well unless it's just me that's tone deaf?) Last night's show was the closest vote yet though, the show is nearing its finale now, last nights show being the last night when we pick the final 10 to go forward. Rik Waller (yes, thats that large [sounds nicer than the f word!] guy who's been in the papers/internet) won last ...
Sarah_Louise 02.12.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pop Idol
Advantages: kitsch entertainment Disadvantages: panellists trying to hard to outnasty 'Nasty Nigel'
...many of the top 80's pop acts, desperately trying to be 'nastier than Nigel'), Neil Fox (just don't mention crabs), and some other guy who looks like he gatecrashed the whole thing without being rumbled.
The show is another easy to watch smorgasbord of kitsch entertainment involving joy and sadness, although will undoubtedly gain ratings thanks to the 'there's nothing else on so we might as well watch this' mentality that everyone gets on the dismal ... ...is the twist that makes Pop Idols potentially better than Popstars, as the winner will be bound to possess an instant ego (Hearsay's Kym took at least 20 minutes to develop her's).
I don't know whether the winner of the show will go on to fame and riches and Brit awards. However, I know that if you ever her the immortal words 'Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be skinny white girl from Pop Idol', you'll know they have. ...
stoffy 07.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pop Idol
Advantages: great entertainment, good fun, down to the very best now Disadvantages: not on every day of the week!!
Pop Idol is the best programme on TV. Yep, even better than EastEnders. I’ll go further – EVEN better than Holby City!! Yes indeedy. Even good enough for me to write in a non-paying category on Ciao!! Oh yes!
Let me explain…
THE EARLY ROUNDS
For those who haven’t seen any of this, Pop Idol began a few months ago. We were treated to prime time programmes once a week, where we saw glimpses of the first auditions. In a similar ... ...the right ingredients of a pop star? Or young Oliver, sweet sixteen, but looking twelve and singing like a choirboy?
So many stars, so little time for exposure. So many on the cattle market. So few spotlights to shine…
THE JUDGES
The four judges were responsible for whittling down the thousands of hopefuls. By the time it came to the final fifty, their role had been reduced. Now they offer criticism (not always constructive!) and predict ...
KarenUK 11.01.2002 (14.02.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pop Idol
Advantages: They do genuinely try to teach and improve the kids Disadvantages: Hmm where do I start
Well Saturday nights have now reverted once again to trying to miss as little of both Fame Academy and PopIdol as possible, because of course they clash (BBC and ITV), and yes I know I could record it but that would mean admitting to myself that somehow I do care - which I don't honest!! and no I couldn't possibly wait until Sunday for the ITV2 repeat of PopIdol, well I might miss something!
Fame academy is now well into its 2nd season and has 3 weeks left to go, I will not go into depth about all the contestants as we only have Alex, Peter, Carolyn, James and Alistaire left now so the others are all history! All of these remaining hopefuls have very different styles and obvious talent. However the format in a nutshell is; 13 hopeful contestants entered the Fame Academy where they eat, sleep, rehearse, write songs and get told off ...
Advantages: It gives 10 people what they always wanted Disadvantages: Have you heard Geri's comments?
. They will then battle it out for a number 1 Christmas single - small question here - what if none of them get to number 1?
APPLYING
Unfortunately the closing date for applications was the 31st July.
AUDITION LOCATIONS
London - 5 auditions
Manchester - 4 auditions
Glasgow - 2 auditions
THE JUDGES
Following last series and PopIdol, famous judges and presenters are chosen.
Pete Waterman - Well most of you will have known him as that scary judge of PopIdol.
Geri Halliwell - Former member of the band the Spice Girls, launched own solo project.
Louie Walsh - Former Manager of Ireland's Boyzone and manager of Westlife
Presenting - Davina McColl - Ah Davina, Big Brothers presenter - you've gotta love her.
WHATS DIFFERENT?
Last year, the mission was to form a group with 5 members in it. This year it's two groups, one girl ...
I would just like to write a review on Britain's Got Talent, a prime time weekend show that just got better after Scotswoman Susan Boyle wowed us all quite surprisingly! But this particular show is one with a bit of a difference, as I shall tell you all about now.
We are all used to the usual reality TV shows that are currently on at this time of similar proportions, such as the X Factor; PopIdol, and so on. But whereas the majority (if not all) of them are purely singing related, this one is more about the other talents that people may have (although singing still does come in to it should that be your own particular talent).
The general layout of the show is the same, whereby you go up in front of the panel of judges who then decide as to whether you are good enough to be able to carry on. Once you have, then you are then ...
