"So tell us Eleanor - what programs are you watching on TV these days?"
Glad you asked.
Well, as I've shared before in this blog, I'm watching this season's American Idol with the two new judges or whatever you want to call them. In my mind, anyway, the purpose of the trio is to select potential contestants and judge their singing talents accordingly. Having had reservations about the addition of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, they have proven in my eyes to be kind of wishy-washy. While Ms Lopez is a good singer, her contribution to the show has been to wear gorgeous outfits for various designers who want their designer duds seen by the public. I have yet to see her wear the same outfit twice but then why should she if she has all the designers fighting to get their stuff out there. In as far as judging the singers, she rarely (if ever) has heavily criticized their singing, the reason for her having been chosen in the first place, one assumes. She does, however, have a nice smile and I like her makeup and hair.
New judge no. 2, Stephen Tyler, has a good voice and is an entertaining singer with a lot of charisma, however his judging is limited to praising...everyone. Rarely have I heard him utter any negative comments about the young singers and on occasion some of them have deserved negative criticism. He sort-of sits there looking somewhat bored. Relieve the man of his misery someone!
The Idol contestants on the whole are a cut above past seasons but it would add so much more to the show if somebody would tell them they sucked when their singing abilities...sucked. It will be interesting to see how Simon Cowell's "X" Factor fares against Idol and soon The Voice. The what?
In as far as Dancing With the Stars - what stars? Few of them are recognizable other than Kirstie Alley and Ralph Macchio, who I remember from The Karate Kid. Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard has some recognition but who are the rest? As a former - not current - viewer of the show, the nimble-footed professionals dancing with the not-so-nimble stars was an entertaining way to spend an hour. Somehow knowing that there are no...stars to speak of, I'm passing on the show.
Also enjoy watching:
Detroit 1-8-7 - great story lines and acting
Secret Millionaire - always great to see someone in the position to share money with those who can use it
V - love the vile Queen of Lizardness, Anna - so cold and...lizard-like
America's Got Talent - best thing that NBC could have done was to add Howie Mandel. A perfect fit for his personality
The Event - interesting at the beginning but slowly deteriorating into your 'seen that before' sci-fi series. It sure ain't no "Lost"!
Minute to Win It - tried watching the show for a minute but it didn't win me over Survivor - better this season but once Russell was voted off, it lost its appeal and is getting boring
So which programs is everyone watching?
Showing posts with label Steven Tyler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steven Tyler. Show all posts
Monday, April 04, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
American Idol - the result show - blah
I'm probably like many people who complain about American Idol and the judges, but make sure to watch the show. This year's group of young singers really show promise and can actually carry a tune. Or so it seemed.
For me it's the attraction has been the try-outs and auditions to find or discover the best singers during their cross-country trip, followed by their performances during "Hollywood Week." It's always amazing and definitely sad to be subjected to the very un-talented wanna-be's who for whatever reason, are of the opinion that they can sing, when it's very obvious they are tone deaf but I digress.
The performances this week of the final thirteen contestants was uneven at best and maybe nerves got the best of them. Perhaps, IMHO, there were four who really stood out but the rest were...there. So much for the performance critique.
Last night was the first elimination. Can't fathom the rationale by the powers-that-be for bringing on the first few singers and then eliminating one of them right at the start. Perhaps it was to spare them all the agony of having to wait it out but somehow something was missing. The buildup...the tension...the waiting...in other words, the drama. When Ryan Seacrest moved over to the safe group, they seemed in shock. He had to actually tell them to be excited and relieved.
Still find this year's judges to be bland. Although I enjoy Steven Tyler as a singer and an entertainer, he seems out of it at times and definitely not critical enough of the performances. On the other hand, Jennifer Lopez wears nice clothes. Randy Jackson is the only one who offers an objective opinion on the performances. Sorry but I still miss Simon Cowell but will have the opportunity to become re-acquainted with him in the fall during his "X-Factor" show, which will most likely give AI a run for its money.
Oh yeah - Adam Lambert performed offering some excitement. Great entertainer who got his start and opportunity on American Idol and that in a nutshell is what the show is about.
For me it's the attraction has been the try-outs and auditions to find or discover the best singers during their cross-country trip, followed by their performances during "Hollywood Week." It's always amazing and definitely sad to be subjected to the very un-talented wanna-be's who for whatever reason, are of the opinion that they can sing, when it's very obvious they are tone deaf but I digress.
The performances this week of the final thirteen contestants was uneven at best and maybe nerves got the best of them. Perhaps, IMHO, there were four who really stood out but the rest were...there. So much for the performance critique.
Last night was the first elimination. Can't fathom the rationale by the powers-that-be for bringing on the first few singers and then eliminating one of them right at the start. Perhaps it was to spare them all the agony of having to wait it out but somehow something was missing. The buildup...the tension...the waiting...in other words, the drama. When Ryan Seacrest moved over to the safe group, they seemed in shock. He had to actually tell them to be excited and relieved.
Still find this year's judges to be bland. Although I enjoy Steven Tyler as a singer and an entertainer, he seems out of it at times and definitely not critical enough of the performances. On the other hand, Jennifer Lopez wears nice clothes. Randy Jackson is the only one who offers an objective opinion on the performances. Sorry but I still miss Simon Cowell but will have the opportunity to become re-acquainted with him in the fall during his "X-Factor" show, which will most likely give AI a run for its money.
Oh yeah - Adam Lambert performed offering some excitement. Great entertainer who got his start and opportunity on American Idol and that in a nutshell is what the show is about.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
American Idol - not exactly the most exciting stuff
I dunno - is it me or is American Idol kind'a - dare I say it - borrring this season. According to the ratings, it's still 'way up there' but from my perspective, I find it yawn-able on occasion.
First of all and again IMHO - the show is missing Simon Cowell or at least somebody who has the same external personna as Cowell. He was the judge we loved to hate or at least dislike, which made the show fun. Also and even writing this seems strange, Paula Abdul with all her 'shtick' and flaky-ness had entertainment value that the show now lacks.
Upon analysis, new judge Steven Tyler looks sort-of - at least visually - like a regurgitated mummy with his thin, somewhat taut skin and definitely showing his age. It's obvious he's attempting to be very cool and hip. He is somewhat entertaining for a short period of time and he does respect young talent...
Jennifer Lopez may be a talented singer but she ain't no Paula Abdul in as far as entertainment value is concerned. She strikes me as a spokesperson for all the major fashion houses who have given her extensive and very tasteful wardrobe. It's as if she's saying: 'look at me - don't I look good in these clothes?' I'm not particularly taken with her - perhaps IMHO, it's that diva personna.
Randy is...Randy is...Randy. The one left-over from the originals. I like the guy but somebody in the powers-that-be decided that he should turn nasty to differentiate his comments from the other two. Go back to being the other Randy, Randy! We (I) miss 'ya!
I've more or less watched the show regularly and on occasion found myself doing the clicker thing, seeing if something more interesting was on. Tonight starts Hollywood week. I'm asking myself do I care. Honestly? Not really.
It will be interesting to see how AI will fare in the ratings dept. against Simon Cowell's "X Factor." Is there room for both?
First of all and again IMHO - the show is missing Simon Cowell or at least somebody who has the same external personna as Cowell. He was the judge we loved to hate or at least dislike, which made the show fun. Also and even writing this seems strange, Paula Abdul with all her 'shtick' and flaky-ness had entertainment value that the show now lacks.
Upon analysis, new judge Steven Tyler looks sort-of - at least visually - like a regurgitated mummy with his thin, somewhat taut skin and definitely showing his age. It's obvious he's attempting to be very cool and hip. He is somewhat entertaining for a short period of time and he does respect young talent...
Jennifer Lopez may be a talented singer but she ain't no Paula Abdul in as far as entertainment value is concerned. She strikes me as a spokesperson for all the major fashion houses who have given her extensive and very tasteful wardrobe. It's as if she's saying: 'look at me - don't I look good in these clothes?' I'm not particularly taken with her - perhaps IMHO, it's that diva personna.
Randy is...Randy is...Randy. The one left-over from the originals. I like the guy but somebody in the powers-that-be decided that he should turn nasty to differentiate his comments from the other two. Go back to being the other Randy, Randy! We (I) miss 'ya!
I've more or less watched the show regularly and on occasion found myself doing the clicker thing, seeing if something more interesting was on. Tonight starts Hollywood week. I'm asking myself do I care. Honestly? Not really.
It will be interesting to see how AI will fare in the ratings dept. against Simon Cowell's "X Factor." Is there room for both?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Will re-make of American Idol be a hit with fans?
As a person who watches American Idol and upon hearing the news of Simon Cowell's departure last year, I wondered if the show would survive his departure. Simon was the judge we all loved to hate and he developed an abrasive personna, which should have turned off viewers, yet it didn't. There was something about the way he criticized and insulted non-talented singers that we all relished because inside, we all would have said the same thing had we been there. Simon spoke for us.
His departure has left a void in the insult department, which the new judges have no intention of filling. According to Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, they would rather use their singing experience to help up and coming artists.
How boring.
The new format of the show set to start on January 19, will focus on searching for an eventual winner, rather than setting up roadblocks along the way. As I wrote: how boring. There will be changes to the format to include an extention of Hollywood Week auditions to cut the semi-finalist field down to 20. Don't know how this is going to go over with the viewers since it will give them a small field of performers from which to choose. The 'Wild Card' finalists will also be included. There will also be no on-line voting.
To be honest, I found last year's show very blah and most of the singers mediocre at best. Surely given the scope of the talent search, there has to be more talent "out there" in the entire U.S.A. When it's all said a done, a lot will depend on the new judges and what they add to the pot in the way of personality. If they all end up indistinguishable from each other, the show will soon get stale and viewers will turn off. Next year Cowell will be bringing his own show, "X Factor" so Idol better establish itself as a front runner now.
So who will be watching AI?
His departure has left a void in the insult department, which the new judges have no intention of filling. According to Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, they would rather use their singing experience to help up and coming artists.
How boring.
The new format of the show set to start on January 19, will focus on searching for an eventual winner, rather than setting up roadblocks along the way. As I wrote: how boring. There will be changes to the format to include an extention of Hollywood Week auditions to cut the semi-finalist field down to 20. Don't know how this is going to go over with the viewers since it will give them a small field of performers from which to choose. The 'Wild Card' finalists will also be included. There will also be no on-line voting.
To be honest, I found last year's show very blah and most of the singers mediocre at best. Surely given the scope of the talent search, there has to be more talent "out there" in the entire U.S.A. When it's all said a done, a lot will depend on the new judges and what they add to the pot in the way of personality. If they all end up indistinguishable from each other, the show will soon get stale and viewers will turn off. Next year Cowell will be bringing his own show, "X Factor" so Idol better establish itself as a front runner now.
So who will be watching AI?
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