Ten reasons why Mark Holden is wrong
I don’t know why I am so surprised to hear Mark Holden talking like he has a few screws loose today. After all that’s his act on Idol.
Today he reckons that Idol has been hurt by Dicko. Holden told the Sunday Telegraph that Idol isn’t working so well this year because there are 4 judges instead of three.
"I am not loving the four judges,'' Holden said. "I am all for formats being bent but, in this particular case, I think three judges are right.''
Yeah, that’s right Mark. Stoke that fire, fuel that flame. And hey, do it on a Sunday too, the very day you want people to turn to your show. No stunt there, eh?
Idol’s figures this year aren't that bad given the competition from Kath and Kim and a Rugby League Grand Final.
To think that people would not tune in to the show because there are four judges instead of 3 is to insult the audience. You could put 2 judges on the show, or 5 and you’d still get pretty much the same result.
So for absolutely no consultancy fee, let’s go through the reasons that Idol is where it is today (which, frankly isn’t doing too badly at all).
1. Fatigue. Your toy was new four years ago. Now I have new things to play with.
2. Kath and Kim. Like it or not hornbags still rule.
3. Judges stunts. You can argue, you can brawl, you can thump the table but we know it’s all for publicity and we’re tired of it.
4. SMS voting. Why don’t we just write you a cheque now and we can all go home? Or better yet why don’t you just make the damn thing free? And hey, where DOES that money go?
5. Sacrificial teenagers. Even the Christians had a better chance before the lions than the ridiculous path you make these kids tread. Not exactly nourishing is it?
6. That results show. 60 minutes to tell me one thing. Yeah that’ll have longevity.
7. All 4 judges. One is loopy, one trashed the show only to return when his other gigs flopped, one never gives any criticism and the other is obnoxious.
8. The failure of your stars. We liked Guy, Shannon, Anthony, Ricki-Lee and one or two Young Diva songs. What happened to the rest?
9. Hillsong. Mud sticks.
10. Just the whole, darn idea that our next pop idol can be manufactured by a reality television show over the tried and true method of writing songs, paying their dues, singing in pubs, building their character and learning the ropes the old-fashioned way.
Australian Idol Watch
8 comments:
just nitpicking here David but on point ten - some of the idols have indeed gigged at clubs and pubs, so that assessment was a little unfair.
The judges add some spice to the mix but if the performances are uninspiring then no one will watch!
There was only show so far that I can say was above average and that was the acoustic/unplugged show. I only bother tuning into the last 5 minutes of the verdict as I can't stand the padding.
It all rests on the final top 12 idol selection. This year most of the cast have been dissapointing after an initial strong audition process.
I think it worked better last year when the cast was skewed to an older crowd who could interpret the songs better and lift it beyond karaoke.
Also, whilst there have been some really good singers/musicians from Idol, their talent pool is now drying up, proven by many of the contestants on this series, and also by the fact that they are now going to allow former top24 contestants to take part in future series
The judges are seeing themselves as the stars of the show - they are becoming increasingly obnoxious and Mark should be the first to go, followed by Marcia. Then get a random member of the general public to comment - that would be fun - after all they are the ones to buy the CD's. Idol still has an important role to play and let's face it - musicians do not have a chance to get signed unless they achieve some sort of profile to begin with. The contestants are putting themselves through this in the hope that a profile will allow them to eventually follow their own style.
Ro is right there has only been one good show this time and that was when they used their instruments.
The show is down because the judges chose 12 b grade performers. But they may of been the best of the worst. The judges alway cause some sort of controversy to boost ratings rather like the cricket does. there is always some sort of melodrama at the start of the season
The reason I stopped watching this year after the 2nd live show was the cast have been too young and no one had shown any talent at that stage. There wasn't one person I would have voted for so I thought why waste 10 weeks. mark, I think some of your comments are a little unfair. If you watch it Kyle is actually OK he's not always obnoxious - or were you referring to Marcia? - BarrieT
I can't believe people are still falling for this feuding judges bit, when it happens around the same time every year during the inevitable ratings dip midway through the finals.
X 'fights' with Y, Z will leave the show next year, etc. And they make sure they feed TV Week a lot of juicy 'exclusives' about the 'in-fighting'.
Voila! Instant publicity! Keeps the ADD kiddies watching through to the finale.
And hey presto! All the judges are friends again next season.
Now excuse me, I've got me some wrestling to watch. Apparently Vince McMahon is going to fire John Cena if he loses this match - he hates him so much!
Ok - I love Idol - and I won't turn off and yes, I do vote once I have a favourite and I think they might be in trouble. I love the fact that the show does showcase some young Aussie talent that we may never otherwise get to see and hear. I just wish the show would get back to basics:
All those audition shows that are made for ratings only? I'm over them. replace these shows with "get to know your finalist shows" - let us see them performing their own style of music, without being judged for a few weeks so we can start to "like them" as people and really decide who we think has got the talent, personality, dedication, hunger to win and actually make a go of a career in music. Their performances would be far more relaxed and we would be seeing the artist they are and not them trying to perform a style of music they don't relate to.
Then we could get into the competition - 3 judges only who know what they are talking about. Adopt a similar judging system to SYTYCD - public votes BUT judges decide who goes from bottom 3. They could consider the contestant's performances through out the series - so one didgy performance in a genre you hate won't result in being tossed out.
They used to have a mid-week show that gave some insight into life in the Idol Mansion - that is how the viewers got to "get to know" the finalists and make a people connection. That connection - after all they want us to spend money voting for these people - is taking too long to get established.
As for the judges - some consistency in what they tell these young people from week to week, judge to judge would be nice.
Oh and raise the age to 18 years plus. Let the school kids finish secondary college then chase their dreams.
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