Simon Cowell

I've been watching American Idol. Anyone who knows me would probably be surprised by that, but the beginning episodes in the season are hilarious. After that, it gets kind of boring, but even then can be mildly entertaining. But these people in the auditions, I mean, I know some of them are just exhibitionists with nothing better to do, but some of them actually think they can sing. It is just some funny shit.

And I actually kind of like Simon Cowell. I know that much of his schtick is simply posturing for entertainment, but I can appreciate that. I mean, after all, this is TV. And I like that same thing about Rush Limbaugh, even though it irritates many people. But, in the end, Simon mostly tells the truth.

However, I did find this quote about Ashlee Simpson (whom I've already said has zero talent) that is quite disappointing:

"Why should you have to do something substandard just for the sake of being real? If it sounds better with the vocal you recorded, why shouldn't people listen to that? There's almost a witch-hunt mentality about people miming," he said.

Really? Well, if that's the case, then why not allow the Idol contestants to go to a studio and record their vocals and just mime on stage during the competition. I promise you it would be a lot easier on the ears. Of course the reason is that after the studio finishes producing the hell out of someone's voice almost anyone can sound decent. No emotion, no responding under pressure, no connecting with the audience, nothing real. And aren't those all the things you are judging, Simon?

So, if you need to see and hear the real thing to determine the level of someone's talent, are not the people who paid their hard-earned money to see and hear that talent entitled to the same?

I don't really give a damn about Simon, Idol, or pop music, but this kind of attitude is pervasive in the music industry and, in my opinion, is killing it. And that, I do care about.