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Archive through December 30, 2003

The TVClubHouse: American Idol/Canadian Idol/Other Talent Shows ARCHIVES: World Idol: World Idol--Dec 25th: ARCHIVES: Archive through December 30, 2003 users admin

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Bastable

Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 1:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Most Americans have never heard of the Eurovision Song Contest, but it has happened every spring since 1956 and it airs in pretty much every country except the US--it's like the Super Bowl to most people in this world. Nearly 200 million people tune in worldwide each year; there are very, very few events that even come close. It's very much like World Idol--in fact, World Idol is pretty much a rip-off of Eurovision, except that the Song Contest happens over a single night, like the Oscars. If you like the concept behind World Idol, you can enjoy it every year through the Eurovision contest!

It was Eurovision that introduced Celine Dion to a mass audience (weirdly, she represented Switzerland in 1988), and it was during Eurovision that Riverdance was performed for the very first time (not as a contestant, but while the votes were being tabulated--it was held in Dublin that year). In 1974, a new band called ABBA went up against Olivia Newton-John--and ABBA won. The infamous Israeli transsexual Dana International won in 1998.

In Eurovision, you also can't vote for your own country's singer. It makes things more fair, especially if you live in a populous country. But as Ginger pointed out, political bias can rear its ugly head. It's something of a running joke that Greece and Turkey rarely vote for each others' singers, which stems from that age-old battle between the two countries. I wouldn't doubt that America would do less well than it perhaps should, mostly because much of the rest of the world (agree or disagree) feels like the USA needs to be taken down a peg or two.

And like the Idol shows, ESC's winners aren't always instant megastars. In fact, people joke that the Eurovision songs and singers are pretty run-of-the-mill (the Idols from Belgium, Poland, and Germany are pretty representative of what you'd see in Eurovision), but that it's still so much fun to watch, no one cares.

The official site (http://www.eurovision.tv) is being revamped; the contest is in May this year, in Istanbul--the country that wins the contest hosts the event the next year, and Turkey won last year. But here is the BBC's microsite for the U.K.: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/eurovision/.

The big bummer is that as far as I know (depsite my fervent letters to BBC America), the Eurovision Song Contest is not shown in America, not even on the stratospheric cable channels. Which is too bad--it's an absolute blast!

Pamy

Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 1:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I dont understand why more don't like Ryan, I thought he was great, better than Guy, who I think might get the sentimental vote.
The music was too loud and I couldn't hear his voice that well, wish they all could have sang twice.

I based my votes on countries I thought would have the most people calling in.

Kellirippa

Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 2:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
....sorry to pipe in here, but it's Ryan Malcolm, not Malcomb as you all have been posting...

Bastable

Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 3:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
In a related note, it's Kurt Nilsen, not Kurt Nilson.

March

Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 4:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I found that the judges were the worst on this show. The idols were better behaved than they were.
The Polish judge - why was he even there? I don't think he understood anything that was going on and was just reading rewritten critical remarks that he had someone translate for him before the show. I don't think he even knew what he was saying to the idols. Only that he didn't like them.
Simon - surprised me in that I have seen him at his worst. Apparently he can dish it out but cannot take it. He is always quick to crititize the performers, which is not to say that he is not right in what he says. I have agreed with him alot of times before. But when one of the judges did not LOVE his Kelly 100% he just couldn't handle it. Made him look like a spoiled brat that didn't get his own way.
As for the idols I wish we could have seen the sing again before the voting. It is hard to judge someone off one performance.

Sunshyne4u

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 2:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I thought this show was a RIP OFF of my time. One performer then a bunch of commericials! repeated over and over again for two hours.......there was no continuity. The faux hosting by Mulroney (taped later with canned applause at his stiff cue card reading) was hard to stomach. The talent of these world performers was wonderful to watch. Some of the song choices were questionable....but interesting to watch and listen to.
**
If this was truly about quality of voice I would suggest Kurt Nilsen will take the title. However, this will be about numbers of votes....therefore, nothing but a popularity contest. I really enjoyed Guy from Austrailia. His easy going version of Wonderful World was different than I had heard before. The UK winner was a bit of disappointment with his lack luster Jose Feliciano imitation of Light My Fire....the judges should have jumped all over him for that one!! Ryan Malcolm also was a family disappointment......he decided to dress waiterlike again for this performance and just looked gawky instead of his usual kewl casual. Kelly Clarkson??? ANOTHER ARETHA song????? I dont think she should win for her 'yelling' thru the song.
**
On a final thought, I would have loved to see ALL the judges comments, not just the few "edited" versions we got to see.

Babyjaxmom

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 11:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just have to say that I thought Diana was great! I had goosebumps the whole time she was singing, despite the fact that I had no idea what she was singing about. I thought it was a brave choice for her to sing in her native tongue and her beautiful native costume. It was a real treat to hear something unique for a change.

Alex from Poland was just odd. She's cute, but has a long ways to go before she achieves star status. I also thought her song choice was hilarious. A 16-year-old singing "I Don't Know How to Love Him"??? The lyrics, "I've had so many men before . . ." just cracked me up. Not appropriate for a teenager! It just wasn't believable.

Most of the singers were just ho hum. Kelly was great, but seems a little jaded. When all the judges were fawning over her, she seemed like she'd heard it all before. She's lost that "Gee whiz" quality that was so cute on her! Kurt was by far the best. He reminded me of Clay Aiken, geeky but with an awesome voice. He just might win!

Kady

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 1:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Could someone tell me what Diana was singing? :)

Babyjaxmom

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 3:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
On the Reality News web site (www.realitynewsonline.com), they just called it "Lebanese Standard." The guy who wrote the recap said he almost broke his TiVo trying to get the title of Diana's song. It was beautiful, but nobody knows what she's singing. What an advantage that could be! Nobody could tell when she forgets the words!

Loved her anyway. It was so refreshing to see someone original who didn't look like a cookie-cutter copy of every other anorexic chick with a pierced navel and exposed butt cleavage!

Puttergirl

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 3:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I really respected that she sang a song in her own language instead of playing to an American audience. So what if we can't understand it- that doesn't make it less worthy! I'm sure she knew she wouldn't win when she sang it, but she was true to her heart!

Scorpiomoon

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Maybe I completely missed it, but were the judges comments about Diana shown? I don't recall any.

(THe Canadian production of this show was so horrible that it wouldn't surprise me if someone screwed up and edited them out.)

Seamonkey

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 4:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just remember what Simon said.. he said that he hadn't a clue if she'd sung it well (words) and paraphrasing here that it didn't fit the contest, but he also said she had a lovely voice.. he didn't say it in a snarky way at all.

The Audience was very enthusiastic.

Llkoolaid

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 4:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I saw them Scorpiomoon, they basically agreed that she had a beautiful voice, commented on her bravery bringing something fresh to the contest but told her that she wouldn't win and this was not the place for her. They liked her but basically told her she didn't belong.

I think she has an amazing voice.

Oregonfire

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 5:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The song Diana sang was Ensani Ma Binsak, and you can hear it at the below link (scroll down to "downloads") :)

http://www.321.cjb.net/

Scorpiomoon

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 5:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks guys!

Ladytex

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 6:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I, too, was very impressed by Diana, see my comments during the show. I so admire her for showing us another way. Her singing was beautiful and she looked beautiful. I had just finished commenting to my kids that I kind of wish all the contestants would sing something from their own countries, or in their own languages. Too bad that she will be discounted for just that reason.

Bastable

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 6:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good for Diana for staying true to herself and her culture. She took a stand against ignorance. I'm sorry that there are some people who have no sensitivity for the vast cultural differences that exist on this planet.

World Idol should be about the spirit she has shown--it should work to dispel tired old stereotypes and make us realize we're all the same except for the accident of the country we happened to be born in.

Sunshyne4u

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 9:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You know, there are many Arabic peoples in Canada, USA and world who MAY vote for Diana! They are a part of a very proud culture and I think Diana showed how passionately she felt. I applaud her refusal to conform to American song standards for her "world showcase".
**
I was talking about World Idol with some family this morning and we all agree that interest will be generated for some of these performers in other countries. I, for one, would LOVE to hear CDs of Diana, Kurt, the UK singer, Guy from Austr and the hard rocking Belgian!

Seamonkey

Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 11:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
i wish this had been a showcase instead of a so-called competition and just have let them sing.. Diana was brave but of course most of them sang in English because they hoped to win (friends & influence people) or at least hit the markets in UK, US, Canada, Australia, NZ.

It would have been a fun showcase.. let the rocker rock! Sing a song in English if you choose, but be able so sing a second song in language of choice.

But even with this format winning is less important than the exposure, I suppose.

Texasdeb

Monday, December 29, 2003 - 5:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Of course I thought Kelly was right up there with the best. The others who impressed me: Belgian rocker, Aust., UK. I would have the Canadian right behind these 4.

Faerygdds

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 11:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Frankly, I love Diana... I voted for her several times... I found her sound to be thoughful, haunting, and evocative. Although I didn't understand a word...

:)

Puttergirl

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 12:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lets face it- us "baby boomers" who enjoyed rock & roll during the 60's and 70's couldn't understand half the words either- lol!

For example- try translating "Jumpin Jack Flash" sometime and you'll see what I mean.

Faerygdds

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 1:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OMG PutterGirl...

I'm NOT a baby boomer, but I love The Stones! That song has befuddled me for YEARS!!!! You could get a group of 10 people together who "know" that song and get 10 DIFFERENT sets of lyrics and each will SWEAR thiers is correct!

Sunshyne4u

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 7:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL Puttergirl, reminds me of that HILARIOUS scene in the Movie 'Jumpin Jack Flash' with Whoopie Goldberg!!
**
It was funny When she was supposed to decode a note? by listening to that song's words ROTFL. It is a cute movie.