Posted on 03/21/2007 2:18:26 PM PDT by rface
The LAT's crack American Idol Showtracker investigative team was backstage at last night's taping, which introduced Fox's latest breakout star to nearly 30 million television viewers: young Ashley Ferl, the girl so memorably paralyzed by the spasms of tears elicited by Idol's resident Destroyer of Popular Music Sanjaya Malakar's eardrum-perforating performance. Reports the Times on how the show's producers came to identify the undeniable talent in their midst:
" First things first: Who was the crying girl? After the show, I chatted with Idol's newest superstar, the crying girl, Ashley Ferl, aged 13, from Riverside. For some long minutes after the show, Ashley remained in a state of inconsolable sobbing, unable to choke out a single word. However, through an interpreter (her mother) we were eventually able to learn some facts about the young superstar.
" The family, I was told, obtained tickets on a website to attend a taping of "Smarter Than a 5th Grader" a day passage that included not just the taping of the show itself, but also the dress rehearsal of either "Grader" or "Idol." The fates were kind, and the mother and daughter found their way to the "Idol" rehearsal, where Ashley's waterworks began. Her prowess was quickly brought to the attention of "Idol" producers who summoned the clan to a ringside seat of honor at the final taping.
" Her powers of speech slowly returning, Ashley revealed that while she was on stage she had been thinking that "this was the coolest thing ever." Asked whom she was supporting in the competition she named "Sanjaya, Melinda, Gina and Jordin" as her picks, refusing to narrow her vote down to a single choice. All my journalistic powers of persuasion, cajoling, bullying and insistence that on her vote might turn the entire competition, that "Listen to reason, young Ferl, there can't be four American Idols," would not convince her to name a single favorite. To my every argument, she would only repeat her mantra, "All Four: Sanjaya, Melinda, Gina and Jordin." And so the race begins in earnest, with tears at every step of the way.
Their reporting makes no mention of whether or not Fox, never a network to leave any opportunity for exploitation unexplored, has invited Ferl back for tonight's result show, knowing that the superfan's unflagging support of four of the remaining eleven hopefuls leaves them with (at worst) a thirty-seven percent chance of capturing on camera the utter ruination of her childhood should one of her favorites be dismissed. The resulting paroxysm of sorrow will immediately become part of the "farewell montage" that plays each contestant off the stage and into the professional purgatory of the Idol Tour, where the girl's flood of uncontrollable tears will remind viewers about the lives they destroy each and every week with their phone calls and text messages.
I agree with that.
Okay, could be I'm among the cruelest of watchers but your explaination put the look of a turtle in my head. I do wish she'd gain some more confidence cause she's hard to watch unless she's singing!!!
I don't believe he was the worst this week. It's arguable.
In past weeks he was clearly the worst. Which means better singers were sent home, effecting a career opportunity. There is an internet site conspiring to vote for the worst. That's sabotage. It negatively effects the lives of the other performers. And it's contrary to open competition and rewarding the best. Which I believe are shared American values.
My wife does a great impresson of Melinda Doolittle.
Anytime I make some kind of positive statement (about anything),
my wife pulls her shoulders up, tightens up her lips, opens her eyes real wide, and in her sweetest voice possible says, "I guess that a good thing!"
Gets me every time.
Uh, no...I'm surprised anyone does not know; the object of the show is to get viewers. Just that simple.
So to elucidate; whatever generates more viewers is what they do.
HAHAHAHHAHAHA
Well he was my second fave! I'm with you though on the two tunes you named. Of course,they say it's pretty difficult NOT to plagiarize in music. I listen to a guy on the radio and he does an excellent program every Sunday from 3-5 p.m. He usually does a bio of some famous composer (Mozart, Bach, Schumann, etc.) but he'll do guys like Aaron Copeland too. Anyway, one time he did a whole show on songs that were big in the 40's, 50's and up to present and how they riffed off of the old masters. It was so interesting.
Just thought you might think so too.
She's crying because she pre-ordered Elliott Yamin's CD from Amazon for $14.99, then found out Walmart is selling it for $11.99.
I think you haven't seen Salma lately!
Yeah, but first you have to get passed the face. You know she's secretly laughing her a$$ off every week - thinking he's getting his for stealing her thunder.
In other words, AI producers crassly (even by their standards) exploited this girl.
so do you think her father will run for the presidency in spite?
he he.
Wonder if she'll be back on next week?!
I don't think so. It actually reminded me of all the crying teenagers when the Beatles came here in '65 (I think that was the year). All I know is my aunt wanted me to go with her to the Public Arena in Cleveland when they came to Cleveland. I think it was '66. My dad wouldn't let me go with her (his little sister) because he said I was too young (I really was) but I was so upset. To THIS day, I keep thinking how close I came to seeing the Beatles in person in a small venue (oy!).
The only good thing is I did see Paul McCartney & Wings when they came to Cleveland in 1976. I waited in line for about 6 or 7 hours but it was so worth it.
When John was murdered, I knew my hopes of ever going to a Beatles reunion was OVER for good.
Oh memories....
Oh man... he looks like he's been on Meth. Another tragic outcome for a young star.
"When John was murdered, I knew my hopes of ever going to a Beatles reunion was OVER for good. "
Actually, your hopes ended in 1969...when Paul died.
I remember how sad I felt that day that John was shot in NYC. That whole weekend turned into a depressing John-fest of news via TV and radio. This was before the Internet, so I was relying on the newspaper, too, for photos and memorials. So sad.
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