Posted on 01/19/2007 11:01:04 AM PST by meg88
jonathan didn't seem mentally challenged to me, given the string of four-letter words he let off.
The other did see a bit slow, but I felt they were rather gentle with him.
I don't think there was anything wrong with him. I think it was all a put-on. And a very good one.
It gets staggering ratings, especially the 'gonna-be' shows. Someone out there is watching, mostly the Democrat base I think.
Sorry I got it backward, I think. The heavy set kid was treated nicely.
Simon just goes overboard sometimes.
The writer is overprotective and a bit of a drama queen, but Wednesday night's show did indeed go too far. I have no problem with how they handle the truly deluded, attention whores, and "over-self-esteemed" brats, but two of the contestants that night appear to clearly have real mental health problems. Not the borderline/excuses like ADD, but more serious and limiting problems. There is no humor in ridiculing the retarded or insane to their faces, they can't help how they were born and often honestly can't recognize how they come across or non-verbal feedback. The heavyset guy of the duo (Jonathan, I think) likely has mental health problems (though I admit to snickering at Simon's initial "Did you borrow a pair of Randy's trousers?"), which is why the judges were much more careful and nice with him as his condition seemed to become more obvious while they were talking to him. Note how Simon kindly whispered to him, "Use the right door" as he was leaving, to prevent him for falling for the show's running sight gag of bumping into the other locked door. I blame the producers for that one, they should have not included him. Did you see the suitcase Jonathan was dragging around in some of the shots? He had brought it to the audition thinking that they would send the winning contestants to Hollywood that day.
The computer kid from Utah, the one with the wide-eyed stare who sang 'Unchained Melody', likely has a form of autism. Google 'Asperger's Syndrome', he displayed some of the signs that would explain his behavior. I sure hope that his coworkers who 'encouraged' him to go on AI did so out of a sympathetic attempt to be nice, rather than cruelly setting him up. A shame that the judges didn't recognize his condition, but a lot of people are not aware of some of these conditions and sometimes it isn't readily discerned in just a minute or two of interaction. But there is no way that this wasn't pointed out to the producers, who ran with it anyway. Heaven forbid that they actually show us all of the contestants who won that day, rather than mocking the retarded.
I'll probably skip AI until they start the Hollywood rounds.
OMG, that guy does look scary. You caught that "look". WOW!
I know. That's what really scares me; that so many people are watching. Can you say "Bread and Circuses"?
I also told them I would string them up if I EVER saw their faces on T.V.!
I have always thought the nerd contestants were kind of picked because they also know they are bad. If you watch some of them, they couldn't pass a talent contest anywhere. I figured they contestant knew this, and chose the limelight with all the baloney that goes with it. After all, they are on TV. They surely know what is coming.
Really , the first time I ever watched this was at the end of last season, but you see some of the earlier (talent?) hear and there.
The early part looks like a Jerry Springer type thing.
Just wanted you to know that I appreciate your comments.
Sounds like there are some pretty convicning practical joker co-workers out there!.....
The Seattle try-out/episode was absolutely representative of the folk in that town. I am sooo glad I do not live there any more. Can you say freaks, I knew you could.
So the TV show is kind of misleading, Simon knows he is there to throw insults. (once he figures out that the contestant has no chance of making it)
The ratings Wednesday were about 36 million, which is pretty close to the number of Democrat voters in the last election!
Yeah, but do most of the bad contenders know they stink and will get insulted?
But, I'm not a guy, so what do I know? :-)
Anyone who tries to make it in the entertainment business is going to have to deal with harsh critics. I actually appreciate Simon because he doesn't sugarcoat his comments.The contestants know exactly how they stand from the beginning. Thus, people without talent don't get the idea that maybe they can make it.
I find Paula's comments rather pointless. She's so afraid of hurting somebody's feelings that she spews pablum.
"...and that's all I have to say about that."
My sister and law both said "It's Forrest Gump!" at the same time.
Any Country fans here? I tuned into a program - actually I taped it and watched it later - on the USA network called Nashville Star. They do it differently. They do not do the audition crap. They get people - men and women - who are already on the bar/club circuit. They also send in videos about thier lives. The contestants can sing, songwrite, and play instruments. Pretty good program and good music - if you like country.
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