Susan Boyle: Feel Good Story of the Year! Promise.

[Shwaz]

But Simon was right, he never would have made it through the first round at AI.

That's because he doesn't look like the missing member of the Back Street Boys.

the BAND won Grammy’s...not like he won anything with his voice. He can't sing...

I believe you're wrong... and I think he won for a song off a movie soundtrack and it was based on his voice.

Cmon, that was stupid. I'm on your side, but I don't think this example proved anything at all.

OK Howard also set up an intern who played guitar & sang (right in front of Simon) and he was bashed for playing a melancholy song and that no one wants to hear that.

Really?! How do explain arguably the biggest band on the planet, Radiohead?

The kid had talent and performed great but it wouldn't have been Simon's character to give anything but harsh criticism.

[stjr]

Bridge, that's where I think this incident stands out.  This is a real live variation of "Slumdog Millionaire" and that's why its become a global sensation.  It turns the whole concept upside down.  The contestant actually made a mockery of the process, the judges, and the show.  If you feel the way you do, this is the one you want to watch.  It's everyone's secret "revenge".

Of course, the producers don't care.  They get paid for eyeballs, however they arrrive.

I'm sorry, I just don't get it. I do understand how it's a nice thing, but I don't have any clue how this is "revenge." No one was keeping her from auditioning and it seems like everyone is very happy for her (and should be). She has a terrific voice and doesn't look the part: that's all I see in this story, and it's not the first or even hundredth time that this has happened. How it's revolutionary in any way I just do not see.

The "revenge", if you watched the video, is the "hey, folks, you don't look too good in the eyes of the world" payback after her talent was over the top.  If you watch the clip you can see she was given the "what are you doing here?" attitude by the judges and audience based on their prejudicial thinking of her having no potential whatsover based on her demeanor, appearances, and age.  Who doesn't harbor the desire to prove their doubters grossly wrong.  I guess you could split hairs over whether there was a better word than "revenge" but I didn't think this worthy of that much thought.  This was meant to be a human interest story about someone as far from being discovered as you can be, just about, being discovered spontaneously on a world stage - not a major social commentary or legal brief.  Once again, let's lighten up around here some. 

[stjr]

Found... the only known recording from Susan Boyles.  Only 1,000 CD's were made for a charity ten years ago, in 1999.  She sings "Cry Me a River".  Like her recent appearance, it is getting rave reviews worldwide and quickly rising the You Tube Charts.  Her "Britain's Got Talent" performance from Saturday, adding up its top You Tube appearances, looks to total over 40 million views presently.  She is headed to an all time record for You Tube, has been on Anderson Cooper, Today, CBS Early Show, Larry King, and is the subject of articles in thousands of publications including one today in the New York Times. 

Here is the link to the full "Cry Me A River" story and a playing of the recording.  Enjoy.  More great music.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/16/exclusive-susan-boyle-s-first-ever-song-release-revealed-listen-to-it-here-86908-21283564/

[ProjectMaximus]

But Simon was right, he never would have made it through the first round at AI.

That's because he doesn't look like the missing member of the Back Street Boys.

the BAND won Grammy’s...not like he won anything with his voice. He can't sing...

I believe you're wrong... and I think he won for a song off a movie soundtrack and it was based on his voice.

Cmon, that was stupid. I'm on your side, but I don't think this example proved anything at all.

OK Howard also set up an intern who played guitar & sang (right in front of Simon) and he was bashed for playing a melancholy song and that no one wants to hear that.

Really?! How do explain arguably the biggest band on the planet, Radiohead?

The kid had talent and performed great but it wouldn't have been Simon's character to give anything but harsh criticism.

Sorry man, I guess I didn't make my point very clear. Simon is an excellent judge based on the premise of American Idol. AI is most certainly not America's Best Musician. And that's far from what Simon can critique. He, and AI for the most part, seeks a traditional pop voice.

The Howard Stern show in question is from many years ago, so I only have a vague recollection...but I distinctly remember thinking that it was dumb and it seemed like Simon knew he was being set up and played his "character" up as much as he could. And then he made a half-hearted apology saying something along the lines of: see, I'm not fit to judge music. I don't know what I'm talking about...

anyway, i dont like or dislike howard stern's old show, but I just thought that one was lame and they could've done a much better job if they actually were trying to embarrass simon.

[ProjectMaximus]

Bridge, that's where I think this incident stands out.  This is a real live variation of "Slumdog Millionaire" and that's why its become a global sensation.  It turns the whole concept upside down.  The contestant actually made a mockery of the process, the judges, and the show.  If you feel the way you do, this is the one you want to watch.  It's everyone's secret "revenge".

Of course, the producers don't care.  They get paid for eyeballs, however they arrrive.

I'm sorry, I just don't get it. I do understand how it's a nice thing, but I don't have any clue how this is "revenge." No one was keeping her from auditioning and it seems like everyone is very happy for her (and should be). She has a terrific voice and doesn't look the part: that's all I see in this story, and it's not the first or even hundredth time that this has happened. How it's revolutionary in any way I just do not see.

The "revenge", if you watched the video, is the "hey, folks, you don't look too good in the eyes of the world" payback after her talent was over the top.  If you watch the clip you can see she was given the "what are you doing here?" attitude by the judges and audience based on their prejudicial thinking of her having no potential whatsover based on her demeanor, appearances, and age.  Who doesn't harbor the desire to prove their doubters grossly wrong.  I guess you could split hairs over whether there was a better word than "revenge" but I didn't think this worthy of that much thought.  This was meant to be a human interest story about someone as far from being discovered as you can be, just about, being discovered spontaneously on a world stage - not a major social commentary or legal brief.  Once again, let's lighten up around here some. 

Right, I guess revenge wasnt the best word. I wasn't trying to be nitpicky, i just really don't see why it's AS big a deal as it's been made out to be. Sure, people's faces appeared to ask "what are you doing here" but (and I guess it's just my perspective) I can't imagine, for a talent show, anyone thinking that she should get off the stage before she had a chance. I grant you, it was a terrific surprise to hear her voice given her appearance and her brief intro, but for the life of me I can't understand why this is such a big deal to so many people.

If in fact she was booed offstage, or persecuted, and overcame trials and obstacles, and persevered or worked really hard to improve her voice...or anything like that, then maybe that would strike a chord deep within me. As it is, it's just a superficial cool thing.

Anyway, I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. I made my earlier comment because I was hoping to find some explanation I could understand, but I'm thinking it might just be me and my personality. So I wont say anything more about it. Good for her! Hope she enjoys her new opportunities!

[JaxNole]

What I enjoyed from this performance is that she doesn't fit the proverbial mold.  Increasingly, aspiring talented stars are groomed to be products of an equation that garner attention to sell enough records and appearances.  The goal remains to turn revenue into ginormous profits.

The foci of Britain's Got Talent and American Idol vastly differ as AI seems to be more of a production compared to BGT's simple perform-critique-judgement talent show format.

She sings because she enjoys it.  Her voice wowed many because her appearance isn't glamo(u)rous and her presence isn't commanding.  Stripped of the production stunts, her voice resonated with many and, in my opinion, has earned her positive attention.

I respect different people's opinions.  I'm one who gets restless when I don't have music playing (especially at the office), so to hear a beautiful voice without trying to conform, fuels my interest to follow her throughout the competition.

Thanks, stjr!