American Idol / Adam Lambert

[thebuescherman]

Had this discussion...the British counterpart to American Idol is actually X-Factor. There's a thread about it round here somewhere. But yes, Susan Boyle is very good indeed.

Ah, right you are. I've never been a fan of the shows, but a friend told me it was imperative that I check out Susan Boyle on youtube. Glad I did. Just found out a break dancer beat Johnson the choir boy (sorry if I'm really behind the times here guys lol). Haven't heard of the X-Factor before.

[Matt W]

Heh, take a look on youtube for 'Stavros Flatley'. If you've even remotely heard of Riverdance, it's hilarious.

[barts]

Let me walk way out on a limb. I think Adam Lambert is an entertainment industry game changer, as the Beatles were, as Barbara Streisand was, and a people (to a lesser extent) like Mick Jagger and Sting.

Lambert is the first male diva, like Streisand and Celine Dione or Whitney Houston. As a consequence, in my view, he's changed the game.

[Cruella]

Sorry, Barts, you know I love you, but ... until I see him do some original material, I'm totally going to withhold judgement on that one!

I think he's good, but is he that good out of context? Only time will tell.

[barts]

Sorry, Barts, you know I love you, but ... until I see him do some original material, I'm totally going to withhold judgement on that one!

I think he's good, but is he that good out of context? Only time will tell.

You're just playing hard to get.

You're welcome out here on the limb at any time.

[Cruella]

If I were to go out on a limb, my opinion would be rather in opposition to yours, I'm afraid barts.

A couple of years ago there was an amazing performer on X-Factor in the UK, a young man with a rather fabulous, almost operatic voice who was as fond of the, er, bombastic performing style as young Adam there. Audiences loved him, the judges loved him, and it seemed that the entire country was willing him to win.

He didn't - whereas, I'm totally expecting Adam to win, and have been since week 1, to be honest - but people expected massive things from him. He was an "awesome natural talent" apparently, and not winning wasn't going to hold him back.

You've never heard of him, I suspect, and I don't think that many Brits have bought anything he's released. He's called Rhydian, and he's not really worked much since the show ended.

A cautionary tale ...

[barts]

If I were to go out on a limb, my opinion would be rather in opposition to yours, I'm afraid barts.

On this we can agree fully--time will tell.

My reasoning for coming down on the side of AL taking the entertainment world to a new paradigm is that he is not merely a "natural" talent. He's been performing since he was 10. He's got 17 years of experience. So many great stars (all of ones I've mentioned for example) started performing at a very early age, and did so with an adult-like commitment.

The "kids" who Lambert is competing with are showing their lack of experience already. Over the next few weeks on AI, I predict, we'll see an even greater gap emerge between Lambert and the rest. As Lambert who is comfortable doing a two hour performance every night (and matinees on some days) will have no trouble when the show calls for doing two songs per night then three, all with original arrangements. None of the other kids have yet to be put to that test.

Post Idol? I'm betting Lambert will be filling arenas and become a true superstar a la Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Barbara Streisand.

And (walking way out on the limb), I predict, he will destroy all the records that pertain to measuring music success. Thriller is history.

I say this CDCC because the Lambert you see now, is him holding back for television. Just wait for the live stage performance when he's got a 30 piece band backing him, and $5 million in special effects.

As I say, this is the world's first male diva.

My goodness, this limb is getting thin.

[Cruella]

So, barts, the weather on your planet, is it all pink and fluffy?

[barts]

So, barts, the weather on your planet, is it all pink and fluffy?

Rose coloured.

[Sonart]

.

The American version of Britain's got Talent is America's got Talent, who's judges include the ever talented David Hasselhoff and Sharon Osborne. It's a weird Ed Sullivan style variety show, everything from tap dancers, jugglers, ventriloquists and singers, the whole barrel fulla odd monkeys, with a few truly talented folks sprinkled in.

Lambert is the first male diva, like Streisand and Celine Dione or Whitney Houston. As a consequence, in my view, he's changed the game.

Veeerrry interesting. I can see what you're saying, barts, and why... but that's quite a prognostication. I'll go with Cruella's response. Let's see what he comes up with on his own (meaning post-AI)

Post Idol? I'm betting Lambert will be filling arenas and become a true superstar a la Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Barbara Streisand.

I suspect that depends on what his first invention of himself is. Las Vegas showman? Edgy Pop star? Broadway? Will he write his own music, find a great collaborationist or rely on label factory tune smiths like Kelly Clarkson did? A whole lotta different things can happen.

.

[barts]

.

... whole lotta different things can happen.

Whole lotta things no doubt, but sometimes on matters of such import, of such grave concern, one has to be brave and take a stand. Show gumption when it matters least.

[Cruella]

I have to take issue with the whole "first male diva" thing too. Did Freddie Mercury, George Michael and Elton John toil in vain? Do their struggles mean nothing to you people? Honestly, I give up...