| Singin' into Reign | ||
| American Idol | ||
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| Review by Ross Anthony | ||
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As a film reviewer, I don't usually, if ever, review TV. I don't even watch much TV. I certainly didn't take notice of "American Idol" during it's first 5 seasons (Though I did review American Dreamz . But last night, I watched the 2 hour open of the 7th season for American Idol. Wow! This is good TV. What a great mix of personalities! The cold-hard-truth-telling Simon Cowell prodding softy Paula Abdul to explain why she feels a contestant doesn't have the right stuff. Though we tend to avoid them, I've always felt there is a great deal of life-energy in awkward moments. American Idol rumbles with the pure joy of awkward moments. A sweet-hearted contestant waits all day to sing in front of Paula, Simon and Randy Jackson, he's obviously a genuine good person, but sings so wrong that it sets 2/3rds of the judges laughing so hard they hide their faces. This is awkward magnified, recorded and broadcast. I was screaming out with the beautiful resonating discomfort of that moment. We all love to hear a good voice, but that's not what makes Idol #1. In my assessment, it's the hibred mix of the judges, terrible acts, golden throats, the crazies, the dreamers, the pure-souls all couched in casual, yet professional, hosting by Ryan Seacrest and good editing work by those behind the scenes. (And there certainly must have been many hours of tape to cut.) That said, I still advocate a year without TV. (Click here for my thoughts on that.) |
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Grade..........................A (3.5/4) |
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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.
Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow. |
