tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6039940221168163741..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: A-Paula-ingBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38669624935200896612008-05-03T03:59:00.000-07:002008-05-03T03:59:00.000-07:00I enjoyed your take on the discussion. Made me chu...I enjoyed your take on the discussion. Made me chuckle. :)Eleanorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09371827413606542063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42933055522866772902008-05-02T01:09:00.000-07:002008-05-02T01:09:00.000-07:00there should be some validity attached to the voti...<I>there should be some validity attached to the voting, much like the Motion Picture academy has that accounting firm.</I><BR/><BR/>I agree, I don't know if they've ever considered it.<BR/><BR/>I can see why they don't release the actual vote totals because it could influence subsequent votes. Also <I>if</I> a contestant was consistently getting 90% of the vote (for example), it would certainly diminish the drama of the contest.<BR/><BR/><I>It seems abundantly clear that the judges are instructed to lead the audience.</I><BR/><BR/>I have never heard or seen any evidence of that. And let's be honest, would you trust Paula to execute on such an instruction? <I>"Well I think you're great, but the producers told me to say..."</I> As far as I know they're totally on their own.<BR/><BR/><I>And from what I understand, during Hollywood week, it is the producers not the three judges who really determine the finalists.</I><BR/><BR/>I don't know. It's possible they discuss it, but based upon everything else I've seen I would be surprised if the final decision is not left up to the judges. Frankly I'd be shocked if Simon would ever let the producers tell him what to say. As you may have noticed he's pretty confident in his own opinion.<BR/><BR/><I>Am I hated in the AMERICAN IDOL offices?</I><BR/><BR/>What's it mean when they have a doll with your likeness hanging from the ceiling with pins in it?<BR/><BR/>To be honest, I don't know. Actually the producers are nice guys to work with, I don't think they object to anything that brings attention to their show.<BR/><BR/>Seacrest out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74126149548269450562008-05-01T21:10:00.000-07:002008-05-01T21:10:00.000-07:00Someone is worried what a drooling moron with a se...<I>Someone is worried what a drooling moron with a severe chemical dependency has to say - about anything???</I><BR/><BR/>Probably a section of the public that's exactly like that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4294716620124550102008-05-01T20:07:00.000-07:002008-05-01T20:07:00.000-07:00Someone is worried what a drooling moron with a se...Someone is worried what a drooling moron with a severe chemical dependency has to say - about <I>anything</I>???<BR/><BR/>How otehrwise-perfectly intelligent people get involved with that swamp of stupidity is beyond me.<BR/><BR/>Proud to say I have never watched one episode - not this, not Survivor, not any of the rest of the waste of perfectly innocent film stock and video tape.TCinLAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019943818456775718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10027629767793602942008-05-01T19:39:00.000-07:002008-05-01T19:39:00.000-07:00Gee, I thought Dodger Stadium was the only place i...Gee, I thought Dodger Stadium was the only place in town where the person in Center was useless...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16246748466020204092008-05-01T18:13:00.000-07:002008-05-01T18:13:00.000-07:00Anonymous, I assume you work on the show and that'...Anonymous, I assume you work on the show and that's why you don't want your identity revealed. <BR/><BR/>I was being facetious when I suggested the producers rig the voting. But two things: there should be some validity attached to the voting, much like the Motion Picture academy has that accounting firm. If someone needed to know the actual vote count there should be some notarized documentation. Otherwise, we're just taking them for their word.<BR/><BR/>Secondly, it seems abundantly clear that the judges are instructed to lead the audience. Sometimes it backfires but for the most part I'm sure they can slyly steer America to vote their preferences. <BR/><BR/>And from what I understand, during Hollywood week, it is the producers not the three judges who really determine the finalists. <BR/><BR/>And finally, so am I hated in the AMERICAN IDOL offices?By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54374624051816250852008-05-01T17:50:00.000-07:002008-05-01T17:50:00.000-07:00Sometimes when you see that brief recap of the per...<I>Sometimes when you see that brief recap of the performances they use the dress rehearsal footage instead of the actual performance you just saw. And that's a proven fact.</I><BR/><BR/>As far as I know the recap package is entirely comprised of the dress rehearsal performances. That's not an effort to deceive the public, it's a necessity because the show is live and the amount of time between the last performance and recap package make it very difficult to complete the package before it airs. The last thing they want is a repeat of the incident where the incorrect phone numbers were shown.<BR/><BR/><I>Are you saying that the idols are not decided by the votes of the viewing audience calling in, but rather that the judges or the producers decide who stays and who goes?</I><BR/><BR/>In seven years I have never seen or heard anyone credible suggest that. I know for a fact there have been times when the producers would have preferred to see one contestant leave before another. If they were fixing the results that should never be an issue. I don't think they would ever run the risk of it anyway, at the very least someone at AT&T knows the results and there is always the chance they could be leaked. If the credibility of the results were ever seriously called into question that would irreparably hurt the show. Believe me, the last thing the producers want to do is jeopardize the golden goose. Although they may have their own personal favorites the producers don't especially care who wins, they really care that viewers care who wins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51946990745123339612008-05-01T17:45:00.000-07:002008-05-01T17:45:00.000-07:00Paula Abdul has to be the Manchurian Idol judge, b...Paula Abdul has to be the Manchurian Idol judge, because somebody's got her as doped up as Martha Mitchell. If she ever said anything except how proud she was of everyone, I'd assume she had something to do with how embarrassingly bad these final contestants are. <BR/><BR/>And how can Simon complain over and over about contestants sounding "old fashioned" when the show makes them sing Neil Diamond and Andrew Lloyd Weber? They were <I>always</I> old fashioned.Dr. Leo Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669626692363827776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36342159449142986822008-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:002008-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:00Carl,Anyone who's read my posts or seen the shows ...Carl,<BR/><BR/>Anyone who's read my posts or seen the shows I've written knows I've made a very nice career plagiarizing for 35 years. <BR/><BR/>Let me check Dave Barry's column so I know what to write tomorrow.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68797076114992779842008-05-01T16:40:00.000-07:002008-05-01T16:40:00.000-07:00"They even buy it when we say this is the most tal..."They even buy it when we say this is the most talented group we've ever had."<BR/><BR/>If this is the most talented group ever, <I>Hello Larry</I> was funnier than <I>Cheers</I>.Dr. Leo Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669626692363827776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25902979815463277532008-05-01T15:19:00.000-07:002008-05-01T15:19:00.000-07:00Best post ever.Best post ever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46363028450025373762008-05-01T14:41:00.000-07:002008-05-01T14:41:00.000-07:00Maybe the gaffe was scripted, too. It certainly sp...Maybe the gaffe was scripted, too. It certainly spiked the ratings. Oooh, murmur, murmur, rumble, grumble....!Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12259951307196646436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79708062686240977672008-05-01T14:12:00.000-07:002008-05-01T14:12:00.000-07:00Best. Post. Ever!!!Best. Post. Ever!!!m.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08066180559378443455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3368025801999553512008-05-01T13:23:00.000-07:002008-05-01T13:23:00.000-07:00Let's see, they threw Paula a "Curveball" and she ...Let's see, they threw Paula a "Curveball" and she didn't realize she was playing baseball, so she went on Dodgertalk with Ken, and criticized the teams playing in the World Series, forgetting that they haven't been selected yet.<BR/><BR/>Another thing they haven't addressed: her on-air excuse that she was reading her notes for David Cook, despite that fact that she was saying how lousy Jason was (Already suspicious because he is lousy, and Paula usually doesn't notice) and what she had to say about David was how great he was, which means explanation number 1 was a - what's the word again? Oh yes - a LIE! Kind of throws doubt onto everything she has to say.<BR/><BR/>But that's our scatterbrained, lovable mop-top idiot Paula. Not born for improv. Ask her "How are you today, Paula?" when she's not expecting it and she'll panic, and start telling you how LOST will finish it's final season. Tell her that's two years off and she'll say, "I'm sorry. These are my notes on The X FIles."<BR/><BR/>The "Notes" explanation is completely unbelievable. As if she could read. And no matter how it shakes down, getting a critique from Paula means taking the advice of someone who sobbed when told she wouldn't be affiliated with the BRATZ movie. Along with no brains, she has no taste. Can we vote Paula off?<BR/><BR/>But let's focus on the good that came last night. Brooke is GONE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91306062437024988382008-05-01T12:42:00.000-07:002008-05-01T12:42:00.000-07:00Are you saying that the idols are not decided by t...Are you saying that the idols are not decided by the votes of the viewing audience calling in, but rather that the judges or the producers decide who stays and who goes? Sort of like the 'fixed' quiz shows back in the day? That would be sad, IMO.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I started reading you on the Huff Post. I like what you have to say. :)<BR/>I'll sign here because I don't know how to do any of the other choices beside 'anonymous'. I hope I don't get deleted. :)<BR/><BR/>EleanorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67081646685646173432008-05-01T10:52:00.000-07:002008-05-01T10:52:00.000-07:00Here's my take - because I know everyone has been ...Here's my take - because I know everyone has been eagerly awaiting it.<BR/><BR/>Paula usually doesn't write comments in advance. If she did, her comments would surely be more substantive. But this season, her ad libbed feedback has been so especially horrendous that the producers finally insisted that she prepare in advance by taking notes during the rehearsals.<BR/><BR/>Great plan. Her comments for Jason were actually interesting and coherent. Except that the last-minute change confused Paula and led to her moment of apparent premonition.<BR/><BR/>Also, Paula is on prescription drugs that leave her scatter-brained.Sam Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17576386436141862336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55101053106865197782008-05-01T10:10:00.000-07:002008-05-01T10:10:00.000-07:00Paula's mike was live during the commercial break....Paula's mike was live during the commercial break. Here's a transcript of the feed:<BR/><BR/>"So, we don’t have to judge the first songs until after the second songs, right? …What? You’re changing it? We have to judge them NOW? But didn’t they only sing once? Or do we use the rehearsals…? … Oh, our notes? So this is why I had to take notes? Oh, right… Okay, let’s see, what did I write? … 'Jason – you’re a bright shining star'… 'Jason – You are who you are and America loves you'… There are TWO Jasons, right? … Oh, two DAVIDS! That’s right. So Jason sang twice already? I think I’ve got it now… What? I don’t? Then explain it to me, Nigel… oh crap, there’s that damn music and here comes Ryan… what am I supposed to do again? We judge the second songs first, is that it? (sotto:) I think I'm gonna drop a couple more, um, 'vitamins' in my, um, Coca-Cola."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57719655154955573752008-05-01T10:07:00.000-07:002008-05-01T10:07:00.000-07:00No matter what inane or lame excuse they try to co...No matter what inane or lame excuse they try to come up with the bottom line is Paula (and everyone else) heard just one song from Jason at that point! Is being an idiot an excuse?mavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01159992386642158559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45631096411668206352008-05-01T09:47:00.000-07:002008-05-01T09:47:00.000-07:00From a network tv pov (shudder), instead of trying...From a network tv pov (shudder), instead of trying to explain Paula away, wouldn't they prefer to worry about how they're gonna top that gaffe next week?Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12259951307196646436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55214187513555068442008-05-01T09:21:00.000-07:002008-05-01T09:21:00.000-07:00Now you know why those Coke glasses on the judge's...Now you know why those Coke glasses on the judge's desk aren't see-through. Paula's should have a tiny umbrella sticking out of it. Really, it's so obvious when she's shit-faced and when she isn't.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15933405384379634202008-05-01T09:18:00.000-07:002008-05-01T09:18:00.000-07:00NO explanation -- from the show's producers or any...NO explanation -- from the show's producers or anyone -- can excuse Paula from WATCHING a performance with her own eyes and not realizing she only heard one song, not two. <BR/><BR/>That's just sheer stupidity.<BR/><BR/>And P.S.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes when you see that brief recap of the performances they use the dress rehearsal footage instead of the actual performance you just saw. And that's a proven fact.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9545405032568805282008-05-01T08:44:00.000-07:002008-05-01T08:44:00.000-07:00Jackson, I mean. I'm not asking if you're horny. T...Jackson, I mean. I'm not asking if you're horny. That would be inappropriate.Bitter Animatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06617537816971588380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79761868769470815972008-05-01T08:43:00.000-07:002008-05-01T08:43:00.000-07:00Mary, just going by process of elimination, are yo...Mary, just going by process of elimination, are you Randy?Bitter Animatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06617537816971588380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89178751842333792612008-05-01T08:12:00.001-07:002008-05-01T08:12:00.001-07:00On Results nights, the taped playbacks often sound...On Results nights, the taped playbacks often sound better than the live performances. I listen and think, "Wow. Maybe that didn't suck as badly as I thought." Not that my ears are as trained as Simon's. Or even Paula's.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19179407413992977652008-05-01T08:12:00.000-07:002008-05-01T08:12:00.000-07:00So.....Paula gives "forethought" to her critiques,...So.....Paula gives "forethought" to her critiques, but still only musters a parrot-mimickry of what Randy just said...or some schtick about the person's great spirit or "looking beautiful tonight?" <BR/><BR/>A better explanation: The fix is in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com