A Nod of Approval for Simon
I’ve seen a lot about how the American Idol judges crossed the lines of cruelty in those opening shows. People are focusing, particularly, on the young Special Olympics competitor and his “bush baby” compatriot. Well, here’s a dissenting opinion from FoxNew’s writer Mike Straka.
All of you critics who are sooo offended at Simon’s crude honesty are the reason these morons think they can sing in the first place. I sound like a broken record here, but self-esteem cannot be granted.
It has to be earned.
Sadly, these delusional “Idol” wannabes who can’t carry a tune in a bucket are the product of “yes” parents, siblings, teachers and friends who coddle their talentless associates and family members to the point where they think they’re going to be the next “American Idol.”
There is something to be said for the honesty, I agree, but telling a young man that he looks like a “bush baby” is something else entirely. The truth is that the pre-auditions are manipulated to give the show the best mix of reasonably good and humorously bad auditions. So, the obviously bad--like Kenneth and Jonathan--are ushered through simply so that they can be put on display and mocked for our viewing pleasure.
Would it be wrong to ask the judges to show some modicum of sympathy to someone like Jonathan Jayne, who is mildly autistic, when he is shown in for his audition?