Hey Idol fans! Hope you survived last night — I don’t know about you, but I’m off Prince songs for like a month — and are psyched to see what the rest of this season will bring, besides more scary freak people who should be in counseling. (As my mom put it in an email to me just now: "Oh, my goodness! I’ve never watched a season premiere before — I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s got to be painful for those who actually do the first screenings. It is sad to think these people actually think they have talent.")
Here’s something to keep us all going as we suffer through the early rounds: Diana Ross (pictured) told David Letterman last night that she’ll be a guest mentor this season. Way to take advantage of that Dreamgirls synergy, everyone! Also, I’m thrilled to see we’re not dipping below that half-century age hard deck. God forbid.
Of course, we’re still waiting for the big announcement: confirmation of rumors that Paul McCartney will show up at some point. But while we’re holding our breath, let’s take a minute to list off all the people who might, I dunno, be more relevant to mentor a group of budding young modern pop stars. I’ll start!
1. Anyone under the age of 50
Okay, your turn, PopWatchers!
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How about a former American Idol contestant, like Kelly Clarkson or Fantasia? John Mayer or Gwen Stefani would be great.
I love your assesment Whitney! Even in last night’s epsiode, I love how Randy & Simon (even Paula) defended their overall position with which to judge and critique, and other than manage (Simon with Il Divo), or arrange Mariah’s band for her last tour (Randy) what have these so-called experts realy done that made a significant impact on the pop charts the past FEW years? I’m not saying they’re not knowledgeable & albeit alot of the “talent” they showed last night was pretty awful, but who cares about getting tips from Paul McCartney or Diana Ross? When was the last time either had a VIABLE Top 40/Hit in the past 2 decades!? Ok, in Diana’s defense, she did try that dance album to some moderate market (mostly gay audience) success in the 90’s, but really? These newcomers need guidance from artists that have had recent hits & understand the current landscape of what it takes to have a hit nowadays, not washed up Pop royalty who’ve long overstayed their music careers. Maybe Mary J. Blige?
I LOVE Diana Ross, especially her earlier days with The Supremes, so hopefully we’ll get to hear classics like Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go, Stop! In the Name of Love, and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
Dave, No disrespect to you or ANY other Diana fans (Hell go pick up her latest collection of LOVE songs that came out yesterday!) BUT WHAT DOES HER RECOLLECTING THE PROCESS OF THE SUPREMES’ HITS DAYS MEAN IN TODAY’S POP LANDSCAPE WHERE MELODY & SONG STRUCTURE IS OVERSHADOWED BY PROMOTING AND PRODUCTION OF A RECORD!? Those songs are all classics, but if any legitimate current artist even with the caliber of say, Mariah Carey, remade one of those tunes today, do you think the song would get played on current top 40 radio?? Even when madonna remade “American Pie” a few years ago, it was by no means the biggest hit of her lengthy career. Those songs are cherished, but truly hold no place in today’s pop marketplace, which is beyond sad. And please do not take this as a rant, I’m simply playing Devil’s Advocate here, but I can’t see how you or anyone would think having Diana on as guest judge/mentor is beneficial other than teaching the contestants on how to be egotistical & grande.
The best part of Letterman last night is when he asked if she had seen Dreamgirls and she said not yet…..but I am going to, with my lawyers.
There were a couple of older artists in seasons past that actually did work with the kids and help them. I think Manilow made a real change in a couple of contestants, but he’s been an arranger for decades (and for Bette Midler), so he’s got those chops.
I don’t think that people give enough props to the process of mentoring – which is best done by elders. An old workhorse like Diana Ross could actually have some worthwhile things to say.
That being said, there was a dreadful guy – David Foster – who worked with Elliot Yamin and screwed up his arrangement of the Donny Hathaway song. He also sucked on the celebrity singing show – he just confused people and sounded like an old crank.
You don’t have to be young and hip to be a mentor. In fact, it’s better if you’re not. The young ones are smack in the middle of their own careers, and don’t have the perspective a more seasoned person does.
I’m just saying – age CAN have its benefits.
I agree that the older stars should be mentoring…isnt the idea to give them a long lasting career?
If they turn to any pop star today most of them can not sing without the stuido machine improving their voice….so what are they going to teach them? How to hire a great publicist?
Diana Ross, way to make a comeback!
Girl you need a face lift first and some minor touch ups. Sorry to be so blunt but that picture makes her face match the size of her hair.
Wait, so is Week 7 really going to be an ABBA night, or was Simon just using that as an example?
As for people under 50 (barely) with cool catalogs…how about Madonna (like she doesn’t love the publicity). She’s not the most gifted vocalist obviously, so one of the contestants might come up with something the original version out of the water.
Sorry, didn’t see Letterman but the Diva was on GMA and made the same statement about being a “mentor” to the Idols. She also said that she wasn’t going to talk to them about singing (God forbid) but to talk about longevity in the music business. Marrying rich might be a topic, don’t you think? Living in Switzerland? How about 7 years between albums rehashing the same songs from the 70s with the same orchestrations? Can’t wait to see that.
This is why I suggested Mary J. Blige. She has had many ups & downs in her career, both Pop hits and Urban hits and has now been in the business for over 15 years. She is a contemporary who now has longevity, and even respect of others with longevity as proven by her duets with both U2 and Elton John. Madonna obviously is also a super star with longevity, but due to her lack of commercial single success with the Confessions album here in the U.S. (though it was critically praised) & her lack of actually working with many other contemporary producers & artists outside her comfort zone as of late, makes her kind of an unlikely candidate for mentoring these contestants, regardless of the publicity. I mean seriously, other than Stuart Price or Mirwais, who has Madge really worked with? She also kinda let her own label Maverick, drown, so the more I think about it, No, I love Madonna, but she is not a good choice for a mentor either.
It would be cool if AI would hire Jon Brion or Pharrell Williams or William Orbit to retool a set of popular, but burned out songs and turn them on their ear and create something new. It will never happen, but it would be interesting. As for mentors under 50, how about Babyface, LeAnn Rimes, Sheryl Crow, or Norah Jones?
Can they please get a classic alternative night in? Get Robert Smith to do a clinic or perhaps Howard Jones. As bad as that might sound, Jones taught piano before he became a singer.
It WOULD be nice if someone who is on top 40 radio today could be a guest. Mariah and Alicia Keys come to mind. These artists transcend generations. But if we have to have an older artist, how about Bob Dylan?!?!? That would be SO FUNNY……
Yeah Phil, I agree that Madonna would be kind of a terrible mentor…I just mainly want to see them sing her songs. Plus, I more pictured her doing more a Billy Joel deal where she taped her segment separately (probably England) from the Idols and she just gave her general thoughts. I can’t really picture the Idols huddled around Madonna at a piano.
I’m psyched to see more Diana Ross even if it’ll give us all a “love hangover” the next day. But I don’t need no cure, sweet love hangover…
It’s tough to think about mentors – I don’t think each show NEEDS a mentor. I think if you have interesting themes, the contestants will have enough to choose from, rather than feel limited by one particular artist who may have a vocal range that differs from the finalists – remember Queen night? None of them could really hit the notes!
One idea… If they were to have a “previous Idol” night, they could choose from the catalogs of previous contestants. A couple of the past season contestants could show up, not for advice, but to help plug their wares.
People, people, people. This is TELEVISION. It is not about who would actually give these people good advice or have something relevant to say to them!!! It’s about the following:
1) WHO MAKES GOOD TV
2) WHO IS A HOUSEHOLD NAME AND HARMELSS
3) WHO WANTS THE PUBLICITY ENOUGH THAT THEY WILL STOOP AS LOW AS AI
4) WHO HITS EITHER ALL DEMOS or COVERS US WITH ONE DEMO
Example: Neil Sedaka, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Diana Ross (old people hook). ABBA night (keep us gays happy). Quenton Tarantino, Jewel (attempt at general Gen X demo hook), etc. etc.
And they are hit and miss like any show.
…allow me a rant about David Foster — the guy is a has-been producer of sugary pap who must need a career boost badly because he’s got a stupid reality show with his son and that AI last year… apparently he’s also a d$ck (can’t believe Celine didn’t smack him at least once).
Anyway, don’t let it keep you up at night. It’ll all be OK.
is it just me, or has idol been focusing a lot on female artists these days? last year, there was a lot of flack sent their way from the press (including ew) on the show’s focus on male mentors. and now what do we have this season? jewel, olivia newton-john, and carol bayer sager guest judging. a diana ross theme night. an abba theme night (not all female, yes, but their songs were all sung by women). heck – randy even mentioned he was trying to get a mariah carey theme night (!!). looks like idol producers have been paying attention to the press. could this mean that they are pushing a female winner this season?
ninedaves – Jewel, et al don’t count since they didn’t mentor/coach anyone.
Mariah Carey would be a great mentor. She’s young enough that all of the contestants know her and can relate to her, and she has enough variety in her songs that any style of singer could find a song to sing.
Madonna is just too good an artist to stand and be associated with American Idolists. They should be so lucky! Plus, she would never stoop so low and do this show.
Phil: The whole point of Madonna not working with the current crop of “cool” producers is why she is so artistically unique and much loved around the globe. she doesn’t need them to get a top ten hit.
After watching the media blitz to promote Diane’s new CD on television (1/16), I was once again amazed at her ego-maniacal remarks. When she referred to the recording of the Supremes’ classics, she said, “I recorded Baby Love, Come See About Me, etc.” Everyone knows that the legend of the Supremes is far greater than the sum of any of its parts (and that includes Miss Ross). Until Diane recognizes that it isn’t now nor has it ever been exclusively about HER, she will always be the object of criticism. What can she tell American Idol contestants except how to be self-centered, deceitful, and self-serving? She even has the audicity to think that the “Dreamgirls” film is about her!! Instead of saying, ‘I understand that they have used our image (The Supremes),’,’ she said,’I understand they used my image.’ Why must she always be such a pig when it comes to the Supremes legacy? As I recall, she was one of three!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Call her Miss Ross.” She has certainly lived up to the reason why she was titled this way. She needs a reality check. Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard are not forgotten. Yes, she was singled out, but did not have inital success on her own. These ladies helped her climb the ladder of success.
Florence Ballard is dead in body; and Mary Wilson is dead in mind: Wilson is the mediocrity of mediocrities and if it had not been for Ross’s charm and talent, we would not ever have heard of the Supremes. Ross’s four-decade career in which she has sung a great range of music is testament to her talent. Her revived prominence this year attests further to her immortality as an artist. Who can name a Mary Wilson hit song, or a Florence Ballard hit song? No one: they do not exist–neither has a hit to her name. Pathetic. If Wilson did not have Ross to complain about she would have no career at all…
James you have a right to your opinion, but remember they were a group. Her inital fame was not from a solo career. Calm down you may get a heart attack.
Diana Ross store is now open!
http://www.dianaross.com
I just wish she would at least once wear her own hair. The wig is awful! It is also overpowering. She had a fruitful career but she still sang through her nose. She was always nasal.