Britain’s Got Talent may have been Susan Boyle’s big break, but it wasn’t her first foray into the reality-contest genre. Back in 1995, she auditioned for the Star Search-ish My Kind of People. Host Michael Barrymore wasn’t as impressed as Simon et al:
Is this classless and sort of degrading? Yeah, absolutely. But I’m not sure that what Barrymore is doing is so different from how most shows treat a lot of their contestants. If this clip of Susan Boyle being mocked is sad and off-putting — and it is — what does that say about the the weeks of audition episodes on American Idol, where dozens of contestants are trotted out for the sole purpose of mockery? Do only talented singers deserve not to be degraded?
If we could stop congratulating ourselves for a second on how great it is that we’re giving a middle-aged, not conventionally attractive woman the time of day, we might see, as others have pointed out, what’s really amazing about her story: a little human decency going a long way on reality contest shows.
More Susan Boyle:
Music Mix: Susan Boyle: America, what’s your problem?
Susan Boyle starting on the makeover: Like you wouldn’t…?
Simon Cowell: ‘Distractions’ could doom Susan Boyle
Ken Tucker: Susan Boyle interview: ‘I’m happy the way I am: short and plump’
Susan Boyle: 14 Candid Photos
Susan Boyle on ‘Larry King Live’: Did you watch?
Susan Boyle’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ audition gives Simon his second spontaneous ‘O’ of the week
Our household doesn’t watch the audition episodes of American Idol for that reason…90% of the time is spent mocking people who are deluded or whatever. I almost didn’t watch this season because that ridiculous crying/giggling girl made it into the semi-finals. William Hung is a stain on our national conscience.
I highly recommend any fan or non-fan to read Ben Elton’s Chart Throb. You will never watch any of these shows again.
That made my stomach turn. And there was poor Susan, trying to be a good sport. I loathe louts with power. (Granted his power is pretty insignificant, but not that day, not for Susan.)
wow that was a display by the host. well it will bite him in the ass now. Look at her now. She will get the last laugh.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/04/28/killing-tv-top-pirated-shows-from-april-20-26/
You need to see this…Very Oh My G.
http://americanidolexposed.wordpress.com/
Well, he’s a jerk for sure, but she picked a dreary song too.
I have a great idea. Let’s not talk about Susan Boyle for one whole day! Can you do that EW?!?! So sick of this story.
JERK! Where is he now? Nowhere. Karma, what goes around comes around.
What a perv! And that guy too.
William Hung’s rendition of She Bangs was magnificent. A moment to be remembered. Oh baby!
Did she get kissed at the end? That naughty minx gets around!
Where is Michael Barrymore now? Oh that’s right, selling hot dogs on a street corner in Dublin. It’s sad to think that some people get off on putting others down because of their looks. What have we become?
Certainly, a “little” decency goes a long way – just as it always has. But reality-show viewers are only rarely folks who behave in a socially acceptable manner; if they were, they’d not be so interested in the fabricated yet mundane personal lives of strangers. Unfortunately, contest shows attract many viewers from the camps of those nosy-neighbor programs such as “The Desperate Unmarried Bimbo/Himbo” and “The Assprentice”.
Who is that a$$hole? What a loser, this clip will be his claim to fame.
Hey Vicky if you don’t want to see, talk about and read anything regarding Susan Boyle, then don’t got to sites where she’s featured, EW?!!!