Paula Goodspeed's suicide: Don't blame 'Idol,' even as we all scrutinize its audition process

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iwebie Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 11:19 AM EST

Former American Idol Contestant Paula GoodSpeed found Dead, In Front of Paula Abduls House

http://www.iwebie.com/paula-goodspeed-american-idol

Susan Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 01:53 PM EST

Paula Goodspeed's suicide is a tragedy. I hope she rests in peace,and that her family finds some consolation. This must be difficult for them.

Goodspeed sounds like a deeply troubled young woman. It was just revealed that she sent flowers to Paula Abdul a week before her death. It sounds like she had stalker issues,and depression ones. The people at AI should've screened her. She couldn't handle it.

da Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 09:05 AM EST

I heard the Idol producers not only encouraged her to audition for a SECOND time, they also encouraged her to audition for "So You Think You Can Dance." If this is true, would you still say that Idol has no hand in her death?

rl Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 08:15 AM EST

The this is: none of the judges really "make fun" of these people. They are honest about their singing abilities and Simon can be pretty colorful about it, but they don't really mock them that badly. Now, you could certainly argue (and I have) that putting them on the show in the first place is just bad form, but I'm not sure the show has any moral obligation to stop. I mean, look how much exposure someone like Paris Hilton has gotten - speaking of mentally handicapped.

This girl clearly had issues, but you can't blame Idol for them. Calling Slezak an "apologist" for pointing out the obvious is just being stupid.

Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:38 PM EST

It's not their fault she was massively unstable and delusional. It would be one thing if she pulled out a gun on the spot, but she clearly let a lot of time pass with, undoubtedly. more people being honest with her and acknowledging her obvious lack of talent. I'm more offended by the people that go on the show in order to be ridiculed, hoping to parlay it into a shot at fame (see: William Hung wannabe's). I'd rather see fewer train wreck auditions to avoid the prevalence of talentless fame mongers rather than be concerned with mentally unstable people forcing their pathology on society and holding everyone else to blame for their decisions.

Corinne McIntire Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST

I always told my husband that someone on this show was eventually going to commit suicide. The judges are far too harsh on people and it is very obvious with all of the worst of there are people who are unstable. I think this is very sad this had to happen. I don't think they should publicly scrutinize people who are obviously not singing superstars. It is just plain mean spirited.

bootsycolumbia Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 06:20 PM EST

What I find sad is all the people who committed suicide this week who didn't audition for AI. They never got the help they needed, too, but because they didn't go on that trainwreck of a show, no-one will ever know what they suffered. This poor girl obviously had some serious problems. I hope she's at peace now.

TorontoTom Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 06:14 PM EST

Call me kookoo but I only start watching when they get down to the Top Ten. Love the singing and watching young performers blossom. Watching Insult TV holds no interest at all.

Stephanie T. Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 05:56 PM EST

There should be some sort of an on the spot psych evaluation before the contestants are allowed to audition.

Chicago48 Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 05:04 PM EST

I agree with wakeforce from Michigan.

Mira Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 04:45 PM EST

I think it is very sad that there are people in our society who enjoy watching people be ridiculed and belittled to the point of tears. Come on - they handpick those poor souls just to make fun of them for the enjoyment of a segment of our population who love to watch people suffer. I have never watched that show, but I have seen snippets. Absolutely disgusting. And the panel - what kind of people are they that can sit there and belittle contestants that honestly believe in themselves. Come on people, wake up. That poor, sick girl probably watched that audition over and over again. It may not be the show's fault, but it certainly added to the reason for her suicide.

to wakeforce from michigan Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 03:53 PM EST

Simon's comments weren't so bad. My problem is with the producers that don't screen these people who audition. Within a minute or two they should be able to tell who seems unstable. Those people shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the audition room.

wakeforce Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 03:36 PM EST

What truly was so bad about what Simon said? A crack about someone's braces alone isn't going to make anyone kill themselves. Bottom line is the people in Goodspeed's life should have stepped up, but in these days of false "self-esteem", they might not have been able to stop her from auditioning.

wakeforce Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

If an Idol contestant can't handle rejection then you shouldn't audition to be on the show. An artist has to be able to take it. If they were to make it on the show they would be subject to some of the cruel comments made by a lot of people on this very site. Entertainment is a hard business, but it has many rewards. That's what millions of people want and why reality TV isn't going anywhere.

to Gary from michigan Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 03:04 PM EST

Very insightful post. I don't find the obviously dilusional people who audition the least bit entertaining.
They are too far gone to realize they are being used for laughs by the AI machine. With that said, I don't believe the Miss Goodspeed's audition had a thing to do with her suicide. It was all about her infatuation with Paula.

Gary Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

Although ridicule does find it's misfits and outcasts, Nobody can deny that American Idol deliberately sets up it's misfits and outcasts. They make the screening process because 1) it makes the winners seem to be clearer stand-outs and 2) because it's fun to laugh at trainwrecks.

Wait, did I just say it's fun to laugh at trainwrecks? It really isn't. There's tragedy and carnage and sadness.

This show offers a kind of mass involvement in the process of pre-fabricated pop idols. If they told Goodspeed up front, 'Look, we're gonna give you an audition, but we're doing it because we think you're terrible and it will be awkward-funny', I believe she still would have gone through with it. But there's no denying that American Idol isn't about sunshine and niceties. It's brutal to the untalented dreamers. No sense pretending it's not.

Ryan Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 02:30 PM EST

I'm not so sure the failed audition had anything to do with her suicide; if it did, then that is really sad. But shame on Simon for making fun of her braces. What a classy thing to do...a**hole.

Dan Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 02:04 PM EST

Idol is a great escape during the winter months, but the god-awful auditions go on much too long. Please - let us see much less of these next season.

michigan Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

Aren't all of you people missing the point here? She had an unhealthy infatuation with Paula Abduhl. Simon's three year old critique during her audition doesn't have anything to do with her suicide. She was in love with Paula and couldn't have her. Very pathetic and sad.

BC Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 01:16 PM EST

Boo hoo! Getting mocked on American Idol seemed to work out pretty well for William Hung. It's not AI's responsibility to act like a guidance counselor. It's an ENTERTAINMENT program.

Smoochie Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 12:03 PM EST

You are aware of what Idol id when you audition. She wanted her shot at fame and she got it. Some people never even got on the air. If she truly believed she was talented perhaps the folks in her life should have educated her about her talent or lack of. The show did nothing to her. Now the Bush Baby insult, that is a different story.

mike Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:45 AM EST

Come on, be serious and grow up... this had NOTHING to do with AI. It's just one unfortunate woman. Hundreds of thousands have auditoned for AI, tens of thousands mocked on tv... only 1 committed suicide. Only the most feeble, puritanical and statistically ignorant mind could use that data to conclude the AI needs to somehow tone down or change its ways.

Reality Bites Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:42 AM EST

Look, we all know the mockery is hilarious and the fact is that this show has been on long enough that contestants should know they're gonna get a laugh out of America if they're crazy. I think everyone is better served when someone that can't cut it is given the harsh reality up front rather then coddling them. Reality bites but its better than deluding people and it's certainly not AI's job to provide self-esteem support to people who volunteer for this.

Victoria Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:26 AM EST

My sincerest condolences to this womans family & loved ones.

AngieLam Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:17 AM EST

While I agree that Idol can't really be blamed for this tragedy, I have never really liked the audition process, so if this event leads to a change in the format, I wouldn't be too upset. I can see showing some of the more awful auditions from time to time. But know what I would find more interesting?? Seeing auditions of people who are relatively good singers, but just aren't good enough. Seeing the difference between good, great and pop-star quality...that's interesting.

Noneofyourbusiness Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:16 AM EST

Eric Friedmann is right...one less idiot in the world!

Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:05 AM EST

Well, giving the MMPI to each candidate before entering probably isn't practical since it would make the process take weeks in each city and drive costs WAAAAAY up.

I feel like they've gotten more mean spirited and have shown more truly unstable people, as opposed to people who are perhaps not meant for a career in singing but still mostly functional people. It seems to get more sensational (which is typical for a tv show, but bad for the mental health of the contestants that they are showing on tv now that they may not have shown years ago).

I think at the least they should give the phone number and contact information for the local mental health crisis team for folks post-audition, just in case.

My Thoughts Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 10:25 AM EST

First of all, the producers should stop letting the obviously mentally ill people audition. Or at least stop showing them on TV. The problem is, the majority of American Idol fans find it entertaining when Simon & Randy skewer the auditioners who show obvious signs of mental handicap. I rarely watch the auditions because 4 or 5 weeks of watching social misfits and mentally handicap people used as Simon & Randy's verbal insult practice targets is just not all that fun. American Idol & the judges are not directly to blame for this poor woman's suicide, but maybe it's time the show changed it's format & stopped using the mentally & socially ill to drive their ratings. And maybe all American Idol fans should take a look at what they find "entertaining".

Annie Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 10:06 AM EST

No, it's not the show's fault that this poor woman had serious mental issues... however, it's pathetic how they allow mentally ill people through to the auditions in order to exploit and belittle them on national television. I hate watching the auditions. For every true talent that gets air time, there are half a dozen poor souls who get ridiculed just so that some people can feel better about themselves.

Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 09:54 AM EST

I'm sorry, but they could easily screen for mental illness by simply giving everyone the old Minnesota Multi-Phasic Test, and that way we wouldn't have to cringe every time Simon belittles a paranoid schizophrenic.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 09:29 AM EST

If this girl chose to take her own life because of any kind of connection to AMERICAN IDOL, then as far as I'm concerned, that's one less idiot in the world!

AA Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 09:10 AM EST

Of course you can't blame AI, they're a business. They exist to make money. But you can blame the American viewing public who make it the number one show year after year. Look in the mirror, viewers.

J'aime Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 08:20 AM EST

I refuse to watch the audition rounds b/c I hate how they ridicule so many. However, to blame AI for this tragedy is ridiculous. She auditioned in 2005. It's 2008. Obviously, there was so much more troubling this young woman. Her death would have gone ignored by media if she hadn't audtioned for AI, and that is sad.

A. Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 08:14 AM EST

Come on, Kristy Lee is a tough corn-bred cowgirl!
She can take Slezak. Criticism here is constructive, he wants her to work harder.

cranky Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 08:11 AM EST

I think an AI boycott is in order till they change their format. This is not the last time a tragedy will happen. Is this really entertainment?

anonymous Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 06:37 AM EST

Maricel Alag farted. Maricel Alag acts like Paula Goodspeed. http://maricelalag2.blogspot.com

Davros Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 05:35 AM EST

God forbid, but if Kristy Lee Cook killed herself after reading this writers nonstop assaults on her, he wouldn't blame himself at all. His mockery of her and others is more extreme compared to the idol judges. But he's the superior elitist tossing grenades from cover.

Q Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 05:30 AM EST

The media defends itself if this thing happened to someone it reports on. For them to take the moral high ground here is ridiculous.

Ace Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 03:11 AM EST

American Idol is just a trashy show, period. The show would be just as well and get plenty of great ratings if it just skipped showing us all the auditions and started with the Hollywood round. But I suppose offending everyone's sensibilities by parading the weak and the defenseless through to tear them down is well worth it, eh?
Personally, I hope AI executives lose a few days' worth of sleep over this.

Bee Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 02:11 AM EST

Simon, Fire yourself!!!

Nix Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 12:42 AM EST

I was going to say I wouldn't put it past Fox to put on a show where people are emotionally tortured to death for our entertainment--you know, AI without the singing--and that it would be a ratings bonanza. But then I remembered we are now in the reign of Obama, and he will save us!

mark Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 12:15 AM EST

Honor her in Season 8? Hah! And how do you propose they do that exactly? Maybe edit together a clip of her more loopy moments so Simon can wax all deeply sentimental about how he should have seen through her pain? PLEASE!!! This show WAS! IS! And WILL ALWAYS BE trash! It's garbage. Spoon fed to the mindless masses by pathetic magazines that claim to be cutting edge. What a joke.

Barry Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 10:41 PM EST

As always it a pleasure to read Slezak's take on things; his eloquence is seemingly wasted on the 'entertainment' beat. Keep up the good work. A sad story but well reported by the aforementioned Mr. S.

Snarf Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 10:27 PM EST

This will encourage even more unstable people to audition. Trust.

Stacey Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 10:19 PM EST

While I think sometimes they go too far for entertainment value given many of the people won't be moving on. AI isn't to be blamed if someone is mentally out there. Who is obsessive. It's sad what happened, but I don't think you can blame the audition process. Obviously she had some deep issues. But at the end of the day, it's a talent show. They shouldn't have to pysch review all auditioners. Sure tamper down some of the insults. But show business is a brutal business and sometimes you need a eye opener. And once they leave the room; it's not the fault of the show if the person ultimately harms themselves.

Jeffrey Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:54 PM EST

The ratings of the open audition episodes are strong, which communicates to Fox that viewers like those episodes. The alternative is to turn these "freaks" away and only send talented people to the judges, which could possibly also lead to high ratings. But since Fox knows for a fact that the "freaks" equal good ratings, don't hold your breath on them changing formats. The question is, why miss the opportunity to find a truly great singer which might lead to better ratings for the season overall, and a legitimization of the show itself? This is the real mystery as to why the non-talented "freaks" are given preferential treatment and talented folks are left out.

Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:34 PM EST

I do agree that we cannot blame just American Idol, but I do think this is a lesson that the show needs to learn from. They need to start being more careful about who they show on national television, since rejection by the producers is not as demoralizing as rejection by the three judges, which is then replayed for all of America to see.

manny Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:29 PM EST

What a load of Idol apologist crapola. Of course Idol isn't to blame for someone's mental illness but they are 100% responsible for taking advantage of this woman and many other people who are too stupid or too sick to know better. Idol makes literally billions of dollars by televising these folks being publicly ridiculed. That's unconscionable.

However the only reason Idol continues to hold these public humiliations is because they make money doing so. If people didn't tune in to watch it happen, Idol would stop doingi t. So if you're an avid Idol watcher and just watching the Idol audition rounds to see what kind of freaks, slow adults and weirdos they have rounded up for the season, you're no better than the Idol folks (but you don't have their money, so you're really in bad shape).

Honor her memory in Season 8? That's just sick. "Sorry we humiliated you. Now that you're dead, we're sorry, that is. If you were still alive, we wouldn't be sorry". Something like that?

Matt Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:22 PM EST

Sorry, Slezak. You're too big a fan of the show. You sound too much like an Idol apologist. While sure, we can't consider Idol responsible, the show should have learned a little something from the Jenny Jones Show issue several years back.

mscisluv Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:20 PM EST

I'm certainly not blaming AI for this woman's death (many condolences to her family), but I 100% agree with previous posters and with Slezak that American Idol clearly gets its first-round "laughs" but picking on the mentally handicapped and socially awkward. Couldn't we see some actual talent instead? Great singers get left in the cold so that the producers can ridicule auditioners such as Ms. Goodspeed; I realize that not everyone is going to make it to the judges and on television, but at least we could leave that to those who are reasonably good singers.

Matt Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:11 PM EST

This is sick. It was bound to happen eventually. This is exactly why I quit watching the first month of the show. All they do is parade a bunch of mentally handicapped people through the audition process so that a bunch of sick minded individuals who think it is funny to ridicule people with special needs can laugh their butts off. Of course we should blame American Idol and everyone associated with it. We have a mandate as decent human beings to put blame where it is due. It is unconscionable that qualified screeners allow those who can't sing a lick to pass through to see the judges. If all of America recognizes bad singing immediately then there's no excuse. Those lowlifes probably could care less as they sit back, make fun of, and criticize people they know are mentally unstable. Still, everybody gets their day of judgment. How many millions does it take to buy a clear conscience with God and where are the responsible friends, and relatives, who don't stop these auditions.

Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 08:32 PM EST

Wow, that was a really, nice poignant post, Slezak. Thanks.

Helen Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 08:02 PM EST

This is part of the problem
"...ridicule always has a way of finding the outcasts and misfits and oddballs of the world". This has been the source of all sorts of persecution and indignities. That these people may have mental instabilities make them a greater target before the fact, and after... can send even the most self-reliant on a downward spiral. AI is not to blame in and of itself, but is part of the mob mentality that feels a lust for scapegoating. The need for so many people to "be on top" is one of our ugliest of human traits. Who is the audience? I thought so. (Stop watching so-called reality teevee.)

The Average Idol Fan Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 07:42 PM EST

I sooo agree with you Mr Slezak. Idol has long needed to "dial back on the mockery."

RubyBaby Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 07:28 PM EST

Well said Michael.

But I would like to comment on your statement "...especially those who mistakenly think they're destined to be the next celebrity sensation." Isn't the very way that American Idol sets up it's auditioning process, and later edits that for the viewing public, which leads some to that "mistaken" belief they might be on the verge of having something big happen in their lives?

By giving the time of day to auditioners who really have little place at a talent show just to score some laughs, seems to not only give TV wannabees a bit of underdeserved attention but also aids and abets a cruelty towards those who mistakenly but genuinely thinking they are been given a chance.

MSR Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 07:05 PM EST

I've been over AI when I found out the audition process is staged. Good people that should have gotten through are left out in the cold while they PURPOSEFULLY let these people in, coddling their already fragile states with praise so that when they get to the judges, it's completely shattered. I'm not blaming idol for this woman's death, but I do sincerely hope they'll begin second-guessing this ratings ploy.

And it would be nice to see the actual finalists' auditions DURING the auditions process.

Kurt Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 06:38 PM EST

Simon's a jerk, he should be dismissed permanently from the show.

AKZombie Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 06:34 PM EST

American Idol can't take the blame for what happened to Goodspeed, but I think that this, along with increasingly obvious fact that the broadcast audition rounds are largely inconsequential to the remainder of the competition, should be considered when creating the upcoming season. I can be mean when it comes to reality television contestants, but my limits of schadenfreude have been reached with this show. When I can diagnose Asperberger's pretty handily after having watched enough auditions, it's no longer entertaining. It's painful and gross, and I'm tired of not knowing any of the finalists because WE NEVER SAW THEM IN AUDITIONS.

paige Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 05:43 PM EST

thats f-ed up

No way Wed, Nov 12, 2008 at 05:36 PM EST

That's just creepy.