If you follow YouTube sensations at all, you've probably already got this topic covered. Last week, Susan Boyle, who can be concisely described as a cat lady/spinster (and I believe--although I'm not British so I can't vouch for it 100%--she could also be described as "cheeky") appeared on Britain's Got Talent! and became an instant hit thanks to her unexpectedly great singing voice. Then this morning, I saw headlines that there's a new Susan Boyle: twelve-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi, who is cuter than any button you have ever seen. Also, he sings real good.
For some reason, all the Susan Boyle videos have "embedding disabled by request." (I hate it when that happens.) So, you can click here to watch one that's just her on stage, or here to get a longer version with her backstage interviews (which include the tidbit that she's never been kissed).
And here's a link to Shaheen, now that his embedding has also been disabled.
A few observations:
1. I think Susan's singing has been oversold a bit. She's very, very, very good, yes, but from the headlines (and the judges' reactions), I would have expected "transcendent." The kid, though--that kid is good.
2. Sometimes I watch American reality TV and think that the editing/production is heavy-handed. As British reality TV proves, it ain't nothin'.
3. Could Piers' "compliments" to that lady be any more backhanded? I'm glad that it turns out she wasn't really listening, because he basically told her, "I am pleasantly surprised that someone as ugly as you has any redeeming value!" Shut up, Piers.
4. People in the American Idol crowd are stupid for thinking Simon is evil. Sure, he's acerbic, but most of the things he says, he says to be helpful. The Shaheen video is a perfect example: when the kid started singing that first song, I was like, "Oh, he's all right," but then after Simon told him to switch, he was amazing.
5. Blonde lady? Calm down.
Metapost: Pre-prandial comments of the week
18 hours ago
4 comments:
I like the two British hosts much more than Ryan Seacrest.
They're pretty much just Merry and Pippin in reality TV form.
With #1 I think it might be another case of expections like we talked about earlier. I hadn't heard of her at all when I first saw the clip and though she was amazing. But if you heard she was all great and talented, I could see how it would be a bit of a let down. But I didn't really think the kid was all that great.
3. I concur. I wanted to slug him for those "compliments"
I can see how Shaheen's style might not be everyone's taste, but . . . I've watched it three or four times now, and he just makes me smile.
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