Any swimmers (or your kids) going to audition for American Idol Season 6

just the auditions are starting I guess the show begins sometime next year ande Originally posted by tuck OMG I can't believe it's starting again already ! Just when I was able to get my kids to bed early enough for swim practice in the AM. Telling the coach, "I can't make my send offs because I was up late watching American Idol" doesn't fly far at all. Although my whole household will watch it, sometimes I wish it never happened. But really, we taped it last season so the kids could watch it at a decent hour.

in the music biz You never know who's going to wind up with a long term career versus being a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder or a none hit wonder. Idol has proven itself to be the best launching format for new artists. Because of the artists repeated TV exposure from the show, fans are very familiar with them and want to support them when their singles and CD's are released and when they tour. Radio is more likely to play the artists single because the artist won American Idol and radio stations attempt to play what is most popular in their format. I believe Clarkson's Breakaway CD did better than her first CD because she had better songs (more singles), better production, and maybe better promotion. Who's to say which artists will have vibrant careers 20 years from now. Idol just gives singers a powerful start that most new artists never get. Many artists have career peaks that they will never be able to match again no matter how hard they try. Ande Originally posted by scyfreestyler Does anybody here think that the next Elton, Cash, Dionne, or Clapton will come from a show like this? I admit that I also watch this program from time to time but it seems like the talent they admire is so cookie cutter esque. Not much character. I just can't get too excited about the "idol's" they have produced thus far. Clarkson has some catchy tunes but will she still be putting out top 40 tunes 20 years from now?

There are about three shows on TV you can watch with young children that aren't horrible to watch as adults. Idol is one we can all sit together and watch and enjoy. And, if you TiVO it, it only lasts 35 minutes. Try being subjected to The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or That's So Raven with your kids. You'll beg to join a noodling class to get out of that.

OMG I can't believe it's starting again already ! Just when I was able to get my kids to bed early enough for swim practice in the AM. Telling the coach, "I can't make my send offs because I was up late watching American Idol" doesn't fly far at all. Although my whole household will watch it, sometimes I wish it never happened. But really, we taped it last season so the kids could watch it at a decent hour.

I'm too old.......the daughter who is taking voice is 3 years too young........personally I like the music on Rock Star better!

Originally posted by aquageek There are about three shows on TV you can watch with young children that aren't horrible to watch as adults. the Simpsons is our families all time feel good show.

Originally posted by ande in the music biz You never know who's going to wind up with a long term career versus being a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder or a none hit wonder. Idol has proven itself to be the best launching format for new artists. Because of the artists repeated TV exposure from the show, fans are very familiar with them and want to support them when their singles and CD's are released and when they tour. Radio is more likely to play the artists single because the artist won American Idol and radio stations attempt to play what is most popular in their format. I believe Clarkson's Breakaway CD did better than her first CD because she had better songs (more singles), better production, and maybe better promotion. Who's to say which artists will have vibrant careers 20 years from now. Idol just gives singers a powerful start that most new artists never get. Many artists have career peaks that they will never be able to match again no matter how hard they try. Ande Good insight Ande, I was hoping you would have some commentary to add. I guess the idol winners are just a little too sanitary for me. They are being fitted into a pre-tailored suit...not of their own design I might add. People like Elvis Presley, Johhny Cash, Bob Dylan (I am no fan of Dylan..just an example), and Jerry Lee Lewis have great music by most standards but they are/were also people who had loads of personality (admittedly sometimes to their own disadvantage) and I think this is the part of the package that is missing from the "idols". Remember Glamour Shots at your local mall? The place that took your picture and made you look like a million bucks? That is how I see these idol winners. Sure it sounds okay, but is it even really them? I saw Elton last week in Vegas and there was no question that the music I was hearing was coming from a man full of character and life. A man who was passionate about music and the meaning behind it. Perhaps this is just the result of listening to a musician with a lengthy career full of success. I don't know. Just the same Ande, I value what you have to say as you are in the music business (and older than I am to boot :) ).

Originally posted by Damage Inc the Simpsons is our families all time feel good show. Yikes! Not with my 2 and 7 year old's!! We DVR episodes of the Cosby's for when we can't find appropriate programming at any given time. Food Network is usually safe and my kids seem to like watching Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs!

Does anybody here think that the next Elton, Cash, Dionne, or Clapton will come from a show like this? I admit that I also watch this program from time to time but it seems like the talent they admire is so cookie cutter esque. Not much character. I just can't get too excited about the "idol's" they have produced thus far. Clarkson has some catchy tunes but will she still be putting out top 40 tunes 20 years from now?

I've recently started indulging in "America's Got Talent" and even allowed myself a foray into "Last Comic Standing" (which didn't grab me, tho there were some funny lines). The British judge (I forget his name) on "America's Got Talent" is sometimes funny, sometimes gratuitously nasty. I suppose eventually those who go on that show will know what they're getting into and will not take him too personally, but there were some pretty vulnerable looking people being raked over the coals by him. Also some pretty interesting acts, some singing, some gymnastic or other feats. Some, I admit, were kind of odd/over the top. When they'd announce the acts, I'd try to guess whether the judges would show them the door or send them on to the next round. Sometimes I was surprised b/c things I didn't think I'd like and didn't think the judges would care for either turned out to be much better than expected. Haven't watched American Idol... as for trying out... even if I were in the age bracket, singing's never been my forte. But I can play a mean radio or tv. ;)