"American Idol" producers have publicized a number of small "tweaks" to retool the program after a slight dip in ratings last year, among them a greater emphasis on the performers—back stories and less reliance on celebrity guests. If online reports are to be believed, however, there's a secret game plan the producers are downplaying: Use ringers.
According to "American Idol" spoiler sites, a number of this season's contestants have professional recording experience. This isn't quite the scandal that some websites have played it up to be—the rules clearly allow these singers to enter the contest, so long as they are not currently signed to a label—but it does run contrary to the program's primary pitch, that it lets American break undiscovered talent.
One of the contestants rumored to make the cut is particularly noteworthy: Carly Hennessy, a failed pop singer known only for her very, very expensive flop.
MCA Records signed the nondescript singer and invested a small fortune into her market-researched 2001 debut, pulling in some of the priciest songwriters in the industry. Two million dollars later, and Ultimate High had sold less than 400 copies in its three months on the market—a fraction of what an industrious rapper could have turned around clocking weekends in a Walgreens parking lot, pushing self-released CDs from his car trunk. [An interesting side note: Hennessy's unheard debut single was a shameless fellatio track called "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind." Just months later, Eve would turn a song built around the exact same mind = penis metaphor, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," into a huge hit which effectively launched the solo career of Gwen Stefani, who reshaped the face of modern pop music.]
It's curious that "American Idol," a program that celebrates the music industry at every turn, would select a laughing-stock metaphor for why the industry is failing as one of its contestants. It's also telling. For decades, the industry's "we'll shove whatever we think you'll like down your throat" business model has served them well, and it'll take more than a sinking ship to make them change this last in the game.
Fall 2008 Human Trafficking Awareness Week
Become Aware and Take Action
Come Join Trafficking Ends with Action for Fall 2008 Human Trafficking Awareness Week. Monday Dec. 1st "Trafficking in South East Asia." Tuesday Dec. 2nd "Human Trafficking: Two Sides of the Same Coin." Thursday Dec. 4th "Gina Allende Speaks on Human Trafficking in Wisconsin." All events will be held in the UWM Fireside Lounge starting at 7pm an
Although separated by an ocean and multiple time zones, the Australian Outback bears remarkable resemblance to the American West. Both encompass mesas towering over rocky, dusty deserts shimmering like a mirage under unforgiving sunlight. Whip-snapping co
It can't touch Harry Potter for scope of popularity but in some pockets of pop culture, the Twilight series has reached Beatlemania in intensity. The "young adult" novels about a handsome teenage vampire boy and the mortal girl who loves him have sold 17
No, we didn't ask for an album featuring another recording of "Breathe," leading into "Time," leading into "Breathe (Reprise)," as happens on tracks two through four on Live in Gdansk. But Pink Floyd completists (we are legion) will want it anyway. Howeve
Jorge "El Guero" Hernandez may be the best-known regional Mexican artist with Milwaukee roots. Most of a decade has passed since he and brother Rogelio moved to San Antonio, but El Guero's Banda Centenario still nurtures a unique take on the often-manic D
The last decade has not been kind to Milwaukee’s German restaurants, as names like Ritter’s Inn, the Bavarian Wurst Haus and even the venerable John Ernst have all closed their doors. In fact, only two of the old-timers remain: the oldest, Mad
If you’re not from Waukesha, you’ll want to check MapQuest for directions, but it’s worth the ride. The Rochester Deli (143 E. Broadway, 262-522-9611), wedged within the labyrinth of downtown Waukesha across from the Freeman offices, is
