Simon Cowell: Sticks up for Producers, Wants Britney Spears to Mentor

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“We even had an Osmondà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦and I liked him!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Ehhhhhhh…hoping the spoilers are right about this one.

Britney Spears is #1 on Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s list of potential Idol mentors for Season 8.

I think I would like to see Britney as a mentor. Does she have to sing, though?

He said that Paula could have stopped filming if she felt so scared and uncomfortable in Goodspeedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s presence. He insists that the producers have integrity, and would never force Paula to face a stalker for good TV.

Looks like a year for excellent Simon/Paula friction.

Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s happy about the Idol Grammy noms, and happy for David Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s and David Archuletaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s post-Idol success.

Awwww, Simon. I like you today.

I thought that mentors were supposed to be able to sing?

Folkfan: Well, they did have Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stephani in the past. ‘Nuff said.

Simon can afford to be happy and congratulate others. His star, Leona Lewis, cleaned up on Grammy nominations.

Surprised to hear how hard Simon pushed back on Paula’s complaints. I stand up and applaud Simon for saying that we shouldn’t be referring to Goodspeed as a “stalker.” Time to start having some compassion and respect for the dead.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got an interesting bunch. We got stuck last year with a battle of the blondes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  they all looked that same and we couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t differentiate one versus the other.WTF? Simon is baked. Last yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s crew had plenty of personality. And there werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t all that many blonds.

I think he’s talking about the Top 24, mj.

Simon actually acknowledged Archuleta??? Wow…color me shocked. By the end of last season the way he was dogging him on every talk show he appeared on, basically insinuating that he was retarded, I didn’t think he’d ever give the kid credit for anything again.

Doesn’t he say something along these lines every year regarding lack of personality and wanting a “broad” group? I think this is Simon’s go-to response (or some variation) when asked about sagging ratings or to comment on the new season versus the last.

Doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t he say something along these lines every year regarding lack of personality and wanting a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“broadà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  group? I think this is Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s go-to response (or some variation) when asked about sagging ratings or to comment on the new season versus the last.

Yeah good point.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got an interesting bunch. We got stuck last year with a battle of the blondes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  they all looked that same and we couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t differentiate one versus the other. We tried to be as broad and as open-minded as possible so we donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t wind up with 12 people from the Stepford Wives.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Battle of the Blonds? versus Battle of the Davids? Blonds. Davids. Yeah, I could see how that might confuse someone. Are we sure that it’s not Simon who’s not the AI nut-job or the loopy one? What a nutter statement. Simon, wake up, I know the summer and fall came and went but, it was less than 7 months ago. Of the 10 Finals – The Davids, Syesha, Carly, Chikezie, MJ, Ramiele, Jason Castro, there were only 2 blonds: Kristy Lee & Brooke. Wow.

Paula is looking more lucid every day.

If there is one thing Simon is good at, it’s making money. I don’t think Simon gives much thought to past contestants unless they can make him more money in the future. He’s done, he’s moved on. He is always about the next group, the next project, the next star. He can’t even remember people’s names, for crying out loud.

Case in point, I remember him saying on Oprah that Leona was one of the greatest singers on the planet. He talked about her as if she was his greatest find ever. This was, of course, his grand introduction of her to the American public upon the release of Bleeding Love and her album. About the latest winner of X factor? He’s said something like he’s going to make her a bigger star because she is more versatile.

Now, maybe Simon is being completely honest. And who can fault him for wanting to sell his wares. Or maybe he is the world’s worst sufferer of hyperbole syndrome, but, anyone see a pattern here?

Last year: over, dull, who? Coming year: better, best ever. I am happy he mentioned the Davids. I’ll give him that much.

^^Great post, houstonrufus. You nailed it.

Simon actually acknowledged Archuleta??? Wowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦color me shocked. By the end of last season the way he was dogging him on every talk show he appeared on, basically insinuating that he was retarded, I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d ever give the kid credit for anything again.

The more successful DA (or any other contestant, for that matter) becomes, the more Simon will acknowledge him and behave as if he knew all along that he would be a hit.

I think the one thing that will remain the same this year is that there will be at least one contestant who becomes the target of major viewer backlash and intense hatred due to what so many like to call overt “pimping” by the judges, producers, etc. I plan on doing what I always do though and expect the pimping and not let it rattle me when it happens. I like who I like and dislike who I dislike regardless of the pimpage.

1. What would Britney Spears know about singing?
2. Paul McCartney may not have the good sense not to marry a gold digger, but at least he knows to stay away from AI.
3. “Got stuck last year with a battle of the blondes.” What show was he watching?

Again, Simon is about selling. Britney is hot again–that’s what’s important. Who cares if she can sing? She’d pull in big ratings. Simon knows that. And, while I’m no fan of her singing, her music has more relevance for the demographic they want than Neil Diamon or Andrew Lloyd Webber. Numbers, numbers, numbers. I think Simon says that mantra every night before he goes to sleep.

It doesn’t matter if anyone thinks Britney can sing or not. The thing Britney has going for her is she can sell it. And selling it means lots of money for her label. The same can be said for Taylor Swift. I personally don’t think Taylor can sing well but again, she can sell it. Say what you want about Britney but she’s a megastar making megabucks for herself and her label.

To Simon Re Britney: H***LL NAH!

Doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t he say something along these lines every year regarding lack of personality and wanting a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“broadà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  group? I think this is Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s go-to response (or some variation) when asked about sagging ratings or to comment on the new season versus the last.

LOL LOL LOL

The blondes he refers to made up 1/3 of the Top 12 women:

Alaina Whitaker
Kady Malloy
Kristy Lee Cook
Brooke White

Only one of them was particularly impressionable, IMO, and she didn’t sing “God Bless America” or “Amazing Grace”. However, I would want Kady Malloy back just for the death stare. She should trademark that look.

Britney Spears??? Please no!

WTF are you guys talking about? Britney would be an AWESOME mentor! Probably one of the best Idol has ever had. Just look at one of the techniques of singing that she could impart on a deserving Idol contestant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ak1cpi74RM

To be honest to this day I still don’t know which one is Aliana and which one is Kady, they were the ones that reminded me of Britney…
Simon was probably asked about the Davids, no? I don’t see him just congratulating them without beeing asked about it. He has moved on… like always.

I think you are right, leome. He was probably asked.

The only reason I remember Kady is I think she was from Houston. And the death stare. Yeah, I do remember that.

Simon also said this:

Simon thinks Chris Daughtry changed things for the rockers on the show. A lot of so-called rockers show up and are clearly fake. He’s not surprised at Idol singers being successful in different genres, like rock and country.

To Simon, personality is just about as important as talent. He thinks last season had a lot of singers who didn’t have great personalities and didn’t speak their minds. This is the year, he believes, that the singers fight back.

To Simon, personality is just about as important as talent. He thinks last season had a lot of singers who didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have great personalities and didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t speak their minds. This is the year, he believes, that the singers fight back.

Yet when they attempt to show that personality or fight back in any way, he shuts them down so fast their heads spin and makes them look like fools on national TV. Think back to David Cook Top 24 Week. I rest my case. Simon needs to make up his damn mind on what he likes and what he doesn’t. He changes his mind so much, no wonder the contestants are confused and intimidated.

he shuts them down so fast their heads spin and makes them look like fools on national TV.

That’s what he wants. For singers to get snippy so he can publicly “spank” them. In his mind that makes for great television. He gets annoyed when the contestants are too saavy and learn how to play the game to woo the voters.

Simon wants messy, tantrums, “passion”, scandals, sluts, assholes, etc… But most of all, he wants the upper hand.

Singers who fight back get eliminated. FAST. That’s why they don’t do it. And won’t do it. Not next year, not ever. It has to do with the public. They don’t like contestants who appear arrogant or smug.

Sure, Cook fought back that one time, but he realized if he wanted to stay in the game, he needed to STFU. And he did.

If they would think back to Season 5, the season widely considered to have the most “personality”, people didn’t get that label because they talked back. Kellie Pickler was a loveable ditz. Taylor Hicks was grey-haired spastic dancing good ol’ boy. Daughtry was the solemn rocker. Kat McPhee was the homecoming queen and quintessential LA girl. Elliot Yamin was the shy guy who needed some confidence. Ace bought the pretty. Chicken Little was the ultimate good-natured nerd, years before Superbad. No one brought manufactured drama, they were just genuine people with big personalities. Cast those people. Don’t try to make them mad so they argue with you. Don’t put them in stressful situations and film it for entertainment. Just give them mikes, let them sing, and afterwards let Ryan ask them questions that bring out what’s already there. Its not that hard. Ugh.

I think Britney could be one of the better mentors they’ve had on the show. She is young, and knows the pressures of stardom very well. I think she could relate to the contestants in a way that previous mentors (see Weber, Andrew Lloyd and Manilow, Barry, for instance) could not because she’ll be close in age to most of them. And as someone said before, Britney knows how to SELL it. Probably, everyone on the show is going to be a good singer. They really have to stand out in order to win, and I think Britney knows how to do that. She seems like a nice enough person. And really, she can sing (watch footage of her in the Mickey Mouse Club), she just chooses not to most of the time. But hey…I can’t fault her. If I could sell millions of records and make millions of dollars doing what she does, I would do the exact same thing.

I don’t believe that Simon doesn’t know Carly’s name. What’s his beef with her anyway? Ugh.

Also, I hate how Simon takes credit for everyone’s success, regardless of what he said about them on the show. His huge ego got old about 5 years ago. And weird, he liked the Osmond but doesn’t want ringers?? What?? The show would be so much better with NO judges.

Why do I keep watching this show??? I really need to quit. It’s like a trainwreck….horrible, but I can’t look away.

Simon also acknowledged Archie when Crush debuted on the Hot 100 so it’s not like he ever forgot about him. That said I’m glad he had nice words to say about both guys. I remember last year at this time when he gave his press call for AI7 he didn’t sound too happy at all about Jordin and Blake’s sales.

Eh, David Cook showed more personality in the 30 seconds Behind The Scenes footage from Extra than he ever got to show on Idol. They simply didn’t provide a stage for the contestants to show personality. I think last season had plenty of personality and charisma among the top 12, it simply wasn’t showcased on the show itself (well, I think it was during the performances, but I’m guessing that’s not what Simon is talking about).

Britney knows how to SELL it.

Britney knows how to sell IT because she has IT. IT is also Simon’s favorite thing – the “X” factor. IT is inexplicable because IT is there, but we can’t quite put our finger on what IT is. Very few artists have IT. So, she could mentor on the show and maybe give the singers a few pointers, but girlfriend can’t sing. She’s got to rely on IT, and she can’t teach people to have IT. Either you’re born with IT, or you’re destined to be a one-hit-wonder, if you’re lucky.

So…we can conclude that Britney appearing on the show, as a mentor or performer, will be strictly for ratings. Nothing more.

I just updated the post with more links and quotes.

Come to think of it, there were lots of boring blonds in the Top 24–Alaina, Kady, Garrett, Colton, Robbie, plus Brooke and Kristy Lee.

I think that to Simon, drama equals personality. That’s why season 7′s contestants didn’t impress him in that department. Evidently niceness and sincerity, for him, are not personality traits. To the majority of us these qualities are quite appealing and that’s why I, for one, enjoyed the season so much. Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy watching people be nice to one another.

The season 7 cast had a “group personality” in that they were a nice, funny, kind, genuine bunch. That may not be as exciting as a room full of drama queens, but it’s personality nonetheless.

For Simon’s own sake, I hope he has a different definition of “personality” for his personal life than he does for TV.

The one time I remember some great personality last season was when the Top 7 elimination and Ryan made Archie choose which group was safe. The moment he sat down in the middle of the stage (okay I know this was what Melinda did too, but the act in of itself is not the point I’m making), all kinds of chaos erupted and it was stinkin hilarious to see all the kids going crazy up there. When Carly learned she was safe and dragged Archie off with her, I couldn’t stop laughing. It was quite entertaining. I guess that would be an example creating drama, but in this case, it gave us a glimpse of some of their personalities. I still also think though that showing tapes of them from the Ford shoots like AI Extra does and just showing them doing stuff besides rehearsing would help a lot. Seeing them out of the pressure cooker part of the competition is when they really can show who they are. So many people were so shocked that Archie could form complete sentences when the show was over and that is sad quite frankly that anyone thought he was that stupid or mentally challenged or whatever people said about him. People act differently under stress. Brooke is a good example of this. A fun loving and sweet girl who was near mental breakdown by the time she was eliminated. For viewers to have the impression that some of these kids should be institutionalized is just ridiculous, but sadly that’s the kind of thing the producers love.

Robbie Carrico and his blonde wig…. :laugh_tb:

Even though Simon is a jerk and he can’t remember Carly’s name, at least he did acknowledge her talent by paying her the compliment. When her amazing album comes out he will definitely know who she is.

For Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s own sake, I hope he has a different definition of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“personalityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  for his personal life than he does for TV.

For what’s worth Simon is not the only one who has that idea of personality. That concept is all over the media. The more scandals you’re in the more personality you have.

When Carly learned she was safe and dragged Archie off with her, I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t stop laughing. It was quite entertaining. I guess that would be an example creating drama, but in this case, it gave us a glimpse of some of their personalities.

It was enterteining, but because it was kinda dumb too. Ryan had already made it obvious who was the safe group and still Archie, Jason and Carly wouldn’t get the memo, and were acting weird. I was feeling a bit bad for the other 3 girls…
I won’t blame the show if the viewers thought Archie and Jason couldn’t form a full sentence or were stupid, because that happened a few times… Actually the both of them were probably the ones with more TV experience, which is ironic. But yeah, I think showing the kids in different situations, rehearsing and that would actually be a good thing. Could get the audience more invested in the contestants.

I think that to Simon, drama equals personality.

It’s also his damn fault that no one had “personality.” He could have let Joshua Leming stay on and implode every week. :rolleyes_tb:

I wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t blame the show if the viewers thought Archie and Jason couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t form a full sentence or were stupid, because that happened a few timesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ Actually the both of them were probably the ones with more TV experience, which is ironic.

Jason had absolutely zero TV experience and mentioned his lack of experience several times. Archie was on Star Search at age 12, true, but that’s nothing like being on Idol at 17 when the reality of just how big a platform you’re on can be intensely overwhelming. What’s ironic is that Jason and Archie while difficult to interview on the show were the most outgoing on the tour when it came to interacting with fans. The others seemed overwhelmed and distracted. It just goes to show you that what you see on TV is not always a true representation of reality. I never thought they were stupid by the fact that their on-screen interviews were less than exciting. Actually, I don’t think any of them had particularly stunning interview skills when being asked on-the-spot questions by Ryan.

Jason had absolutely zero TV experience and mentioned his lack of experience several times.

Jason had TV experience. He was on an MTV reality show called “Cheyenne”. I can’t remember exactly, but he played her boyfriend, or somebody the lead girl dated, or something like that.

Jason had absolutely zero TV experience and mentioned his lack of experience several times.

Huh? Wasn’t Jason on an MTV show prior to Idol?

ETA: MJ answered my question. Thanks.

Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ironic is that Jason and Archie while difficult to interview on the show were the most outgoing on the tour when it came to interacting with fans. The others seemed overwhelmed and distracted. It just goes to show you that what you see on TV is not always a true representation of reality. Actually, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think any of them had particularly stunning interview skills when being asked on-the-spot questions by Ryan.

I didn’t go to any concert, but by all accounts I think the top 10 was very outgoing during the tour this year, I didn’t get much of an idea that they were distracted. Although I don’t see much the relation between that and answering questions.
And honestly I think Cook gave many fast, short and good replies to Ryan when asked on-the-stop, which probably helped his popularity making him look a bit smarter. Brooke was also quite entertaining in her own way.
I don’t blame the contestants, but it is true that it doesn’t make great television, so we need more of them, that is not just those moments with Ryan.

Dear Season 8 Contestants,

If any of you are reading this blog, hello! In case any of you have heard or seen Simon’s comments about how he’s hoping that you talk back to him, don’t, don’t, don’t believe him. You will regret it on so very many levels. Simon will rip you a new one, and so will much of the blogsphere. Voters will be less likely to vote for you. Etc., etc., etc.

And stop reading Idol stuff on the internet once the season starts. You’ll love what some people have to say, but hate what others have to say.

Hugs & kisses, FolkFan

I think Simon liked it when the contestant talks back to him but only a certain way. He hated it when Cook talked back to him in the semis… and Carly too when she tried to make that quip about blaming him for her angry TSMGO performance. But Brooke usually interrupted their comments and she even made him apologize to that violin player, but he never got mad at Brooke. And if I remember correctly… in a CNN interview he said that he liked Brooke because she spoke her mind without thinking too much about it. It may be hard to find a line that you don’t cross with Simon though, so I wouldn’t advise the next contestants to interrupt him very often… it all depends on the contestant and how Simon perceives their personality, methinks.

That said, I think there were only two blondes in the top 12, so that whole too many blondes thing doesn’t fly. And Brooke is the only blonde that mattered this year anyway.

It doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t matter if anyone thinks Britney can sing or not. The thing Britney has going for her is she can sell it. And selling it means lots of money for her label. The same can be said for Taylor Swift. I personally donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think Taylor can sing well but again, she can sell it. Say what you want about Britney but sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a megastar making megabucks for herself and her label.

I see major differences between Taylor and Britney. Taylor is a talent. She writes songs, plays guitar, does her own singing without major studio help, and while she might not have the widest vocal range or most powerful voice, she has a unique way of phrasing that I and many others seem to find intriguing. Bob Dylan, for instance, isn’t a “great singer” but he’s a great singer nonetheless. Not that I’m comparing Taylor to him, not at all. Just making a point. She has talent and she has something fresh and original to offer.

Britney is totally manufactured. Her singing doesn’t even sound human, it’s totally studio-created. I doubt she could write a song or play an instrument to save her life. Her claim to fame is using her sexuality, afaic. There’s no artistry there.

If that’s the kind of music the show’s going to cater to, they’re going to lose credibility that they can’t afford to lose. Last season they had some decent mentors who actually know about music. Mariah, Dolly, Andrew Lloyd Webber. But Britney? She has nothing to offer those contestants, who are trying to be actual singers, not lip-syncers.

I cheer inwardly each time Paul McCartney says no. I will cry if he ever gives in. He has integrity and I love him for it. I’d love to see Simon ask John Lennon, if he was still alive. John would laugh in his face (I think).

Simon is all about money and I don’t think he really knows much about music.

Taylor is a talent. She writes songs, plays guitar, does her own singing without major studio help, and while she might not have the widest vocal range or most powerful voice, she has a unique way of phrasing that I and many others seem to find intriguing.

Yes, thank you! Taylor gets a lot of flack for her singing talent, or lack thereof. but it’s really not what she’s selling. The girl has mad talent for her age and I for one am a very big fan.

I also like Britney too though, she has oodles and oodles of stage presence that would be hard to find in anybody else. Britney does know how to work that stage. However, I don’t think she’d be a very good mentor. Her performances work only for her and her alone. I don’t think it’d be very wise to advise the contestants to strip, dance around with a boa, or kiss a person of the same gender on stage. While those performances work for her, it would never fly on American Idol.

I kind see where Simon is coming from when he’s talking about personality. I think Simon is talking about personality when it comes to performing, having a good voice and is entertaining on stage. I maybe alone in thinking this, but most of these contestants last year were very bland and boring performers. I want to see someone whose fun to watch on stage and has a good voice and most people who aren’t AI fans will agree with me.

oceana, I agree. Even the worst contestants that appear on AI at that stage beats Britney. Heck I am sure you – and almost everyone else here – is much better than her.

Britney is a GREAT mentor. Like her or hate her she is one of the best in POP,. The only female artist to have all of her albums debut 1 and have over 500,000 in sales in week one.

Sales is not everything. It doesn’t necessarily equate to talent.

p.s. Hardkandy, I agree that Britney has stage presence and knows how to work the stage. She’s a performer. But not a singer. AI is a show to find singers, not dancers or performers, that’s why it bothers me.

Jason had TV experience. He was on an MTV reality show called à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Cheyenneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember exactly, but he played her boyfriend, or somebody the lead girl dated, or something like that.

Woah! Did not know that! I guess I have followed him to a lesser extent than the Davids.

I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go to any concert, but by all accounts I think the top 10 was very outgoing during the tour this year, I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get much of an idea that they were distracted. Although I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see much the relation between that and answering questions.
And honestly I think Cook gave many fast, short and good replies to Ryan when asked on-the-stop, which probably helped his popularity making him look a bit smarter. Brooke was also quite entertaining in her own way.
I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t blame the contestants, but it is true that it doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t make great television, so we need more of them, that is not just those moments with Ryan.

Well my experience in the autograph lines were that Jason and Archie were the easiest to talk to and most accomodating without seeming overwhelmed. I know that doesn’t seem relevant to answering questions, but to me, I expected them to way more shy and introverted in person as that is the persona I got of them from Idol.

Yes Cook can be quite articulate, but even he didn’t really impress me with his interview skills until after Idol. His answers always came off as canned and boring to me. And Brooke as much as I love her got so annoying with her non-stop, nonsensical babbling. Again, love them both, but they all kinda sucked at those on-the-spot interviews in my eyes. Most people do….I know I would. That is why though that I agree with you on the point that those instances are simply not enough to gain insight into who they are.

I kind see where Simon is coming from when heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s talking about personality. I think Simon is talking about personality when it comes to performing, having a good voice and is entertaining on stage. I maybe alone in thinking this, but most of these contestants last year were very bland and boring performers. I want to see someone whose fun to watch on stage and has a good voice and most people who arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t AI fans will agree with me.

Not sure how you can be so sure of that without taking an official poll. Bland and boring performers…really? That explains why the tour was so popular then and why the Davids are gaining new fans every day and have gold albums.

But Brooke usually interrupted their comments and she even made him apologize to that violin player, but he never got mad at Brooke.

Oh man, I totally forgot about that! THAT, I have to admit was pretty hilarious! LOL!

And Oceana, while I think Taylor’s live voice is pretty pathetic, she is at least talented in some regards. She could use voice lessons though to strengthen her live vocal performances. But yes, Britney, totally manufactured. She doesn’t sound human.

Britney? Mentor? Blech.

oceana, I absolutely agree with you. But your and my hopes for the show are very different from the people actually making money off it. I think some of the mentors from this last season DID have a lot to offer. I’d much rather hear what Dolly has to say than Britney, any day. But the reality is Idol is aiming to increase or maintain viewership in a demographic younger and very different than mine.

I think Britney is one of the most overrated pop stars in recent memory. At least most would agree that Mariah at least can carry a tune or Diamond wrote a good song or two or Dolly is a charming personality. Maybe Britney has something to mentor regarding stage performance and riding the waves of fame, though her handling of these is highly debatable in my book as well. But Simon’s mention of her just tells me, again, what the show and he is ultimately about: sell, sell, sell. Britney is back in vogue. Cash in now.

Who gave Simon the nice pills? He was actually talking nice about both Davids? Wow! The only thing I don’t agree with is that I really think they could have gotten a deal without the show.

Britney is a GREAT mentor. Like her or hate her she is one of the best in POP,. The only female artist to have all of her albums debut 1 and have over 500,000 in sales in week one.

Minor nit-pick. Britney’s “Blackout” neither debuted at number 1 nor sold 500K in week one. It was number 2 and sold 290K it’s first week. Granted, BB did change the charting rules that week and she was undergoing a massive meltdown at the time. She does have a very impressive sales numbers record, even if she can neither sing or lip synch accurately live.

Who gave Simon the nice pills? He was actually talking nice about both Davids? Wow! The only thing I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t agree with is that I really think they could have gotten a deal without the show

Agreed. Idol was their platform, but I think eventually a break would’ve happened for them both.

I will agree that Simon is greedy, however, I always thought the underlying goal of the show was to aid in the launch of a successful music career for the winner (and maybe some of the others). Britney’s talent is debatable, however, her success is not. She (and her management) have found a way to keep people interested in her for so many years. She obviously has something that is appealing to LOTS of people, even 10 years after her debut album dropped. So it’s a win/win – good mentor for the contestants, good way to get young people to watch the show.

Agreed, Krazee. I’m not a Britney fan, but I fully concur that having her on the show would be a smart move for business. She is undeniably one of the biggest celebs on the planet. And she does appeal to the youth market. I’m not interested, but I know ratings would be huge.

I don’t mind if they have Britney as a mentor, as long as they don’t have to sing her songs. They definitely need to get some younger mentors (although I would prefer an actual singer)

Britney has the “X” Factor – that is undeniable. Since Cowell is all about X Factor tied with Vocal Chops, I can understand why he’d suggest her to be an AI Mentor. Are there better vocalists? Sure, look at XTina or Mandy Moore, when they all launched on the scene around the same time. Why Brit over XTina? Both have looks, charisma, and moves – but how did she become the Global Phenom. Mentor can mean a lot of different things. Sure, normally one would assume vocal mentor, but it could also be mentor for AI contestants on how to handle fame, press, and what not do do or say. She could be seen as a pop star’s who reached her zenith in terms of fame, accolades and music chart domination. And then her life turned upside down and we all witness her breakdown, but, she’s rising up from the ashes.

Actually I think Christina would be a better choice.

Minor nit-pick. Britneyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Blackoutà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  neither debuted at number 1 nor sold 500K in week one. It was number 2 and sold 290K ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first week. Granted, BB did change the charting rules that week and she was undergoing a massive meltdown at the time. She does have a very impressive sales numbers record, even if she can neither sing or lip synch accurately live.

My bad, but still she is the only act to have 4 of her albums debut and 1 with over 500,000 sales in week one.

Brit probably won’t, but this she should talk about keeping yourself grounded and the downside they will face when the become famous,

I would think that a Britney mentoring session would be kind of like when Gwen Stefani mentored and the theme was something like, “Gwen Stefani songs and songs from CDs in Gwen Stefani’s collection.”

I’m almost wishing that Britney was a mentor last year. Who wouldn’t have wanted to see and hear DC’s anguished, emotionally raw take on “Oops, I Did It Again”? Heh.

Actually, I’m partial to hearing DC’s take on “Gimme More” or better yet, “I’m Not a Girl, Not yet a Woman.” Or Archie tackling “(I’m a) Slave 4 U.” LOL

Hee! Hyperwink and Folkfan, from your lips. I think DC’s versions would be amazing. Yup, Archie doing “Sometimes” would be awesome.

Christina would make a better vocal mentor, true.

Heh, Folkfan, so true! :laugh_tb:

Don’ t know if someone has mentioned it but Brittney was on Xfactor in the UK, they did her songs for the theme and it was a train wreck. Rumour has it she was a diva on the set, she lip synced her performance, and it got a lot of bad press. She didn’t do any mentoring, just showed up and left again. Whether she could lighten up for an episode of AI would be interesting to watch.

If it’s Xtina, props to anyone who reaaranges Dirrty as a ballad, Genie in a Bottle as a grunge power ballad and two thumbs up to any guy who sings Ain’t No Other Man.