The Voice Has Openly Gay Singers, Why Doesn’t American Idol?
NBC’s The Voice has only aired two episodes, but already viewers have heard something that viewers have probably never heard on Fox’s American Idol: “I’m gay.”
The Voice featured two openly lesbian contestants during its premiere, then two openly gay men during its second episode. While there have been gay Idolcontestants, most famously Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken, they’ve either publicly acknowledged their sexual orientation after their respective seasons concluded, or that aspect of their identity was ignored on the show itself. In fact, out of hundreds of contestants that have appeared on TV’s biggest series over 10 years, openly gay portrayals are either nonexistent (nobody contacted for this story could remember one), or at best, extremely rare, let alone in numbers like The Voice has depicted in its first two weeks.
This isn’t to suggest Idol and/or Fox is secretly enforcing a closeted agenda — producers hired the openly gay Ellen DeGeneres as a judge and Fox airs Glee, perhaps the most gay-friendly drama on broadcast. But watch The Voice pre-audition interviews, where contestants casually reference their sexual orientation and hug their partners after passing to the next round. It raises an interesting question: Why don’t we see this on Idol? And should we?
When crafting The Voice, executive producer Mark Burnett said the choice to present singers’ sexual orientation was discussed, and said he was surprised having openly gay singers wasn’t already familiar territory on Idol.
“It didn’t cross my mind to do anything but be authentic,” said Burnett, whose first season of CBS’ Survivor was not only groundbreaking reality TV, but also featured an openly gay contestant, Richard Hatch, who won the competition. “It’s fun television and this is a diverse population. You need to be reflective of the authenticity of the contestants. It wasn’t something we did, it just is what it is.”
So how come on The Voice contestants are coming out during the show, yet Idol contestants typically come out after? Idol certainly gives viewers the biographical background of its contestants — their hometowns, their childhoods, their dreams, their hardships, their families. How attractive singers are to the opposite sex is sometimes remarked upon. And since there have been many gay singers on the show, there’s clearly a choice being made at some point in the Idol process by somebody to not include that information.
“American Idol is about finding the next singing superstar,” said Fox in a statement to EW. “While sexual orientation is irrelevant to the competition, the decision to reveal sexual orientation has always been a choice made entirely by each individual contestant.”
It could simply be a difference of production style: That producers on Idol, as Fox’s statement suggests, don’t think sexual orientation is relevant to a singing competition and so they don’t really see a reason to go there with contestants (“I don’t care if a singer is gay!” is a reaction that plastered comment boards whenever Lambert’s sexuality was speculated on by the press during his season). Whereas producers on The Voice, as Burnett’s comment suggests, think such information is relevant because it’s part of showing a person “authentically.”
And there’s other possibilities too: Idol singers may feel discouraged from being candid about their lives due to the show’s format, since they depend on votes from viewers and could be concerned that being candid might hurt their chances of winning. (Lambert, who like several Idol contestants was widely presumed gay during the contest, said after he came out, “I wanted the focus to be on my ability as a singer and as an entertainer — not on my private life. So I chose to kind of ignore the issue until after the voting ended.”) Also, The Voice allows older singers to audition than those on Idol, which might boost the number of contestants who are comfortable being open about their sexual orientation on a TV reality show.
Ironically, after presenting four openly gay contestants across two episodes, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation denounced The Voice because coach Blake Shelton tweeted what some interpreted as a homophobic song lyric. (Shelton said it was a misunderstanding and apologized.) Asked about this matter, GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios told EW: “With more and more Americans embracing openly gay singers like Adam Lambert,Idol voters would clearly support a talented openly gay contestant if given the chance today. IfAmerican Idol expects to continue leading in the ratings, Idol producers should recognize that positive gay inclusion on television not only fosters acceptance but, as evidenced by the popularity of shows like The Voice and Glee, is a smart programming move.”
What do you think? Why is there a scarcity of openly gay singers on Idol? And should producers and contestants do anything differently then they are now?
Here’s a clip of Tyler Robinson, one of the openly gay The Voice contestants from last week:
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/05/10/the-voice-gay-american-idol/
Top 4 Song Picks For Leiber Stoller Night
Once again, 'American Idol' producers have decided the kids need to sing songs older than dirt to prove they have what it takes to become a marketable pop star in 2011. With all due respect to the enormous catalog of classic hits the great songwriting duo of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller built during their rule over the American musical landscape, can the Top 4 really bring something new to perennially covered classics like 'Hound Dog' and 'I'm a Woman'? Perhaps...
The fact is, if these kids can't do justice to some of the greatest pop songs ever written, how will they ever compete with current megastars like say, Lady Gaga, who just happens to be mentoring, this week? And who wouldn't like to hear a Gaga-produced version of 'Yakety Yak'?
While Gaga molds the Top 4 into little monsters all her own, we're picking the eight songs James, Scotty, Lauren and Haley should perform. Read on for our song picks for the Top 4!Haley Reinhart: 'I'm a Woman' and 'Spanish Harlem'
Haley's drawn comparisons to contemporary female vocalists like Adele and Amy Winehouse, but she's also got a bit of the legendary Miss Peggy Lee in her. 'I'm a Woman' is the perfect showcase for Haley's sassy 'tude and girl-growl.
Aretha Franklin may have done it best, but everyone from Tom Jones to Bowling for Soup has covered 'Spanish Harlem.' Why not Haley? This could be a real crowd pleaser if Haley has fun with it, making for a crucial one-two punch as we head into the Top 3.
James Durbin: 'One Bad Stud' and 'Stand by Me'
James Durbin wants us to think he's a badass so why not prove it with this tale of male bravado made famous by The Honey Bears. That's right, The Honey Bears. The song's got a bit of rockabilly feel, which could spin the rocker in an interesting new direction.
On the other end of the spectrum, James really shines when he nails a ballad. Though the judges loved it, his emotional performance of 'Without You' has been getting mixed reviews from fans. With 'Stand By Me,' James can put to rest any doubts about his ability to sing a heartfelt ballad without getting lost in himself. The song bought Bo Bice a ticket to the next round, perhaps it can do the same for James.
Scotty McCreery: 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Alligator Wine'
Whether or not it's the best song for him, does anyone think the night will end without Scotty singing either 'Jailhouse Rock' or 'Hound Dog?' Elvis, along with Garth Brooks, is one of Scotty's biggest idols, and the North Carolina country boy can channel 'The King' better than some Vegas-strip impersonators, as we saw with his Top 9 performance of 'That's Alright.' 'Jailhouse Rock' could make Scotty a king in his own right, at least on 'American Idol.'
If Casey Abrams were still in the game, a Jeff Buckley / Screamin' Jay Hawkins version of 'Alligator Wine' would be all his. And while I was a bit torn on who to give 'Stand By Me' to (Scotty could really soar on it), it would be interesting to see him tackle a gritty blues song like this one. It could be a total or mess or introduce us to a whole new side of Scotty, which would could get very interesting heading into the last weeks of the competition.Lauren Alaina: 'On Broadway' and 'There Goes My Baby'
After last week's shake-up, Lauren might need a miracle to make into the Top 3. This could be that big performance number that propels her to the front of the pack, or least out of fourth place. If she can shake the nerves and take her time with it, this could be her moment. Scott Savol went with it back in season 4 and Simon Cowell called it his best performance of the competition. However, he was still voted off that week, so....
On that note, with Haley Reinhart winning over fans left and right with her bluesy, soulful vibe, it's time for the 16-year-old Alaina to bare her own soul. A Gaga-produced update of Diana Ross' version of "There Goes My Baby" could give Lauren the chance to let loose after last week's tearful elimination drama.
No matter who goes home this week, the most disappointing thing about the Top 4 is that we won't get to hear Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart work their showmance(?) magic on Elvis Presley and Ann Margaret's 'You're the Boss.' What are your thoughts on our picks for the Top 4? Got some selections of your own? Share 'em in the comments, join us on Twitter (@somethingpitchy) and watch along as Lady Gaga, Steven Tyler and the music of Leiber and Stoller make for what should be one of the most bizarre 'Idol' nights this season. Can't wait!http://www.tvsquad.com/2011/05/10/american-idol-top-4-leiber-stoller-lady-gaga/
American Idol Takes On Leiber and Stoller: Song Suggestions For The Top 4
This week, the American Idol Final Four will be taking on songs from the Lieber & Stoller songbook. You might be surprised by how many songs of theirs you are familiar with (I was). They wrote a lot of music for Elvis Presley, and groups of the 50's and 60's whose names started with "The." The Exciters, The Drifters, The Clovers, The Shangri-Las, The Dixie Cups, The Peggy Lee. Wait a minute, I mean just "Peggy Lee." Peggy Lee! They wrote "Hound Dog" and "Yakety Yak," you guys! Read more about them on their Wikipedia page.
Here is what I would like to hear them sing this week, when they will be mentored by Lady Gaga. Maybe they'll actually get to sing a full song this week?
Haley Reinhart
Song: "Is That All There Is?" (sung by Peggy Lee)
Initially I thought this would be Scotty McCreery's week to shine, but then I realized that Lieber & Stoller wrote for Peggy Lee and a Peggy Lee/Haley Reinhart combination could be AMAZING. I think "Is That All There Is" could be the more musical choice, but "I'm a Woman" (also by Peggy Lee) would be really fun. W-O-M-A-N.
Scotty McCreery
Song: "Kansas City" (a.k.a. "K.C. Loving" sung by Little Willie Littlefield)
It would be really easy for Scotty McCreery to choose an Elvis song this week because he's done it twice before and we know that if he's not going country, he's going Elvis. BUT, this week's song selections are all pretty good for Scotty, so it would be nice to see him branch out. The original song could easily translate to country, and it's about Kansas so ...
You know what might be fun? If Scotty sang "Yakety Yak." I just hope he doesn't sing "Hound Dog." I hope no one sings it, actually. Oh but they will.
Lauren Alaina
Song: "Tell Him" (sung by The Exciters)
Maybe she'll have seen My Best Friend's Wedding and recognize this from the soundtrack? I think this is a good song for Lauren's voice, and she likes to do songs that are fun, and this song is fun. I have a feeling she'd want to do "Stand By Me" but James will get it. You know what I'd love, though? If Lauren Alaina sang "Leader of the Pack." Ohhhh it would be major. Someone please sing it! Scotty?
James Durbin
Song: "Stand By Me" (sung by Ben E. King)
If he doesn't do this, he might do "Stuck in the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel. But come on, "Stand By Me" is so choice, and gives anyone who sings it an automatic advantage. I can see James doing with this song what he did with "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow."
Other Lieber and Stoller Songs That Are Ripe for the Picking:
"On Broadway" by The Drifters
"Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots" by The Cheers
"Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley
"Love Potion #9" by The Clovers
"Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups
"I Keep Forgettin'" made famous by Michael McDonald (please no one sing this, Stefano isn't in the competition anymore!)
I think Lady Gaga could really be helpful this week. But with this specific genre of music, I think the contestants will either succeed wildly or fail miserably. What do you think? Doo wop?http://www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/american-idol-takes-on-lieber-40251.aspx
Top 7 Revelations From Steven Tyler’s New Book: Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?
The Aerosmith front man and "American Idol" judge lays out how he became a gnarly mess of a rock and roll icon in his memoir, "Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?" which came out Tuesday.
Indeed, there's a lot of noise in the book's nearly 400 pages. Tyler weaves a winding tale of his 63 years, from growing up in working class New York City and rural New Hampshire ("I was a mountain boy, barefoot and wild") to feeling on top of the world as only the rich and famous can ("For the whole of the '70s we were all nicely f**ked up and deep-fried").
It's easy to picture Tyler spilling out these stories over a night fueled by whiskey, bong hits and a campfire. In between the rambling accounts of who did what to whom on a tour bus, he reveals his thoughts on sex (good), drugs (bad, mostly) and reality TV (a little bit of both).
Below, check out seven choice excerpts from Tyler's book:
On being bullied as a kid: I got into street fights in the Bronx all the time -- an hour and a half they went on, I'd come home bloody as hell. … I got spit on in school and called "N****r Lips." The kids would snap my earlobes with their fingers, which was especially painful on freezing cold days.
Early July: I'm on a plane coming back from England to start the American leg of the tour and there's an in-flight movie called "The Back-up Plan" playing. There'd already been rumors and grumblings about my doing "American Idol." My own internal interrogator is going, "Can you do it, Steven?" Do you want to do it, lad?" I said, "You know, yeah, I do."
Have a great evening, and see you back here the next blog post!!
D-RIZZ OUT!!!
GOD LOVES YOU!!!
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