Maybe we should have an episode where we judge the Idol judges. This is Hans Ebert, Executive Director of EMI Music SEAsia, commenting on the Singapore Idol judges in ST Life:
Having been in your city when Singapore Idol was launched and having been back several times since, I have to admit that the programme makes for compelling and compulsive viewing — but for all the wrong reasons.
As someone who knows the Singapore music scene fairly well and who has heard of some of the judges, my personal take is that this programme is more of a forum for four mismatched judges to promote themselves than to find some real talent that will make Singapore proud.
I have cringed on many occasions at their remarks, which appear to be scripted “jokes” and also — and this is the really damaging part — some extremely rude comments.
I can understand that most of the judges, especially Ken Lim and Dick Lee, probably see themselves as being Singapore’s answer to American Idol judge Simon Cowell.
But they have not understood what made Cowell unique. Yes, he was straightforward and blunt, but he was never subjective, rude and, more to the point, destructive.
Some of the lines muttered show a bitchiness and pettiness that make this reader wonder if they’re using this programme to air their personal grievances about some of the contestants.
I have brought back and shown videotapes of this programme to friends and colleagues in Hong Kong.
Apart from falling on the floor laughing at the efforts of the judges to be cool, hip and Cowellian, the main message that hits home is that this is a programme that is a disgrace to a city that prides itself on being courteous.
Hey, if you can’t be courteous to your own people, who are you going to be courteous to?
The judges of Singapore Idol have, for whatever reason, sent a number of excellent talents packing.
If any of these people wish to have a recording company give them an objective and fair listening, just tell them to send me their demos.
In the meantime, will Singapore Idol succeed in finding Singapore’s first Pop Idol?
A winner? Yes. An idol? Never.
