Tag: Simon Cowell

Truce And Rival Together Is Against The Law

Ever read something and have red flashing lights go off in your head? It happened to me a few minutes ago. It was a story promoted on Twitter by the Wall Street Journal. Here’s the headline: Sing-Offs Duel Saps Ratings — X Factor’ Producer Proposes Truce With ‘The Voice’ as Rivalry Goes Head to Head

Here are the two words that flipped the switch: Truce, Rivalry.

Ever read something and have red flashing lights go off in your head? It happened to me a few minutes ago. It was a story promoted on Twitter by the Wall Street Journal.

Here’s the headline:

Sing-Offs Duel Saps Ratings
‘X Factor’ Producer Proposes Truce With ‘The Voice’ as Rivalry Goes Head to Head

Two words flipped the switch: Truce, Rivalry.

From wsj.com: With ratings for the singing contests “The X Factor” on Fox and “The Voice” on NBC down sharply this season, “X Factor” producer Simon Cowell proposed a novel solution: Why don’t the two sides meet and find a way to stop beating each other up?

I am not a lawyer. Duh! A few attorneys read this and they’ll surely let me know if I’m wrong.

You can’t collude with your competition. You can’t agree to pull your punches against each other. It’s as simple as that.

Specifically Cowell wants to “divide territories.” Here’s what Wikipedia says.

Dividing territories (also market division) is an agreement by two companies to stay out of each other’s way and reduce competition in the agreed-upon territories. It is one of several anti-competitive practices outlawed in the United States. The term is generally understood to include dividing customers as well.

I’m guessing by now someone’s told Cowell and we won’t be hearing any more from him on this. The story might just die. No harm, no foul.

Or maybe not.

Idle Time For Idol

It’s possible I’m the only one in America who can say this, but I’ve never watched American Idol! Six seasons, hands down number one show, but no views from Geoff. That I work nights has a lot to do with it, I’m sure.

Actually, Steffie was in the audience a few seasons back and in the first row. I watched some of that show.

Tonight, with the night off from work, I sat with Helaine and took it all in.

This was one of the prelim shows when Idol wannabes audition. I just can’t imagine the winnowing process before they get in the room with the cameras.

I saw some high five figure numbers on the tags they wear. That’s a lot more than Simon, Randy and Paula can see.

I’d heard about the audition shows and thought the people who are really bad know they’re really bad and are just trying for their 15 minutes of fame. Now I’m not so sure.

There were some very sweet people who thought they could sing. They could not.

I also got to see a little more of Ryan Seacrest and was more favorably impressed than I expected. He seems genuinely nice. The entrants find him approachable – a telling sign and valuable for anyone on TV.

Based on what I saw in front of the judges, and the other auditions winners who only got a few seconds on camera, it’s obvious this is a vocal and physical contest. If you’re a good looking girl with a nice body, your chances seem improved.

In that regard, American Idol doesn’t differ from the rest of life. Being attractive helps.

I am impressed with Simon Cowell. Usually, people who are typecast try to break out. That’s doubly true when your fame is based upon something so simple to do.

Not he. Simon seems more than pleased to be dour and spiteful and irritable, even though I’m quite sure it’s mainly an act.

I understand why this show hooks people. It will not hook me. No DVR slot for Idol. I am, however, glad I watched.