The Big Get Al on "American Idol" and "Glee" Topic

babadavis1 · Post by **babadavis1** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:12 am

For those of you who don't watch Idol, many weeks will feature a music star who mentors the contestants. For that week, the contestants generally sing songs recorded or written by that mentor. There have also been a few occasions where they also get to pick songs that 'inspired' the mentor. Personally, I think Al would be a perfect mentor for the show because...
1) Longevity. Al has stayed relevant in the pop music business far longer than many of the mentors- I mean, what's the last thing Neil Diamond did that anyone listened to?
2) Acknowledged Talent. Al has Grammy Awards to his name, and really does know how to sing and present a song- something many of the Idol contestants are lacking in. He'd be good at helping the neophytes find their own voice.
3) Fits the Idol demo. People of all ages tend to know Al's music, whether or not they're a fan.
4) Breadth of catalog. Al has sung many different types of songs, allowing each contestant to find a song that might fit their particular niche, or be able to stretch beyond what's expected.

I think one way for the show to work is that contestants could choose to sing any Al song. The could sing the original version of a parody, Al's version, or any song included in a polka medley. Personally, I award bonus points to anyone doing "Do I Creep You Out."

While some may consider it beneath Al to appear in the world's biggest karaoke contest, Al really has made a name for himself by taking other people's music and putting his own original spin on it- just like the best of the Idol contestants.

Thoughts?

Post by **Bruce the Duck** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:20 am

I don't want to rain on your parade, but this would never happen in a million years. American Idol is first and foremost a singing competition. Al is known for his comedy, not his singing. And while he surely is a better singer than any other comedy/novelty artist I've ever heard, he doesn't have the kind of voice that trancends his musical genre and gets noticed by the general public.

And also "American Idol" is a show that takes itself WAAAY too seriously. One look at one of their elimination shows will tell you that. I'm pretty sure that they would perceive Al being a mentor as a joke; a skit you'd expect to see on Saturday Night Live.

No, I don't think there's any chance of Al ever mentoring on the show. Maybe he'd have a shot as a guest JUDGE, but even that would be a long shot.

Now I know somebody's going to accuse me of being too pesimistic. But it's not pesimism. It's being realistic.

Post by **weirdojace** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:25 am

^Yeah, basically.

Post by **Big Spoon** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:22 am

What Jeremy said.

Post by **AlejandraDD** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:24 am

Relevant link is relevant. Okay, it was just commentary, but it's related to the topic.

Also, am I the only one who doesn't care AT ALL about American Idol in any of its incarnations?

Post by **Mystik Tomato** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:27 am

babadavis1 @ January 26, 2009 11:12 am wrote: 1) Longevity. Al has stayed relevant in the pop music business far longer than many of the mentors- I mean, what's the last thing Neil Diamond did that anyone listened to?

Longevity doesn't really have anything to do with Idol.

What was the last thing you heard of Paula Abdul/Mark Holden/any other pop-star that had one or two hit songs then faded into non-existence before they were on Idol?

But, yeah. Jeremy's pessimistic view is basically right.

Post by **anthontherun** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:31 am

Plus, one of the biggest complaints critics have against the show is how they rarely have young mentors--the only two I can think of that aren't that much older than the contestants were Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez (but I'm almost certainly missing some). Al's turning 50 this year and as much as we love him, he's not quite a legend of the Tony Bennett or Stevie Wonder stature. I read that this season they're focusing on getting the most 'current' mentors possible.

Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:04 am

Pffft. Mentors are supposed to be older than their... mentees?

The reasons that Al SHOULD be noticed by AI contestants are his showmanship (something about him that I think everybody who hasn't been to one of his concerts is oblivious to) and the fact that he's a better singer now, by orders of magnitude, than he was when he started... and maybe better than the "pipes" he was born with would suggest. I think he's been working at his singing, and it shows.

Post by **TMBJon** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:12 am

Orthography Enthusiast @ January 25, 2009 06:04 pm wrote: his showmanship (something about him that I think everybody who hasn't been to one of his concerts is oblivious to)

Absolutely, which is why I was really excited to take my girlfriend (so not an Al fan) to a show this summer, but alas work got in the way. That's alright though, I'm glad we went with the free trip across Europe instead...

Post by **amzo39** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:23 am

I was thinking about this the other day.

Yeah...I wish it would happen. That would be colossal...