Its about time they banned David Achuleta's father from backstage! It should have been done long ago when he told his son to sing a certain song and it didn't go over well.
It is such a shame when parents blessed with a gifted child take full advantage of it and decide to either control their lives, or live through their child to make up for their own short-comings.
This is so evident in the relationship between David Achuleta and his father. Is it any wonder David can not express himself well? He's probably been so over-whelmed by a controlling parent, that he has no 'voice' of his own. The only thing David seems to believe he has in order to win his father's approval, is his voice; he sings his heart out!
What David will come to learn is that he can stand on his own without "Dad" and the fact he has come so far with the general population serves to make that evident. Right now, if you watch him, he seems truly in awe at the response he gets from an audience and is at a loss for words....sad, really, but is an indication that he has been in a very controlled atmosphere most of his life. Its almost as if his father has never really given him credit that is due and has always demanded more from him. But, that's typical of that type of parent.
David Achuleta is a very sweet person from all appearances and I hope he grows into a stronger personality...and I think his experience in American Idol has gone a long way in helping him to achieve the self-confidence so necessary in a 'world' as stressful as the entertainment industry.
He just needs to break free from "Dad".
(This is, of course, cannot be stated as either fact, or otherwise, but is simply my personal opinion from my own limited observation.)
It was a landmark year for the Oscars; the 80th Anniversary of awards being given out by the Academy. So what happened? Where was the viewership? The buzz?
Seeing recent polls and reports, it seems this year was a great disappointment for just about everyone involved...except for the few who won their Oscar.
I'm sure the media was not too happy with only a 33% viewing audience, and it was rated lower than the worst Oscar Show ever.
I couldn't see that there was a whole lot wrong with the show itself; the set was tastefully done compared to previous years. The gowns worn were in keeping with the respect that the presentation required, as were the men's attire. No one was wearing a 'look at me' outrageous outfit...as in past years. No one got up and gave long political speeches...as in past years. A lot of effort was put into the catagories such as film clips of those departed, the 'entertainment' segments of song and dance, the inclusion of our Military to present an award. It all seemed very well done, and moved along in a timely manner; everyone got to say what they wanted to, and one young lady was brought out after the award was presented because she didn't get to speak. I remember years when they were running overtime and they were cutting off speakers and giving them all kinds of hints to get off the stage. (I think they've finally drilled it into those accepting awards, that they can't give a five or ten minute monologue.)
Yet, with all their efforts, polls show that a great majority of TV viewers didn't even watch the show. And the next highest percentage only watched parts of it.
So what is different from the past? Why are we not so enthralled with Hollywood these days? A few thoughts come to my mind.
Perhaps we don't go to the movies as much anymore when we can watch them at home. It doesn't hold a special place for us. Movie-going was special; an evening of entertainment outside our homes and perhaps dinner at a restaurant included. Not so much anymore.
Then, it could be that Hollywood's glitter has turned somewhat dull for us. It lacks the 'dreamworld' we once associated it with. Its becoming a nightmare of problems for stars, for viewers, and for those who head the studios. Money comes to mind.
They have so many 'new' actors and actresses from all over the world, that we don't recognize them, we don't follow them in their careers, and they often don't have the looks we often associated with "Hollywood Stars". Its not so much about 'glamour' as it is about 'performance'...in fact, its probably very little about glamour.
Also, what about the media's exposé of the private lives of these 'stars'? They are no longer held up as someone to emulate when we get stories of their drug use, disregard for the law, infidelities, and marriages that start and end in less time than it took to pick out the ring. Sure, there has always been immoral behavior in Hollywood, but it seems excessive and accepted today as part of the scene. But, perhaps Hollywood hasn't caught on that most Americans are not really accepting of this behavior and showing that by not bothering to watch their Awards Ceremony.
In addition, what about the fact Hollywood has taken on the job of being Politicians? They have discovered their enormous pull and influence in the political arena and they use it with abandon. I don't think we like that, but I also don't think they have gotten that message yet. So, did many of us not watch the awards because of this? Could be.
And finally, what about the movies they are making? Are there any greats that will become 'classics'? Are we innundated with too much blood and horror? How often are we left with a sad ending? How many are re-worked old movies that will never top the original? How many are so poorly done we wish we could have our money back? Look at the faces of people exiting theatres...do you see any smiles? Mostly sober expressions like they've just been through a terrible experience.
So, what do you think? Why weren't we watching?
Greatest American Band? THE CLARK BROTHERS! w00t! w00t!!!
They are so awesome! I've been watching the show from the beginning...missed a few...but, when I heard them for the first time, I said to myself, "There's the winners!" And, can I pick'em, because my three favorite bands came down to the wire, one of which was, Sixwire, that I know we'll be hearing from, and Denver and the Mile High Orchestra was so outstanding, too.
I'm so happy for these boys! They well deserved to win; they had the vocals, the instrument talent like nobody else, and cute as a button, too! (Of course, I wouldn't have shoo-ed any of the lead singers from all three groups away from my door! ;) )
They ended the show with numerous bands, that had competed for weeks, all on stage, and doing various Christmas songs from traditional to humorous...it was a blast! If you missed it, you missed great entertainment.
After the The Clark Brothers were announced as the winners, they ended the show with one of the best songs they had performed earlier in the competition.
Now, I'm going to miss watching this quality show!....God, I love good music! But, I can look forward to 'American Idol', and I hope they'll come back with 'So You Think You Can Dance'...another favorite show with me.
Thanks, FOX Channel, for another great presentation!
