Search for new Singapore Idol
SINGAPORE: As I entered the court of the Singapore Idol judges, I wondered if I might become target practice for them to hone the skill of tearing people's dignity to shreds.
Well, okay, so the collective vitriol of Florence Lian, Dick Lee and Ken Lim probably would not even add up to the poison contained in one fleck of Simon Cowell's deliberately-aimed spittle.
But after two previous seasons of Singapore Idol, they were probably old pros at sizing people up and "judging" them.
The interview went surprisingly well, though. Florence did not shake her head in pity. Dick did not pull faces at me.
And Ken did not tell me that I should have been better prepared and to stop wasting his time. He did ask me, though, why I hadn't joined the competition. When I asked whether he would be willing to be an Idol contestant, his reply was: "I'm too old."
As it turned out, the judges were feeling a little over the hill in the midst of all the teenage pop star wannabes - especially the "prehistoric" Dick.
Perhaps old age has mellowed Flo, Dick and Ken. Can the triad of geriatrics still spot the next Singapore Idol, then? You bet - because there's nothing like having been there and done that.
How are the third season's contestants shaping up? Can this year's batch cut it?
FLORENCE LIAN: I think they're more savvy. They're very confident. It's unbelievable that they are, what, 17, 18 ...
KEN LIM: No doubt. They're probably the most focused bunch.
DICK LEE: They've also watched two seasons when they were very young. So now they're ready. Ever since the last season, they've been rehearsing, waiting for this opportunity. I was worried we'd come back and it'd be all half-past-six...
What's different about this batch?
KL: They come on with more of their self-identity compared to the last two seasons. Our music industry is only in the developing stage and as they watch the talent competition evolve, they tend to get aware that this is a career that it is a possibility to consider on a long-term basis. And talent competitions like Singapore Idol are necessary.
DL: It's the only platform that we have for a young new artist to be seen. By the end of the series you're a household name. And even if you get kicked out, you continue to do things like slimming ads ... (The judges all cackle)
KL: But if you think about it - can you imagine our industry without Taufik, Hady, what's her face ...
FL: Olinda. And Matilda's now a DJ for us. So it opens up doors to other opportunities even if they're not the eventual winner.
DL: (In my day) there was a local variety show every night. For local musicians and singers, every night we were on TV. I think that's what helped me decide to do what I'm doing. I had those opportunities. Now there's nothing ... Everybody should grab this chance.
How would you describe your judging styles?
KL: I'm very nice. Dick is very mean.
DL: That's his "nice". To us it's mean, but to him he's being nice. Can you imagine when he's mean? I would say that Ken has no patience. (Ken laughs) He's got no patience for poor quality or lack of focus. I'm much more understanding.
FL: I'm the cruel one!
DL: We are old friends. That is one of the more enjoyable things for me about coming back - we have very good rapport.
What is the worst thing about doing Singapore Idol?
KL: If the talents are okay, it makes it easier. It's only when you have to listen to a whole string of bad performances ... That's hard because you know inside that these guys can actually do better. But because of their maturity ...
FL: ... Or lack thereof ...
KL: They take their opportunities too lightly. They don't understand the importance of having the opportunity to prove themselves.
FL: A small worry I have is some of them might get ahead of themselves. And they may think the media and the public owe it to them to like them. But they're gonna be in for a rude shock ... If your personality is just so lacking in the likeability factor, no one's gonna care about you. Interestingly, we think that a couple of contestants already have their own game plan on how to amass some public sympathy and some public likeability for them. I want to see how that plays out.
Which famous trio best describes the three of you?
FL: Uh ... Shrek, Princess whatsherface and Donkey!
DL: You really want an answer, ah? Simon (points to Ken), And (points to Flo), Garfunkel (points to himself).
What would you like to see in an Idol?
FL: I want to see a female Idol!
DL: Yeah, me too. It's about time ... In the past, we didn't have such strong female contestants. This year they're really strong. They really can match up. In fact I think they're stronger than the men this year!
KL: What I want to see is somebody that can actually last. Be inspirational. And not do this for the wrong purpose. Not for fame and glory, but to actually try and be able to handle the message correctly to the budding songwriters and performers who actually consider music as something that could be a career.
Catch Singapore Idol starting Aug 9 (right after the National Day Parade broadcast) on MediaCorp TV Channel 5.
source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com
Well, okay, so the collective vitriol of Florence Lian, Dick Lee and Ken Lim probably would not even add up to the poison contained in one fleck of Simon Cowell's deliberately-aimed spittle.
But after two previous seasons of Singapore Idol, they were probably old pros at sizing people up and "judging" them.
The interview went surprisingly well, though. Florence did not shake her head in pity. Dick did not pull faces at me.
And Ken did not tell me that I should have been better prepared and to stop wasting his time. He did ask me, though, why I hadn't joined the competition. When I asked whether he would be willing to be an Idol contestant, his reply was: "I'm too old."
As it turned out, the judges were feeling a little over the hill in the midst of all the teenage pop star wannabes - especially the "prehistoric" Dick.
Perhaps old age has mellowed Flo, Dick and Ken. Can the triad of geriatrics still spot the next Singapore Idol, then? You bet - because there's nothing like having been there and done that.
How are the third season's contestants shaping up? Can this year's batch cut it?
FLORENCE LIAN: I think they're more savvy. They're very confident. It's unbelievable that they are, what, 17, 18 ...
KEN LIM: No doubt. They're probably the most focused bunch.
DICK LEE: They've also watched two seasons when they were very young. So now they're ready. Ever since the last season, they've been rehearsing, waiting for this opportunity. I was worried we'd come back and it'd be all half-past-six...
What's different about this batch?
KL: They come on with more of their self-identity compared to the last two seasons. Our music industry is only in the developing stage and as they watch the talent competition evolve, they tend to get aware that this is a career that it is a possibility to consider on a long-term basis. And talent competitions like Singapore Idol are necessary.
DL: It's the only platform that we have for a young new artist to be seen. By the end of the series you're a household name. And even if you get kicked out, you continue to do things like slimming ads ... (The judges all cackle)
KL: But if you think about it - can you imagine our industry without Taufik, Hady, what's her face ...
FL: Olinda. And Matilda's now a DJ for us. So it opens up doors to other opportunities even if they're not the eventual winner.
DL: (In my day) there was a local variety show every night. For local musicians and singers, every night we were on TV. I think that's what helped me decide to do what I'm doing. I had those opportunities. Now there's nothing ... Everybody should grab this chance.
How would you describe your judging styles?
KL: I'm very nice. Dick is very mean.
DL: That's his "nice". To us it's mean, but to him he's being nice. Can you imagine when he's mean? I would say that Ken has no patience. (Ken laughs) He's got no patience for poor quality or lack of focus. I'm much more understanding.
FL: I'm the cruel one!
DL: We are old friends. That is one of the more enjoyable things for me about coming back - we have very good rapport.
What is the worst thing about doing Singapore Idol?
KL: If the talents are okay, it makes it easier. It's only when you have to listen to a whole string of bad performances ... That's hard because you know inside that these guys can actually do better. But because of their maturity ...
FL: ... Or lack thereof ...
KL: They take their opportunities too lightly. They don't understand the importance of having the opportunity to prove themselves.
FL: A small worry I have is some of them might get ahead of themselves. And they may think the media and the public owe it to them to like them. But they're gonna be in for a rude shock ... If your personality is just so lacking in the likeability factor, no one's gonna care about you. Interestingly, we think that a couple of contestants already have their own game plan on how to amass some public sympathy and some public likeability for them. I want to see how that plays out.
Which famous trio best describes the three of you?
FL: Uh ... Shrek, Princess whatsherface and Donkey!
DL: You really want an answer, ah? Simon (points to Ken), And (points to Flo), Garfunkel (points to himself).
What would you like to see in an Idol?
FL: I want to see a female Idol!
DL: Yeah, me too. It's about time ... In the past, we didn't have such strong female contestants. This year they're really strong. They really can match up. In fact I think they're stronger than the men this year!
KL: What I want to see is somebody that can actually last. Be inspirational. And not do this for the wrong purpose. Not for fame and glory, but to actually try and be able to handle the message correctly to the budding songwriters and performers who actually consider music as something that could be a career.
Catch Singapore Idol starting Aug 9 (right after the National Day Parade broadcast) on MediaCorp TV Channel 5.
source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com
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