Season 12 General Discussion

[AIMOD-Maria]

Kariann's comment on another thread made me think of this; I thought it might be a interesting discussion.

There has been criticism that contestants don't always have total control over song choices. I've seen posts claiming that Contestant X would have won if they sang this versus that. I've read interviews in which contestants say a successful song isn't really their style.

Why shouldn't producers have input? They have experience with music, performers, and audiences. 

Why should inexperienced performers be expected to know what will connect with an audience?

[boom-shaka]

I think it almost always helps that the contestant be totally comfortable with whatever song they're singing, which clearly isn't always the case when they get pressured into doing something they don't know and/or wouldn't have chosen on their own, even though it sometimes works brilliantly.  It could also be argued that the producers are trying to script some drama with their choices and doing that may not always coincide with the contestant's best interest.  I see no problem with the producers offering advice and counseling, but the choice should ultimately be up to the person who has to actually get up there on live TV and perform the song in front of millions of people and not up to people who, by the very definition of their position, have an ulterior motive which, again, may not always be to necessarily help the contestant.  I'm a believer in the myth of the "scripted train wreck." 

[kitnk]

I think it's fine for the producers to advise the contestants on song choices, especially when they're faced with a theme they're unfamiliar with, but the final choice should always be the contestant's. Contestants should never be forced to sing a song that they don't like or don't feel comfortable with as happens on certain other shows.

[laurenfan99]

During the regular shows they are given limited song choicesand do push you in a certain choice with suble " this a a good song for you" At the final three you say why did they choose that song again limited choice and its persuasion " this is a different song but it will showw the other side or diversity in your talent" > The finally,  well in the case of Jessica  the Whitney song picked by Simon was a downer because we have heard enough power ballads,  then we have another power ballad the Prayer, and then that LOSER song which was the clincher. THe young voting audience is convinced Jimmy and Idol want her to be another Whitney or Celine. They did not want  that and voted accordingly. Plus you put in the downer reaction of the Judges and you just finished convincing everyone this person is not a winner. In with mister 6 note range, our of tune, song 1 a tie ,song two goes to Jessica third song  he got to sing a song with a TRACK RECORD OF #! ON THE CHARTS in the 6 note range. Who do you thoink won exactly who they wanted to win. I'm not stupid been around 65 years and love music but my forte is marketing which is a proffesion that is a master of manipulation. Idol is a show not a contest.

[amfan1]

My input changes depending on where we are in the competition.

     Around Top 10 the choice should be totally up to the contestant.

     At Top 4 I like that the judges "pick" a song for the contestants since the judges have opinions and are often correct.

     I am reading into the question that this question is more about the Final competition show when only 2 are left.  I have no problem when the Producers give suggestions but at this point the final 2 usually are pretty good so they should decide ultimately themselves. 

     Last year I had the "perception" that Jessica was talked into singing a song that just did not work.  Song choice, because of what Phillip Phillips sang may have helped him Win!!

     Last year also may have been a case where PHILLIP was so in control the whole season of knowing what HE WANTED and just ignored what the judges or mentors said  vs.  Jessica who did listen to the judges and producers and in the end SONG CHOICE (I believe) cost Jessica a real chance of winning.

     If the Producers "made the call" on what Jessica sang that Final night then this is a Great Example of what the answer to the question should be.    

[AIMOD-Maria]

Assuming that a contestant chooses his or her song, ignoring any advice (just as an example), who bears the responsibility if they blow it?  The producers for not pushing?  Or the contestant for not having the experience to know what will or will not work?

[boom-shaka]

Whoever makes the final decision, I suppose.  Unless that person is me, then it's that other guy's fault.

[AIMOD-Maria]

  I think personal responsibility is great ... but it seems to be that being on Idol is a once-in-a-lifetime type opportunity.  Making a mistake in song choice could have pretty big consequences.

[boom-shaka]

Don't you think regret would be worse?  I suppose there's regret either way if it doesn't go well, but if you go down I have to think it'd be easier to swallow if it was on your own terms. I'd much rather lose on a decision I made myself than if I let myself get talked into something or if I wasn't even given a choice at all.  At least I'd know if my instincts were right or not.  It's tough though.  Both sides of the argument have merit.  

Dang you Maria! Now you have me doubting myself. You're worse than the producers!

[Tabbycat]

I think the contestants should definitely have input on what song they perform, but I also think the producers should be able to help them with choosing a song.