Watching the latest episode of My Name Is Earl has left me feeling like maybe the show is about to spin-off Joy, Darnell and the kids into their own show.
They have them situated in what appears to be the perfect place to do just that. And I have to say that at the moment, with the way the show has been going, I would probably be more interested to see what they could do with those characters in their new setting than I am with the current state of affairs.
So Season 8 of American Idol is well under way, and I smell a conspiracy. What do you do when you hold auditions in Utah and an Osmond shows up? Well you do a little vignette with him, show that he has the trademark smile and usher him off to Hollywood of course.
But wait, after the judges' role in calling the shots gets diminished and things are left to the voting American public to see who goes forward, then what? Surely an Osmond would have copious amounts of potential voters all locked up. From devoted Mormons who worship the family as the epitome of what good Mormon values are all about, to devoted fans who still remain enraptured with the brothers, as well as Donny and Marie.
Don't get me wrong, the guy could sing (pretty much would have to considering the gene pool he swam out of) and he had a great heart-tugging story (his dad and him both battling MS), so it didn't make any sense that he got cut from Hollywood week (without much camera time at all).
Until I thought about the whole legions of potential voters and the show turning into Osmond Idol. Then it all made sense. Use him for some good screen time and then cut him loose. After all, the guy's an Osmond, he'll have plenty of chances to pursue a singing career without any help from Simon, Paula, Randy and Kara, right?
But if so, why bother including him at all?
Oh right, initial ratings and all.
So why cut him (he had as much talent and looks as many of the others who remain)?
Oh right, he might actually have more power than we (American Idol Producers) could hope to control.
Besides, imagine the backlash of Simon cutting down an Osmond on national TV.
The whole thing left a sour taste in my mouth and while I am not a major Osmond fanatic (of any sort), I do feel like the guy got played.
Just my humble opinion.
But then isn't that what blogs are for?
Go back to your Cheerios now, there is nothing left to see 
Oh and by the way, my life is slowing down a bit now and I still have not resigned myself to this blinding white background......
......just sayin'
Comments
As for song rights for broadcast, I wasn't even aware that it could be an issue, I would have thought they would have given them a list of potential songs to choose from for which they already had the rights secured.
I guess it might not be as much of "play" as I thought it was, it still just didn't seem to fit much. After all my other point stands, he has more talent (and the all important "look") than many of those who still remain. And even if his entire group imploded (we certainly saw many of those), it seems his talent should have been enough for him to make the next cut.
I still think the way they started this (behind the scenes family shots, etc.) and his name suggested he would go a bit further with the talent he had, so maybe he just rubbed the guys in Hollywood the wrong way (I've seen how that can come back to bite you in the ass on the show in the past).
It still just doesn't make complete sense to me somehow. Your points however do!
I was just planning to email you to see how you were doing.
Actually, there is word on the upgrade boards of another upcoming upgade that looks a lot more like Gamestop.
IM, I would normally agree about Joy/Darnell not being worth an entire show of their own, but the way MNIE has gone of late, it would almost have to be of more interest. As for the Olympics, I was lucky enough to take in several of the competitions, but having done it, I have to say for energy, it is great to go live, but for enjoyment and view, TV is the best!!
*gloms right back* Auntie darling you can never use "up" too frequently in a conversation that includes you and I as subject matter. In fact, take a gander at what's up now doc!!
tuckgraph, clearly you watched to good old Donnie and Marie hour back in the day! No, they didn't go there, but their love for Mr. Osmond was just imitation, like those imitation.....
Jekyll I agree about the whole group thing, but I do a get a real sense that a lot of the "screening" that takes place at this point is not only talent based, but also personality stuff as well. They seem to be really reticent to make stars out of anyone who seems all too willing to let it go to their head too fast and they do seem to want to see how personalities will mesh. Let's not forget they will have these guys in a huge melting pot for the next while and it seems like they try to do some "weeding" for criteria other than mere talent alone.
a_spod, Auntie never needs Viagra to get a rise out of me.
jekyll
As for the little camera time, it's possible his group simply did a song that in the end, the show could not secure the rights to broadcast.