‘Biblical’ vindication
LATONIO. Lacks the “life experience” needed to emotionally sell a song?
The big news on the entertainment scene provides sweet vindication to people like us who believe that faith should be a part of life and entertainment, not a “holy irrelevance”:
Mark Burnett, producer of hit shows like “Survivor,” has just shown the first part of his new drama series, “The Bible,” on the History Channel, and it attracted 15 million viewers—a record for cable TV programs.
Show biz commentators believe that the new spiritual drama series will continue to do well and its success will spawn other religious programs that will touch viewers’ hearts and inspire them to live better lives. —Wonderful!
What accounts for the success of “The Bible”? Commentators cite its use of digital special effects, contemporary songs given a religious twist, the lead cast’s intense portrayals—and, above all, the enduring appeal of “the greatest story ever told.”
Let’s hope that the series’ remarkable success will also inspire local producers to “go spiritual.” And that “The Bible” will be shown soonest on the History Channel in this part of the televiewing world.
Latonio on ‘Idol’
Other images on our TV screens this month: On “American Idol,” the female finalists have just competed for the tilt’s Top Five slots for women, and it looks like “our” bet, Adriana Latonio, may not survive the strignent cut, from 10 to only five.
The competition’s jurors felt that her rendition last Wednesday was too “pageant-y”—meaning, too much of a “big,” consciously impressive performance piece, rather than a felt interpretation that meant something special to her.
Being the youngest female finalist in the tilt, Latonio may also lack the “life experience” needed to emotionally “sell” a song with convincing force and unction.
Despite the negative notes she received, however, we hope that she still musters enough votes to “survive” to the next round.
But, if she doesn’t, she can audition again next season, as other “rejects” have successfully done. —Perhaps another year of “experiencing life” will do the trick?
Definitely, “our” bet shouldn’t give up, because Adriana sounds like she can eventually become as good as Jessica Sanchez—in her own unique way, of course.
Feisty Nicki
Still on “American Idol,” the judge who’s gotten the most attention this season is the feisty Nicki Minaj, who keeps upstaging Mariah Carey and making her look and sound like her—maiden aunt!
To make things worse, Mariah sometimes comes up with comments that start out kind of promising, but end up neither here nor there, making viewers wonder what in the world she’s trying to say! After Nicki, the other revelation on the show’s panel of jurors is Keith Urban.
As for “veteran” judge Randy Jackson, we’re so glad that he no longer critiques contestants for being “pitchy”—as he’s been doing for over a decade! There are other words in the dictionary to describe singing that’s sharp or out of tune!
