Monday, April 20, 2009

Beauty Is In The Ears Of The Beholder

There are times I think it would be great to hearken back to the time before television. The time when family sat around the radio and listened to the likes of Jack Benny and Fred Allen with wonder. The time before you had any idea of what those who so entertained you looked like. If we could do that maybe the phenomenal success of Susan Boyle wouldn't be so surprising!

I've been browsing through all the reports on this latest subject of media hype. I find it interesting, as was the case with Paul Potts, she was not without some musical training and experience. Never-the-less, she's seemingly come out of no where and is being fawned over by celebrities and and talk show hosts ad nauseam. She has a voice. You bet she does and we're so "surprised". Some articles have even suggested it's bad for for aspiring performers to see the likes of Miss Boyle and Mr. Potts gain such sudden success because they will be less inclined to put in the hard work necessary should an American Idol or Britain's Got Talent not come along. I think not. As I mentioned, both Boyle and Potts earned their time in the limelight.

What I don't give a whit about is how the media types and the likes of Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore are drooling over her. I care very much that both took advantage of an opportunity presented and withstood the arched eyebrows and rolling eyes with dignity. They believed in themselves and their dream. Because of their belief in themselves we've been the fortunate ones. We get to share the gift.

Making the rounds is a suggestion that Simon has had his hand in Miss Boyle's success. Maybe, though I doubt he would do anything to jeopardize the vehicle that has made him rich and famous unto himself.

As far as the question as to whether or not Miss Boyle can really sing, I suggest you listen to a demo tape she made ten years ago.

Go ahead. Close your eyes and pretend it's the radio. Miss Boyle's got talent. Undeniably beautiful talent.

5 comments:

Rinkly Rimes said...

Susan Boyle and the whole situation are unknown here (to me, at least). I must say I like her voice but, dare I say it, she looks very masculine to me!

Mari Meehan said...

Ah, Susan Boyle is an unknown entity in Australia! That puts all the hype into perspective!

She's definitely not the epitome of femininity, but then she is 47; tall or not I don't know but I guess I'd describe her physique as "sturdy" ; )

Anonymous said...

Both Susan and Paul had to audition for this program. So the cast knew exactly how talented both these amazing people are. The rest was for show. No matter, what a privilege it is for the remainder of us to have the opportunity of hearing them. And wonderful that they both now have the fame their talent deserves. I do hope however, that Susan has her eyebrows waxed and maybe a more flattering hairstyle. CU

Mari Meehan said...

I'd have her touch nothing unless she really wants to. She is who she is and as long as she's comfortable in her own skin no one should change her into something she isn't. It would spoil the magic.

Anonymous said...

I didn't mean someone should force her to do anything. Certainly not one of those awful Hollywood suck everything real out and return a plastic woman. But who here hasn't changed their hair styles many times over a lifetime? I surely have and we all pluck our eyebrows. I don't think those things change what we are. Remember Paul Potts had his teeth fixed and wore a tuxedo to the final and he looked smashing...and his voice remained sublime. All that being said, if I could end up with a voice like hers, I'd let my eyebrows wander all over my face. :-) CU