HDTiVo
04-11-2006, 02:06 PM
A tutorial on how to get more out of the TiVo experience for the non sports fan. :)
Best way to see Idol's 16 minutes of fame (http://www.southflorida.com/movies/sfl-idolfasterapr11,0,2849234.story?coll=sfe-tv-headlines)
By Joanne Ostrow
The Denver Post
Posted April 11 2006
American Idol is down to eight finalists and my plan is working perfectly.
Sixteen minutes, that's all it takes.
You can screen the show in slightly more than a quarter-hour and actually accrue free time. You might want to take up a hobby. Karaoke, anyone?
Thirty million people cannot be wrong, but they might try being faster. You can be done with Idol in no time, no matter how they pad the show with chatter from the insufferable Ryan Seacrest.
No matter how often the producers take the cameras behind the scenes as the warblers ham it up, hug their moms, meet guest stars and express gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic phenomenon, no matter how they drag it out, the heart of each installment is easily distilled to a manageable 16 minutes.
The Fox hit is the perfect TiVo specimen.
Using this foolproof system you not only skip commercials and promotional clutter, but you bring the overblown extravaganza down to size as a talent show. That way, when someone at the office asks whether you think cutie Ace Young has a chance, you'll know to say that he didn't really deserve to land in the bottom three, he's better than that.
The trick is to think like a video editor, finger on the fast-forward button, skipping through the superfluous ego massaging, sponsor thanking, product placing and network promoting. Speed through the wide shots of the audience, the long shots of the stage, the backstage nonsense and the nonverbal reaction shots of the judge's table.
It's a singing competition, as Simon Cowell often reminds us. Focus on (and fast-forward to) the singing.
What you're looking for is the moment after Seacrest's introduction, as he turns to the performer and the first note emerges. Hit "Play." Then zoom ahead when you sense that the song styling is mediocre. If you've stuck with a performance beyond the first chorus, you know they're doing something right. If you're transfixed by bad dancing, you'll know you've had enough of Taylor Hicks. Transfixing isn't the same as entertaining. If you're feeling sorry for the singer, you know they've failed.
From there, fast-forward through Randy Jackson's rambling, self-indulgent posturings (sorry dawg), and don't dare slow down for Paula Abdul. Even in super-fast-motion it's all too obvious from Abdul's gestures that she's either praising the contestant as "already a star" or confessing she's been reduced to tears. Either she's doing the arms overhead cheer, the prayerful hands-at-heart emotional tug or she's blowing kisses. Skip ahead.
Cowell, conversely, deserves to be heard. Unlike his colleagues, this judge is succinct. He keeps the focus on the realities of the music business. He is discerning. His is the voice of reason, with proper grammar.
Take an additional moment to puzzle over whether the producers are coaching Paula and Simon to prolong and personalize their arguments. (At a Fox press party in Los Angeles, Abdul was outspoken in her personal antagonism toward Cowell. She also made insinuations, as she does on the air, about his sexual orientation.)
On the heels of Barry Manilow and Stevie Wonder, Prince will visit American Idol, although the publicity-shy pop star reportedly dislikes the show and has not even seen it. Be glad young Kevin Covais is already out. He's too innocent-looking to do Prince lyrics without seeming comical.
The ratings blitz continues and I love every minute of it -- all 16.
Best way to see Idol's 16 minutes of fame (http://www.southflorida.com/movies/sfl-idolfasterapr11,0,2849234.story?coll=sfe-tv-headlines)
By Joanne Ostrow
The Denver Post
Posted April 11 2006
American Idol is down to eight finalists and my plan is working perfectly.
Sixteen minutes, that's all it takes.
You can screen the show in slightly more than a quarter-hour and actually accrue free time. You might want to take up a hobby. Karaoke, anyone?
Thirty million people cannot be wrong, but they might try being faster. You can be done with Idol in no time, no matter how they pad the show with chatter from the insufferable Ryan Seacrest.
No matter how often the producers take the cameras behind the scenes as the warblers ham it up, hug their moms, meet guest stars and express gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic phenomenon, no matter how they drag it out, the heart of each installment is easily distilled to a manageable 16 minutes.
The Fox hit is the perfect TiVo specimen.
Using this foolproof system you not only skip commercials and promotional clutter, but you bring the overblown extravaganza down to size as a talent show. That way, when someone at the office asks whether you think cutie Ace Young has a chance, you'll know to say that he didn't really deserve to land in the bottom three, he's better than that.
The trick is to think like a video editor, finger on the fast-forward button, skipping through the superfluous ego massaging, sponsor thanking, product placing and network promoting. Speed through the wide shots of the audience, the long shots of the stage, the backstage nonsense and the nonverbal reaction shots of the judge's table.
It's a singing competition, as Simon Cowell often reminds us. Focus on (and fast-forward to) the singing.
What you're looking for is the moment after Seacrest's introduction, as he turns to the performer and the first note emerges. Hit "Play." Then zoom ahead when you sense that the song styling is mediocre. If you've stuck with a performance beyond the first chorus, you know they're doing something right. If you're transfixed by bad dancing, you'll know you've had enough of Taylor Hicks. Transfixing isn't the same as entertaining. If you're feeling sorry for the singer, you know they've failed.
From there, fast-forward through Randy Jackson's rambling, self-indulgent posturings (sorry dawg), and don't dare slow down for Paula Abdul. Even in super-fast-motion it's all too obvious from Abdul's gestures that she's either praising the contestant as "already a star" or confessing she's been reduced to tears. Either she's doing the arms overhead cheer, the prayerful hands-at-heart emotional tug or she's blowing kisses. Skip ahead.
Cowell, conversely, deserves to be heard. Unlike his colleagues, this judge is succinct. He keeps the focus on the realities of the music business. He is discerning. His is the voice of reason, with proper grammar.
Take an additional moment to puzzle over whether the producers are coaching Paula and Simon to prolong and personalize their arguments. (At a Fox press party in Los Angeles, Abdul was outspoken in her personal antagonism toward Cowell. She also made insinuations, as she does on the air, about his sexual orientation.)
On the heels of Barry Manilow and Stevie Wonder, Prince will visit American Idol, although the publicity-shy pop star reportedly dislikes the show and has not even seen it. Be glad young Kevin Covais is already out. He's too innocent-looking to do Prince lyrics without seeming comical.
The ratings blitz continues and I love every minute of it -- all 16.