[nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and American Idol

[Robert Leslie Newman]

NFBtalk members
RE:  White Cane and American Idol

Simon, Paula and Randy are faced with judging if a white cane is a detractor
to the performance of the first blind American Idol contestant. See if you
agree with their Judgment. fellow judges If you have not read the PROVOKER,
it follows.  Recall that I collect responses and post them upon my web site
for all the WWW to read and learn from and that URL is-
Http://thoughtprovoker.info  If you wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent
directly to you, just write me and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net 

THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
White Cane and American Idol

White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his fingers,
the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the
driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup singers,
all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
American Idol, the hit television show. The competition was in the third
week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the
proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females would
be voted off, sent home by America's voting audience. 

The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the
young blind man's rendition of the eighties rock tune. The radiant smile and
confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher that the
singer felt he'd given a good performance. 

"Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of the
three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking
excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the
first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the enthusiasm of delivery, good
clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that was
perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the night!"
Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.

Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to dance
behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals!
Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked
natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can dance!
We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you need
to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and the
other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat
down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the
persnickety judge on her right was going to say.

The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking in
Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With
serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his infamous,
well known intros to an evaluation of a singer's performance. "To be honest
with you, I have mixed feelings about you." The audience erupted with hoots
and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. "Wait a minute,
wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the
hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the
positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the
competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly,
knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's eyebrows
came together as he frowned in concentration.

"Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.

Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've
never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to phrase my
comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face determined,
Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you that,
and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is . as we tell you all,
in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case, you
have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices add to
the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute, wait!
Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon went
on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone else
here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind musicians
who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work
here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best, but
on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it should
be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an Idol." 
THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
White Cane and American Idol

White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his fingers,
the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the
driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup singers,
all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
American Idol, the hit television show. The competition was in the third
week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the
proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females would
be voted off, sent home by America's voting audience. 

The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the
young blind man's rendition of the old rhythm and blues classic. The radiant
smile and confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher that
the singer felt he'd given a good performance. 

"Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of the
three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking
excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the
first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the enthusiasm of delivery, good
clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that was
perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the night!"
Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.

Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to dance
behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals!
Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked
natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can dance!
We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you need
to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and the
other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat
down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the
persnickety judge on her right was going to say.

The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking in
Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With
serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his infamous,
well known intros to an evaluation of a singer's performance. "To be honest
with you, I have mixed feelings about you." The audience erupted with hoots
and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. "Wait a minute,
wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the
hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the
positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the
competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly,
knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's eyebrows
came together as he frowned in concentration.

"Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.

Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've
never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to phrase my
comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face determined,
Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you that,
and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is . as we tell you all,
in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case, you
have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices add to
the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute, wait!
Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon went
on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone else
here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind musicians
who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work
here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best, but
on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it should
be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an Idol." 


Robert Leslie Newman
E-Mail- newmanrl at cox.net
Web Site- thoughtprovoker.info

-------------- next part --------------
New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and American Idol
NFBtalk members
RE:  White Cane and American Idol
Simon, Paula and Randy are faced with judging if a white cane is a detractor to the performance of the first blind American Idol contestant. See if you agree with their Judgment. fellow judges If you have not read the PROVOKER, it follows.  Recall that I collect responses and post them upon my web site for all the WWW to read and learn from and that URL is-
Http://thoughtprovoker.info
Http://thoughtprovoker.info
  If you wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent directly to you, just write me and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net
THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
White Cane and American Idol
White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his fingers, the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup singers, all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
American Idol
, the hit television show. The competition was in the third week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females would be voted off, sent home by America’s voting audience.
The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the young blind man's rendition of the eighties rock tune. The radiant smile and confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher that the singer felt he’d given a good performance.
“Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of the three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the first tune you sang in front of us.  it’s the enthusiasm of delivery, good clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that was perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the night!"  Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to dance behind her chair, “Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals! Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can dance! We hadn’t seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you need to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and the other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the persnickety judge on her right was going to say.
The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking in Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his infamous, well known intros to an evaluation of a singer’s performance. “To be honest with you, I have mixed feelings about you.” The audience erupted with hoots and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. “Wait a minute, wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly, knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is…" Simon's eyebrows came together as he frowned in concentration.
"Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.
Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to phrase my comment…" Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face determined, Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you that, and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is … as we tell you all, in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case, you have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices add to the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute, wait! Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon went on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone else here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind musicians who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best, but on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was … annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it should be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an Idol.”
THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
White Cane and American Idol
White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his fingers, the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup singers, all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
American Idol
, the hit television show. The competition was in the third week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females would be voted off, sent home by America’s voting audience.
The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the young blind man's rendition of the old rhythm and blues classic. The radiant smile and confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher that the singer felt he’d given a good performance.
“Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of the three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the first tune you sang in front of us.  it’s the enthusiasm of delivery, good clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that was perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the night!"  Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to dance behind her chair, “Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals! Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can dance! We hadn’t seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you need to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and the other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the persnickety judge on her right was going to say.
The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking in Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his infamous, well known intros to an evaluation of a singer’s performance. “To be honest with you, I have mixed feelings about you.” The audience erupted with hoots and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. “Wait a minute, wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly, knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is…" Simon's eyebrows came together as he frowned in concentration.
"Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.
Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to phrase my comment…" Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face determined, Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you that, and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is … as we tell you all, in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case, you have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices add to the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute, wait! Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon went on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone else here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind musicians who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best, but on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was … annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it should be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an Idol.”
Robert Leslie Newman
E-Mail- newmanrl at cox.net
Web Site- thoughtprovoker.info