Judges confusing on song selection

[janetodd38]

It seem to me that they send mixed messages to the contestants. On one hand, they rag on them for being too conservative and not going for it.

Then the next time they criticize them for being too aggressive and trying to belt out a Celine, Beyonce or Whitney hit and say "the song was bigger than you".

What gives judges, try to be consistant. Anybody else see this pattern?

[TaylorHicksRocks]

It seem to me that they send mixed messages to the contestants. On one hand, they rag on them for being too conservative and not going for it.

Then the next time they criticize them for being too aggressive and trying to belt out a Celine, Beyonce or Whitney hit and say "the song was bigger than you".

What gives judges, try to be consistant. Anybody else see this pattern?

They have to criticize them for something I guess they can't think of anything else........

[cas68]

ok here is the deal...if they know that you have the ability to carry it, they want to see it...what they dont want to see is someone who cant carry it try too...that is where the confusion comes in..

[Feisty Kitty]

ok here is the deal...if they know that you have the ability to carry it, they want to see it...what they dont want to see is someone who cant carry it try too...that is where the confusion comes in..

I agree, but it is more complicated than even that. Each one of the contestants is being judged on many different levels: First, obviously, is vocal ability. Marketability (looks and style, sorry, but it is true) is another big factor. They won't get the votes if they can't sell it. Which brings me to the next thing they are judged on, performance. Sanjaya is a perfect example of someone with a very good voice who simply cannot perform well, and is therefore not marketable.
If the contestants have all of these other things, then the judges look for versatility. Can the pop princess perform well on country night? Will the rocker be able to sell ABBA (Had to throw that in. Remeber that kid in auditions who grated out "Dancing Queen"? HAHAHA)The judges want the contestants to push themselves and try new things, but some of them cannot. When the judges encounter a one-trick pony who has all of the other factors, they usually tell them to stick with it. So many contestants choose songs or styles in which it is impossible to succeed, so they end up sucking (Antonella, Haley). Then there are those who play it too safely and are forgotten (Brandon, Jarred).
In the end, America will vote for who they "like". All of these factors contribute to likability, but even when a contestant lacks most of them, he/she can still sail through to the next week, very often to the chagrin of the judges, especially Simon.

[cas68]

I agree, but it is more complicated than even that. Each one of the contestants is being judged on many different levels: First, obviously, is vocal ability. Marketability (looks and style, sorry, but it is true) is another big factor. They won't get the votes if they can't sell it. Which brings me to the next thing they are judged on, performance. Sanjaya is a perfect example of someone with a very good voice who simply cannot perform well, and is therefore not marketable.
If the contestants have all of these other things, then the judges look for versatility. Can the pop princess perform well on country night? Will the rocker be able to sell ABBA (Had to throw that in. Remeber that kid in auditions who grated out "Dancing Queen"? HAHAHA)The judges want the contestants to push themselves and try new things, but some of them cannot. When the judges encounter a one-trick pony who has all of the other factors, they usually tell them to stick with it. So many contestants choose songs or styles in which it is impossible to succeed, so they end up sucking (Antonella, Haley). Then there are those who play it too safely and are forgotten (Brandon, Jarred).
In the end, America will vote for who they "like". All of these factors contribute to likability, but even when a contestant lacks most of them, he/she can still sail through to the next week, very often to the chagrin of the judges, especially Simon.
what she said

[kelly]

It seem to me that they send mixed messages to the contestants. On one hand, they rag on them for being too conservative and not going for it.

Then the next time they criticize them for being too aggressive and trying to belt out a Celine, Beyonce or Whitney hit and say "the song was bigger than you".

What gives judges, try to be consistent. Anybody else see this pattern?

YES. Highly transparent. When the contestant sang " Can't live if living is without you", Simon's 'ignorant' remark was, "I don't think you hit the note". The British Stooge didn't even give her accolades for singing a song with great range .... in front of millions of people, judges, contestants, cameras, and to top it all... on a stage by their lonesome with only a mic.

[kelly]

Forgot to mention... Lakisha sang an old old old old Gladys Knight song. Yet Simon and Randino has said to many other contestants to update their material.

Hmmm, A conspiracy ??

[never been to spain]

Generally, the judges are trying to help the contestants. If you are going to sing a well-known song, then you are asking everyone to compare you with the original singer--and, as far as I can tell, only one is capable vocally as Whitney Houston or Gladys Knight.

There are, of course, lots of superstars who aren't as good as Houston--but they understand what they can and can't do. E.g., Norah Jones isn't as good technically (i.e., pitch control, volume control, range, etc) as Houston. But, Jones knows her abilities and finds songs that allows her to shine.

And, I think the judges kind of recognize that the world may not need another Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, or Aretha Franklin.

The judges are trying to say, "You don't have the voice for that song. Find songs that showcase what you do well."