Should AI Stay, or Should AI Go?

Pro:

Who doesn’t love turning on the television for a good laugh after a long, hard day? Lately, there’s been nothing funnier than American Idol.

The old American Idol may have been a serious show where contestants fought for their dreams of becoming singers, but now, the show is just a hoot. With crackpot judges and even stranger auditions than before, American Idol should be kept on the air solely for its hilarity.

I have never been a faithful watcher of the show. In fact, the last thing I remember was Kelly Clarkson battling it out against the guy with the crazy curly hair. But back then, I could tell that contestants were there to really try their hardest and belt out songs likes there was no tomorrow for a shot at a record deal. Now, people bring their own instruments. It’s like a one-man band competition!

With that said, the show is a little disorganized. But that adds to the funny factor as well, with the new judges and the kooky contestants.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the show funnier. The judges are crazy. It’s hilarious when Randy tries to be mean but can’t,” said senior Becky Morin.

I couldn’t agree more. The meanest Randy seems to have ever gotten is “Dawg, that didn’t even sound remotely like singing at all,” and “That wasn’t even close to good.” How can I take the show seriously when the judges are so half-hearted?

The addition of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez has upped the comedy as well. While Steven Tyler has had a bumpy past and has supposedly gotten better, he still looks like a hot mess. He was an amazing singer and knows his stuff about judging, but the way he looks at contestants makes me laugh before the audition even begins.

Jennifer Lopez is also a great addition. She has assimilated into the role of “Paula” quite well, as she seems to be the nicest of all of the judges. But when I see her, I can’t help but see her as her old self, “Jenny from the Block.”

Despite the disorganization of the show, Pres students still love American Idol. “I love American Idol this season! It is so funny and the judges are amazing,” said senior Lauren Cooper.

As if the judges weren’t amusing enough, the contestants are too good to be true. There are, of course, the crazy dressers, like the women in their funky punk outfits. But then there are those truly wacky contestants who choose to come to the auditions with over-the-top plans. Take the woman that came to the auditions to profess her love for the Patriots, all while performing an opera-style ballad.

Most people feel that American Idol is washed up. Every devoted follower of the show, I’m sure, agrees that Simon, Paula and Randy were the best trio of judges. But I believe that American Idol is better than before because right now, our televisions are chock full of bad news about the war, protests and murders. A little comic relief is always helpful when I’m feeling down.

It may seem rude to laugh at the expense of others, but the contestants go on the show fully aware that they are going to embarrass themselves. Some people who go onto the show are there to show us their talent, but many go on and pretend that they believe in their talents, even when they have none.

These are the people for whom I watched the show. Even when the auditions ended, I kept watching because I had become interested in the top 40 contestants, and now, I’m hooked. Even though the judges have changed and the show is different, you should still give it a shot and get a good laugh out of it.  

Con:

I stopped watching American Idol when Paula Abdul left. When the show first debuted in 2002, my family and I were instantly hooked, and we watched the show religiously for the next eight seasons. However, once singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi joined the judging panel and subsequently replaced Abdul, the show lost a necessary element.

Each season, I attempt to rekindle my love for the singing competition and find enough redeeming qualities in the show to justify a DVR recording, but I always lose interest quickly.

Paula could always be counted on as the “nice one” of the panel. Her quirky commentary left audiences guessing what the “Straight Up” singer would say next.

Abdul served as a perfect foil to Simon Cowell, the blunt British judge imported from England’s Pop Idol. However, even Simon’s witty commentary could not save the show from the lack of chemistry among him, Kara DioGuardi, music producer Randy Jackson and comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

DeGeneres left the show after only one season amidst a barrage of criticism from viewers who asked the question, “What qualifies a comedian to judge others on singing ability?” Furthermore, DioGuardi’s contract was not renewed, and Cowell decided to leave the show after nine seasons.

The departure of three of the panel’s four judges left the show’s future up in the air, but pop star Jennifer “J.Lo” Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler were ultimately selected.

The panel, consisting of the two new judges and veteran judge Jackson, is clearly the weakest in Idol history. While J.Lo is musically qualified to judge contestants, her commentary often does not really say anything. She frequently tries to assert her position on the judging panel by describing contestants’ voices as the best, worst and most unique “in Idol history.”

Steven Tyler, on the other hand, constantly tries to obtain a more family-friendly persona, making personal connections with contestants and giving out numerous hugs. However, he cannot shake his bad-boy image, as he is consistently less harsh on attractive females, often allowing them to progress to the next round for the sole reason that he finds them good-looking.

Even worse, Randy Jackson is attempting to fill Cowell’s shoes by giving harsher criticism than ever before. In the past, Randy was the “moderate” judge- he was harder on contestants than Paula but not as frank as Simon. Suddenly, after nine seasons, he is the new “mean” judge—but, Dawg, it’s just not right.

Junior Rachel Whelan offers a similar opinion, saying, “American Idol has been on for too long! Once the original judges left, the show lost appeal because Paula, Randy and Simon together were the identity of the show. It got boring just watching people sing after the show had been on for so long.”

Junior Ashley Phillip agrees, saying, “In my opinion, American Idol spends too much time ridiculing others instead of focusing on the talent that makes a person an ‘American Idol.’ The judges sound like immature preteens because they spend too much time insulting contestants rather than giving constructive criticisms and suggestions. I don’t think that American Idol needs to end, but they should re-evaluate what they show to viewers and the message that they are sending.”

Now in its tenth season, American Idol has completely lost its spark. None of the show’s original appeal remains, and what’s left is not enough to keep viewers still watching.

Talent Show Round-Up

At Pres, there is plenty of “aptitude” or talent within the students that many did not know existed amongst their peers, waiting to be discovered. The annual talent show at  Pres allows students to unleash their talents in front of the whole school and this year it was held on a rainy February 17, less than a day before the much anticipated winter break. Students were itching to begin the break and the talent show really kicked it off with everybody filing into the gym during collaboration to watch their fellow classmates exhibit their talents.

Everybody pushed and shoved their way into the crowded gym, with students spilling from the bleachers onto the floor, and lining the sides of the gym in front of the faculty. When order had been restored, hostesses Sarah Khasrovi and Jennifer O’Brien introduced the show. The two  seniors commanded the audience between acts with their spicy dialogue and voices that changed with each act that performed. There was always a joke passed between them about the previous act or as the introduction for the next one. For example, after junior Megan Going sang “Think of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera, Khasrovi attempted to sing opera, which sounded horrible but make the audience laugh.

This year the talents consisted mostly a wide variety of singing and dancing, but there were also musical instruments and theater. The types of songs that singers sang (say that ten times fast) ranged from sophomore Haley Henson’s performance of “In His Eyes” by Jeykll and Hyde to junior Emily Griffith playing the piano while singing” Boats and Birds” by Gregory and the Hawk.

Dances also came in the variety pack as sophomore Shivali Tandon paid a tribute to Michael Jackson with a dance combining three of his hit songs. Sophomore Caroline Ledna and freshman Christina Tobias tapped away to Give up the Funk. Both Pres’ dance team and their captains performed as well. For a second year in a row sophomores Dani Gnibus and Kristy Charron and Chloe Townsan, a 8th grade girl from Britton Middle School performed a jazz number to Telephone by Lady Gaga and Beyonce.

Overall, the attitude towards the Talent Show showed positive results. When asked to name her favorite part of the show, senior Elizabeth Edwards replied that Mary Morgan’s Samson by Regina Spektor moved her because “most of the seniors didn’t know that she sang and it was so beautiful and her heart and soul was totally in it and it blew me away.” Pres’ talent show opens up hidden pools of talent many do not know exist in their fellow classmates and participants can grasp the attention of the school on them for a day.

Chamber Choir

When you think of Presentation High School’s music department, what comes to mind? Many would think of the music appreciation classes, the instrumental classes, Jazz Band, and Jazz Choir. Now there is a new addition to the music department of Pres: Chamber Choir.

Chamber Choir will be added on this year as a smaller part of the Jazz Choir. “Chamber choir is actually a smaller, select group within the Jazz Choir,” explained Mr. Lovejoy. “It’s the more advanced singers, some that have been around and including some freshmen who are really, really good, who auditioned very well”.

The Chamber choir consists of 13 singers. When the students auditioned for either choir last May, they were scored on a scale from 1-6 based on how well they could sing, 1 being the lowest and 6 the highest. Students who made Chamber Choir scored somewhere between a 4 ½ and 6.

In March 2011, both the Jazz Choir and Chamber Choir will compete at the CMEA (California Music Educators Association) festival at Saratoga High School. Both Chamber Choir and Jazz Choir will compete together, but Chamber Choir will also be signed up in a different category, where they will do separate pieces that are not what the traditional Jazz Choir sings.

“Chamber Choir will be doing all the regular Jazz choir pieces, but also they’re going to be doing some pieces that are more indicative of classical style and folk pieces,” Mr. Lovejoy said when interviewed about Chamber Choir.

At the festival, Presentation’s choirs will be rated on their skills from fair to superior, which is the highest rating possible. There is also the trip to New York that the choirs take in April where they will journey throughout New York from Carnegie Hall to locations like Bryant Park, singing as they go.

The two choirs share their practice times after school, and during practices, the groups will alternate between working together on the joint Jazz Choir pieces and splitting off and working on their individual group’s pieces.

Music is based off of the difficulty from level one songs that are the easiest, to level five songs which are the hardest. New Chamber Choir member Nicole Kacir, sophomore, said, “My favorite thing about Chamber Choir is the challenge. The choir normally sings type two songs and in the Chamber Choir, we are now singing type four songs. It is very hard, but after we complete the song, it is a huge reward.”

The captains for Jazz Choir this year are seniors Vanessa Miranda and Elizabeth Wanschura, who are also part of the advisory council with seniors Kaitlyn Dahl and Gladys De Leon, all of whom are at least two-year members of the choir.

The Chamber Choir’s next performance will be for the ITS concert on October 7.

Actress Profile: Grace Farley

Grace Farley, sophomore, transferred to Presentation this year from Saint Francis. An active member of the theater program at her former school, Farley auditioned for the 2009 fall musical “Crazy for You” and landed the lead role. The show opened Saturday Nov. 7

The Voice: When did you first become interested in acting?

GF: “My first show was in sixth grade. I had wanted to do it for a while, and we lived next to a family who was into it too. The dad was the musical director for CMT. So I started trying out and now I’ve done seven CMT shows. It’s addicting! 

The Voice: Did you discover your talent for singing or acting first? If you had to chose, which would you say you enjoy more?

GF: “I discovered my talent for acting first. I wasn’t really very confident in singing at first. But I eventually learned during the production of “Oklahoma”, which was my second show. Then I realized how much I love to sing, and now they are equally important to me.”

The Voice: Have you ever received any formal training in acting or did you just sort of learn as you went along?

GF: “I just sort of learned from the other actors I have worked with as I went along. I’ve also tried to learn from my favorite film actors as well. Some of the big-name actors I especially admire are Anna Hathaway and Julie Andrews, because she can also sing along with acting. Jack Black I have also always found inspiring because he is so bold.”

The Voice: What’s your favorite genre to perform in? (Comedy, drama, etc.)

GF: “I have never really done straight drama or straight up comedy; I’ve always done CMT before. But I love musicals because I can express myself in so many ways. It’s fun to have the chance to sing and act at the same time. So musicals are my favorite.”

The Voice: What is the most challenging role you ever had to play?

GF: “The most challenging role I’ve ever been cast in was probably the play called “Babes in Arms”. I played this crazy woman reporter, and I totally just had to put it all out there. That was the first time I’ve ever had a role like that, and it really helped get me out of my shell a little bit and made me more comfortable onstage. It was one of my favorite shows.

The Voice: What was your favorite play you’ve done so far?

GF: “I would have to say that my favorite show was the third one I did for CMT called Annie Warbucks. It was the sequel to “Annie”.

The Voice: Have you ever thought about Broadway?

GF: “Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think that’s every young actor’s dream. So I’ve definitely thought about it, but I also know that it’s a big risk; very few people make it. And there also isn’t a whole lot of publicity around plays, but I’d love to be in movies because people like that can use their fame to make a difference.”

The Voice: What career path would you chose if you do not pursue acting?

GF: “I’m not sure. I’ve thought about teaching or maybe getting into politics. It would also be fun to be a teacher for drama, or maybe come back and direct plays one day.

The Voice: What are the most challenging parts of being an actress? The most rewarding?

GF: “The best experience is just being up there and seeing the audience. It’s great having people clap for you and having friends come to see you with flowers. There’s so much work put into it that when the audience claps for you it feels like all that work has paid off.”

The Voice: How did you master singing and dancing at the same time?

GF:  “I’ve never really danced a lot in a show until now, but it’s just mainly learning the steps and putting all the pieces together as you go.”

The Voice: Can you give us a head’s up about what “Crazy for You” is about?

GF: “It’s about a mother who sends her son to a town called Dead Rock Nevada so that he can foreclose his father’s theater. But he winds up falling in love with my character, who finds out that he’s about to close their theater. It’s a pretty complicated plotline! But it’s going to be a cool experience because it will be my first time in a lead role.”

The Voice: What’s it like to be in the lead for the first time?

GF: “I’ve never had this kind of part, and I’ve never had the lead before either. There are a lot of lines to memorize, but it’s so fun. I get to do an accent for the first time, which is interesting. My character’s just really fun. She’s sort of tom-boyish and country.”

The Voice: “How does the theater program at Presentation compare to the one at Saint Francis?”

GF: “I only performed in the gym at Saint Francis, so I never really was in the theater. So it wasn’t as nice as this one! I also think I have more fun doing theater here. But at Saint Francis there are an equal number of boys and girls. But here at Pres we’re always looking for boys! And Mr. Houle is really different, but totally cool! And everyone’s really nice here.”

Simply SnipITS

The curtains of the Valenzuela Theater opened upon two angels dressed in white shirts, black pants, halos and wings who were plotting over the lives of the humans they were about to create.

“So, women get to have the offspring.”

“The males will be really jealous.”

“So there has to be some kind of trade-off…like make it really painful…”

So began Simply SnipITS, a collection of scenes performed and directed by students. The International Thespian Society, or ITS, performs SnipITS each year with different themes.

This year had the distinction of a performance of an original scene written by Presentation seniors Jennifer Greenfield, Jacquelyn Pass and Kaitlyn Jensen. “The Greatest Play. Ever” centered around three American girls stuck with French actors who mistakenly believe that they must finish writing a play by morning, with hilarious results. “We started by brainstorming about the weirdest things that had ever happened to us,” explained Greenfield. “We figured that people always say, ‘Write about what you know.’ We know about weird and wacky stuff, and it just sort of evolved from there.”

Other scenes included Barbie and Ken, Semi-Superheroes and much more. Though the show was directed on only by students, they put together an entertaining night for viewers. “Directing a scene myself was challenging because it was just me, but I was able to get lots of input from the actors, which made the scene that much better,” said ITS officer and senior Nicki Affonso-McMorrow.

ITS will be performing many shows throughout the year; the ITS concert will be taking place at 7:30 in the Valenzuela Theater on October 1. Be sure to come and watch the talent of the Presentation actresses!