Well, Andy Warhol said everyone gets 15 minutes of fame, but has Susan Boyle's quarter-hour already expired? That's the opinion of New York columnist Michael Musto, but I think his Rolex knock-off is running fast. Musto thinks Boyle is done, but, you watch, Susan will be around for at least another week or two. She was on Larry King Live on Friday. There's rumors that she's going to appear on Oprah, and I wouldn't put it past American Idol and Simon Cowell to spring her on us, giving 20 million Americans a chance to be amazed by her sweet voice and reviled by her hairy eyebrows.
There is one thing that's intrigued me in this Boyle frenzy, and apparently I'm not the only person who's wondering about it. Was Susan Boyle really a complete shock to the Britain's Got Talent judges, or was this a remarkable bit of acting by Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon C?
If so, Emmys all around, because they sure made the moment seem spontaneous and genuine. Simon's smile was actually quite engaging. Even Annie was charmed by Susan's hopeful interpretation of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables (by the way, the lyrics are really a downer).
And yet, when I called my husband into the room to watch the clip when the CBS Evening News showed it, his first reaction was, "It's a fake. I can't believe you're falling for this." Now, my husband is cynical, but is he right? What do you think, has Susan Boyle pulled the wool over all our eyes? Is this a trumped up Ugly Duckling fairy tale that is destined to be revealed as a major con job?
Fact or Fiction: Big Bang, Brothers & Sisters and CSI
The TV Squad Podcast: Linda Purl talks about The Office, we talk spoilers, and more
Ask TV Squad: Ghost Whisperer and more!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
4-18-2009 @ 2:59PM
Mary E. Allen said...
I can't believe the usually perspicacious Musto would say that. Yes, I smelled a rat when I first saw this, and also upon repeated viewings. However, what definitely was NOT faked is that this woman, hidden away in a Scot village, has brought her gift to the world, and it seems we love it!!!
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:02PM
Jimmy said...
The woman can sing better than many of plucked, anorexic girls currently on the music scene. Give her some credit, Mr. and Mrs. Cynical.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:10PM
Richie said...
I never really got the big deal... as someone coming from a theater family and having been in several productions of Les Mis, I've heard that song sang better by literally dozens of people, including teenage girls. Her voice really isn't very good.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:20PM
Paul said...
"Coming from a theater family" cetainly makes you qualified to judge, Richie. You are far more savvy than, for example, Cameron Mackintosh, who produced Les Miz, who said "Vocally it is one of the best versions of the song I've ever heard. Touching, thrilling and uplifting. I do hope she gets to sing it for the Queen."
4-18-2009 @ 3:40PM
Richie said...
Paul, it's a good thing that what's been said regarding her voice isn't subjective to the listener or anything, because if it was, you'd come across as a real dick just then.
4-18-2009 @ 4:24PM
eugene said...
No worries Richie, you've got "come across as a real dick" all wrapped up.
4-20-2009 @ 12:32PM
Scott said...
"Coming from a theater family". LOL If your "theater family" was so successful to the point where you're comfortable passing judgement on other artists to make you (and your "theater family") seem more talented, more important, more grandiose, then you wouldn't have the time to be typing feedback on TVSquad Message Boards. LOL Get a life. The "community playhouse" is calling.
4-19-2009 @ 11:56AM
Robert said...
Yeah, what eugene said.
4-27-2009 @ 11:42AM
ROXIE said...
Where is your head. I've seen women and actress from all over and they are crap!!!! Susan Boyle, is an amazing young lady who has had it tough!!! She has a God given talent and know body has given her the opportunity. People have not been very nice to her while she was growing up. In which is very sad. People always think the negative side of everything. How about thinking positive for once. THe other people out there beauty and age isn't everything!!!! It's what lies deep within. That is where the true talent lies. THINK ABOUT IT, before you open your big trap. It's not good to always think the negative about people who actually work hard. These other people don't know what work is all about!!!!!
5-05-2009 @ 11:07PM
CC said...
And you're famous; making a lot of money are you? Be happy for someone---I am going to buy her CD---since Les Mis has been out I haven't seen or bought the CD but she has brought a lot of us to the theatre....keeping your family working.
4-18-2009 @ 3:18PM
michele said...
Well...doubt it is a con job...glad I am not married to such a pessimistic thug.... too genuine to be an act... and see Susan to NOT be Ugly...genuine,classical "Euro" looking...find your commentary so sad...full of skepticism, distrust- that is what is destroying us all!!!!
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:24PM
michele said...
Glad not to be married to such a pessimistic thug...find it genuine... do not see Susan as ugly- rather classical"euro" looking... your skepticism and distrust is what is destroying us all !!!
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:23PM
Jane Ryder said...
Boy, some of the disparaging comments about Ms. Boyle are so not cool. I expect them from the British (read the comments from the Welsh West End actors in London), but not from some Americans (read the comments from the New York columnist). The British have a nasty habit of building you up until you reach the top, but are then waiting with a big stick to knock you right off your perch. But in America, people are generally so supportive of reaching your dream. Anyway, who cares whether or not this is her "fifteen minutes". Ms. Boyle is probably having more fun now than she has ever had in her whole life, and I hope she milks every last minute of it. By the way, I'm a British clothes designer living in America. I could never make it in Britain, but am now enjoying continuing success in the U.S. in private business and in films.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:41PM
genna said...
All I have to say is if more people (including your husband) would look for the good in a bad situation we would all be better off....
Everytime you turn around people just can't let a good thing be, they have to disect something good until they find a fault with it.
It doesn't matter if Susan Bolye wins. She has given the world hope in times of depression....
Why can't this be enough!
Do I think she has had her 15 min of fame...
Hell No
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:42PM
Vito said...
I think the judges knew that the whole situation was probably a matter of, "Oh, she must be really good". Simon Cowell said as much! But I don't think they expected her to be THAT good.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:42PM
Ellen said...
Most of the music we hear has been altered to perfections in a studio, which is why people like Britney Spears will not sing, but only lip sync during her concerts. When we listen to her on BGT we're hearing raw, untouched music. And Boyle's voice really IS that good. It's better than good, it's incredible. Listen to the studio smoothed version of "Cry Me A River" on you tube. Perfect! She sounds slightly jaded and disallusioned. Bittersweet. Best rendition I have ever heard. John Owen-Somebodyorother of the west end derided her skill. But I sense more than a whiff or jealousy there.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 3:47PM
Andrew Cheadle said...
I don't think there is anything 'faked' about Susan's performance on BGT. And I don't think Susan should waste her time on American exploitation TV instead investing her time in Britian where her voice will be appreciated. I smell a record contract if not a stage gig in the west end. As for New York columnist Michael Musto and his Rolex knock-off (wow, Rolex knock-off, that's such a cleaver dig, hahaha, that's so funny! ) I'm sure Susan's 15 will be over as far as he's concern as she won't be appearing on Springer, CNN, or the tabloid shows.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 4:41PM
Zachary said...
Please justify why you filed this under "reality-free".
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 4:49PM
Melissa said...
I think your comments about her personal appearance are uncalled for and in extraordinary bad taste. Critique the fact that she's on every single network, but stay away from personal jabs. It's small and petty and part of the reason that I'm beginning to dislike this site intensely.
Reply
4-18-2009 @ 5:44PM
the_turk said...
ahhh a cynical writer on a nothing blog. i felt compelled to write. what she has accomplished in 7 minutes is more than you will ever accomplish. so you dismissing her '15 minutes' sounds like sour grapes to me. also i heard she suffered from brain damage as a young child so please do A LITTLE research before you bad mouth someone who has brought so much joy and inspiration in a time when we are all desperate for it.
Reply