>Of course for entertainment purposes they are showing the truly bad on these episodes. But Naomi has asked the pointed question. Just who are the people telling these people that they can sing.
>
>I don't think I would have any qualms telling a family member they shouldn't attempt a skill in front of a national audience for which they have no skill. And I feel fairly comfortable knowing my skill level in areas I've participated in.
>
>Yet they continue to parade out people who say they picture themselves equivalents of [ insert name of a popular singer ]. Then proceed to butcher a song made famous by said singer. Although I really don't even think butcher is strong enough here. And when the judges call these people on their absolute, total lack of singing ability, the vast majority get angry.

Then their mothers come up to the camera wingeing that Simon Callow has ruined their life; it's what they've wanted to do "all my life" (yeah, all 16 years of it, minus the 3-4 they spent pre-memory). Like that's the last chance in life they'll ever have (even in music - if they were good enough)

Their families must be just as tone deaf to think they have any talent. My mother was the opposite - she used to yell at me to stop that racket, yet now, since I've regained the confidence she tried to destroy (and have extracted retribution on her by keeping her in a cupboard under the stairs), my life is full of song.

Not that I've only just got over my mother's put-downs, you understand - I've always sung. :-)
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