how bad before you'd tell?

Category: Let's talk

Post 1 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Monday, 20-Aug-2007 13:45:49

watching x-factor at the weekend, I was struck once again by just how bad some of those that auditioned were. Not talking just not very good... talking really bad. And what struck me also is the fact that lots of them had brought family with them to support them.

Now I do believe in being diplomatic, and that if someone is really bad, then maybe it's best not to say anything if you can't say anything nice, but I do think I would have to draw the line at the point when they were going to potentially appear on national television.

if their talent really wasn't a talent at all? or would you watch on as they made a complete idiot of themselves in the name of entertainment?

Post 2 by DancingAfterDark (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 20-Aug-2007 15:06:44

I've had the same thought while watching the auditions for American Idol. Some of the friends and family members even go so far as to yell at the judges and tell them they don't know talent when they hear it and they shouldn't be judges at all. I'm not blessed with much tact, so I would definitely tell them. I'd try to do it in a way that wouldn't upset them too much, but I wouldn't be able to say nothing while they went off to completely embarrass themselves, and I certainly wouldn't go along with them for support.

Post 3 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Monday, 20-Aug-2007 15:51:16

I think some bad singers are let through, just to be shot down in the name of entertainment. I would definately tell someone if they were crap, as I'd expect someone to tell me if I was out of tune.

Post 4 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Monday, 20-Aug-2007 18:28:58

I'd definitely tell them if they couldn't carry a tune, as I'd want the same to be done for me.

Post 5 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 0:39:59

I sure as hell would.

Post 6 by reclusive thinker (Veteran Zoner) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 3:11:42

I try to avoid being asked to give my "opinion of my friends' artistic talents, but when it happens, I invariably give them my honest opinion, for whatever it's worth. Now, I am not often asked to evaluate anyone's musical talent, since I have none of my own. However, being the bookworm that I am, I have acquired what is probably an undeserved reputation as someone who can speak with authority on what is good or bad writing. As a result, my friends sometimes want me to read their literary efforts and give them my honest opinion. Yeah, right! Nobody wants your honest opinion on something like that. Well, I recently had to explain to someone that stream-of-consciousness writing may be very powerful in the hands of geniuses like Joyce and Faulkner who have mastered the art of writing and know what they're doing when they go beyond conventional forms, but it should not be attempted by people who are just too goddam lazy to learn the basics of writing. I don't think she likes me any more.

Post 7 by chocolab (move over school!) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 21:50:26

if it were me, I would say exactly hat i thought and if the contestant were in tears, then suck it up and don't ever come again if you're so pathetic. We're all so concerned with not hurting feelings, not me. I'd rather be a bitch then be nice.

Post 8 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 01-Dec-2007 19:28:47

I'd tell them right away. I wouldn't be mean about it, but I don't believe in mincing words. I might just say ok the first time they asked me, but they'd either know me too well to believe me or they'd really believe me and ask again, in which case I'd have to find a way to tell them nicely.