Yes, for better or for worse, Switzerland also has its own version of American Idol. The big finale was this past Sunday. I could go on about the strange song selections, the annoying Music Star jingle, the cheesy choreography, and the unfortunate outfits (there was even a minor, minor, wardrobe malfunction—but nothing close to Janet Jackson proportions or even mildly R-rated), but I'll try to keep it short.
Each of the two remaining finalists sang two songs. Contestant #1, Sandra, performed Alicia Keys' Fallin' and some Christina Aguilera song I don't remember. Both were fine choices for her and she’s not a bad singer, I guess. She actually did a pretty good job with Fallin.’ Contestant #2, Fabienne, sang Son of a Preacher Man…in German. It was just plain…bizarre…and wrong…and amusing…and did I mention bizarre? Her second choice was Tina Turner's Simply the Best, which really got the audience going. The Swiss really seem to like Tina Turner for the simple reason that she decided to settle in Switzerland. Anytime Tina Turner comes up in conversation, which is more often than you would expect, someone always says with a certain degree of pride: "Oh, and by the way, did you know she lives near Zurich?" But I digress…
While the votes were being tabulated, the contestants who had been booted out in the previous rounds joined the two finalists onstage to perform a fluffy, pop-y, cheesy song written especially for the show (in awkward English, I might add), complete with hokey choreographed dance moves that made them all look kind of foolish. I was almost embarrassed for them. Why can't they just make a singing contest about…singing? Why do they always have to add the silly dancing? When all was said and done, Fabienne was crowned Swiss Music Star 2007. Though I preferred Sandra’s singing and song choices, I have to hand it to Fabienne—she did have charisma, and she did seem to be channeling a bit of Tina Turner during her Simply the Best performance.
Disclaimer: If any of my comments about Music Star come off as too snarky, please understand that they are directed at televised singing contests of this type in general, and not specifically at the Swiss. If anything, the contestants on Music Star took themselves less seriously, and therefore seemed to be enjoying themselves a whole lot more than their American counterparts. The judging was also less mean-spirited than it tends to be on American Idol, and at the end of it all, everyone just seemed to be genuinely having fun with the whole experience--the winner, the judges, the audience, and the other contestants alike, regardless of the final outcome. Uh, so much for keeping this short…
Each of the two remaining finalists sang two songs. Contestant #1, Sandra, performed Alicia Keys' Fallin' and some Christina Aguilera song I don't remember. Both were fine choices for her and she’s not a bad singer, I guess. She actually did a pretty good job with Fallin.’ Contestant #2, Fabienne, sang Son of a Preacher Man…in German. It was just plain…bizarre…and wrong…and amusing…and did I mention bizarre? Her second choice was Tina Turner's Simply the Best, which really got the audience going. The Swiss really seem to like Tina Turner for the simple reason that she decided to settle in Switzerland. Anytime Tina Turner comes up in conversation, which is more often than you would expect, someone always says with a certain degree of pride: "Oh, and by the way, did you know she lives near Zurich?" But I digress…
While the votes were being tabulated, the contestants who had been booted out in the previous rounds joined the two finalists onstage to perform a fluffy, pop-y, cheesy song written especially for the show (in awkward English, I might add), complete with hokey choreographed dance moves that made them all look kind of foolish. I was almost embarrassed for them. Why can't they just make a singing contest about…singing? Why do they always have to add the silly dancing? When all was said and done, Fabienne was crowned Swiss Music Star 2007. Though I preferred Sandra’s singing and song choices, I have to hand it to Fabienne—she did have charisma, and she did seem to be channeling a bit of Tina Turner during her Simply the Best performance.
Disclaimer: If any of my comments about Music Star come off as too snarky, please understand that they are directed at televised singing contests of this type in general, and not specifically at the Swiss. If anything, the contestants on Music Star took themselves less seriously, and therefore seemed to be enjoying themselves a whole lot more than their American counterparts. The judging was also less mean-spirited than it tends to be on American Idol, and at the end of it all, everyone just seemed to be genuinely having fun with the whole experience--the winner, the judges, the audience, and the other contestants alike, regardless of the final outcome. Uh, so much for keeping this short…
3 comments:
well done Fabienne then :)
We don't have a TV, so we miss most of the pop culture stuff. I did notice mention of a "Fabienne" in the 20 Minuten that people were reading on the train, and now I know what that was about. Staying tuned via blogs -- should I be worried? ;-)
The whole thing or event sounds like it would have been funny to see or watch. Interesting post about it.
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