American Idol-Starsearch or scam?

Reality TV has never had it this good. Riding on the success of shows like "Survivor" and "Joe Millionaire", we had talent searches like Coke [V] Popstars that gave us the Indian pop sensation, 'Viva!' The show that's currently keeping millions of viewers across the globe glued to the TV on Tuesday and Thursday nights, is American Idol.

Beginning as the television phenomenon Pop Idol over in the UK, American Idol came to the shores of the US of A in the summer of 2002 and became an overnight success, much like the eventual winner, Kelly Clarkson. The second season of American Idol was even more successful! After 50,000 auditioners and months of singing, Ruben Studdard was crowned the next American Idol. So what's the show all about? If you've seen "Popstars", it shouldn't be too hard to figure it out. A team of specialists tour the country, holding open auditions for amateur vocalists, in their search for the one voice that could become America's next singing sensation.

The selection process is long, arduous, and occasionally hilarious, as the auditions in each state manage to attract their fair share of wannabes, whose over-inflated egos outweigh their talent. Finally, after sifting through the good, bad and the ugly, the judges narrow it down to 12 finalists, and then the next phase of training and elimination follows. All 12 will get record deals anyway, but the one that makes it to the top has literally got his/her career made. What makes the whole show, which is hosted by the charming Ryan Seacrest, different from other talent searches, and gives it that extra zing that's missing in shows like Coke [V] Popstars, is the panel of judges, and their most interesting opinions. So let's meet the judges, why don't we?

Ladies first, let's start with Paula Abdul. Equally recognised, awarded and celebrated "in front of the camera" as well as "behind the camera," Paula Abdul's extraordinary music career is exemplified by world-wide album sales exceeding 30 million records and numerous awards. On American Idol, she is the one the contestants can always expect a warm, encouraging word from, no matter how badly they perform.
In direct contrast to the sweet and supportive Paula is Simon Colwell. In the last 10 years, Simon, a BMG Record Executive, has been making and breaking records. He has achieved sales of over 25 million albums, over 70 top 30 records and 17 number 1 singles. Simon became a celebrity in his own right for reducing a string of teenage wannabes to tears while serving as a judge on the UK version of the show, "Pop Idol." On the sets of "American Idol", he's just as ruthless with his opinions.

Finally, there's Randy Jackson. Randy, a Grammy Award winning producer, is a twenty-year music industry veteran. For eight years, he was the V.P. of A&R at Columbia Records followed by four years as Senior V.P. of A&R at MCA Records. As a judge, Randy strikes a balance between the almost-too-sweet Paula and the sharp-tongued Simon.

Now let's look at the 12 finalists who've kept Star World viewers all over the world in their thrall these past few weeks. This season's American Idol has been full of shocks and controversies. Leah Labelle, the 17-year old Bulgarian American got voted off on March 17 (although this episode was aired on Star World sometime in April). The real surprise was how she actually made it to the final twelve, when one compares her talents (or lack, thereof) with those of the other finalists. The burly and cheerful Matthew Rogers made his exit on March 24, saucily dedicating his Idol swan song to the acerbic Simon. Amy Adams, with her Pink-esque hair, rocked the 'Country Music" episode of the show, but took her bow on March 31. The next to leave was the beautiful Camille Velasco, who was voted off on April 7, and she was followed by John Peter Lewis, 'JPL', who will be remembered for his quirky dance moves and Elvis routines. JPL left the show on April 15.

The biggest shock came with Jennifer Hudson's elimination on April 21. Considered to be one of the most powerful voices on the show, her departure raised suspicions about racism and poll rigging. The online forums were on fire with conspiracy-theory, running blazing critiques under the banner "Is America Deaf?" The 16-year old John Stevens was the next to leave, but he continues to enjoy the largest fan following. Thousands of fans and friends fill the Idol mailboxes with letters, showing their support for the young redhead. So much for Simon labelling him as 'uncharismatic'.
This leaves us with the charming George Huff, the ever-cheerful Jasmine Trias, the sophisticated LaToya London, the cheeky Diana DeGarmo, and the powerhouse Fantasia Burrino. While all five can be expected to end up as big names in the music industry, only one will walk away with the title of 'American Idol'. Who will that be? Let's keep watching the show to find out.

By Sabrina F Ahmad

MTV’s Bangla Music

I didn't know that Bangla music was aired from MTV until Friday. When I saw it, I was extremely happy. Not easily satisfied, I was actually disappointed to see that Bangla videos which are constantly improving at the speed of light but are still light years behind.

The VJ of the show, Shaon, (almost a pretty girl,) isn't as interesting a VJ as the Vj’s of some other MTV shows , but at least she is a lot better than the hosts of some of the local music shows. Someone tried to dress her up in firm fitting tank tops and flashy bone tight jeans (it was so tight, I swear she had trouble bending her knees), but in the end, the effort went in vain.

This show is similar to MTV Select, but the videos available, keep pouring in on the left side of the TV, while the VJ talks on the right side of the screen.

The first song was Shubhro Dev's Mone Pore, and it took me a long time to realize that it was a Bangla song. The fault wasn't mine though- he wore a typical bhangra style shiny shirt. It was so shiny that it could have been used as a make shift mirror. The video wasn't anything special: it had a group of dancers jumping up and down, to the right and left while the singer stood in front and got wet in the rain, that seemed to come out of a shower head.

Then came on Kaniz Shuborna. The video was pretty good and by far the best video, and she had an animated background. Everything was nice except the song, which was so slow that it seemed like a lullaby.

After her came another female artist, whom I don't even want to talk about. I doubt if she was an artist or a f-artist.(f-artist= far from artist)

Tishma had her song aired as well. It was a nice video but didn't have anything in relevance to the lyrics of her song. And her Shakira-ish extreme make over made her look like a VBCC(Very Bad Copy Cat). Besides not combing hair only proves that her hair is quite a good duster. And I didn’t understand her accent , which seemed half-English and semi-Arabic-Bangla-ish. Her dance steps weren’t a form of art either.

Pentagon sung Shorbonashi. It was a pretty good song, but it was a lot better when I heard on the stereo than when I saw it. I don't now if they tried to copy the Indian remix album videos with Green and Black- the only two colors used . There was a problem with the singer and the troop dancing. They were all conscious of the camera.

Mehreen came in with her song Obaak, which really Obaak-ed me, because I have never seen someone jumping and throwing their arms and legs as much as she did. Where does she get the energy from ( Shark, Crown , Hunter or Tiger)? I don't know. But she would be a nominee for the Most Energetic Lady if there is any such event.

The Bengali Music show, MTV FullyFatafati is aired on Fridays.

Note : The name of the writer was not mentioned in the article sent.

Book Review

'Love Story' by Erich Segal
It's the love story of Oliver Barrett, a rich jock from a stuffy WASP family on his way to Harvard degree and career in law, and of Jenny Cavilleri, an American Italian, a wisecracking working-class beauty studying music at Radcliffe. Opposites in every way, Oliver and Jenny immediately attract each other. An ecstatic and highly passionate love affair begins that's affirmed by heavenly bonds between these two young souls. They find themselves in a colorful world unrestrained by the complexity of their earthly existences.

The novel is Erich Segal's magnum opus. It's a must read to every man and woman who had once fallen in love or wish to be in love, as the St Louis Post-Dispatch says about the novel -- 'For someone who is in love, or was in love, or hopes to be in love.' The novel not only says a love story of two human beings, but virtually it reflects an affecting story that all men and women throughout the world who fall in love and struggle to keep their love alive -- are familiar with. The deepness of feelings reveals itself when Oliver confesses his love to Jenny and Jenny accepts the proposal soon. Though the prospect of their being together remains obscure at the beginning as they belong to two different worlds, as Jenny says to Oliver -- 'Ollie you are a preppie millionaire and I'm a social zero.' But true love breaks all the obstacles and eventually they get married in a quite unconventional way.

Nevertheless, the final climax is yet to come. The novel has a first-person narration by the character of Oliver and it starts with these words from him -- 'What can you say about a twenty-five year old girl who died?' By that the reader can guess the possible ending that's certainly a painful and heartbreaking one. I want to leave the rest for the readers.

It's a novel where the romantic and realistic aspects of life have been fused together brilliantly. Since the year 1970 when the novel was published Love Story had been one of the most popular bestseller of this era. It's the phenomenal national bestseller and more than 21 millions copies of the book were sold promptly. Readers can get a copy of the novel from any eminent bookstore at the New Market. They would probably get the original Harper Torch paperbacks and the Indian prints too, where the later one is cheaper and much available.

It's indeed a novel that makes everyone's heart say -- 'Love means never having to say you're sorry.' Other highly praised novels by the same author are: The Prize, Oliver's Story [sequel of Love Story] only Love etcetera.

(Review by Kh Asef Safa Kabir)

RISING STAR OF THE WEEK

Satyota Kafil

Almost all of us have some obsession for cartoons. Our Rising Star of this week, Satyota Kafil, is literally a cartoon maniac. Pokemon is a very integral part of his life. This young man has literally written a book on Pokemon-'The Legend of Dark Luigia', a fan fiction for Pokemon lovers which is yet to be published. He even has his own website for Pokemon game fans: www.pokemon-fire-red-leaf-green-info.cjb.net.

Pokemon is not his only achievement. He performed BBC Bangla Service radio play (1997).This rising star is multi-talented. He is quite a lot into music. Currently, he is taking music lessons from Ustad Sanjib Dey. By being involved in all these activities, he is also managing to do very well in his studies. He is one of the best students in his school, Sir John Wilson. When asked as to how he dreams of seeing himself in future, his immediate reply was "I want to be a movie director."

Satyota is the only child of a painter and a sculptor. He has taken art lessons from them, and has painted cover illustrations of books 'Golpodya" (Syed Shamsul Huq, 1998), "Maa Bhoot" (Anwara Syed Huq - 2000) and "Dadimar Piri" (AS Huq - 2001).His parents work as a platform for him. They help him in his problems, and encourage him in his work.

A lot others are not as privileged to have such a strong platform. When asked what he thinks about them, he replies that whatever they do, they should not give up. They should find themselves the scope, and struggle to make a space for themselves. Satyota believes that efforts and determination brings success. His efforts and hard work will definitely make him a success, and set him as an icon for many others.

By Maherin Ahmed

Jokes

A Guyanese story

ne day a Florist goes to a Barber for a haircut. After the cut, he goes to pay the Barber and the Barber replies: 'I am Sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I am doing a Community Service.' The Florist is happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, there is a Thank you Card and a dozen roses waiting at his door.

A Cop goes for a haircut and he also goes to pay the Barber and the barber replies: 'I am Sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I am doing a Community Service.' The Cop is happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, there is a Thank you Card and a dozen Donuts waiting at his door.

A Guyanese goes for a haircut and he also goes to pay the Barber and the barber replies: 'I am Sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I am doing a Community Service.' The Guyanese is of course is very happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, guess what he finds there..... A Dozen Guyanese waiting for free haircut...

By sabrina