Conference marvin::uk_music

    
    It's highly debateable that there is any difference between 99% of 
    the acts on TOTP and those on Stars In Their Eyes. After all, few
    groups start off with any training to be musicians or singers; they
    just do it and a lot are bloody awful at it. Sometimes the better ones
    progress, but often the TOTP acts are one-hit wonders who are rubbish
    when they appear on TOTP and don't stick around long enough to get 
    better.
    
    In defence of TOTP, there is no doubt a lot more time to set up the
    Stars In Their Eyes performances than TOTP has for each weeks show.
    
    Mark

    Re .0:
    
>   1) Does the programme prove that you take almost anybody and with the
>   right packaging (makeup, rehearsals, etc etc) and turn them into a
>   minor celebrity and even a star? If so, the programme could be seen as
>   the ultimate dig at the showbiz establishment.
    
    Yes. If you take a dispassionate view of 'showbiz', you'll find it full
    of highly talented people who flopped because of bad breaks, and highly
    untalented people who made it big by being prepared to do anything to
    draw attention to themselves.
    
>   2) If these people can sing 'live' then why can't the pros on, say,
>   TOTP?
    
    Perhaps most of them only sell on the studio effects, or on the videos
    they make.
    
>   3) Is it further proof that showbiz is all about lucky breaks?
    
    What further proof is needed? Look at a typical famous 'heartthrob' or
    'sex-symbol', and ask yourself whether many of them are any
    better-looking than people you meet in the street. And many of such
    famous showbiz people are only famous for their looks.
    
>   4) Is, in fact, there any significant achievement here? Is it that
>   major credit goes to the individuals? Is the major credit due to the
>   producers etc? Or is it that any decent production team could turn out
>   a show like this given people with some ability to sing in tune?
    
    There's probably credit due to most of the people involved.
    
    You have to remember that it takes a certain kind of personality to
    want to get up in front of an audience and perform. Hence, only the
    lookalikes who have the right personalities would tend to come forward.
    I think personality is the largest part of being in showbiz.
    
    Dave Hazel

    I'm surprised to hear that they don't mime on SITE. I was watching
    closely how they handled the mike, and a lot of the time they didn't
    have it very close to their mouth. Usually you can hear slight
    variations in volume when a singer is waving the mike about.
    
    Dougie
    

    I saw an article, I think in on Oracle (RSVP:tv), on how to apply to
    appear on SITE.  You go to an audition, "you have to *SOUND* like your
    chosen artist and looks are not important".  To wit, Tom Jones!

    Goldy.

    
    
    >>you have to *SOUND* LIKE your chosen artist
    
    Well, I think we can safely say that this definitely puts Jarrow and 
    Junior Elvis out of the picture.
    
    barry. 
    
    

    
    The only thing about miming is the our Les always invariably emphasises
    the fact that they are not miming. So, either he speaks with forked
    tongue or they are indeed doing it 'live' in front of their audience.
    
    Richard

    Les "speaks with forked tongue"? Unimaginable, a true professional 
    with bags of integrity, honour, panache and a man who no doubt knows
    a thing or two about golf. You'll be telling me that Brucey spits next.
    
     

    
    Related subject. I read yesterday that TOTP now insists live vocals.
    
    Richard
    
    

    � Related subject. I read yesterday that TOTP now insists live vocals.
    
    Presumably they also now insist that the presenters shout and sound
    constantly out of breath! Music wasn't like this in my day! :^)
    
    Mark

    I thought Gun were the business last night on TOTP. 

    
    ha ha ha ha ha.
    
    Mark