Finding the Next Kelly, Clay or Ruben
I spent part of yesterday evening watching the German version of “American Idol,” “Deutschland Sucht Den Superstar.” I can without a doubt say that the show is just as entertaining AND horrifying as the US version!
The format of the show is nearly identical. German Simon has a sharp tongue. German Paula is the nicest of the three and looks a little like Paula Abdul. German Randy is white and doesn’t say “yo, yo, yo, what’s up dawg,” but other than that he is also very similar to his American counterpart. German Ryan Seacreast is much like the metrosexual/EuroFab American Ryan, but with dark hair.
I am impressed that a number of the contestants play the guitar. Other than that the contestants are similar. The mix of good, bad and dreadful seems to be about the same☺ This week the judges think they have found German Clay Aiken—thin, a few pimples, spiky hair and can sing. You could see the euro signs in their eyes!
The added twist to the German version of the show is that the contestants sing in English. While there are some contestants who have NO idea what they are singing, when I think back to the US version there were also a number of English-speakers who had no idea what they were singing!
My favorite German insults from this week:
“You sound like a power drill”
“Just as there is a reason Stevie Wonder is not a designer, you are not a singer.”
posted by Erin @ 3:26 PM
4 Comments:
Australia had a very similar show as well... 80s cover songs and bad dancing... you can't go wrong! :)
xoxo
Guess what Corey and I just found out? Our friend Austin's parents just sold their Franklin, TN home to Carrie Underwood (or whatever the name of last season's American Idol winner is)! Freaky, huh? Too bad I hadn't seen any of that season...
I think the judges look similar to their American counterparts too. But I'm dissapointed to hear that the contestants are singing in English. German would be more authentic, for sure. A little Falko or Heino, anyone?
Jennie
My theory is that everything that's wrong with Germany can be summed up in two words: Dieter Bohlen. I'm serious. He has made a career out of imitating everything American. And what's the result? Horrendous songs in non-sensical English that would never sell outside of Germany. (I mean, really, "Take Me Tonight?" Are you joking?) He exmplifies the very sad but also telling state of German pop culture.
Imitations are never half as good as the original. I wonder why the German public can't embrace more uniquely German products. There needs to be more artists like 2raumwohnung and Wir sind Helden.
And I don't know if it's still the case, but when I lived in Germany (DSDS Seasons 1 & 2) it seemed like singing in German was totally verboten on the show. Can you imagine any other country where people would shun their own language like that? Sometimes I feel like I'm a bigger fan of Germany than most Germans themselves. -Mango d.M.
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