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Are the sob stories good for the show?


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Old 10-10-2013, 17:33
Jessica_Hamby
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I hate them. They just annoy me, as does all the crying, but they are supposed to be good or ratings so someone must like them.

The producers deliberately ask people to provide details of sad and difficult events in their lives when the first apply so it's not as if it's all spontaneous and only comes out during the process.

I wonder if anyone who said they were happy and liked their life and didn't have a sob story would be allowed to compete, however brilliant the voice.

What do you think about them? Do you like them?
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Old 10-10-2013, 17:40
Fizix
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It depends. Having some kind of back story is fine - happy or sad, I tend to tune out of it a bit though.

However if it's one of those tearful over milked ones that starts to define them entirely or if they are reveling in self pity then it starts to get grating really quickly.

But then so do the types who stand there screaming about how INCREDIBLY HAPPY AND LOVING IT THEY ARE * MASSIVE BIG SHINY TEETH GRIN *
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Old 10-10-2013, 17:44
earldbest
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The proliferation of sob stories based on an obsolete TV model that thinks it makes contestants relatable.

That said, it makes you want to skip the pre-performance VT of Week 1 and some other future weeks, unless the act is funny and you want to see how life is for them.
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Old 10-10-2013, 17:55
Eurostar
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The sob stories were unheard of in the early years of the show, and suddenly appeared one year, so it's obvious an editorial decision was taken to introduce them.

It does give the game away that it's not really a talent search at all, just an entertainment show.
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Old 10-10-2013, 18:17
ageappropriate
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Can't stand the sob stories, it's the main reason why I stopped watching the audition rounds. Luckily, they seem to diminish by the live shows so here's hoping.
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Old 10-10-2013, 19:57
paperplanes_
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I like ones that I can mock like MeNan and MeSon and MeDaughter/MeBump
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Old 10-10-2013, 23:10
Nastyman69
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Totally ruin the show - get rid of it!!
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Old 11-10-2013, 11:57
Jenny_Hanlon
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Hate them! I don't know if it's because they're all sensitive artistic souls or whatever, but they all seem to be able to cry at the drop of a hat.

How amazing would it be if a contestant came on who, instead of having a sob story, had a razor sharp wit and a slightly surreal, Robbie-Williams style sense of humour and could get their personality across in that way instead? Man, I would sooo vote for them.
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Old 11-10-2013, 13:53
Satnavvy
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Sob stories this year are based around having a child and a "normal" job - wtf?
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Old 11-10-2013, 21:31
sebcole
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I think different segmants of the audience will appreciate different stories. They are meant to combine the audience in empathy to the singer. If you do not relate to the story - they can be an annoyance, and just seeming filler. I skip the stories now - 70% of them are so similar - although the guy with Tourettes in USA XF, was cool.
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Old 11-10-2013, 21:45
Patti-Ann
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It might be done to help viewers relate to the act and empathise with them, but it can be counter productive on a forum like this.

Nikitta became known as the 'dead mum' girl, Nicki as the 'dead dad' woman, Daniel Evans as the 'dead wife' man

The contestants themselves add to it when they say 'I'm singing this for my dead relative/friend' (Daniel in his first sing off, moving Louis to tears and causing Scott's elimination)
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Old 11-10-2013, 22:34
Bert_Bertie
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Just want to smash the tv up when the fake tears start up
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Old 12-10-2013, 01:13
Sam Walker
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I've never seen the point of sob stories. If a person is talented enough then that will shine through. Whilst I'm sure their back-story of losing a relative is tragic, they aren't the first and won't be the last person to lose a loved one, and that does not mean they should exclusively go through. I also don't understand why rejects say 'How can I tell a 3 year old their mummy/daddy didn't make it?'. They're three, they won't care. Also, is it just me, or does every 16 year old say 'I've wanted this my entire life'? Just for once, one contestant should say 'I only really want the fame and money'.
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Old 12-10-2013, 01:23
BroadwayBabyNY
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I've never seen the point of sob stories. If a person is talented enough then that will shine through. Whilst I'm sure their back-story of losing a relative is tragic, they aren't the first and won't be the last person to lose a loved one, and that does not mean they should exclusively go through. I also don't understand why rejects say 'How can I tell a 3 year old their mummy/daddy didn't make it?'. They're three, they won't care. Also, is it just me, or does every 16 year old say 'I've wanted this my entire life'? Just for once, one contestant should say 'I only really want the fame and money'.
You are funny.

I just read this to my husband who is on the couch, and he is laughing and totally with you, LOL.

I have eyestrain from all the rolling they do every time an interview comes on.
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Old 12-10-2013, 01:28
Eurostar
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I've never seen the point of sob stories. If a person is talented enough then that will shine through. Whilst I'm sure their back-story of losing a relative is tragic, they aren't the first and won't be the last person to lose a loved one, and that does not mean they should exclusively go through. I also don't understand why rejects say 'How can I tell a 3 year old their mummy/daddy didn't make it?'. They're three, they won't care. Also, is it just me, or does every 16 year old say 'I've wanted this my entire life'? Just for once, one contestant should say 'I only really want the fame and money'.
Apparently there were some girls at bootcamp who were very relaxed and not pushed whether they got through or not, but this sparked Nicole into a rage and was what made her go backstage and launch into her expletive ridden "pep talk" about contestants not wanting it enough.....so it seems being desperate and obsessed is the required mindset to be on the show.
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Old 12-10-2013, 08:09
Satnavvy
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Apparently there were some girls at bootcamp who were very relaxed and not pushed whether they got through or not, but this sparked Nicole into a rage and was what made her go backstage and launch into her expletive ridden "pep talk" about contestants not wanting it enough.....so it seems being desperate and obsessed is the required mindset to be on the show.
That scripted scene was embarrassing to watch. So fake.
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