http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...io/2678879.stm

Given the US penchant for taking everything to court if something doesn't go their way, American Idol is being threatened with a law-suit over age discrimination. I can't see them getting a way round it because if they let everybody in to be auditioned (if outside the 16-24 age range) and then got rid of them all by the final rounds on the ground of talent, they'd still try and launch litigation.

And the whole system of Government is discrimatory anyway - you can't become President till you're 35 and you have to have been born in the country as well.

I heard this on Liquid News. Do the yanks think everything can be subject to litigation? I'd have loved to see him audition, just to hear Si's put down.

what a joke!!!!

ok so if we are to go on by what the guy has said then:

- we should be able to vote whatever age we are - the age 18 limit to be able to vote should be dropped.
- we should be able to drive whenevr we want - the age 17 limit should be dropped.
- we should be able to smoke at what age we want, play the lottery at what age we want and buy alcohol at what age we want.
because after all - all those things are being discriminatory over age!!!
what a joke!

lets face it - does the public really want a 50yr old popstar?? ok so it mey be humourous on the tv, but would anyone buy his records?? it would be a total waste of money for the record company - its the record company who are gonna spend money on the future 'popstars' so they should remain to have the right to say what they want as a popstar - its up to them as they're putting the money into it - if they want an age limit then that should be ok.

this sort of thing just makes me angry!

40yr old I think ..anyway that was his age.
Whilst I agree with most of your commnts, you might like to know that the most of the biggest grossing artists of the last few years have all been over 40.

However these are established acts , I'll probably agree that a NEW act over 40 might not have such a great success in the pop world.

yeh sorry i didnt make myself clear - i agree with you totally.

people like madonna, bee gees, paul mcartney and all the others were already established from their younger days and they';ve kept their fan base, but not many people would support a 40yr old when he's just starting his popstar career! lol!

I am a truly talented singer. I have sung publicly since the age of 7 and have won various awards. Though I have the talent, style and look, I am unable to audition for American Idol because I am 35 years old.

Those of you who do not sing, may not understand what it feels like to be told you are too old to audition for something in which you would clearly have a chance. I do. It hurts and it's wrong. I agree with the gentleman (who, by the way, is 50), who is suing. It's an unfair restriction.

I am an American and contrary to popular opinion, American's are not a sue-happy culture. We simply have a voice and choose to exercise it. That's a right of all human beings, not just those American bred and raised.

it may well hurt that you're too old to do AI, but at the end of the day why dont you just try something else instead?

Its just like a record company advertising for an all girl band and a guy turning up to the auditions and being told he cant join, and then him getting all upset over it and trying to sue the company. Its up to the record company - if they want all girls/people between 16-24 then its their decision not anyone elses. if you're not happy then try another way at getting fame. IMO the old fashioned way of getting fame (i.e. working for it over a period of time) is a much better and long lasting way of achieveing it. my advice - if you can sing, get out there and go to the record companies and let them know about you - you dont need AI for it.

I completely agree with you Spankee.
Pudina 7,I readily admit that I have no idea of the American Music Scene, but this programme is based on a young demographic hence its original title POP Idol. Pop, in my understanding, appeals to youngsters and I can think of no British Act that has broken into the charts as a newcomer, when they are over 30.
Unlike age discrimination in the office,which I disagree with, Entertainment is a much more subjective thing and the producers have every right to stipulate sex and age. There's an awful lot of Hollywood actresses in their 40's who are being denied parts for which they are eminantly suitable, and ,no I wouldn't like it if I was in the business, but if you choose such a nefarious profession as Entertainment, then you have to accept the restrictions that go with it. At the end of the day, Joe Public is deciding your future and, unfortunately for over 30's, most of the pop buying people prefer young kids that they can identify with.
Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell are laying out huge money on the winner. I think this entitles them to set an age limit, dont you?

nicely said tally
i sent you a 'note'/pm on the AI2 website forum - just testing it out.
it seems like AI is taking forever to start here!

what thread and under what message board Spankee, I cant find it Is it under "Judges"?)

Thank you, both Tally and Spankee, for your thoughtful replies. I think the difficult thing about it is realising that after a certain age, there are restrictions to what you can and cannot do. I'm a Christian vocalist and have done weddings, funerals, etc, and have always believed that singing is an ageless occupation. One of my best friends mentioned that AI is looking for someone to "groom" and in such a case as that, I wouldn't be interested.
Fame isn't everything in the end. As a singer, it's always been who I can reach and when that's been the important thing.

And ultimately, despite different standards, it's not how old you are, but how old you feel that matters. . .

I enjoyed reading your reply pudina, but can I just put your mind at rest about the above statement.Believe me the last thing that American/Pop Idol is about is "grooming" anyone. The 2 Simons (Cowell and Fuller , boss of 19 who get all proceeds of the contestants) are about money and only money. Simon Cowell's trademark is his acerbic put downs, which I would think run a bit thin on the ground after 3 sets of shows and a fourth coming up (our second edition of Pop Idol) They are looking for pretty/attractive kids who appeal to as large a record buying public as possible and who can churn out as many cover hits as they can, and if they are spent out in a couple of years, do you think they will be losing any sleep about it? That's why Simon Cowell was not a happy man when the British public didn't vote for the winner he wanted. Instead he got a man who was never going to be a puppet and was no-ones fool. (The runner up had done very well, however)
I think you are very fortunate NOT to be involved in AI. Incidentally we have just finished another Reality Show called Fame Academy, which DID attempt to take all musical genres and develop them, encouraging them to write their own material. The upper age limit for that was 35 and the vocal coach was a Committed Christian who works a lot in the gospel field. I'm sure you realise that our Christian Music scene is dire compared to the States! Maybe they'll import that idea over there (its originally a Spanish concept I think)
Whatever, I wish you the very best in your career. Your last statement is very true and perserverance may pay off.
Cheers Tally

Thank you so much for your reply, Tally. I only wish we had the Fame Academy over here as well!

And I agree with you. It's about money, money, money. What a shame it is. Since I only sing Christian music, maybe 'Hollywood' wouldn't want much to do with me anyways, . . .

It's lovely meeting you and thanks again!

pudina7

Good article on this subject at:
http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi...687.art&page=1

good link tally. i havent read all of it but it made me laugh in places - especially the opening picture of someone from star trek/star wars! lol. funny article and an interesting read!!

That was an excellent article, Tally. It represented several view points extremely well. . .

,

Pudina7