Video: The surprisingly obligatory “beta female not so beta” post
posted at 8:05 pm on April 13, 2009 by Allahpundit
Multiple requests coming in for this one, and no wonder: It was all over YouTube this morning. Take a frumpy middle-aged woman with caterpillar eyebrows and a golden voice, toss her into the mix in Britain’s version of “American Idol,” shake well, and voila. A viral jackpot.
You just know she’s going to get bounced in the next round for some English version of Sanjaya.
Blowback
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Who?
Repurblican on April 13, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Nice.
Very nice.
Female Paul Pott?
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:10 PM
I hope this was the whole video! It was awesome! It made me cry when I first saw it this morning.
anniekc on April 13, 2009 at 8:10 PM
She was on yahoo.com headlines. Why should I care?
taney71 on April 13, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Can anyone imagine “running block” there?
I hope I’m not the only one who knows what “running block” means.
blatantblue on April 13, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I’ve read about her this morning and followed the comments on other sites. Two that I agree with are one- she’s not THAT spectacular a singer, and two, it could be a well-organized stunt with an actress with foam padding and a great make-up team.
Marcus on April 13, 2009 at 8:12 PM
This isn’t the British version of ‘American Idol’ its an entirely different show, there singing but other acts as well – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaBsshIYT2w.
MechFighter on April 13, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Disney needs to call.
- The Cat
MirCat on April 13, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Interesting responses: enjoy it (me), have doubts, think it’s a fraud, she’s not that good.
It’s nice.
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Yeah, she’s really not. She’s much better than she looks, but that’s all.
Allahpundit on April 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Wow!
Very reminiscent of Paul Potts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
JetBoy on April 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Gifts come in all sorts of packages.
Hades69 on April 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Wow!
canopfor on April 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Just remember that Paul Potts won last year, and I have a feeling this 47 year old female singer will become the winner of Britain’s Got Talent this year. American Idol is the glitzy version of BGT and AGT. Both of these shows allow more diversification in talent. I for one, approve.
afotia on April 13, 2009 at 8:15 PM
She looks like my mother-in-law.
Alouette on April 13, 2009 at 8:15 PM
RON PAUL!!!! is a better singer.
Nelsen on April 13, 2009 at 8:16 PM
See this too, then, Annie. Bleeping awesome.
Paul Potts
SlimyBill on April 13, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Yeah, but it’s a tough venue. She must have been terrified.
Let’s hear her a second time. That’ll be interesting to watch.
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Heartwarming
NaCly dog on April 13, 2009 at 8:17 PM
As Simon always says “This is a singing competition”.
faraway on April 13, 2009 at 8:18 PM
She fits my mating requirements.
blatantblue on April 13, 2009 at 8:18 PM
*sniff*
Wethal on April 13, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Heartwarming
ronsfi on April 13, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Obviously you’re not familiar with previous seasons. There are always one or two surprises.
A couple of acts really choked in the second round last year.
gh on April 13, 2009 at 8:19 PM
I’m very sure none of us need to see that list, thank you.
And as a guy, I’m pretty sure many of the items match mine.
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:20 PM
LOL!
SlimyBill on April 13, 2009 at 8:21 PM
see Allah, there really is a woman out there for you
I bet she even has an iphone
offroadaz on April 13, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Last year’s winner, Paul Potts was 2 years ago – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyDnYeUnT7w
MechFighter on April 13, 2009 at 8:22 PM
if that song itself didn’t cause me to spray vomit, this may have been a pallet cleanser.
eh on April 13, 2009 at 8:23 PM
The enjoyment of this clip (saw it several days ago) increases with the choice of song and lyrics, imo.
I would hesitate to degrade her singing ability. The 2nd presentation will say a lot. She nailed that one.
Spirit of 1776 on April 13, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Damn.
Allahpundit on April 13, 2009 at 8:24 PM
What can I say?
From where I hail, whaling was a past time of the locals.
blatantblue on April 13, 2009 at 8:24 PM
I’m a pretty hard hearted guy…that brought an unfamiliar warm and fuzzy feeling and a smile…not exactly what any of us expected. Wow (watched the Paul Potts vid and had same reaction).
jwp1964 on April 13, 2009 at 8:24 PM
I thought she was good.
BadgerHawk on April 13, 2009 at 8:25 PM
It would be something if they judged these shows on ability and not on hair styles. (Maybe they do across the pond…kind of doubt it though)
I do have a feeling that somehow, that woman is going to be singing for a living.
Kinda nice when they showed the audience while they were introducing her…’snicker…OMG!….look at that cow’…And then they all go nuts when she starts singing…
That was good.
BigWyo on April 13, 2009 at 8:25 PM
It’s always moving when a person with some clear disadvantages in the looks department has a great voice.
venividivici on April 13, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Simply beautiful.
I have a video to joion the Paul Potts video I always like to come to for inspiration.
Sekhmet on April 13, 2009 at 8:25 PM
From where I hail, whaling was a past time of the locals.
So, you’re sort of like Tevye on Fiddle on the Roof?
“Tradition!! Tradition!!”
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Wow
joe_doufu on April 13, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Hey Allah, she likes cats!
SnarkVader on April 13, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Actually, this is the original British version of America’s Got Talent–where they do other things but singing. British American Idol is called X-Factor.
And people assume just because you may be frumpy, and not to their sense of attractiveness that you’re a buffoon. Now we know who the real buffoons are.
Enoxo on April 13, 2009 at 8:27 PM
The British have this drama queen, American Idol has Adam Lambert, another. (ask your kids, in my day we called Adam “Liza with a Z” except she was more subtle and less dramatic or theatric in her singing ;-))
Marcus on April 13, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Are you the “young man from Nantucket”, then? I’ve heard of you.
venividivici on April 13, 2009 at 8:28 PM
I liked it
EZnSF on April 13, 2009 at 8:29 PM
This kid should have won IMO – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K2EA8SWhh8
MechFighter on April 13, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Separated at birth?
doubleplusundead on April 13, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Sadly, I am not. But he does meet up with me at Montauk Point from time to time.
And he brings the pig.
blatantblue on April 13, 2009 at 8:30 PM
When I first saw it I thought “That’s what Sarah will be doing in 20 years”
Bradky on April 13, 2009 at 8:30 PM
You know as a girl – and probably even now – the boys made fun of her and the girls snickered.
We all remember being made fun of as kids. But for her, it was probably all the time.
Don’t want to overdue it but, y’know, not a fun life.
And then she comes out and does this. Yeah, it’s moving.
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:31 PM
LOL!
blatantblue on April 13, 2009 at 8:31 PM
By British standards she’s quite beautiful. I gave it 2 thumbs up.
repvoter on April 13, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Heck, I take it back. I don’t need her 2nd song, I’ll go on the record as saying I think she’s great. She has more vibrato then I like, but that’s personal preference. After she climbs to “shame” and holds it – powers it, she absolutely owns the backhalf of that song. I give it 2 thumbs up.
I love Paul too when I broke through. But I like opera, so…
Spirit of 1776 on April 13, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Hell, the choppers alone put her in the elite class.
If those are real. Even if not….
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Kate Beckinsale
and don’t your forget it, er, her.
CK MacLeod on April 13, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Just like Ron Paul.
Nelsen on April 13, 2009 at 8:35 PM
how do i vote???
mpax on April 13, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Multitasking, ugh.
I liked Paul when he broke through. Sorry.
Spirit of 1776 on April 13, 2009 at 8:36 PM
There be a bunch of cynical biatches up in here.
outOfElement on April 13, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Moments like that make shows like this worth while.
RobCon on April 13, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Absolutely! Female Paul Pott!
That was nice.
bperiwinkle on April 13, 2009 at 8:40 PM
awesome
The Wall on April 13, 2009 at 8:40 PM
That was good.
What a great thing to happen to her.
I find the judges to be so cheesy in this competition. Especially Simon. I never saw Simon so dearly eye any contestant in American Idol history.
jencab on April 13, 2009 at 8:43 PM
She made me happy.
I have been going through a tough time, and I have not smiled for months. I smiled when I watched her.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on April 13, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Best wishes, dude.
Spirit of 1776 on April 13, 2009 at 8:44 PM
This (homely women with great voices) is one of the few things I’m not cynical about. You just know there’s a lot of pain behind that voice, some of it, no doubt, caused by guys like me in my jerkier moments.
venividivici on April 13, 2009 at 8:44 PM
That had me watching with a big stupid grin on my face from her opening notes. I loved watching the judges reactions…from this sarcastic condescending sneer to this complete shock of approval. Great stuff.
Sarjex on April 13, 2009 at 8:45 PM
yeah…but can she break out any dance moves?
smartsy on April 13, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Be strong, man.
Watch it again.
We’ve all banged our heads against the wall every now and then too.
Everyone does.
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 8:46 PM
I second
Does Disney even do the music animations anymore or just Pixar like.
There musical somewhere that could be missing a star too.
tjexcite on April 13, 2009 at 8:46 PM
yea definitely — good luck. hope you can fix what ails ya’.
blatantblue on April 13, 2009 at 8:46 PM
This lady is magnificent!
Old Country Boy on April 13, 2009 at 8:47 PM
One shot of that audience and I was cheering her on. I thought she did a fine job–I would have clutched from stage fright.
That was just cruel. ;-)
DrMagnolias on April 13, 2009 at 8:48 PM
And here I thought I was a cynical bastid. Guess not.
Lovely share…thank you very much for that.
Asher on April 13, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Different context. American Idol is populated with precious snowflakes who cannot fathom they may not be God’s gift to music. This show tends to be filled with hard-working everymen who want to feel special just once.
DrMagnolias on April 13, 2009 at 8:52 PM
RJGatorEsq.on April 13,2009 at 8:43PM.
RJGatorEsq: Keep your bow into the wind,I hope you feel
better soon,as well!!:):):):)
canopfor on April 13, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Good lord that was beautiful!
rplat on April 13, 2009 at 8:54 PM
She’s fantastic. Brought a tear to this cynical old hag’s eye too…
Fortunata on April 13, 2009 at 8:57 PM
That was fantastic. She has a great voice. I would love to produce and engineer her CD.
Old Hippie Vet on April 13, 2009 at 8:58 PM
seriously, why the cynicism kids?
this woman probably goes through life with people looking at her and thinking, ‘nothing special here, move along’. but look at what she can do? that is natural, raw talent. i’m a classically trained singer and there’s no way i’d get up there and do what she did.
this is a feel-good moment. we need a couple of those every once and again. lighten up.
flyawaybird on April 13, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Best wishes. The next thing that’s gonna make you happy is out there waiting for you, you just gotta go out and find it.
venividivici on April 13, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Wow, that made me cry. I love Les Miz and that was the perfect song. Life can be incredibly good sometimes.
msmveritas on April 13, 2009 at 9:13 PM
That made me cry. Beautiful.
jewells45 on April 13, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Very nice! I love seeing videos like this. Even though I knew it was going to be one of those “not what it seems at first” kinda things, it made me smile. Good for her!
TeeDee on April 13, 2009 at 9:13 PM
I don’t understand the cynicism on this thread.
That made my cheeks tingle, and my eyes water.
Many people train for years and never come close to having such a beautiful voice as she has.
I agree…it was a privilege to listen to her.
You make beautiful music, too.
kakypat on April 13, 2009 at 9:17 PM
She’s like the anti-Kathy Ireland from about 15 years ago ))))
Mister Ghost on April 13, 2009 at 9:18 PM
That made the hair on my arms stand up. Seriously. God love her. Now I am going to have to follow her story, and I never watch those talent shows.
It’s a wonderful example of how shallow we are. I am sure everyone takes one look at her and dismisses her immediately. Sometimes the beautiful people are rotten and moldering on the inside. Remember, a lot of people voted for Obama based entirely on his outward appearance and/or the facade of his apparently perfect family.
ExcessivelyDiverted on April 13, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Thank you.
Old Hippie Vet on April 13, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I’m kind of sickened by some of the things I’m reading here, frankly.
I am a professional singer, and I was not “laughing” at her, and I was not “against” her – and I know that people only expect voices like that to come out of someone who looks a certain way.
You might ask yourselves why that is. Who is it that’s flawed?
That woman made fools of just about everyone in that auditorium. Thankfully, she’s not jaded enough to care about that. She just knew what she could do, went out there and did it, and was grateful for the opportunity to blow them away – which she did.
Good for her. And shame on those of you who can’t rejoice in that. I’m sure you all look like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and sing your asses off.
capitalist piglet on April 13, 2009 at 9:29 PM
She has a wonderful voice, and will no doubt become the Slim Whitman of the 21st century.
The Other McCain on April 13, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Well done CP, a lot of us wanted to write that. It’s sickening how we’re all supposed to conform to some insipid standard set by 20-year-olds, even when we’re not.
Fortunata on April 13, 2009 at 9:35 PM
You’re very welcome.
;o)
kakypat on April 13, 2009 at 9:36 PM
She was awesome!
Jamson64 on April 13, 2009 at 9:36 PM
By The Numbers:
1 – YES, she has talent, and I thought her performance was very good. She gets extra points for attitude, which I heart.
2 – I would never judge a book by its cover alone (with the exception of Mark Levin’s works, which I would purchase without reading a single page in advance), but I am not surprised by the surprise of everyone else who did prejudge her.
3 – Her days of singlehood are limited effective now. If we want eye candy, we need only return to Alaska. ;-)
4 – I normally could care less about such talent shows, but this performance really was a palette cleanser, and I suspect that her talents will only improve with more training and a decent producer.
Bravo for her. I smell a bright future indeed. :)
itzWicks on April 13, 2009 at 9:37 PM
What you said!
Thank you for saying it, too.
kakypat on April 13, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Wonderful!
(How many of you cynics could pull of that song?)
PattyJ on April 13, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Love the little knowing smile she gives the audience (who’s just mocked her) at about 1:53. She knows what effect she’s about to have.
According to Wiki she put her own dreams of singing on hold to care for her ill mother, who died in 2007. The story gets bettah and bettah.
The surprise did help, for sure…IMO, though, she’s good enough for a stage show. And that nailing of the difficult 3:08-3:20 was pretty pure awesomeness. Simon freaking looked like he was in love for goodness’ sake.
inviolet on April 13, 2009 at 9:50 PM
She’s PERFECT for broadway. She’d tear up Memory from Cats. God bless her for continuing to dream.
Mojave Mark on April 13, 2009 at 9:53 PM
She’s not super duper awesome but she’s pretty good. She’s probably never had training and she definitely has the voice for it. Plus the song might not have been the best for her.
Curse you bloody cynical pessimists, must you ruin everything?
Kronos on April 13, 2009 at 9:55 PM
I wish I could afford to fly her over here and get her in my studio with a couple song writers I know, her dream would come true, I think it will anyway she IS that good.
A voice like hers dose not come around that often.
Old Hippie Vet on April 13, 2009 at 10:03 PM
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