Your fan, Norman

If he’s going to sing for a living, though, he needs to have his teeth fixed. He doesn’t need perfectly straight white teeth, but he does need to have all of them and they should be fairly straight.

But his face is lovely and expressive and he looks like a guy I’d like to hug. Sweet is what I’d say. He looks like a teddy bear of a guy.

I agree with you.  And I’m sure that if he is able to pursue his career that he will get his teeth fixed.  As to the rest of his looks, I can’t think of a singe opera singer who looks like a movie star; in fact, most of them are overweight.  I don’t think any part of his looks will harm his career other than his teeth, and those can be repaired.

Cheers–

MRE 

I can’t find the reference anymore, but I read that he’s had a couple of downturns in his life, including an accident and he considers Britain got talent as his last chance. That’s probably a little exaggerated. But winning or even competing in this competition will do a great deal to further his career. I suspect that he might have already succeeded judging for the interest this video has generated. I have been made aware of this video from three different sources already. My coworker, another coworker from a different office (they didn’t talk to each other) and now your blog. Obviously he’s as hot as the Star Wars kid but much more likely to profit from his fame than the former.

Antonia is right however. The show did set things up somewhat, but then that’s what all TV shows do, attempt to create drama.

I think that the reason this clip has generated so much attention is because of the contrast between his appearance and demeanor and his incredible voice. He really is not a good looking man. And he is so nervous on stage that he looks about to burst out in tears. You can tell by the judges’ face that their expectations are really low. I’m sure the audience felt the same way. So when he opened his mouth and out came this beautiful voice, people were shocked. When he comes back to the show, the surprise factor will be gone and expectations will be much higher. Still, people do love a good underdog story, and he doesn’t need to win the competition, just attract enough attention to jumpstart his career.

And I think Rose is absolutely right, and I was about to post the same. People react to intensely emotional music and this is what we are seeing here. I very much doubt that the ladies wiping their eyes in the audience were pretending to be impressed out of some fear to look unsophisticated. People who have pretensions might do something like that, when faced with opera, ballet or abstract art, but those are a minority. Most people will freely admit they don’t get it and more, that they aren’t really interested. Their family and friends will not think any less of them for it. So why pretend? In fact the reverse is true. Admitting to liking opera might be considered pretentious in certain circles.

I think that Paul’s achievement was made greater by having crossed a cultural barrier and making people appreciate opera, even for only an instant.

Hi Angelyne–

Thanks for the insightful comment.  I think you’re probably on the mark.

MRE 

In all honesty, I can’t say I don’t like Opera; I don’t like all Opera pieces but there are some that I just can’t get enough of them, like the one this contestant sang. It will always cause the same effect, perhaps because of how difficult that piece is, perhaps because the whole orchestral piece is so dramatic and that really gets me, who knows, I really like that one.

Hoax or not, I enjoyed it. Personally, I don’t think it is. Besides a scientist I’m also a musician and I did seem to catch a little glitch in one alto parts. A trained singer is not likely to have that kind of flaw so I’m inclined to think he’s just a plain guy who loves to sing and has had some kind of self-training. After all, though practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice does!

More to the point, I guess the reason I enjoyed it is because I also like to see people discovering their own potential, and sometimes it takes great courage to stand in front of a panel of judges (who may be already tired after listening to countless contestants), and an audience that may already think that Opera singing is for another era and has nothing to do with being an Idol (whether American or British!). I enjoy that process and I’m fortunate to see that with some of my students all the time.

Yes, I did have goosebumps when the audience just gave the guy exactly what he deserves, the recognition he probably didn’t think he was even worth of. Of course, didn’t help hearing Simon say something nice for a change!

Ok, I now realize the “typos” were intentional. With my recent discovery that I’m a sophisticated, mature opera aficionado, comes the ability to appreciate the subtlety of your humor.

Hi Rick–

The typos weren’t intentional.  I screwed up.  And had it pointed out to me by readers.  So, I fixed them.  I suppose I should just go in and make the changes and get rid of the crossouts to eliminate confusion.

Cheers–

MRE 

Here’s more on Paul (2nd row):
link

http://www.bathopera.co.uk/Past%20Productions/Aida/aida_biographies.htm

It’s obvious the guy had some training somewhere. Are you sure this is the same guy, though. It doesn’t look much like him…at least not to me. Plus Paul Potts has got to be a fairly common name.

MRE

it´s funny to see how easily people are manipulated by the set-up and scenery.
his singing is really excellent, but the emotions are built up mostly by the story ,wrong expectations and a really good director.

after seeing the video it was so obvious that this is a hoax that i looked it up in the internet, ok he´s employed as a cellphone salesman but …just check…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Potts

Um, okay.

I read the Wikipedia entry.  It says nothing about his being a trained opera singer.  It says he’s a cellphone salesman and that he appeared on the show and gives the date.

MRE 

On another correction side note, this is actually the UK’s version of “America’s Got Talent.” “American Idol” was actually our version of the UK’s “Pop Idol.” Just thought I’d throw it in with the other things you have crossed out up there, lol.

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!

I can’t cross any more stuff out.  I’ve already had good friends call and tell me that they don’t understand the puns indicated by the crossouts.

I’ve never watched a single episode of any of these shows, so I can’t be held accountable to keep them all straight.  You’ve sorted it out, so I’ll leave it at that.

Cheers–

MRE