You had to be moderately talented though
and not just a fame hungry wannabe.
(berk, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 22:43, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

As much as it pains me to say it
quite a few of the hundred or so that get through to the latter stages are talented. Unfortunately they're then bent and twisted through the Syco/ITV1 machine and moulded to a template and have all discernible natural talent squeezed out of them until they fit the desired model.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 22:45, Reply)

Oh, I agree that the ones that get to the final few stages
can sing. But only a certain type of person goes on that program, and it's those who have a greater desire to be famous than they do a great singer. And, like you say, any individuality they might have had is mangled out of them to become 'chart stars' who will inevitably sink without a trace after their first album has been released, cynically in time for the Christmas market.
(berk, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 22:51, Reply)

Again, a good point
There are so many wannabes that they are expendable and their handlers can exploit them cynically, as you put it. It's almost analogous with factory farming - milk 'em to death, wring their necks and bring on the next batch.

Whether there were queues round the block to audition for vaudeville acts is unknown to us. I suspect there were wannabes then, but not with the same assumption that they were indelibly destined for superstardom.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 23:04, Reply)

That's a valid point
And the cult of stardom has been brought to us primarily by television.

I think my overriding point is that the strata of entertainment that is most popular has always been manipulated by the promoters and producers of entertainment.

Perhaps we are starry-eyed to think that true talent has always emerged fully formed for our delight. It's always been manouvered into place. How many Norma-Jean Bakers got passed over before Marilyn Monroe got plucked from Turd City, Oklahoma (or wherever?)
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 22:50, Reply)