Two days ago, November 4, many Egyptians celebrated Valentine's Day. That's how early we are sometimes. It all depends on the Cairo traffic – you might go out thinking you'll reach your destination on February 14 of next year, but if the traffic is flowing you will get there... the day before yesterday. I have to explain that the world had a reason to celebrate that day – it is Sofian Benfarhat's birthday. This makes more sense to me because that Algerian singer is like a real brother to me so I love him in a brotherly way, which is the original purpose that day is celebrated. Please stop thinking it's Valentine's Day... it's Love's Day on which people should share, spread and express their love and not necessarily to a partner. It could be to parents, relatives, friends, neighbours or anyone even the people you hate the most. Let's discuss the details. Forget it. I changed my mind and I want to tell you about something else. In recent years, we were bombarded by several television talent shows dedicated to discovering new artists. Despite their lack of experience, some of these amateurs are more talented than most of those who have been in the limelight for years. These newcomers are properly trained by professional coaches and veteran artists. They are sometimes joined by legendary artists to sing one track. For instance in the last episode of 2010's “American Idol" two of the finalists started singing the timeless “How Deep Is Your Love?" and seconds later they were joined on stage by the Bee Gees... What was I doing? I just sat on the floor and kept clapping to the beat... on my face! On July 6 of this year, a number of “American Idol" finalists gave a concert at the Opera House's Open Air Theatre. Incidentally it was somehow organised by the US Armed Forces to celebrate American Independence Day, which was two days before the concert. Due to insufficient promotion the concert was a flop. “American Idol" introduced to the world wonderful singer Jennifer Hudson, whose later achievements included wining Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role in the movie “Dream Girls". Nevertheless she didn't even make the Top Five on the show. If you have been following this show for a few seasons you would have noticed that some exceptional talents were excluded and mediocre ones remained in the competition. It's probably because jury members determine who stays and who goes till they reach a point where it is entirely left up to the public and its votes. So I can imagine now an average contender with a lot of popularity competing against an amazing rival who keeps a low profile. Trust me it makes a difference – relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbours of the contestants and their bigger circle make their mark. In any case we have seen gifted artists sent home, only to make it bigger than the winner in the music business. But what happens to participants with potential when the season ends? The exposure they get drives record and even film production companies to offer good deals and in some cases enables them to reach stardom. Watching these shows surprised us all many times, but personally the biggest of them all was when a “Britain Got Talent" middle-aged contestant appeared on stage and her looks actually didn't imply that she could sing at all. Moreover she arrogantly said she wanted to be like veteran singer Elaine Paige. Most of the audience laughed and cries of disapproval were heard. But once she started singing, mocking turned into applause and disapproval became admiration and encouragement. This was the first appearance of the brilliant singer Susan Boyle. Later Elaine Paige sent her a message on TV expressing her wish to sing a duet with her. So Susan achieved her goal, yet she did not win the competition! Despite the importance of these programmes, the comic element is always on the menu at the beginning of each season, where thousands apply auditions clearly show their level... if I may use the word “level" here. Some think they have tremendous talent that qualifies them to win when actually what they do only raises laughter. I think some do it because they seek fame, knowing they will never appear on anything again... not even with Yogi Bear. Some mediocre contestants were truly over confident but the one person I will never forget was the woman who appeared on a Bulgarian show and sang words that have no meaning at all, thinking they were the correct ones. She gave her rendition of “Ken Lee" and when a jury member explained that “CAN'T LIVE" is taken from Nilsson's classic “Without You" the woman insisted it is “Ken Lee" and she sang Mariah Carey's version. Speaking of Mariah, who joined the jury in this season of “American Idol", it was announced that she was paid $18 million to participate in the show. Assuming that the season will last for six months she will make about 600 thousand Egyptian pounds DAILY. How I wish I were Mariah Carey for one day! Singer Jennifer Lopez was ripped off last season on the same programme... she was only given $12 million. Poor Jennifer! Anyway, Mariah wasn't the only one who charged more than Jennifer – Britney Spears got $15 million for her participation in the programme “X Factor." As for the Arab versions of these shoes, they introduced to us some dazzling talents like Egyptian singer Nesma Mahgoub, who won first place in the eighth season of “Star Academy" and also this year's “Arabs Got Talent" 14-year old Algerian participant Dalia Sheeh, who despite her extraordinary talent didn't win. Regardless of who gets these awards, the real winners are the viewers and advertising agencies that make a huge fortune from commercials imposed on these shows! The newest talent show is “The Voice", which has a different concept – four acclaimed singers turn their backs on a contender, so that they could only evaluate “the voice" of that person. If one of the jury members turns their seat around while the contestant is still singing, that means the star wants the newcomer to join their team. I have a lot to say about this show but I just realised that I don't want to talk to you anymore!
