The theme of 15minuteslate was suppose to be about rediscovery. I’ll admit I’ve strayed a bit from that direction. So today, I present to you a journey: The Discovery of Paul Potts. I was in the Apple store today. Yes, purchasing a Macbook Pro. Yes, finally. While waiting for the Apple dude, I was fiddling with the Iphone (no I didn’t get one) and it’s youtube playback, I mindlessly clicked top rated and then on to some random video. I didn’t really care what it was but ended up watching Paul Potts’ initial audition on Britain’s Got Talent:
I came home. Rewatched it. Did that again. Repeated. I can’t stop watching it. It’s great. It’s fantastic.
Why is it rediscovery? Well, this has been out since June. He’s already won the competition. He’s been on the Today show. And when I sent my lovely girlfriend this link, she quickly noted she had tried to bring this video to my attention months ago. Hey…I usually listen.
Why is it so freakin good? He’s the classic case of an underdog. I mean you look at him and he comes off as shy and lacking in confidence. And I think anyone who’s been or felt overlooked can relate to Paul. This guy seemed like he had been overlooked his whole life. Even when asked what he was going to do and told the judges, “to sing opera”, you could sense the disbelief and cynicism in their reactions. In their eyes, this was another special awards candidate: Contestant With A Name Similar to a Famous Dictator’s.
Then he open that beautiful mouth of his and just blew people away. As one person put it, “the girl judge is like creaming herself.” Indeed, she was. So was Simon and the old ladies. And so was I.
Opera has that power to move people. Combined with this amazing story of a cellphone salesmen from humble backgrounds gifted with an amazing voice, it created something surreal. Something normal people like you and I dream of. This was something out of a movie rather than reality TV. Is Kevin James lined up for the role of Paul Potts? In spite of it’s position as TV whipping boy, we cannot deny that if it weren’t for reality TV, the world would have never come to know the voice of Paul Potts.
Thank you reality TV.
1 response so far ↓
anon // July 21, 2007 at 4:24 am |
Wowza you should listen to your gf more often, considering she told you about this guy MONTHS ago. Honestly I think your blog should be renamed to fewmonthslate.wordpress.com
I wasn’t at all surprised that he won. You probably didn’t watch any of the other contestants who made it to the final round, but they’re pretty good too. Couple of kid singers (one girl is gonna grow up and become the corinne bailey rae of her generation I think) and some interesting acts but Paul Potts was the clear frontrunner. And I agree, before he opened up his mouth and started singing for the first round, I thought to myself: “oh great, here’s another guy who THINKS he can do opera, but really can’t and the judges are just gonna make fun of him. Poor guy.” And sure he’s not of Andrea Bocelli caliber but considering he didn’t get formal training and opera singing isn’t his real job- he sure impressed me. However I have to say that I know people who also self-taught and are also amazing amateur opera singers but I suppose it’s the shock that he’s your average joe that makes it so much more amazing.
On a much different note, I think you should write about the Emmy noms and the fact that RAINN WILSON IS NOM’D FOR SUPPORTING ACTOR!!!!!!!!!!