It's television, people. Entertainment.

>>The point I see in what Bronwyn's said is why should there be a need for a "transformational moment" at all<<

Because that's what we, the audience, tune in to be exposed to. It's what makes the ratings. It's what drives 50 million YouTube views.

For a start, I would strongly suggest that there could not possibly have been any surprise at all at the judges' table, given that the contestants are not simply pulled off the street and told to perform. They are stage managed, choreographed and groomed before being let in front of the audience.

It would be fair to suggest that she was presented to the audience by the show's producers in the mode most likely to create the "transformation" narrative. The image was built for us, not for her.

Here's some hindsight for you, courtesy of Crikey's Ross Stapleton.

"Boyle is following the same viral trajectory used by the show to turn 2007 winner Paul Potts into a YouTube smash. First time round Potts was sold as a humble Welsh car phone salesman. In reality he was actually the store manager where he worked. Also before he warbled his way through Nessun Dorma in a televised audition before the same Simon Cowell-led panel now effusively singing Boyle’s praises, Potts claimed to suffer from a lack of confidence. Yet he’d been a Bristol City Councillor for years, and had already sung in leading roles with a half-decent amateur opera company. He had also performed in front of 15,000 with members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra."

And there's more.

"Shaheen Jafargholi, a 12-year-old Welsh contestant, was stopped by Cowell mid-way through his hopeful show stopper, as Cowell opined it wasn’t happening for him and could he sing something else? Of course he could and they just happened to have the backing tape all ready to go as he launched into a blisteringly good performance of Smokey Robinson’s Who's Loving You"

The "transformation" here was from just-about-to-fail, to conquering hero. Same narrative. Gender irrelevant.

We have to believe the story, or the suspense is lost.

Why does Pericles ALWAYS have to be right? One day I'll catch him/her not making sense or not having an insightful finger on the pulse.

Banjo

Both E ant and I are fans.
The sunday BS paper had an article which said she is single (I think E ant is contemplating a proposal at the monment).
It also sraid she had a small time local career but jobs just dried up and then she nursed her ill mother.
The paper also said she pressed a 1000 run of CD some time back but I wonder what they wouldbe worth now?
Aparrently she entered another tallent show and was beaten.
She has gotten in weeks more hits than the other facebooK/UK you've got tallent star (now an opera singer)than he got in 4 months.
Good on her.

yep there were the odd less than perfect notes but perfection needs years of training and practice. Tallent only goes so far. Take the massive Bass singer from Opera Australia.

Pericles

"OK, it was late at night, maybe I was a bit snippy Bronwyn. My apologies."

Apology accepted. :)

"But I still get the impression that it is not at all appropriate to see all this through the lens of 'gender wars'. "

I said from the outset I wasn't interested in turning the thread into a 'gender war'. I still believe though that the fact this woman was judged harshly to begin with, and for no other reason than that her appearance didn't measure up in the eyes of those who judged her, is a telling commentary on both the superficial nature of society in general, but very particularly for older women within it. You mightn't see gender, or ageism, as a factor here, but others do.

Houellebecq

"I hear violins,....and violins, ....and the sound of gender warriors ....who see everything in gender terms...with chips raining off their shoulders."

I don't at all see 'everything in gender terms'. I contribute to a wide range of topics on OLO and rarely raise the issue of gender, except when appropriate. And despite you, Pericles and Graham insisting otherwise, I still think it is appropriate here. I won't labor the point though and I certainly won't be watching You Tube videos in order to take it any further.

We all view the world through the prism of our own gender, but as RobP's comments indicate, some are more capable than others of occasionally stepping outside its limitations.

"She happens to appeal to jealous females obsessed with their own lack of looks, the same type who hate girls who happen to be slim and beautiful."

This comment says more about you than it does me. It also perfectly illustrates the very point I've been making.

There is no way I should be placed in the situation of having to defend my appearance in the light of comments like this and I absolutely refuse to do so, apart from stating that I'm very happy in my own skin and am not at all interested in looking like something I'm not.

Ah Bronwyn,

Not everything is about you m'dear! I find it interesting that you have assumed I was talking about you particularly in the later quote.

'There is no way I should be placed in the situation of having to defend my appearance in the light of comments like this...'

Perhaps you shouldn't voluntarily assume a defensive position because of a general comment about who she may appealing to in marketing strategy then. Just a thought.

In fact, by your last post, perhaps there is a chip on that 'ol shoulder.

This reminds me of A Fish Called Wanda and that guy popping up everywhere saying 'Don't call me stupid'.

Bronwyn

Well said. A little anecdote. A couple of male friends who are very dear to me and I never thought of in terms of appearance, rather more valued their friendship and wonderful conversations and I am sure thought the same of me. However, one day (don't know how topic occurred) told me my exact bra size. I was never aware of being scrutinised thusly, just had to accept that males do look, appraise and evaluate - even the most respectful.

Therefore, I suspect that Pericles, Graham et al are telling huge porkies. And for Houellebecq suggest he unload the chip from his shoulder before casting aspersions on the shoulders of others.