Their characterisations may be aimed at creating a balance to make sure
that a poorly- performed contestant does not leave the show with a
broken spirit. In the season IV of the Nigerian Idol that is aired on
national television stations, the panel of judges may not be following
that stereotypical formation. Dare Art Alade, Nneka Egbuna and Dede
Mabiaku are gradually breaking the norms set by many television reality
shows and this is really interesting.
The judges at many television reality shows come in three: two male and
a female. They have predictable characters- blunt, diplomatic and
sensitive.
Initially, one would think that Dede Mabiaku would be the ‘Mr. Blunt’.
After all, he is naturally blunt. We all know him from his days with the
legendary Fela and honesty is really a virtue from that part of the
world. Although he is quite forthright in his judgment on the show, he
often shows a mature, fatherly approach to criticism which is a very
rare quality in judges nowadays. Look at his foreign counterpart, Steven
Tyler, the lead vocalist of the rock band, Aerosmith for example.
Tyler, a former judge on American Idol could end a contestant’s music
aspirations at the contestant’s first appearance on stage with his very
caustic but well-founded remarks. Sometimes, his comments seemed to
serve as warning to those who were watching the show from their
respective homes and quietly wishing to push their luck in the next
season. His clear perception of the desirable delivery on stage was
unmistakable.
He is the kind of judge you need when you are not sure whether your
last performance that got everyone’s applause was ‘dope enough’ to see
you to the finals. The frank judge sees through your strong vocals and
tells you that you lack confidence. But the last thing you need is a
frank judge who questions your rationale for joining the competition
when you are already on probation and your entire family members are in
the audience with placards and flags designed to cheer you up. Those
flags can fly at half-mast at any careless and judgmental remark.
After all, he is naturally blunt. We all know him from his days with the
legendary Fela and honesty is really a virtue from that part of the
world. Although he is quite forthright in his judgment on the show, he
often shows a mature, fatherly approach to criticism which is a very
rare quality in judges nowadays. Look at his foreign counterpart, Steven
Tyler, the lead vocalist of the rock band, Aerosmith for example.
Tyler, a former judge on American Idol could end a contestant’s music
aspirations at the contestant’s first appearance on stage with his very
caustic but well-founded remarks. Sometimes, his comments seemed to
serve as warning to those who were watching the show from their
respective homes and quietly wishing to push their luck in the next
season. His clear perception of the desirable delivery on stage was
unmistakable.
He is the kind of judge you need when you are not sure whether your
last performance that got everyone’s applause was ‘dope enough’ to see
you to the finals. The frank judge sees through your strong vocals and
tells you that you lack confidence. But the last thing you need is a
frank judge who questions your rationale for joining the competition
when you are already on probation and your entire family members are in
the audience with placards and flags designed to cheer you up. Those
flags can fly at half-mast at any careless and judgmental remark.
There is a danger in relying on a diplomatic judge. His views can make
you embrace mediocrity because he downplays on your weaknesses and vary
his comments against the frank judge’s. But you need him on the day you
are forcefully controlling your eyelids from letting out the tears when
you are convinced that you just messed up a song.
Now, the sensitive judge is the emotional one. These days, female
judges fall into that category. They are aware that the frank and the
diplomatic judges have passed their verdict so the onus of toning down
the negative critical remarks rests on them. They can sometimes say
something as silly as ‘You are the King’ when you just did an awesome
vocal performance without a modicum of stage aura.
The sensitive judge realises that once he or she tells you that you
lack stage aura, you can’t perform a magic to have it, although you can
work on it. Hence, to save you the mental torture of looking for what
you cannot have, the sensitive judge commends you only on what he thinks
you have. Then, what kind of judge is Nneka? She oscillates between the
diplomatic and the sensitive. Once in a while, she is frank, especially
when the two male judges chose to stay in her two comfort zones of
diplomacy and emotions. She also chooses her words carefully and often
plays frank judge with hesitation.
you embrace mediocrity because he downplays on your weaknesses and vary
his comments against the frank judge’s. But you need him on the day you
are forcefully controlling your eyelids from letting out the tears when
you are convinced that you just messed up a song.
Now, the sensitive judge is the emotional one. These days, female
judges fall into that category. They are aware that the frank and the
diplomatic judges have passed their verdict so the onus of toning down
the negative critical remarks rests on them. They can sometimes say
something as silly as ‘You are the King’ when you just did an awesome
vocal performance without a modicum of stage aura.
The sensitive judge realises that once he or she tells you that you
lack stage aura, you can’t perform a magic to have it, although you can
work on it. Hence, to save you the mental torture of looking for what
you cannot have, the sensitive judge commends you only on what he thinks
you have. Then, what kind of judge is Nneka? She oscillates between the
diplomatic and the sensitive. Once in a while, she is frank, especially
when the two male judges chose to stay in her two comfort zones of
diplomacy and emotions. She also chooses her words carefully and often
plays frank judge with hesitation.
Dare is the ‘been-there-done-that’ variant of a frank judge. As far as
Nigerian Idol Season IV is concerned, he is the judge to be respected,
if not feared. One reason is that he knows most of the songs like the
back of his hands. In terms of accuracy in lyrics, pitch and creative
maneuvre, Dare is the gate-keeper. Dede is another judge that would be
hard to satisfy when the competition gets tougher. He has been a member
of a multi-instrumentalists band, led by a phenomenal musician with a
record yet to be beaten.
It goes without saying that those contestants who render electro genre
like country music should up their game. The three judges have spoken
repeatedly on their use of microphone. The state of the microphones, and
indeed the sound system should be reviewed. All the vocal performances
have been very pitchy and it is impossible to assume that not even one
of the contestants is listening and can do it right. Also, women should
not necessarily play sensitive judges. It is such a weak stereotype with
the potential of creating the impression that women are emotional
rather than rational beings.
Nigerian Idol Season IV is concerned, he is the judge to be respected,
if not feared. One reason is that he knows most of the songs like the
back of his hands. In terms of accuracy in lyrics, pitch and creative
maneuvre, Dare is the gate-keeper. Dede is another judge that would be
hard to satisfy when the competition gets tougher. He has been a member
of a multi-instrumentalists band, led by a phenomenal musician with a
record yet to be beaten.
It goes without saying that those contestants who render electro genre
like country music should up their game. The three judges have spoken
repeatedly on their use of microphone. The state of the microphones, and
indeed the sound system should be reviewed. All the vocal performances
have been very pitchy and it is impossible to assume that not even one
of the contestants is listening and can do it right. Also, women should
not necessarily play sensitive judges. It is such a weak stereotype with
the potential of creating the impression that women are emotional
rather than rational beings.
by Yinka Olatunbosun
