Betty Buckley - NYT piece

[john]

Betty Buckley is known to many Haliens on Twitter for her criticisms of Randy for his dismissive comments about contestants that are "too Broadway." She is a theater, film and television actress and singer. She is a Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee. And she's from Texas, so don't mess with Ms. Buckley.

Theater Talkback: Betty Buckley on Why She Took on ‘American Idol’

In a moment of indignation, I wrote a series of Twitter posts earlier this month addressing “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson and his propensity to call voices he doesn’t like “too Broadway.” This prompted a mini-firestorm from others who, like me, for the past 11 years have had it with the categorical devaluation of voices that Mr. Jackson, and Simon Cowell before him, don’t appreciate.

Nigel Lythgoe, the producer of “Idol,” respectfully responded, explaining that in Britain, where he and Mr. Cowell are from, there is a commonly used distinction between what’s called a “show” voice and a “pop” voice. After a series of back and forth tweets with me, Mr. Lythgoe graciously assured me he would talk to Mr. Jackson about this categorical dismissal. Good to know...

I saw “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” ...Some voices in this “Porgy” are operatic. Some are bluesy. Some are gospel, making use of melisma (the “Idol” judges’ favorite demonstration of vocal dexterity.) There is vibrato – Randy Jackson’s bugaboo. But all combine to touch the human spirit.....

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/0...ican-idol/