Pretty much like the title says. I mean… he sucked on American Idol. He sucked hardcore. How the hell did he get a record? How the hell did he get a music video? I mean… it’s just… cuz…
::Splutters incoherently, waits for fellow Dopers to come to the rescue::
Truly, incredibly sorry about double-posting my own OP, but I forgot to give the link to his website. See, they gave him one of those too! And… ugh, forget it.
This is funny. He’s making the most of his ill-gotten 15 minutes of fame.
It’s nothing new, either. My dad played me a record he’d acquired, that was recorded oh, way back (1950s?), which featured the abysmal singing of some rich woman who was convinced that she had talent. She paid for the production of the album herself (or her husband did), and I guess it sold because it was so hilariously bad. She screeched and wobbled off-key, and it was pretty funny. Didn’t need to hear it more than once, though.
The way I see it, there’s bad, worse, abysmal, and then there’s the kind of bad that’s so bad that you have to keep it close by just to remind yourself how bad it really is. The first time you experience it, two days later you’re saying to yourself “It couldn’t have been that bad. I’d better try again.” Sure enough, it was that bad.
Audio: William Shatner singing “Tambourine Man.” Visual: Plan 9 From Outer Space. Taste: The first time you ever tried Vegemite.
I wonder what this says about humanity; that some people are getting wads of money for doing something so terribly that we have to ask them to do it over and over again. If he practices and actually gets good, his fleeting career be over.
Brilliant!
he actually can hold a tune, it’s just his delivery thats terrible. and at least he’ not trying to be something he isn’t, and it’s actually his voice. (Ashanti’s “guide vocals” mysteriously being passed off as J-Lo’s lead vocals, anyone?)
The public need people like william hung to remind us all how fake the music industry can be.
I hape william has an absolute blast while it lasts, and that Simon Cowell’s milk goes sour when he wants a cup of tea.
He’s recorded an entire album. I think it’s great, everybody wins.
You mean Florence Foster Jenkins?
“The Glory (???) of the Human Voice”?
My dad has that on vinyl and CD…
I have almost started a post on this more than once. I am stunned and can’t imagine what they are thinking. It seems like a cruel joke, to honest. He is so very bad, it just seems like they are doing this so everyone can have a good laugh. I know, I know, when Williams Shatner does it is really is funny, but hey, he is a star and can take the jokes. This just seems rude.
Every time someone says something like “It seems like a cruel joke,” I have to wonder just how stupid you think Mr. Hung is. He’s a college student, not special ed. He’s not retarded. He just has lousy performance delivery.
If this all has his approval, then it’s pretty obvious that he gets the joke. He’s not being duped or anything. As I said, he’s not some retarded child who needs to have a guardian vet all of his decisions.
I’d bet that he understands what’s actually going on, is buying into the joke, and is quite happy with just the continuation of his 15 minutes of fame.
Well, I’m sure if he feels real bad he can weep all over his huge pile of money. I have no plans to buy his album, but I think it’s cool if he can laugh at himself plus make some cash.
Let me tell you, William Hung is not a stupid young man. He’s making hay while the sun shines. I’m sure he’s laughing, too, just yukking it up while he counts and folds all his money. Sell a few novelty albums and you get your tuition and then some, and have a little fun while you’re at it.
And I would point out that he DOES sing in tune, at least, while is more than you can say for Camille Velasco.
The appeal of Hung, of course, is not just that he’s bad and comical, but that he’s kind of likeable. He was one of the few rejected contestants who, rather than bitching out the judges or claiming disbelief, said “Well, I tried my best. Thanks!” and walked off camera.
I’ve heard his album. And, no, I didn’t buy it - someone at work brought it in and played it for us.
I think I can describe his album best by saying that “She Bangs” is probably his best work. What he does to “Hotel California” cannot be described.
I heard over the weekend that sales were slow and disappointing. (For retailers, not Hung - I would hope he gets some money regardless of sales.) Big surprise. :rolleyes:
I agree that his popularity isn’t about making fun of him. People appreciate and respect his self-confidence/esteem in the midst of an incredible lack of talent. He doesn’t care; he does what he likes. People may be laughing at him but they all secretly wish they had his sense of inherent self-confidence. I know I do.
I just want to mention that I know who this guy is. I’ve seen him on TV and heard his rendition of “She Bangs”. As for the rest of the contestants and previous winners. I couldn’t pick them out of a line-up to save my life.
I find it funny that here they are trying to find the next big talent and instead this guy has become the “star”.
I think it’s about half and half. My wife still feels sorry for him whenever she sees him. I tell her, “Come on, he’s the big man on campus now!” But she still thinks it’s sad. 
Hey, I like him though. He gave me a good song to review for my website.
No, I can assure you, confidence isn’t what I lack. I’m just laughing at him. No, that’s not true, 'cause I’m actually just thinking its sad, but perhaps I’m out of line. Maybe he knows how bad he is and is using this as a way to pay his tuition. However, if he is truly dreaming of becoming a star, then I stick with my statement, this seems cruel.
But in the future, please do not project your feelings into my “secret wishes.” Your experience doesn’t reflect mine.
I don’t think he carries a tune very well, and his delivery is awful. It’s good that he’s got such excellent self esteem, and is apparently a good sport though. 
(I don’t watch American Idol, I’ve seen snippets of it though.)
hijack
Ok, I’ll admit it. I hadn’t heard this before. I Googled to try to find something about it, but could find no news stories. Can anyone provide a link for this please?
/hijack
If you’re not laughing at him then I’m not projecting your “secret wishes.” Judging from your first post, it didn’t sound like you were laughing at all.
I thought she was talking about Mrs. Miller.
And in any discussion of bad music, we can’t forget the ever-popular Shaggs.