While you were on the Today Show this a.m., Patti LuPone and Susan Boyle had a conversation on, I think, ABC. (There was a dizzying array of familiar faces on the morning news today.) Patti, who sang it originally in London in Les Miz, said she was in tears watching her on Youtube. People are mad about this woman. Just hope the bloke who gives her her first kiss doesn't run off with all her cash.

oh, you old cynic you. Aside from all of the obvious reality pageantry (the swelling music as the judges gave her a unanimous YES, and the shot of what appeared to be Ashley Simpson pre-nose job rolling her eyes) I suppose it was just nice to see her succeed. These shoes are beyond calculated, there is nothing left to chance (eh-hum Sangiya). None the less I love this clip. I want Susan Boyle to play Miss Lovett!!! Viva BOYLE!!

I suppose you had to be the first person to go against this (well done you) but can't understand why anyone would. Its a happy story in a time when all we hear about is bad news. All I can say that the whole performance was not staged or acted up. I'm British and TV over here is not over dramatised or acted like soo many US shows. Everything about the show is real so end of.

Why " ...was obviously drabbed down for effect, so you'd think she was some crazy woman off the street." Why crazy? I'm not going to comment on your statement (I have not a clue whether the Boyle-show was phony or not). What I'm going to question is your above statement: why a woman dressed in a decent dress, sans the ubiquitous feathers-tin-foil-sequined-shorts-almost-bare-breasts is considered some crazy woman off the street? Do you really think that Madonna's stage costume (that stupid, ridiculous corset) is ... normal? Oh, she's La Madonna.
Just my thought, about "crazy women off the street."

You're right. Even the shot of her eating, with those bushy eyebrows, was designed to read: nutty wacko from the hinterlands.

The reason she stumbled verbally while trying to describe her hometown is because she has a learning disability due to oxygen deprivation at birth, something she has apparently been teased about much of her life. The only "professional" experience she has is singing with her church choir and a brief sting in a theatrical school.

Not my kind of music by any stretch of the imagination, but she clearly has a natural talent and a sweet, unvarnished charm. Really now, Michael. Just lighten up and let the poor woman enjoy her well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

I'm talking more about the presentation than about anything else. Susan is very cute and sings nicely. But do you think Simon really didn't know what was going to happen? You think the judges weren't prepped that this frumpy thing was going to be able to belt it out of the park? You think they didn't try everything to make it look like the decks were stacked against her? Then you probably believe every minute of Survivor too.

Dem: "why a woman in a decent dress is considered some crazy woman off the street."

Please! This is a talent show where people put on a performance and dress to win! No, Madonna isn't normal, but she has a sophisticated, glitzy look that spells success. This woman was made to look as common as possible so you'd think she had no talent.

Believe me the judges were not prepped if they were then what you saw of their faces was pure acting.

Amanda Holden (one of the 3 judges) genuinely looked utterly flabergasted when Susan sung. Amanda is an actress over here and she can't act for toffee.

I couldn't care less that the video is obviously slickly produced and edited.

I also wouldn't care if Susan Boyle was professional and not amature.

The whole package was so stunningly beautiful and timely it matters not one bit. However, it was conceived and executed is irrelevant in the face of the message and joy it's bringing to many.

Ugly pettiness just looks that much more ugly and petty in comparison.

Oh yeah, it would be much better to see clips or read stories about self-absorbed slutty acting young brats such as some of the ones on your site. How dare people get excited for a lady that has endured ridicule all her life and has dedicated her life to taking care of her family.

What's the weather like down in the gutter?

Too true VonEl and Green Eyes. Me thinks some people should just lighten up and not be soo bloody bitter about everything. Another thing what the hell is Survivor???

"I adore cheap sentiment." Bette Davis.

PS - MM you are ALL over the tube today! I was on the treadmill at the gym just now and suddenly there you were (on the monitor) talking about the Hilton Sisters on E.

Here's why I think we love Susan.

http://digg.com/d1opbc

Julie, Survivor is a reality show that spawned the career of Elizabeth Hasselbeck, a conservative commentator on The View who took off her panties for peanut butter.

all those who "love Susan" should remember she is a devout Scottish Catholic which means like those pigs at St Patricks she hates gays, is vehemently against abortion, etc etc. Grinding her hips grotesquely on camera belies her "virgin" status -- as soon as "sugar tits" Simon Cowell signs her to a contract, you can be sure she will be fleeced by the man who she says she expects to find asap--

Are you having a bad day (or life) Marlon??

Wow - either I'm naive or some of you guys are too jaded for your own good. I think she must be the real thing - her reaction backstage bears this out, if nothing else...

Musto, you camp dingbat. When have you been significant? Do you have any actual talent? Nobody cares. Granted, the segment was masterfully edited. Why shouldn't it have been? For anyone to sing that well and movingly at a low-tech, amateur audition is astonishing, and it's right that it should be celebrated. Please go away a long time ago.

Marlon you sound like a religious bigot, a snob and a little bit too defensive (i think you have had a bad day/life) don't be soo presumptious

how did anyone see Musto on TV since that fat turd of an archibishop has been getting free blowjobs on all the channels? -- since when do these hate-mongers get all this free publicity for their homophobic sect? As for Susan, she has a middling Broadway=style soprano voice but Musto is absolutely right -- the whole show is staged, she auditioned and was doubtless told to dress down and not shave her eyebrows, etc etc -- does anyone really think Cowell does anything at all in an uncalculated way, without the almighty dollar as sole motivation? Nothing on a Simon Cowell show occurs by accident -- and Susan is clearly as ugly inside as as her exterior would lead us to believe --

I love all you British idiots who are saying, "Who cares if it's fake and bullshit and contrived and rehearsed and phony? It makes us feel good! Because we're morons!"

Carla, I don't think there's anyone as ugly on the inside as you seem to be.

How can it be possible that this Youtube link has had over 15 million hits in only 4 days! It's just utterly amazing. This woman reminds us of someone we know (or might like to) perhaps. For me, she's my Brit grany who looked very much like her when I was young. Same eyebrows. Same shoes. Same stout, Midlands, farm-raised look. The backstory makes us feel good about ourselves by feeling good about other people.

Even we are perhaps being conned, I don't mind.

Wow the backlash starts on here (what a suprise!!) some people don't break any stereotypes on this discussion board

Everyone I know has gone nuts over this clip to the point of tears, saying it's given them renewed hope, etc. But I completely agree with you-the whole thing came off as contrived and rehearsed. She seems like a very sweet lady but her voice isn't that good and she was obviously manipulated by the producers to be the next Paul Potts.

How can anyone possibly know how the show was edited, or if they knew she was coming, or if they set it up even? Anyone saying that is offering nothing more than a theory which none can prove. Ridiculous. Have some common sense instead of letting your jaded mouths get ahead of you.

And to all the people commenting on Simon Cowell being the money-grabbing mastermind behind it? Congratulations, because you're all more cynical and jaded than he is.

You judged a show based on no factual evidence, a performer on the platform she chose, and based your 'opinions' on your own spiteful inability to see something triumphant as a positive thing.

Well done...hold your head high and be proud.

deus ex machina - soo true

The thing I find most astonishing is that anyone would think that a British TV talent show is run by brilliant manipulative masterminds who can control the reactions of millions of people worldwide and that Simon Cowell is some sort of all-powerful, all-knowing genius.

This show's orchestra is a tape deck somebody presses a button on backstage -- exactly how slick are we supposed to believe this is? Yes, it's sharply edited, but any 15 year-old with a computer could make a tv show look just as good.

Are we honestly supposed to believe that nowhere in any village in Scotland is anyone remotely like Susan Boyle? Really? That nobody looks like that or would dress that way to be on a British TV talent show? Because I have no problem at all believing that.

Clearly Boyle is the real deal. Clearly the audience and the judges were taken by surprise. Clearly some people may have lived in NYC just a little too long.

Michael, I love you, of course, but just because something makes people genuinely happy doesn't mean it has to be evil.

Yeah, well the Anti-Susan Boyle backlash is already getting old. These kind of opinions spring up within seconds. You're already 5 days late.

YOU ARE JUST ONE JEALOUS FUCKER THAT WILL NEVER BECOME FAMOUS AS SHE HAS IN A FEW DAYS!!!!!!! GO DIE IN A DITCH!!!!!!! SUSAN ROCKS!!!!!

this clearly wasn't staged. no one is smart enough to make this up or else it would be done over and over. next thing you'll be telling everyone sully ditched his plane for fame. get a life!

Lets put it simple..ladies and gentlemen!Susan has shown that she doesnt only have a voice but that she is simply a natural, straightforward and AUTHENTIC person!
Dont we all want to have such a moment in our lives? Be famous AND be loved by the world?
Could it be that some of u are simply ashamed of bearing such a wish in the depest depths of ur souls?

I did send the link of Susan to all my friends of my personal network on www.gayromeo.com and we ALL keep our fingers crossed for her and for her further career!

A dog comes upon a small flower.

He shits upon it.

That is all.

Simon actually said some nice things about here here too:

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=7ea5b582-4361-49a9-9eb9-ea2c1e8193c5

This article is just sickening.

Although it is pretty typical, usual and synical meeting every criteria of the Voice and the author.

Here's her story you cynical saddo. As you can see, she IS the real deal. She didn't 'dress down' either - she wore her best dress and had her hair curled specially.

http://deadlinescotland.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/britains-got-talent-star-susan-boyle-on-song-for-blackburn/

The producers would have known she was good, as they must pass the pre-auditions in order to perform before the judges, but I highly doubt the judges knew, even Simon. None of them can act to save their lives, even Amanda who calls herself an actress - she's crap.

What an ignorant article. Patti LuPone a superstar with years of training compared to an unemployed church worker with no real training. Are you that stupid to compare apples to pick up trucks?
Could you back up your so called knowledge of the production of UK television?
Could you call her singing less than spectacular?
You are one jaded person. The hits on You Tube alone prove that the rest of us believe in the Ugly Duckling. We believe that dreams are allowed to come true for what society deems as less than the norm.
As for you....I hope the ice around your heart, the cynacism of your soul softens and you keep your "opinions" to yourself.

Definitely some masterful production work to encourage the drama but completely scripted and fake? Absolutely not. And I've heard the behind-the-scenes stories about scripted reality shows from actor friends who've been in or audited for them but this was basically real from her personality, to the audience's reaction. The performance including the drama before and after was exciting and inspiring to watch even with a cynical awareness of the showmanship behind it.

Author is a troll

Anything associated with Simon Cowell is fake and cynical and manipulated. His genius is to sell that to the masses as "truth" and they ignorantly buy it.

Musto,

Fake and manipulated is something TV does all the time. Sometimes the leitmotiv is kids sniffing glue, people shooting people, non-American-villains-and-American-heroes...

Even the press does so. Media has much less to do with reality than media people admit. So when they turn almost-beggar-ugly-brit into beautiful singer able to shut Cowell's mouth, it's a good dream they are faking a manipulating.

cheers

I feel sorry for some of the people who have posted negative comments about Susan Boyle. They truly must be quite depressing people if they pick fault in a story like this. It must be quite a miserable existance that they live. Who cares if it was tarted up a little its a great story. Now everyone stop whining

Was it orchestrated? Maybe. Were we manipulated? Maybe. You know what, I don't care. I can only say that that was the best thing I've seen in forever. You can still be touched by the consummate ruse. Happens all the time in movies and tv. I love Susan. And I do think she's the real deal. Dig this torchy version of "Cry Me a River" she did for a charity cd some 10 years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=related

Can you believe she's never been kissed? Gawd, if she sang this for me I'd surely drop my knickers faster than you can say "Brigadoon".

Musto, you cynical bitch queen! Where is your humanity? Take a vacation why don't ya. Take the last train out of Snarksville while there's hope.

You're just jealous 'cause your eybrows look better on her!

So There!

Wow, The Voice's Long March into oblivion continues!

Wow. A jerk. In NY. Try being less typical.

Wowee, the nut are coming out of the woodwork for this one.

For what it's worth, I agree with the post 100%. The woman is a good singer but nothing extraordinary. Of course the judges knew she would be good and were told how to act. Simon was playing the whole thing for the cameras. At one point near the end you can even see him smiling at her and then quickly glancing at the camera to make sure he was seen doing it.

While the words may not be scripted, there were reaction shots of the hosts, judges, and audience members inserted to tell you exactly what you're supposed to be feeling throughout the performance. The whole thing seems rather ingenuine.

Susan Boyle is either a BRILLIANT actress willing to take part in one of the biggest, most complicated hoaxes in the history of entertainment (her entire life story has been fabricated?) or she's a woman who brought her talent to the stage, had it edited by producers whose job it is to create entertainment and has gone on to inspire others to embrace their lives in all of their warty glory. The perspective you adopt speaks volumes about the person you are.

Who knew "Now Voyager" was such a prophecy? I'm holding my breath for the makeover...her "B" side recording hit you tube today.Soon she won't be cryin' anyone a river!

That cry me a river song is right up there with miss peggy lee!

Reading your acticle is like watching the judges and that audience have such sinck looks of disbelief. You sound like a bully so from all those who love Susan, go to hell
You rock Susan

Gads, MM you are repulsive!! This is my first and my LAST visit to this site.

Whoah. Did Musto shoot the Pope? Susan Boyle is real, the artifice is in the presentation is all he's saying. Someone had to pass her through in the audition process so there's a chance they weren't completely surprised by her performance. A lot of folk think they have some hidden talent that has gone unexpressed. It's almost like Susan Boyle represents the perfect finale to that secret fantasy, that's her attraction. Besides, the world is just looking for some good news these days. Mister Musto failed to genuflect. Six Hail Marys.

Vive la liberte d'expression!

If you have had a bad day or have a bad life, please do not hesitate to post your negative comment here... you're in the right place as you can read in some posts...

If you are one of them, go ahead, spend two minutes to write your opinion about it, but have in mind that you won't get the Pulitzer for sure... and don't worry [nobody will notice] so you can spit all your poison that burns your mouth, you'll feel relieved but not be healed...

After all, tomorrow, you'll be the same, nothing will change in your miserable life... (if you can call it a life)

But you have a chance, YES, there is hope, so you can go to the nearest corner-store and buy a forest where you'll get the oppotunity to get lost...

At least, I can say for sure that when I saw the video and heard her singing, I completely forgot [for seven minutes] my daily problems I deal with in my NOT unhappy life, believe me...

But anyway, who cares?

Well it worked honey! Little Simon, Rupert Murdoch, and everyone else involved in the franchise are wheeling in the barrows of cash!
I've watched the video several times. It was as exciting as room reveal on Clean House
(sans Niecey Nash) but she showed us heart, and for a few minutes we all had a little hope. It was probably the Les Mis number, but the first time many of us see that video, we remember what hope is. Some people had it last November...We need to be reminded in this from time to time.
Then Simon opens his mouth and you remember it's all about Simon's bank account. But for one brief moment,honey, we all clapped for Tinkerbell.

I made my first post before I read all the spew. Jonster is a doll and I concur with his post completely. Kudos to the earlier B. Davis quote.
Someone during the audition process saw a moment of magic, the news made it's way to Simon who played it like a true, um,showman. He played it up. He may be a greedy ass but he orchestrated a moment of magic for all of us. I'll even say thanks Simon.
I must throw a ruby red conspiratorial slipper in the works and ask if there's any co-incidence that this particular magical episode occurs the very same week Fox sponsored their Teabagging parties?????? Big Tea Party media hit one day, next day Sweet Susan to erase the memory.....Rupert Murdoch and Karl Rove- the evil king and queen of media... they ARE that evil but I'm not sure if even they could have planned it so precisely.

On the bright side ... it's another 6 weeks before she actually does anything ... this was still in the wacky "american idol" losers (william hung) audition weeks.

What a bitch. I heard New Yorkers were a bunch of pricks but until I read this I thought it was just a stereotype.

For 'someone who knows the inner workings of TV' you are pretty ignorant about the format of this show. The producers line up the acts (the judges do not get to see them before hand) and mostly they are rotten. They are not given any help or make up at this stage. That is part of the shows appeal in the UK.

The woman in question has spent much of her life looking after her mother who died recently. She's had a learning disability since birth for which she has been bullied. Yet she still comes across as a warm, friendly and down to earth human being who doesn't let her disadvantages effect her cheery outlook.

As for her look, she's clearly not 'up' on the latest New York fashions and simply tried to look her best - for which non-bitches love her.

You really could do with taking a leaf out of her book.

You think you're being clever but it has backfired and you simply come across like the high school bully. It is clear to anyone reading your post how ugly you are on the inside.

Well done you.

Oh, and go stick your head in a bucket.

Susan Boyle's much-hyped TV appearance was "scripted" -- and the public was bamboozled again

Susan Boyle's much-hyped TV appearance was "scripted" and the public was bamboozled again

Although of course she deserves kudos for a great voice and a great personality and going ahead with the TV appearance, but readers, bloggers everywhere, this entire show in the UK is scripted, the judges are all paid entertainers, Susan Boyle did not just walk on the stage and sing a song, unknownst to the judges or the audience even. The entire event was prepared and scriped, they don't leave any room for chance on these kinds of "reality" and Live shows, it is pure TV billshit, and we have been bullshitted again and the entire world has gone gaga for a PR stunt of major proportions.

Again, Susan Boyle was not part of this, she was just a guest on the show, but she knew what was going on and none of her lines were spontaneous. It was all scripted, stage managed by professionals. Again, I not blaming her for this. She went on the show and has a great voice and deserves all the good luck and fortune that comes her way, yes.

But we should all know that it did not happen the way the "media" and the show's producers want us to believe. The virgin, the never been kissed, the "I will never be lonely again" remarks on CNN, the spinster headlines, all the hype. She had voice lessons for two years, she has now admitted. She made a CD in 1999. She was not some unknown non-professional singer who just "happened" to walk on that stage. It is all rehearsed and scripted.

We have been bamboozled by the Brits again, using Hollywood hype as their tool. And CNN and LArry King and Ap and all the media went for it, because it's a great story. But the entire show, and her part especially, was scripted. Don't believe me? Ask me how I know. I know.

leave comments below

Wow, even Michael can be a complete fucking asshole! Just proof that NYC gets to best of us eventually.

From one who escpaed and remained human.

Danny Bloom, believe me British TV is nothing like the bullshit you see on your screens. I know. We would be the first to spot a fake as Brits are biggest cynics. So don't assume based on what you see on your screens that British TV is the same.

Oh, right. So on American TV, Simon Cowell is a fake, but then he goes and does British TV and he's totally authentic.
Ha!

I live in central Scotland. Susan Boyle certainly isn't a pro. A while ago she appeared in a talent contest at a local social club and she didn't even win it.

I used to enjoy and respect you, Mr. Musto.

Nevermore.

Perhaps I am just a cynical / grumpy old man (read 70yr old grandfather) but I cannot help but place your article in the pidgeon hole of "typically American / nothing genuine exists outside the borders of good old US of A".

As so many have said before me - there is whole world beyond the superfical, skin deep, tinsel town of American hype !!

UP THE UNDERDOG - Susan Boyle is genuine - she spent her time caring for family and gained her talents through being an avid church goer and member of the choir - THAT was what I found in a simple google search - try it sometime - preferably before writing !!

Aussie Aussie Aussie (do you know where "downunder" is ? !!)

The fact so many Americans want to believe the show segment was not staged helps explain how George Bush Jr. was voted in for two consecutive terms.

Simon Cowell well understands how to market to such a willing populace.

Why does Simon look better on British TV than he does here? The camera takes at least ten years off him. Must be those special "Oprah" filters. And Amanda Holden is a dream to watch. I love her. They should trade her for Kara and Paula.
La Grand Puta: Mwah!

You cynical creepy jealous Bastards. A Voice of an Angel & still you A HOLES
say was staged. GOD BLESS HER & YOU WHICH DOUBT GO & FIND A BETTER ONE. Can't you Morons. How dare you ridicule a woman which
is now Faceless, but her voice is indeed a
Blessing & a FAKE you say. I am in AMERICA & SUSAN BOYLE is now Everywhere & where are you RUGRATS. LOVE YA SUSAN. Please GOD find her a soulmate & if none, stay single & Virtuous. A Blessing from GOD. Bert

It is now coming out that the same TV techniques were used for that opera singing guy as for Susan. The entire thing was a set up, a sweet set up with great results yes, but folks, we been bamboozled.....even Susan is getting worried now and getting testy with interviewers...this whole thing will become UNDONE soon and many people will be again disappointed.....TV is a game, a show, it is NOT reality, Simon knows that best of all. MUSTO said it right, above. Events will prove him correct. Sad to say. Susan, we hardly knew ye.......WATCH THIS ENTIRE THING IMPLODE

Musto has shown there is little to be risked by being too cynical...

Michael Musto, you truly are full of s h i t of course a loser like you who only knows downdraft to anything would think like this.. go soak you head...

Mr. Musto, I feel very sorry for you. Does it make you feel superior to trash another person? Obviously, you did not even bother to just listen to this gifted woman. Nope, you had to start tearing down her "illusion", saying she was a "frump" and Patti LuPone, who at 60 could also sing--guess you missed Ms. LuPone complimenting Ms. Boyle--or was that done by Central Casting also? People like you just makes me tired--you try so hard to be the cynical, jaded person--you forget how to be human. What a sad, sad, little person you are. I'd tell you to go piss off--but truly, you are not worth the trouble...

Danny Bloom you are a complete tosser. You seem to not be able to grasp the difference between good editing and scripted TV.

Sure, the producers scouts knew they had a surprise on their hands, but you seem to suggest this woman is some sort of professional actress.

And that the theatre audience and judges were all in on it? Give me a break - I suppose you're one of those who thinks the moon landings were fake too?

Why cant you just accept that sometimes people come along who surprise us, and break through the usual bland idea of 'perfection' that we've all come to blindly swallow.

It really is annoying to listen to creeps like you and the OP proudly announce the whole thing as fake with some sort of self satisfied glee, when really you have no idea what you talking about.

Ask me how I know.

Rob,
it does not give me any pleasure to say this show was faked from the get go, editing included. watch the video again. she even says on air, when asked she ever did this kind of thing before, "oh, yeh, once when i was 12...." that is an outright lie. It does not give me ANY pleasure to be right on this. I also love wonderful things in life, and she IS wonderful....but this show is fakem scripted and rehearsed. A top reporter is right now writing expose of the show. Not Susan. she is cool. it is the show that is trying and has pulled the wool over the public\s eyes....because they want it...

There are NOW 5 blogs like this and mine saying this story is faked....

The proof that this wasn't faked is that it was recorded back in January and no one connected with the show had the slightest inkling of what an internet phenomenon it would become. Piers Morgan and Simon Cowell only fully appreciated her potential after they had watched the show on TV and seen the audience reaction then the subsequent media coverage. They knew she had a great voice but they didn't know that there would be a worldwide outpouring of mawkishly sentimental mass hysteria. It's great television and she is a great singer but as to conspiracy theories asbout it being a set up away and bile yer heid as we say in Scotland.

it is fun to see how many people get worked up when their love for an ugly Catholic nun who grinds her hips obscenely on TV and bellows in a sub-par off-Broadway voice is challenged -- Musto is absolutely right and does not deserve the abuse he has received above -- this so-called "devout Scottish Catholic" loathes and despises most of the very people who worship her, which means she will fit in comfortably in the Simon Cowell world of making a fortune off the very people you hate -- that's show biz kiddies! The fix is on!!

Michael Musto is a jaded, suspicious queen with no heart. I hope I never in my life reach a point where I'm simply unable to enjoy a beautiful moment, without looking for the man behind the curtain. What a shame to go through life with such a hardened heart. Take a vacation, Michael. You're clearly overworked, dear.

Sally I suggest you get out more you sound bitter & lonley, bless you

Sally sounds like a typical bigoted American. Can you even point out Scotland on a map? I doubt it. hahahaha

who needs to know where a country is where people walk around with haggis stuffed up their rectums? When fat, ugly, and sadly untalented Sue cashes in big, be advised that much of whatever consumers pay for her mediocre singing will go to anti-gay, anti-condom, anti-abortion, etc movements, ie the lunatic fringe of the Catholic church -- all those who have insulted the Mighty Musto, our national treasure among gossip columnists, may be disappointed to know that he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and will zap all of you right-wing haters, just like old JC with the fig tree that refused to bear -- so much for your pious "oh dears" and "take a vacation" -- screw every Scots Catholic !!

Michael is farting out the wrong end.

I agree. It was about 90% staged (a) for TV and (b) for Youtube. Wake up people!

They even double-tracked Susan's vocal on one of the more popular clips i saw, making it sound far more mellifluous than it actually was live.

The producers know from the previous example of Paul Potts how critical a promotional tool Youtube is.

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME.... YOU NEED A HEARING CHECK. AND YOU ARE RUDE TO BAT. WHAT THE HELL IS WORNG WITH YOU. she was even better then eElaine singing that song. WAY BETTER, that "frumpy" woman is beautiful and i gasp everytime i hear her voice sing that song on my computer. you should be ashamed of yourself, FOOL

Michael may be right - to a certain extent. I work in PR and this does seem like a publicity stunt - engineered from the beginning. It has everything - the 'under dog', a lovely (slightly quirky) unassuming person, and the wider commentary on judging books by covers sorta thing.

That being said, I still really enjoyed the clip, Susan's talent and the idea that Simon smugly smirking Cowell gets put in his place by sheer talent, rather than the crap that he tends to peddle.

THE SMOKIN GUN: "The show was recorded back in January 2009 ..."

SEE?

This was all a set up! Wake up sleepwalkers. And yes, it is GOOD entertainment, I grant you that. But this was never ever a real thing.

EXACTLY THE SAME: "The producers know from the previous example of Paul Potts how critical a promotional tool Youtube is."

3o million hits and counting. $$$$$$ this was always about just one thing: $$$$$$ !

Even as I watch that video I cannot believe in a second's time of the co-host recreating her swing of the hips outgayed Seacreast on AI in his whole run.

Anyway I agree and disagree with Musto in his points. I agree, it got old and hearing a non-professional singer (That story I buy) the first time sing a tough song like that is heart-warming based on her story is fine but hear it so overplayed is too much. It was a fine rendition and I've heard better and this story peaked. But nonetheless watching the videos as continually as I have when I see the smirks and doubts from the audience I still get the urge to throw something at them.

I cannot believe someone has not YET stated the "obvious" on MM;s blog: Susan Boyle is a lesbian. Do the math people!

I don't hate Susan Boyle, I hate this stupid "phenomenon" and the idiots and the media fueling it. I'm far from a cynical person and am frequently touched by something I see on tv or the newspaper. But this thing is so mind numbingly dumb. So she's average looking (or however you want to describe it) and she can sing. So what? Hey if it gives people a smile and makes everybody feel good FINE, but the amount of media coverage has gotten ridiculous. It's a video of a woman singing for godsakes. I think this exposes two different groups of people, the first seems to be a person (who is attractive themselves) who are astonished to see a unattractive person who doesn't act retarded and have noxious fumes come out when she opens her mouth. The second seems to be a person that is a over-sentimental sheep who thinks this woman is payback against every single negative remark about their looks and thinks is going to acheive everlasting love over nasty people like some goofy after school special cartoon.

If you have seen subsequent intereviews that she has given, you KNOW she actually dresses and looks frumpy. I think she looked better during the audition than what she has on other interviews!
She DOES have a beautiful voice, but her hair could use some styling and her eyebrows plucked. She says she does not need a makeover; she is wrong! She does. There is NOTHING wrong with trying to make one look better; we all want that, and she should too.

It's you media people's fault, not Susan Boyle's.

You hate the frenzy and yet you're fueling it, albeit negatively. That you're just trying to ride on an unknown talent's growing popularity is obvious; you media people should then stop writing anything about her so nobody would be talking about her. Without the Susan Boyle tag, I bet you'd have fewer readers on this post.

And by the way, maybe your name's the one that's not real, and not hers.

I have just one thing to say to you snarky tone-deaf bitches. SHUT UP, CLOSE YOUR EYES and LISTEN to the MUSIC.

Whatever. If she wasn't such a creature double feature nobody would be making such a fuss. At least she has broadway potential- you know with all those masks, shrouded headdresses & whatnot.

Michael, you ignorant slut cynic,
If you ever bothered to google a background check on the subject before spewing your usual bile, you would know that Susan Boyle has a severe birth defect learning deficit, and lived most of her early life in isolation without friends. However a TV show chooses to introduce her, she is the real thing, whether to your taste or not.
I usually take a guilty delight in you excoriating the rich and clueless of New York, Hollywood, or Washington. But this time you miss the mark by a mile and come off as stupidly cruel...

"Survivor is a reality show that spawned the career of Elizabeth Hasselbeck, a conservative commentator on The View who took off her panties for peanut butter."

Ummm. . .peanut butter.

Seriously, Mick, I'll bet if we put you in the same dress and the same sensible shoes you wouldn't be able to make the same sounds. I don't think Simon Cowell would get all hot and bothered over you the way he did over her either.

Just sayin'. . .

This Just In: Susan Boyle is dead.
She was sunning herself near Heathrow when an India Air jumbo jet tried to land on her eyebrow. :(

You people are frickin hilarious! CeilingCrash, YOU ROCK!

Give the lady her due. It's sounds like sour grapes to cast aspersions on her style of dress. It's a heartwarming story and most people love it.

...well of course this was set up and made to look like the ultimate Cinderella story. I dont like using the "Ugly Ducking tag.
I would suggest that it was set up in post production NOT prior to her performance. The fact is the lady can sing in a way that elicits an emotional response from the audience. Thats the real mystery. Listen to "Cry Me a River" for instance and Im looking forward to her recordings to see if that ability translates well in a recording.
The performance was cleverly edited in post production and if any one dressed her down..it was her.. she has theatrical skills of her own. She milked that audience.. it was her last throw of the dice..she set out to rock that audience..and the fact is she did. She sang with emotional passion perfectly tempered with technique both musical and theatrical.

..."I detest cheap sentiment..." Bette Davis as Margo Channing in All About Eve...is the correct quote.

Give Miss Boyd a chance!

I cant believe some of the cynical, nasty, bitchy comments on here! Is THIS New York? I'm from Scotland like Susan Boyle (yes her name IS Boyle) and she's a breath of fresh air on our screens over here.

She comes from West Lothian, NOT from the set of The Devil Wears Prada you know. So we Scots dont 'dress up' as much as you 'trendy fashionistas' in Gay NYC. We are a population of barely 1m people and we are not a rich country. She to me appears dressed like any wee wummin fae the the East Coast of Scotland - I myself am West Coast Glaswegian.

As for the attack on her for being Scottish Catholic, which follows in a ludicrous assumption that this will mean she hates gays, is anti-abortion etc. Where do you people get your ideas from? WE are not St Patrick's in NYC over here.

I'm Catholic and gay and there is plenty of support for us from catholic priests who know the Vatican's stance is not the way to go. As a Scots Catholic, Susan will have lived a lot of prejudices herself in what is a Protestant country. Scottish Catholics are subjected to hatred 24/7 and now I see gays from a city I believed to be so liberal attacking her too! And you also say the 'British' are fooling you yet again? Here's a wee tip for you - WE Scottish Catholics DO NOT consider ourselves, and never will, to be British. What an insult!

Susan is actually so typically Scottish - yet people over your way see that as 'acting it'? This is who we are, Scottish! Not your shortbread and haggis. I know what its like to be stereotyped cos I'm gay - you all know it too - yet how can you allow yourselves to stereotype Susan Boyle for simply being who she is. I see women like her every day.

VERY disappointed in the comments on here - I love NYC but it seems a lot of people in your great city have succumbed to stereotyping, pigeonholing, bitchy comments and downright insults.

Good on ye Susan! We catholics in Scotland have handled the bigoted Scottish establishment for centuries. A few bitchy queens from New York wont break our spirit.

Hope all gay New Yorkers are not like this.

FABI: You're right. We would NOT appreciate her. Not on bit. You keep her.

You bitter, old queen. You are an embarrassment to all GLBT people. You just had to be the downer, who had to write ugly stuff that would bring uglier stuff from your followers. Obviously you never heard your mother say "If you've got nothing nice to say, shut up." Why would you write such a piece? You dress badly, you have no discernible talent, love to hog the camera (and do it poorly), never had half-a-minute of fame, and yet, when someone else who doesn't fit the "norm" of beauty you so envy shines, you want to bring that person down. Why don't you do that to your filthy rich celebrity friends whom you write pablum about via blind items? Why don't you have the guts to say what you realy know, mention names with facts, instead of picking on this woman? Whether the piece was edited or not, whether the judges knew or not, who cares? It made people all over the world happy. Wow, it must be very lonely and miserable being you. Go back to under your rock, you pseudo journalistic hack.

You bitter. Old. Queen. What an embarrassment to the GLBT community. Go crawl back under your rock.

Prediction: Michael Musto's writing career will tally up to (at least!!) 20 times longer than this Scottish sea hag's "singing" career. Hell, I'd rather listen to Big Edie sing- OLD Big Edie!

And BKIDDING, I'd like to ask you to add one one word you have forgotten from your lovely comment.
The word is RETARDED.
So it SHOULD read:" It made RETARDED people all over the world happy."
Sorry to have to correct you. I am not meaning to embarrass your retarded ass. :P

Girl Ditzi: for someone from the GLBT community you seem to be quite the racist. You dont appreciate her? Big deal. You are going to make racist and bigoted remarks about Scots on the basis of you don't like this woman? Pathetic. Its TV, get out your 'condo' and go for a walk. Come to think of it, if her being popular in the US has caused you to show yourself up as a bitter person who resorts to personal abuse against someone they dont even know and makes derogatory remarks about a country you obviously know nothing about then you are to be pitied like a Romany gypsy sitting begging for money in Southern Europe.

As for your use of the word 'retarded'. I hope Karma comes back to you and (literally) wallops you one on the gub for that comment.

Are you related to George Bush by any chance?

This latest import from the Shitty Isles is NOT a big star in America. To the contrary, this Anglo-Saxon she-male, with a head of pubic hair, was force-fed to us. And we are now regurgitating her back at ya's. and YOU keep her. We like talent- not trite.

And, FABI, we don't NEED to know anything about Scottland. We all come from visionaries who had the good sense to flee all those Euro shitholes.
Perhaps you are bitter your retarded forefathers hadn't done the same? Me thinks it is so.

God forbid I lived in a land where the only comfort was a hideous singing buttplug.

so... one columnist named musto at "the village voice" in n.y.c. can set off this nasty stampede of comments...all in the name of "journalistic validation" toward his nitpicking boredom with susan boyle and her awesomely authentic vocal chords?

i hope musto has a very large corral for all the sheep he's herding in... i also hope these same "sheep folk" each get their chance at personally seranading musto. oops! i guess his sheep are already in the chorus... i can hear their trendy/sophisticated/judgemental
bleeting... (not a real pleasant sound.)

(just dessert) for yet another cool "new yorker" and his followers... apparently you all have the same true appreciation for raw
talent, humility, hard work and integrity over there?

sincerely, jane stone

We don't mean to be so rude & offensive toward Ms. Boyle- just send us over thems that don't completely suck, is all.
I never new Britain was THAT miserable a place as to have to cling to Susan's Boyle's tattered 'ol Grandma dress. Maybe you people should do something about that.

Hey, maybe Ms. Boyle can sing.(I don't think so.)
But who cares?!
The point of it is, we find the calculated use of her on BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT disgusting & boring.
And you can have Lily Allen back, as well.
We'll keep Tina Brown & that other interesting Brit.

Girl Ditzi:
I do not watch 'Britain's Got Talent'. Why? These types of programmes dont interest me. So why dont you do the same? Watch something else so you dont have to become bitter and insult everyone. You seem to look to be annoyed and irritated by people just to go out and be plain offensive.

Whats with the obsession with calling people retarded? You namecall others yet you belong to a community that has to go through that every day? You may be in New York and I in Glasgow but we share that same problem in society. Yet YOU choose to insult me and you know f all about me.

I'm bitter my forefathers (apparently retarded) didnt move out of 'Euro shitholes'? Not at all.
I'm an immigrant in Scotland! The irony! I am Italian Scot. My parents moved to Scotland to make money and make it they did. I myself have further improved my family's achievemtents here with a Phd, MSc, BA Hons and comfortable living (including helping people less fortunate than me)

Unlike in your apparently superior country - no matter what illness may come my way. I do not have to spend a single 'cent' in medicine or hospital treatment. I've seen Michael Moore's work - your HMOS seem intent on killing its members. I may love visiting New York but LIVE in the USA? No chance. If I am not working I will be paid, if I cannot work due to illness, I will be paid even more. If I become homeless I will be given a home (and dumps they are not). Hillary Clinton saw the positives of the NHS but you lot in the US just kicked that woman down. A disgrace. The best person I've ever met from your country.

So the Scots 'escaped' shitholes? Well it was more like they were CHASED out by the Anglo-Saxon protestants from murderous England of the time. As for the Irish - I wouldnt call having to live through the hell of the coffin ships to New York (AND to Scotland too) because of the English starving them as a 'planned' emmigration to America.

America - named after an Italian like me!
America - discovered by an Italian, like me!
America - whose flag was created by a Scotswoman and was first named the Betsy Ross after her.
These Scots were the ones who liberated your country from those English usurpers.
America- whose Founding Fathers were SCOTTISH
America - who couldnt survive without the help of modern Britain helping in her illegal wars.

So excuse me if I dont give a rat's arse if some woman who I actually care not much about anyway, is irritating a bigoted, racist GAY who should be called Spitzi Ditzi on reading the BILE from her mouth.

Being involved with L Word Conventions, I have gay friends from New york who come over for these meetings. They are NOTHING like you. Thank God. You apear to be New York's own 'retarded' Susan Spitzi Ditzi Boyle!!!

This is my last input on this thread. I do not wish to shape my opinions on New York, based on bigots who dont know their arse from their own elbow.

Ciao bella cretina !!!!

FABI- You started it! Leave Michael Musto alone. He is stating his opinion. He is NOT a bitter queen- he is a SHADY, QUEENY critic. He brings oodles of hope to us homebound gays. And you made fun of US first. We are not bad people- we just simply are a smart, cynical people who can read a set-up like Susan Boyle with our eyes closed.

fabi~ your last post was so spot-on it brought me to my knees~ you cut to the core of this entire discussion~ with the dignity, intelligence and grace of a human being who is real.
you are obviously doing your "earth time" with a heart that speaks across great distances. you and susan boyle have much in common.
thank you both for connecting with each person who hears who you are, and for sharing with us all, that which really matters...
from the west coast of the u.s., to glasgow and to west lothian scotland, i send you and susan boyle both, my gratitude, respect and love.

jstone

ps:regarding this "girl ditzi"??? she is the exact same voice of cynical intollerance
heard round the world over centuries of human discourse. luckily, her ignorant
arrogance has "evolved" to the point of
wiping out both her credibility and her words.

Wow, the YouTube level of comments here is stunning. So much stupidity on every front.

The internet, the final battlefield between the the cynical and the gullible.

Susan Boyle sucks- but her fans suck more.

I have been on two UK reality TV programmes and the editing is phenomenal, to the point where people are not recognisable as themselves.

If a producer wants some to be dowdy they will appear so, if they are aiming for a demon, that will happen and if they want a star this will occur also.

I have also worked in the media for five years and that is how it is.

Brits tend to be more guillible than the yanks and suffer from the media placebo effect, where they belive the producer is their personal friend and imparts all that he does with the utmost honesty.

Shaheen, Susan and Hollie have now been surprises. I have auditioned for reality talent shows, and I had to send in a video, be screened and then audtioned, before I was even filmed.

People have their photographs taken, their back stories are pinned to application forms and you are vetted by armies of researchers.

When people appear on reality shows most people who watch say "It was nothing like you" which is true because in real -life you do not edit out bits.

Alot of people on reality Programs who are hailed as the heroes, fail to meet up to the public's expectation because they are not really like the edited representation you see.

Susan is atypical as she is older and her personality is set, but I a sure she said much more than never been kissed, but the rest was just edited out for effect.

Brits do not look or act as confident as Yanks, but editing and manipulation is part of the process on any show. Otherwise it would appear shambolic as life does.

you call people names, have you looked at your self!!!!!!!!!!!!! so sick of the gay agenda being cramped downour throats, no pun intentded.

Michael, what's it like to be a complete and utter moron?

oh susan has such a magnificent voice, I fell in love when she performed "I dreamed a dream". My entire family and I watched it and my mother cried in happiness. I am very happy with her abilities :)