interesting idea, penn. i would make an exception for american/australian idol too. not sure what exactly is bad about judging art per se, i object to these 'young talent time' respawns as a false, insincere attempt at democratising art. as for sport, well, orwell may be right about nationalism and sport, and sartre was probably correct when he looked at boxing and thought it a bloody spectacle that enables the powerful to divide the proles. i love sport despite these shortcomings.
An example of how a little cultural-ignorance is cool---Christianity's Prosperity Gospel says that God "wants" us children-of-God to be 'rich' ('ignorant' of the fact that--if an individual's riches don't make someone else poor--they make EVERYONE'S RICHES worth a little less)
Good; There's No Cursing in This Vid! (I might be a little bit angry, as "American Idol" DESERVES MORE CURSING; but it's good for the kids to hear that open-mindedness DOES require a little 'ignorance.')
I try to separate "real culture" from the subset "pop culture". You shouldn't be ignorant of your civilization's real culture, but modern pop culture is so broad, and contains so much abject crap, it's a waste of time to try and take it all in. An hour spent watching American Idol or one of the countless idiotic "reality" shows is an hour I can't spend reading a book or learning something. I have to prioritize my time.
I can't say that I don't like justin bieber. I can say I don't care for him. I have no feelings towards him at all. I couldn't care less if he died tomorrow or 50 years from now. I don't care about this person, but I do care about people who bring him up in youtube comments. SHUT THE FUCK UP. How can you be ignorant of something if you keep talking about it, unless you're talking out of your ass?
i work in a supermarket. i don't even hear the music anymore.
i think it's ok to be ignorant of stupid things like idol. when it comes to important things in our culture, we should at least have a working knowledge even if it's something that doesn't pique our interest.
He should get into politics. He just spoke in circles for over 3 minutes and I don't get the point. I'm proud to be ignorant of stupid mindless shit like American idol.
hey there #VIDEOPOSTERID#, awesome quality! It certainly way too bad that youtube doesn't allow complete tv episodes and movies or else youtube would certainly be the best. Which is precisely why I RANDSET(use|started using|depend on|go with|go to|head over to)# stream episodes [dot] net instead to enjoy just about all the tv shows and movies that youtube does not permit
Hi Penn fans. Penn Says videos have been discontinued, so you won't be seeing any new content on here. You can check out our Profile on our Channel Page for more info. We'll still be checking in, so hope to keep chatting with you all! Thanks!
@pennsays Melisma is what you hear at the end of "The Jeffersons" theme song: "We've fin'lly got a piece of the pie-i-i-i--i-i-i-i- yeah!" Multiple notes on one syllable.
At least you didn't throw out the biggest red herring - the accusation of karaoke. These singers have to audition a capella and if they get to perform on the big stage it's with one of the best bands going - Ricky Miner - who is now going to the Jay Leno show. And they do it without pitch modulation devices which many big stars use. And as you root for them, you find out a lot about their character.
I agree with the judging part, which I really don't dig. I often record AI & skip the judges comments. Yet, I think he misses the point of what is good about this show. The music business is in shambles & gets worse as the economy falters. This show represents the best shot some talented artists in THIS generation have to make a real career of their music. Idol only has a few superstars, but there are a lot of Idols in all different genres who are supporting themselves by performing their music.
When you say melisma I assume you mean vocally. Being a jazz player like myself, are you against all melisma or only the extended pop versions? I personally enjoy singers like Kurt Elling (and for that matter deceased singers like Ella Fitzgerald) who both use melisma to great effect in their music.
ok honestly I had to google the hell out of that word. I had no idea what it meant or how to spell it so as far as googleing goes thanks. after reading the wikipedia reference i still have no idea what it means.
Palestinian children - 300 hundred of them - killed in the Gaza ghetto, trapped inside walled open air prisons, bombarded with the most sophisticated weaponry the US lobs to Israel for free. Yeah try to keep telling decent people, including humanitarian Jews, that weeping for those children is wrong, or antisemitic or being a Nazi.
The old Zionist doublespeak doesn't work any more. Americans are sick of financing Israel's apartheid/genocide of the Palestinians, and sick of the lies.
"Well, it is a trick we always use it, it is very easy to call people who criticize us "antisemitic" and when someone is criticizing Israel then we bring out the Holocaust." -- Shulamit Aloni
I only watch the first part of American Idol, it's dead funny to see people who think they can sing, and utterly fail, then blame Simon for them being so bad.
But the rest of the show I can care less about. I also don't watch sports, read books, or leer at woman. but I have my own reason for that... (Oh field hockey is fun to watch BTW)
100 of billions. The US has gi ven 100s of billions in welfare to Israel over the past 60 years plus unlimited military support, so they can commit apartheid and genocide against the Palestinians. Uh-oh, there's that elephant in the room again. Quick, change the subject to Britney or Michael, or this fat fuck's spawn.
How is Hollywood product "culture?" Every major Hollywood studio, every television network, every major newspaper, every publishing house -- controlled by Zionists. Zionists are Jewish Supremacists, believing Jews have an INVISIBLE RACIST CLOUD FATHER who tells them to enslave or kill the rest of humanity. Zionists currently are committing genocide against the Palestinians, funded in the 100s of millions w/ US tax dollars.
Penn Jillette's TV show is owned by uber-Zionist Sumner Redstone.
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I don't agree with what Israel is doing either but there is a much more, less paranoid and delusional, way to get your point across. You need to get people on your side. Using hate speech and made up shit will only alienate people to your cause.
Amnesty International condemns Israel for war crimes for trapping Palestinian civilians in Gaza ghettos & bombarding them with the most sophisticated weaponry the US gives them, including white phospherous bombs -- right up there with Napalm for causing maximum painful death. Humanitarian Jews everywhere condemn Israel for exploiting the memory of the holocaust to excuse these atrocities, including Noam Chomsky, Tony Judt, Sir Gerald kaufman. Are all these people paranoid & delusional?
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Of course not. I have books by most of those people on my bookshelf. But making generalizations stating Anti-Israel and anti-semitism seems to mean the same thing to you. I have no idea what the "Invisible Racist cloud father" is that you talk about.
Penn, thanks for teaching me the word "melisma"! I didn't know that there was a word for that crap, which has been icepicking my ears for the past decade!
this is one time i agree at work i haveseen my coworkers talking football and they think it is strange that i know nothing about it and i am six ft. three inch three hundred pound southern redneck so go figure
I'm with you on this one Penn, it's crazy how many people watch that shit, some of my friends that I thought would never get into something like that are now a bunch of freakin Idol addicts who absolutely cannot miss a single episode.
And it seems like the shit is on like 6 times a week so I'm always hearing things like "I'll meet up with you guys a little later on, just as soon as Idol is over."
I think there's plenty of room between proud ignorance and simply not preferring something. You know that American Idol exists. You don't prefer it. Makes sense to me.
I have the same view. There are television programs I enjoy. And there are programs like American Idol which make me want to jam hot pokers into my eyes and rupture my ear drums to make the unbearable pain stop.
At least 24 is a creative, original and imaginative show unlike American Idol. Please do a Bullshit episode on Reality T.V. That would be awesome cause reality t.v. is bullshit.
American Idol is the product of a culture obsessed with celebrity and people wanting a quick shortcut to fame and fortune. Real artists don't need some facile TV show so they can "make it", they just do it. Plus, the show itself is crap. Brief, lame covers of tunes made famous by someone else. It's complete pablum, plain and simple. Now, in this world of relatively easy and cheap self-publishing the market is wide open. You no longer have to impress anyone in order to make a record.
I've always been pissed at people who acted proud that they don't watch tv, or use computers, etc. A couple hundred years ago, those same jackasses would be bragging that they don't read novels, and a couple thousand years ago, they'd be bragging that they don't read books at all.
You're against judging art, yet a few shows back you spoke against the National Endowment for the Arts suggesting that a capitalist vetting (judging) ensured quality. I would argue that much interesting art often has virtually zero commercialized value.
Remember, my only criteria for valuation was that it was "interesting" and "virtually zero commercialized value". The first part is totally subjective, thus irrefutable.
Some examples: - graffiti - crop circles - flash mob mayhem (Improv Everywhere: Best Buy) - the thousands of YouTube artists
Many artists do not enjoy the fruits of their labor in their lifetime. I've always suspected that their suffering drives innovation.
I watch AI if I catch it on tv and one of the contestants sounds good. Other than that, I'm extremely culture ignorant. I don't watch sports, sitcoms, reality shows, etc. I don't even watch movies until they've been out for like a year. I mostly watch documentaries and educational programming. I just find those things more interesting than the rest of whats on tv. But sadly, even fine channels like History and Discovery are going down quickly. How many fucking logging shows do we need?
american idol is not part of my culture. culture means "way of life" and A.I. is not a part of my life. American culture is of an individual nature. the only authority on my culture is me.
American Idol was alright when I was little, but I don't follow it anymore. I'd watch it now and then, but it isn't that bad.
Watch as my comment gets a thumbs down because I didn't say anything negative about American Idol. Lol. Is it a bad comment, or an opinion against others?
Um....Penn, weren't you on Dancing with the Stars? Which is a show where they...you know....judge people's dancing, which a lot of people consider an art form?
Yeah...maybe you're not really in a place to be dissing American Idol. I'm not a big AI fan, I'm just saying it's pretty hypocritical.
Jesus! You're forced to watch the opening ad now? Fuck this country, and double fuck corporatism and consumerism. Society's finished and life is nothing more than a giant Amway pyramid.
yo american idol can suck on my left nut. all the fans can suck on my left nut also. i hope simon cowell dies of some hair related accident. fire? chemicals from the dye? chemicals from the rogaine? fuck him. another jew in disguise pimping folks for pennies!
This guy is Penn Jillette: Magician, Illusionist, Writer, Actor, Inventor living at hollywood.
He have his on magic show at Hollywood, plus Bullshit on Showtime, have the copyright on a hot-tub jet specially angled for a woman's pleasure (U.S. Patent 5,920,923). So, sir... He do not need a job like you do, he might have near a million a side on a banking acount. The ony who have to get a real job, it's my and you... I'm studying to get a job, I take my responsabilities...So take yours...
What is that word Penn is using near the end of the video? He says there is "rampant ???" in American Idol, and the he is sick of "???". What is that word?
The few decent programs on television can almost always be found somewhere on the internet. Why should I let obsolete technology dictate how and when I consume my entertainment? Why should I let the government or the mass media corporations decide what is or isn't appropriate entertainment for me to consume?
For the vast majority of television programming, it is a poison. Its a stewing cesspit of inanities, vanities, and mockery. Its propaganda that glorifies ignorance. I'll have no part of it.
VERY much looking forward to the episode wherein you bash melisma. My god, you know, singing like you were schooled vocally in a black church doesn't necessarily equate to greatness. And some of the best singers I've ever heard have unconventional voices and don't have an ounce of melisma in 'em.
i'm tired of people mindlessly bashing tv as if the only thing tv ever offered was reality television even though there are entire channels devoted to the expansion of the mind. There are animated series that are smarter than any live action programs on today. there are sitcoms that aren't cookie cutter exercises ratings mongering. to say that tv is absolutely deteriorating the minds of all who watch is as ignorant as watching american idol. besides, i think everyone here has seen Bullshit!
to say judging art is wrong is somewhat ignorant in and of itself. somethings > other things. that's how we differenciate between things. if we didn't judge, not only would be missing an essential understanding of every part of our environment, we wouldn't even have language. art cannot be held at an untouchable distance.
I believe the way the judges voice their opinions is fine, the way "all of america votes", that's fine, but in the beginning where it's 3 judges deciding if these people are any "good" at an art is silly. I'm sure when Picaso began painting if there was an American Art Idol he wouldnt make it past the first round. The main problem i have with the show is that they are not looking for anything new, they just want more of the same shit they've been pumping out.
Please don't embarrass yourself. Picasso was a master by the time he was 14. Just look his early youth period:
nga(dot)gov/exhibitions/picbro(dot)htm
The entire premise of Idol is fucked up. Looking for musical talent that is so unoffensive and safe that an entire nation can agree upon it is simply celebration of mediocrity. You end up with the musical equivalent of Thomas Kinkade. Nothing "new" or "innovative" can come out of a nationwide trial by committee.
i feel you may have misinterpreted the point i was trying to convey. Putting his early mastery aside, if he were dwindling in the cesspool of mediocrity, and showed off some of his more beautiful abstract pieces, society as a large voting body would not agree with it.
Yeah, well I bet you sit around online a hell of a lot, huh? Not saying that you don't do anything productive, I know I sit and read stuff online. But all you've done is take one media-driven source, and replace it with another. Just a thought...Like Pen says, "Ignorance of your Culture is not Considered Cool." So, have fun bragging that you don't "sit around on your rear."
American Idol? Wassat? I don't own a working TV and haven't for a number of years. I find it more healthy that I actually don't sit around on my rear end watching the box anymore.
Knowledge is a powerful thing for your mind. Stay away from the mindless tv we have today, all reality BS, and propaganda news/media. Read books, and watch stuff that are not in mainstream media.
don't keep your mind occupied with meaningless entertainment.
Is there any such thing as neutral or ambivalent anymore? Somehow I don't think so. Our world is obsessed with black and white. You have to love something or else hate it. And if you try to be ambivalent, you find yourself taking pride in your ambivalence, which is hate in disguise.
I agree it isn't cool to judge art, but when some fuck puts a thirty-five thousand dollar price tag on a piece of obvious shit, doesn't that makes it ok to judge it.
I think it's okay to criticize American Idol and say you dislike if you're sincere about it, but I don't like the people who's intentions of hating the show only because they want others to perceive them as being "too cool to watch American Idol"
Anyway, I usually only watch American Idol if there is a contestant on from my home town or if there is a really hot girl on.
I totally agree with the thought of not judging art. I am an artist myself I draw and paint, and It's really personal. Art to me is about the process just as much as the end result. And if people understand and like the art other then myself that is a bonus.
I can understand pure voting on a cultural issue being unsettling. But if you're a doctrinaire libertarian (I am, don't know about you) the market...dollars...vote on art.
The show itself is one of the few reality shows I like, because its based on ability, not craziness. And consitently (at least 70%) they produce an artist with a fan base and they do it entertaining more people than any other show on TV. In my book that's a cool cool win win all the way around.
Art can certainly be judged based on the artist's intent. When art is made to attempt a specific style, technique, goal, narrative, etc., it can be objectively judged. If more people understood this, art would be far less confusing to the general public. Some artists, critics and historians perpetuate the idea that art is too "mysterious" or personal, therefore it can't be judged. This is simply not the case, art is not a religion and even if it is for some people, religion can be judged too.
Welcome back to Canada Penn. How about a video explaining the intermittent, yet very frustrating, blocking of your videos. I'm just curious as to reasons. Gotta be honest. I miss my Penn Fix when you're blocked.
There's a lot of crap on the TV and repeats, that's what has driven me away from watching TV, so I see maybe 2 to 3 hours a week! It's your fault dumbed down networks!
Hey Penn- if you get a chance, my old band the night visitors did a metal cover of "Constantinople" that you might get a kick out of. Its in the player on myspace (dot) com/thenightvisitors
Maybe American Idol, et alia, aren't actually "culture". I mean, must anything that entertains the community be considered part of their culture? Furthermore, must you at least once watch any of that piece of shiii..."culture" in order to say you are not ignorant of it?
American Idol is nothing more than karaoke being judged by a black music "insider" and a British music "insider" along with a total washup. Its sad that stars are made on this show with little to no real talent. Never seen it, never will.
Ignorance would be enough, but what would be better is to boycott the colossal negative effects this worthless program has had on the music world. We need to end it and all others even remotely like it. The true music stars don't come from TV shows. They come basements, garages and the bars in the players circuit! Damn this god forsaken show!
Personally I say this show has contributed largely to the destruction of music in the world in recent yrs. Their role was massive in taking instruments out of artists hands and putting a microphone in the hand of mediocrity to be judged as well by mediocrity.
American Idol has only served to destroy the music industry. The mesg of the show is that 1) musicianship doesn't matter, only singing does 2) originality is unacceptable so if you want attn, sing covers 3) the quality of your work is determined by how well you please ignorant biased judges, not yourself or your personal audience, 4) everyone is in on it so why not you? Go for tryouts so you can brag about losing to your friends.
Maybe it is the same thing that make you what to expose the magic. No one should be out in the real world thinking that these show are good family fun. Because they are not these people are getting hurt.... Keep rockin my friend
It's not ignorance to dislike something. I've been to sporting events. I don't like them, so I no longer waste my time learning more about them. I know enough to have an opinion. I think one should know enough about one's culture to have an opinion. I don't think I've watched an entire episode of American Idol, certainly not since the first season. Why? They're inventing pop icons artificially, and it's stupid. I watched enough to learn it's stupid. There. I've done my part for my culture.
I agree with you and think that it's cool to be ignorant of absolutely stupid fads. Personally, I think reality TV lacks culture and therefore is exempt from that little rule.
interesting idea, penn. i would make an exception for american/australian idol too. not sure what exactly is bad about judging art per se, i object to these 'young talent time' respawns as a false, insincere attempt at democratising art. as for sport, well, orwell may be right about nationalism and sport, and sartre was probably correct when he looked at boxing and thought it a bloody spectacle that enables the powerful to divide the proles. i love sport despite these shortcomings.
7kurisu 6 months ago
An example of how a little cultural-ignorance is cool---Christianity's Prosperity Gospel says that God "wants" us children-of-God to be 'rich' ('ignorant' of the fact that--if an individual's riches don't make someone else poor--they make EVERYONE'S RICHES worth a little less)
mythmanjay 7 months ago in playlist At Which to Stare
Good; There's No Cursing in This Vid! (I might be a little bit angry, as "American Idol" DESERVES MORE CURSING; but it's good for the kids to hear that open-mindedness DOES require a little 'ignorance.')
mythmanjay 7 months ago in playlist At Which to Stare
I try to separate "real culture" from the subset "pop culture". You shouldn't be ignorant of your civilization's real culture, but modern pop culture is so broad, and contains so much abject crap, it's a waste of time to try and take it all in. An hour spent watching American Idol or one of the countless idiotic "reality" shows is an hour I can't spend reading a book or learning something. I have to prioritize my time.
Cabochon1360 8 months ago
@Cabochon1360 Man you hit the nail right on the head!
\m/ :)
Matomanell 7 months ago
penn isn't nothing but a big mean jerk.
davethe1player 9 months ago
loved this video, thanks for posting
de56belp81 10 months ago
I can't say that I don't like justin bieber. I can say I don't care for him. I have no feelings towards him at all. I couldn't care less if he died tomorrow or 50 years from now. I don't care about this person, but I do care about people who bring him up in youtube comments. SHUT THE FUCK UP. How can you be ignorant of something if you keep talking about it, unless you're talking out of your ass?
chadd990 10 months ago
Here's a thought - If you hate what you see on chat shows, for f#$%'s sake do a chat show. Just use a bit more critical thinking than, say, Oprah.
JBofBrisbane 11 months ago
I only know the name of 1 Justin Bieber video and I'm proud of the fact that I'm ignorant of anything else "he" has concocted.
TheIntolerantAtheist 1 year ago
What was the point?? Who cares if people watch the show or not? It's OK Penn I don't judge you for not watching the show. :)
october27able 1 year ago
i work in a supermarket. i don't even hear the music anymore.
i think it's ok to be ignorant of stupid things like idol. when it comes to important things in our culture, we should at least have a working knowledge even if it's something that doesn't pique our interest.
followingbreadcrumbs 1 year ago
Right on target. I'm ignorant of all the "reality" shows and I'm damned proud of it.
jemjean 1 year ago
i disagree with the both first 2 statements. fuck supermarket music
RawwestHide 1 year ago
It seems Penn has to pee.
pburto 1 year ago
They should have a "Tellersays". Just saying.
evxdaddy 1 year ago
@evxdaddy I'd even watch a "Teller Says Nothing"
Dizazsters 1 year ago
@Dizazsters LoL yeah just have Teller in front of a fireplace reading a book for 30min. LoL
evxdaddy 1 year ago
He should get into politics. He just spoke in circles for over 3 minutes and I don't get the point. I'm proud to be ignorant of stupid mindless shit like American idol.
macgreeny 1 year ago 2
Interesting statement, "Ignorance of your Culture is not Considered Cool".
Bragging about anything is not cool.
Culture are our operating systems. We should not blindly accept everything in our culture. I think that's a conservative thing to say.
clearmenser 1 year ago
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hey there #VIDEOPOSTERID#, awesome quality! It certainly way too bad that youtube doesn't allow complete tv episodes and movies or else youtube would certainly be the best. Which is precisely why I RANDSET(use|started using|depend on|go with|go to|head over to)# stream episodes [dot] net instead to enjoy just about all the tv shows and movies that youtube does not permit
American Idol Ignorance
charliejeffers206 1 year ago
Hi Penn fans. Penn Says videos have been discontinued, so you won't be seeing any new content on here. You can check out our Profile on our Channel Page for more info. We'll still be checking in, so hope to keep chatting with you all! Thanks!
pennsays 1 year ago
@pennsays Melisma is what you hear at the end of "The Jeffersons" theme song: "We've fin'lly got a piece of the pie-i-i-i--i-i-i-i- yeah!" Multiple notes on one syllable.
gruniongrady 1 year ago
Does American Idol affect the music industry? Kick a dead horse. Ignorance is bliss when music is manufactured industrially.
mosty420s 1 year ago
At least you didn't throw out the biggest red herring - the accusation of karaoke. These singers have to audition a capella and if they get to perform on the big stage it's with one of the best bands going - Ricky Miner - who is now going to the Jay Leno show. And they do it without pitch modulation devices which many big stars use. And as you root for them, you find out a lot about their character.
CookTime9 1 year ago
I agree with the judging part, which I really don't dig. I often record AI & skip the judges comments. Yet, I think he misses the point of what is good about this show. The music business is in shambles & gets worse as the economy falters. This show represents the best shot some talented artists in THIS generation have to make a real career of their music. Idol only has a few superstars, but there are a lot of Idols in all different genres who are supporting themselves by performing their music.
CookTime9 1 year ago
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10 performers and nine spots left after tonight. Saw the last show at lastnightstvshows (.) com who will be going home tonight?
decisivepush 1 year ago
melisma is schmaltz overdrive
Obelisk2290 1 year ago
Haha, I've seen a few episodes of American Idol with my mom, but... I hate that show so much. :-P
TKnightcrawler 2 years ago 4
much of pop culture is trash.
rickmanization 2 years ago 2
When you say melisma I assume you mean vocally. Being a jazz player like myself, are you against all melisma or only the extended pop versions? I personally enjoy singers like Kurt Elling (and for that matter deceased singers like Ella Fitzgerald) who both use melisma to great effect in their music.
Flanning 2 years ago
ok honestly I had to google the hell out of that word. I had no idea what it meant or how to spell it so as far as googleing goes thanks. after reading the wikipedia reference i still have no idea what it means.
karn33333 1 year ago
@karn33333 Hmm, he hasn't made that Penn Says yet . . . maybe he needs to be reminded of that. I'll put it on a list.
pennsays 1 year ago
I was just saying iv got no clue what melisma is and after reading about it ... I still don't know what it is lol im laughing at my own ignorance.
karn33333 1 year ago
@karn33333 Well, he said he would. :-)
pennsays 1 year ago
penn in the last video i just watched you were putting over america's got talent but now you say you dont like shows that judge art? i dont get it.
mysticx0 2 years ago
I'm assuming he liked the folks behind the scenes for letting them do the magic trick, but not so much for the content of the show itself.
ytcomposer 2 years ago 2
never seen it either...
sginblack 2 years ago
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God he's ugly.
fartinthehooha 2 years ago
I like The Residents too.
SantaDog 2 years ago
The residents is david byrne and others
tengrigim 2 years ago
Palestinian children - 300 hundred of them - killed in the Gaza ghetto, trapped inside walled open air prisons, bombarded with the most sophisticated weaponry the US lobs to Israel for free. Yeah try to keep telling decent people, including humanitarian Jews, that weeping for those children is wrong, or antisemitic or being a Nazi.
The old Zionist doublespeak doesn't work any more. Americans are sick of financing Israel's apartheid/genocide of the Palestinians, and sick of the lies.
funboy7979 2 years ago
Killing little terrorists is ok.
PappaGunscho 2 years ago
"Well, it is a trick we always use it, it is very easy to call people who criticize us "antisemitic" and when someone is criticizing Israel then we bring out the Holocaust." -- Shulamit Aloni
tonzimala 2 years ago 11
@tonzimala yes,even jews can be stupid.
cassidy99ful 1 year ago
I only watch the first part of American Idol, it's dead funny to see people who think they can sing, and utterly fail, then blame Simon for them being so bad.
But the rest of the show I can care less about. I also don't watch sports, read books, or leer at woman. but I have my own reason for that... (Oh field hockey is fun to watch BTW)
DiceWarwick 2 years ago
i don't watch american idol, fuck that show. it sucks. i'm proud to say i don't watch it.
xXxmajikmanxXx 2 years ago
100 of billions. The US has gi ven 100s of billions in welfare to Israel over the past 60 years plus unlimited military support, so they can commit apartheid and genocide against the Palestinians. Uh-oh, there's that elephant in the room again. Quick, change the subject to Britney or Michael, or this fat fuck's spawn.
funboy7979 2 years ago 5
How is Hollywood product "culture?" Every major Hollywood studio, every television network, every major newspaper, every publishing house -- controlled by Zionists. Zionists are Jewish Supremacists, believing Jews have an INVISIBLE RACIST CLOUD FATHER who tells them to enslave or kill the rest of humanity. Zionists currently are committing genocide against the Palestinians, funded in the 100s of millions w/ US tax dollars.
Penn Jillette's TV show is owned by uber-Zionist Sumner Redstone.
tonzimala 2 years ago
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@tonzimala
Did you just say Jon Stewart was trying to take over the world? I can't wait to see this.
Sstellethyss 2 years ago
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I don't agree with what Israel is doing either but there is a much more, less paranoid and delusional, way to get your point across. You need to get people on your side. Using hate speech and made up shit will only alienate people to your cause.
00Mandingo00 2 years ago
Amnesty International condemns Israel for war crimes for trapping Palestinian civilians in Gaza ghettos & bombarding them with the most sophisticated weaponry the US gives them, including white phospherous bombs -- right up there with Napalm for causing maximum painful death. Humanitarian Jews everywhere condemn Israel for exploiting the memory of the holocaust to excuse these atrocities, including Noam Chomsky, Tony Judt, Sir Gerald kaufman. Are all these people paranoid & delusional?
tonzimala 2 years ago 4
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Of course not. I have books by most of those people on my bookshelf. But making generalizations stating Anti-Israel and anti-semitism seems to mean the same thing to you. I have no idea what the "Invisible Racist cloud father" is that you talk about.
00Mandingo00 2 years ago
word to ya motha
cr1138 2 years ago
90% of American Idol is not worth watching. I'd recommend watching the talented singers on YouTube.
MishuTaste 2 years ago
Penn, thanks for teaching me the word "melisma"! I didn't know that there was a word for that crap, which has been icepicking my ears for the past decade!
tierradelfuego 2 years ago
I had to be a cyberspace Ape to figure out Melisma. Luckily, I don't have to think inside my brain, and the computer spells for me!
davidfstarr 2 years ago
this is one time i agree at work i haveseen my coworkers talking football and they think it is strange that i know nothing about it and i am six ft. three inch three hundred pound southern redneck so go figure
dragonflychainsaw 2 years ago
Sumner Redstone's Viacom/CBS garbage and all other Zionist crap propaganda run on US tv is culture? Fatboy, you've topped yourself.
bc9021010001 2 years ago
Of COURSE you watch "24", especially now that it got good again. Besides, if you don't watch "24", you don't know Jack.
PRWelke 2 years ago
I'm with you on this one Penn, it's crazy how many people watch that shit, some of my friends that I thought would never get into something like that are now a bunch of freakin Idol addicts who absolutely cannot miss a single episode.
And it seems like the shit is on like 6 times a week so I'm always hearing things like "I'll meet up with you guys a little later on, just as soon as Idol is over."
And these were once proud men mind you.
ogjimkenobi 2 years ago
I think there's plenty of room between proud ignorance and simply not preferring something. You know that American Idol exists. You don't prefer it. Makes sense to me.
I have the same view. There are television programs I enjoy. And there are programs like American Idol which make me want to jam hot pokers into my eyes and rupture my ear drums to make the unbearable pain stop.
VeniVidiVid 2 years ago
Well said, brother.
thirtysilver 2 years ago
Ignorance is bliss.
Munnchbunnch 2 years ago
...amen to ALL of that Penn! Couldnt agree more. Keep up the good work.
tinyskustoms 2 years ago
At least 24 is a creative, original and imaginative show unlike American Idol. Please do a Bullshit episode on Reality T.V. That would be awesome cause reality t.v. is bullshit.
cubbyguy1 2 years ago
At least you are cognizant of the raw power that is Urban Appalachian Ghetto-Tech music of drexel!
Thanks for the great thoughts, as always.
drexelohio 2 years ago
American Idol is the product of a culture obsessed with celebrity and people wanting a quick shortcut to fame and fortune. Real artists don't need some facile TV show so they can "make it", they just do it. Plus, the show itself is crap. Brief, lame covers of tunes made famous by someone else. It's complete pablum, plain and simple. Now, in this world of relatively easy and cheap self-publishing the market is wide open. You no longer have to impress anyone in order to make a record.
spamsponge 2 years ago
I've always been pissed at people who acted proud that they don't watch tv, or use computers, etc. A couple hundred years ago, those same jackasses would be bragging that they don't read novels, and a couple thousand years ago, they'd be bragging that they don't read books at all.
uberjim83 2 years ago
I like his manifesto, he put it to the test-o
poidial 2 years ago
Loving these more cerebral shows, good brain stimulation. :o)
CannabisHeals 2 years ago
You're against judging art, yet a few shows back you spoke against the National Endowment for the Arts suggesting that a capitalist vetting (judging) ensured quality. I would argue that much interesting art often has virtually zero commercialized value.
segankuz 2 years ago
then you'd be wrong
lmfislb 2 years ago
Perhaps, but that's never stopped me before :)
Remember, my only criteria for valuation was that it was "interesting" and "virtually zero commercialized value". The first part is totally subjective, thus irrefutable.
Some examples: - graffiti - crop circles - flash mob mayhem (Improv Everywhere: Best Buy) - the thousands of YouTube artists
Many artists do not enjoy the fruits of their labor in their lifetime. I've always suspected that their suffering drives innovation.
segankuz 2 years ago
- There are professional graffiti Artists, not to mention Banksy
- Crop Circles aren't art, its communication from beyond
-Improv Everywhere makes quite a bit of cash for their pranks
- Plenty of you tubers make 6 figures doing youtube full time
lmfislb 2 years ago
24 is my fav tv show ever!
chaos120 2 years ago
I watch AI if I catch it on tv and one of the contestants sounds good. Other than that, I'm extremely culture ignorant. I don't watch sports, sitcoms, reality shows, etc. I don't even watch movies until they've been out for like a year. I mostly watch documentaries and educational programming. I just find those things more interesting than the rest of whats on tv. But sadly, even fine channels like History and Discovery are going down quickly. How many fucking logging shows do we need?
BananaHurricane 2 years ago
I agree with most of this Penn, but one thing I disagree with is that they are not judging art, they're judging skill.
ondjima 2 years ago
But the point is judgement period. Let alone set on a grand televised stage.
KultureJamCollective 2 years ago
american idol is not part of my culture. culture means "way of life" and A.I. is not a part of my life. American culture is of an individual nature. the only authority on my culture is me.
dzhellek 2 years ago
American Idol was alright when I was little, but I don't follow it anymore. I'd watch it now and then, but it isn't that bad.
Watch as my comment gets a thumbs down because I didn't say anything negative about American Idol. Lol. Is it a bad comment, or an opinion against others?
D0omC0okie 2 years ago
Thumbs down because this video isn't about American Idol.
Whiggeh 2 years ago
Um....Penn, weren't you on Dancing with the Stars? Which is a show where they...you know....judge people's dancing, which a lot of people consider an art form?
Yeah...maybe you're not really in a place to be dissing American Idol. I'm not a big AI fan, I'm just saying it's pretty hypocritical.
xwinoxrhinox 2 years ago
ChrisSketch has hit the nail on the head.
It's as if western culture has been fed through a compressor all the highs and lows are squeezed down and up so that everything becomes the same.
felixq78 2 years ago
I have never had my anal penetrated.
bleunt 2 years ago
Jesus! You're forced to watch the opening ad now? Fuck this country, and double fuck corporatism and consumerism. Society's finished and life is nothing more than a giant Amway pyramid.
BayAreaLen 2 years ago
yo american idol can suck on my left nut. all the fans can suck on my left nut also. i hope simon cowell dies of some hair related accident. fire? chemicals from the dye? chemicals from the rogaine? fuck him. another jew in disguise pimping folks for pennies!
coka5841 2 years ago
As a singer/musician I love the show. Real people, really singing and putting on a show.
216trixie 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Somebody get this jerk a real job!!!
spareaxe 2 years ago
Good one.
Raykak 2 years ago
This guy is Penn Jillette: Magician, Illusionist, Writer, Actor, Inventor living at hollywood.
He have his on magic show at Hollywood, plus Bullshit on Showtime, have the copyright on a hot-tub jet specially angled for a woman's pleasure (U.S. Patent 5,920,923). So, sir... He do not need a job like you do, he might have near a million a side on a banking acount. The ony who have to get a real job, it's my and you... I'm studying to get a job, I take my responsabilities...So take yours...
therrydicule 2 years ago
I don't watch tv. Cable is to much money for what you get. I have the internet and that's all i need.
TheDwelic 2 years ago
Since you can watch the shows on the internet Lol.
D0omC0okie 2 years ago
Well i dont give a crap about american idol and it would make a difference if i did. I would rather watch Penn than american idol ANY time.
zuriku 2 years ago 2
If I didn't know anything about American Idol, then I wouldn't know what this "Penn Says" video was about.
Wouldn't that be uncool?
CuriouserNCuriouser 2 years ago
what was the name of that manifesto thing he said?
artemis01 2 years ago
I think I figured out what that word is: melisma, the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes.
perfectwagnerite 2 years ago
Ah so Autotune could be called Artificial Melisma.
ChrisSketch 2 years ago
What is that word Penn is using near the end of the video? He says there is "rampant ???" in American Idol, and the he is sick of "???". What is that word?
perfectwagnerite 2 years ago
I'm proud to say I've never watched American Idol.
TheNakedAtheist 2 years ago 2
I'm also proud to say I haven't watched any of the coverage of Michael Jackson's death. :p
TheNakedAtheist 2 years ago
The few decent programs on television can almost always be found somewhere on the internet. Why should I let obsolete technology dictate how and when I consume my entertainment? Why should I let the government or the mass media corporations decide what is or isn't appropriate entertainment for me to consume?
For the vast majority of television programming, it is a poison. Its a stewing cesspit of inanities, vanities, and mockery. Its propaganda that glorifies ignorance. I'll have no part of it.
ChrisSketch 2 years ago
VERY much looking forward to the episode wherein you bash melisma. My god, you know, singing like you were schooled vocally in a black church doesn't necessarily equate to greatness. And some of the best singers I've ever heard have unconventional voices and don't have an ounce of melisma in 'em.
letterdavidman1969 2 years ago
I hate some of the comments on Penn's videos.
Irgamerhearmerawr 2 years ago
Well, we can't all agree with everyone but it is great that there is a place to voice the opinions.
pennsays 2 years ago
I would rather gouge my own eyes out with a number 2 pencil than watch or promote American Idol. Thanks Penn
Freemarketeer81 2 years ago
i'm tired of people mindlessly bashing tv as if the only thing tv ever offered was reality television even though there are entire channels devoted to the expansion of the mind. There are animated series that are smarter than any live action programs on today. there are sitcoms that aren't cookie cutter exercises ratings mongering. to say that tv is absolutely deteriorating the minds of all who watch is as ignorant as watching american idol. besides, i think everyone here has seen Bullshit!
MrDreamPop 2 years ago 2
to say judging art is wrong is somewhat ignorant in and of itself. somethings > other things. that's how we differenciate between things. if we didn't judge, not only would be missing an essential understanding of every part of our environment, we wouldn't even have language. art cannot be held at an untouchable distance.
MrDreamPop 2 years ago
Comment removed
ngm712 2 years ago
I believe the way the judges voice their opinions is fine, the way "all of america votes", that's fine, but in the beginning where it's 3 judges deciding if these people are any "good" at an art is silly. I'm sure when Picaso began painting if there was an American Art Idol he wouldnt make it past the first round. The main problem i have with the show is that they are not looking for anything new, they just want more of the same shit they've been pumping out.
etan320 2 years ago
Please don't embarrass yourself. Picasso was a master by the time he was 14. Just look his early youth period:
nga(dot)gov/exhibitions/picbro(dot)htm
The entire premise of Idol is fucked up. Looking for musical talent that is so unoffensive and safe that an entire nation can agree upon it is simply celebration of mediocrity. You end up with the musical equivalent of Thomas Kinkade. Nothing "new" or "innovative" can come out of a nationwide trial by committee.
ChrisSketch 2 years ago 3
i feel you may have misinterpreted the point i was trying to convey. Putting his early mastery aside, if he were dwindling in the cesspool of mediocrity, and showed off some of his more beautiful abstract pieces, society as a large voting body would not agree with it.
etan320 2 years ago
The Got Talent series was very good, I don't like to listen to people talking about Soap characters though.
Nashy119 2 years ago
Yeah, well I bet you sit around online a hell of a lot, huh? Not saying that you don't do anything productive, I know I sit and read stuff online. But all you've done is take one media-driven source, and replace it with another. Just a thought...Like Pen says, "Ignorance of your Culture is not Considered Cool." So, have fun bragging that you don't "sit around on your rear."
clschnei 2 years ago
American Idol? Wassat? I don't own a working TV and haven't for a number of years. I find it more healthy that I actually don't sit around on my rear end watching the box anymore.
OpenCarryNH 2 years ago
There's nothing wrong with not watching American Idol, man.
razieldumas 2 years ago
Knowledge is a powerful thing for your mind. Stay away from the mindless tv we have today, all reality BS, and propaganda news/media. Read books, and watch stuff that are not in mainstream media.
don't keep your mind occupied with meaningless entertainment.
READ and LEARN.
Don't waste your life by watching TV.
chemlin 2 years ago
waste it by watching youtube?
gavin32 2 years ago
depends of what your watching on yt. there are tons of mindless videos here also, but wuth more meaningful information than the TV.
chemlin 2 years ago
Is there any such thing as neutral or ambivalent anymore? Somehow I don't think so. Our world is obsessed with black and white. You have to love something or else hate it. And if you try to be ambivalent, you find yourself taking pride in your ambivalence, which is hate in disguise.
Joshbuckler 2 years ago
I agree it isn't cool to judge art, but when some fuck puts a thirty-five thousand dollar price tag on a piece of obvious shit, doesn't that makes it ok to judge it.
JONFATSARNOTT 2 years ago
I love this quote and I want to steal it. 2:14 "You should never be proud of ignorance." I hope you don't mind, but I found this statement profound.
mortalangyl 2 years ago
I think it's okay to criticize American Idol and say you dislike if you're sincere about it, but I don't like the people who's intentions of hating the show only because they want others to perceive them as being "too cool to watch American Idol"
Anyway, I usually only watch American Idol if there is a contestant on from my home town or if there is a really hot girl on.
ratzskinakie 2 years ago
I like that first quote. I'm an art student and I can't stand a lot of the art world.
CaptChrisT 2 years ago
Um... people are judging your art rightnow. See those 5 stars below your video, Penn?
Anyhow, it's just a singing contest.
I don't see what's so bad about that.
culwin 2 years ago
hes expressing an opinion,culwin.hes not being creative on this video.
TLSlayer 2 years ago
I can't disagree with you Penn. I don't watch American Idol either.
YingYang96 2 years ago
I totally agree with the thought of not judging art. I am an artist myself I draw and paint, and It's really personal. Art to me is about the process just as much as the end result. And if people understand and like the art other then myself that is a bonus.
Goobian 2 years ago
I can understand pure voting on a cultural issue being unsettling. But if you're a doctrinaire libertarian (I am, don't know about you) the market...dollars...vote on art.
The show itself is one of the few reality shows I like, because its based on ability, not craziness. And consitently (at least 70%) they produce an artist with a fan base and they do it entertaining more people than any other show on TV. In my book that's a cool cool win win all the way around.
Prytonis 2 years ago
hElLz yeA!!! i don't watch it either!!!! :P
raptor273 2 years ago
Art can certainly be judged based on the artist's intent. When art is made to attempt a specific style, technique, goal, narrative, etc., it can be objectively judged. If more people understood this, art would be far less confusing to the general public. Some artists, critics and historians perpetuate the idea that art is too "mysterious" or personal, therefore it can't be judged. This is simply not the case, art is not a religion and even if it is for some people, religion can be judged too.
Kloxboy 2 years ago
Melisma is a new word for me
UrinationNation 2 years ago
I don't mind American Idol that much. I don't think that there is necessarily anything wrong with it. However, I like America's Got Talent better.
patworx1 2 years ago
hey i wonder if he is scripted for these or is it all impromptu
adamlewis723 2 years ago
My mom watches American Idol. And you're right: I'd rather be 100% ignorant!
UGH!
But I do have a couple shows that I really like. Bones, The Daily Show w/Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report. That's about it, though.
ShortbusMooner 2 years ago
Rifftrax is ok, but it's not as funny.
yuothineyesasian 2 years ago
Welcome back to Canada Penn. How about a video explaining the intermittent, yet very frustrating, blocking of your videos. I'm just curious as to reasons. Gotta be honest. I miss my Penn Fix when you're blocked.
royquinn1 2 years ago
some shows are okay to miss... they hurt your brain =/
KaptajnKaffe 2 years ago
Thanks for the new vocabulary! Now I know the term for exactly what I hate about R&B music.
TheCrappyPhilosopher 2 years ago
There's a lot of crap on the TV and repeats, that's what has driven me away from watching TV, so I see maybe 2 to 3 hours a week! It's your fault dumbed down networks!
Rowdyeh 2 years ago
I'm 25 years old and I think I know more about the pop culture you grew up with Penn than I do the one I am surrounded by.
frinkmhey 2 years ago
@ 2:52 rampant "bullisma"?
434Noise 2 years ago
Penn needs to watch more MST3K!
yuothineyesasian 2 years ago
I dont know what it is but, Pop Culture has become more and more oweful has the world gets older
TR3NCHC04T 2 years ago
pop culture is the same as always, you're the one thats getting older
dcyb 2 years ago
Pop culture is the shit! I'm not too good for it.
jasonhenle 2 years ago
it was hard to make that blog without sounding hipocritical...but i think you pulled it off...lol
xxmomoxx1963 2 years ago
American Idol was made for the Ignorant Masses.. I just choose not to be one and I see nothing wrong with that.
pomeroy82 2 years ago 2
how about ignorance of big brother?
I've been practicing that since the first series.
mooxim 2 years ago
Silly, you don't watch Big Brother...it watches YOU.
specialkalpha 2 years ago
I think we can fix this by saying: just because it's on tv doesn't make it culture.
timestarvedcd 2 years ago 3
lol, "dumb brag". I love it.
ZzDe0 2 years ago
I'm very ignorant of my culture but I happen to enjoy American Idol...
Deathinmusic 2 years ago
What a predicament.
0xbangx0 2 years ago
THE RESIDENTS FTW!
Hey Penn- if you get a chance, my old band the night visitors did a metal cover of "Constantinople" that you might get a kick out of. Its in the player on myspace (dot) com/thenightvisitors
jordanowen42 2 years ago
Maybe American Idol, et alia, aren't actually "culture". I mean, must anything that entertains the community be considered part of their culture? Furthermore, must you at least once watch any of that piece of shiii..."culture" in order to say you are not ignorant of it?
yegreskin 2 years ago
American Idol/Idols/[enter your countrys variety here] is culture?!
DataEntity 2 years ago
If not for Simon, no one would watch American Idol. Americans are blood thirsty.
gonyea12 2 years ago
American Idol is nothing more than karaoke being judged by a black music "insider" and a British music "insider" along with a total washup. Its sad that stars are made on this show with little to no real talent. Never seen it, never will.
oldcabbage4846177 2 years ago 2
how do you know it's so bad if you've never seen it?
TygerCatCLC 2 years ago
I have never seen anyone get their head blown off, but I am sure I would not be a pleasant experience.
fivestarmichael 2 years ago
*facepalm*
mxdirector 2 years ago
I have moved away from a lot of pop culture stuff, because it is often ignorant.
darkwhitedirewolf 2 years ago
Ignorance would be enough, but what would be better is to boycott the colossal negative effects this worthless program has had on the music world. We need to end it and all others even remotely like it. The true music stars don't come from TV shows. They come basements, garages and the bars in the players circuit! Damn this god forsaken show!
MrDeppness 2 years ago
Personally I say this show has contributed largely to the destruction of music in the world in recent yrs. Their role was massive in taking instruments out of artists hands and putting a microphone in the hand of mediocrity to be judged as well by mediocrity.
MrDeppness 2 years ago
American Idol has only served to destroy the music industry. The mesg of the show is that 1) musicianship doesn't matter, only singing does 2) originality is unacceptable so if you want attn, sing covers 3) the quality of your work is determined by how well you please ignorant biased judges, not yourself or your personal audience, 4) everyone is in on it so why not you? Go for tryouts so you can brag about losing to your friends.
MrDeppness 2 years ago
I wounder how much of what he says is actually determined by the multinational corporate conglomerate Sony.
dogredrum66 2 years ago
so true. glad to see so many people here who detest this mainstream garbage. ive never seen more than 5 minutes of that crapfest
4jonah 2 years ago
Maybe it is the same thing that make you what to expose the magic. No one should be out in the real world thinking that these show are good family fun. Because they are not these people are getting hurt.... Keep rockin my friend
ronaldchughes 2 years ago
It's not ignorance to dislike something. I've been to sporting events. I don't like them, so I no longer waste my time learning more about them. I know enough to have an opinion. I think one should know enough about one's culture to have an opinion. I don't think I've watched an entire episode of American Idol, certainly not since the first season. Why? They're inventing pop icons artificially, and it's stupid. I watched enough to learn it's stupid. There. I've done my part for my culture.
ZachsMind 2 years ago
i have never seen an episode of american idol in my life.
i'm not really proud, but i'm glad.
yetidetective 2 years ago 4
Dude, you missed Fantasia. And she was great.
coffeefish 2 years ago
I've never liked American Idol.
MagnusIan 2 years ago 2
Ignoring stupid people is NOT ignorance! Listening to them can make you ignorant though.
MsWanderer1 2 years ago
American Idol, it's like karaoke night at a bar without the booze to take the edge off the singing.
Eban11235 2 years ago
Fantasia was a real treat. I am glad I did not miss her.
coffeefish 2 years ago
If not proud, then happy is perfectly acceptable.
I agree with you and think that it's cool to be ignorant of absolutely stupid fads. Personally, I think reality TV lacks culture and therefore is exempt from that little rule.
cyphonyx 2 years ago