Gene Simmons: American Idol judge

TheVoiceless · #1 06-30-2009, 09:18 AM

OK, so I have watched a few American Idols with Gene as a judge. Not enough to truly form my own opinion. But the episodes I did see, too me he seemed to understand why or why someone was good for the competition.

I was wondering what the TB community thought of this bass icon as a judge. I have always thought of him as a pompous jerk, but I did agree with some of his judgment calls.

If you are an idol watcher, what do you think of his critique?

dave64o · #2 06-30-2009, 10:36 AM

Wow, I didn't think there could be anything that would make me even LESS likely to watch American Idol.

I stand corrected.

JTE · #3 06-30-2009, 12:15 PM

Well, lessee... AI is all about a particular niche of pop music. The BEST singers don't fit the AI mold (e.g. Jennifer Hudson and Melissa Dolittle). Simmons is all about selling the records, not the music. So, he must be a great judge for that show.

Seriously, for what AI does, he's got a good grasp. Years ago (decades actually) he once put Kiss into perspective by saying "The Eagles are a great group, but who's gonna buy an Eagles lunchbox?".

jte

unclekebm · #4 06-30-2009, 12:23 PM

He's not a "Bass Icon", He's a successful Marketing guy....

As far as American Idol, He fits right in; Cheeseball commercial jerk-fest

TheVoiceless · #5 06-30-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

Well, lessee... AI is all about a particular niche of pop music. The BEST singers don't fit the AI mold (e.g. Jennifer Hudson and Melissa Dolittle). Simmons is all about selling the records, not the music. So, he must be a great judge for that show.

Seriously, for what AI does, he's got a good grasp. Years ago (decades actually) he once put Kiss into perspective by saying "The Eagles are a great group, but who's gonna buy an Eagles lunchbox?".

jte

Yeah I thought he would be a good judge for that show. I find him to be unbearable but after listening to him I realized that he gets it and we don't. Not saying you need to put your face on a lunch box "to get it" but I think he understands how the business works.

TheVoiceless · #6 06-30-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclekebm

He's not a "Bass Icon", He's a successful Marketing guy....

As far as American Idol, He fits right in; Cheeseball commercial jerk-fest

I hate KISS and Gene for that matter but I can't deny his status. And I agree, cheese ball central. But that's what American TV has turned into. I just thought he knew how it worked, for better or worse, if we like it or not.

unclekebm · #7 07-01-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVoiceless

I hate KISS and Gene for that matter but I can't deny his status. And I agree, cheese ball central. But that's what American TV has turned into. I just thought he knew how it worked, for better or worse, if we like it or not.

+1

bossrhino44 · #8 07-01-2009, 02:01 PM

Wow, You hate KISS!.......................blasphemy!

CamMcIntyre · #9 07-01-2009, 03:21 PM

I have not saw him as a judge on the show. I haven't saw the show since I moved out of my Mom's house.

I feel he would be perfect for it though. He knows about branding and has made more money off of it than I can imagine.

Yngwie 4String · #10 07-02-2009, 12:04 AM

Im a Kiss Army member for life, and anything Gene woulda did I woulda did.

Gordon of Eden · #11 07-02-2009, 12:51 AM

AI & Gene Simmons. I find them entertaining. Like them both and think they go well together

JimmyM · #12 07-02-2009, 01:46 AM

Wow, lotsa hate for Gene, all of it completely unwarranted. Gene plays simple music and he's villified because he wears makeup and likes money, and meanwhile tons of bassists who couldn't shine Gene's Godzilla boots are hailed as heroes. Ridiculous.

As for him being a judge, while he was good at it, Idol only needs 3 judges. And one of them isn't Paula. I wasn't a big fan of Kara at first, but then she ripped her dress off during the finale show, and now I'm a huge fan

So keep Randy, Kara, and Simon, let Gene continue being the badass rock star he is, and you guys go back to worshipping alt.rock heroes who can't play half as well as Gene.

Yngwie 4String · #13 07-02-2009, 11:01 AM

GET EM JIMMY

And Seriously Gene has groove on a lot of songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wCqV9_zgk

TL5 · #14 07-02-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yngwie 4String

GET EM JIMMY

And Seriously Gene has groove on a lot of songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wCqV9_zgk

Did anyone else laugh out loud when Paul sang the lyric about being "starry eyed"

I've never seen Gene as an AI judge, but it sounds interesting. I don't have a problem with his bass playing. I like a handful of Kiss songs. There's some bass "icons" that I don't own any of their music because the songs just aren't any good.

unclekebm · #15 07-02-2009, 01:13 PM

My dis-like of Gene is not un-warranted, I was close to him personally at a Las Vegas function, I'll tell you he is a condescending Jerk Off! & so is his son...

I think the whole make-up thing is Bad A$$
And who cares if someone wants to make loads of $$$, hat's off to him!

He could never shine My shoes, and I'll groove circles around him, A hero? I'm not
If anyone thinks he is a good or great musician (bass player) needs to check themselves

That said, He is a marketing genius and fits into the American Idol thing perfectly

word...

majortoby · #16 07-02-2009, 05:19 PM

With Randy Jackson on board, having Gene Simmons is totally redundant. They should stop "flirting" with the idea of shamelessly commercializing the judges, and cut to the chase: Paris Hilton, Randy Jackson, Jack Johnson, and Lil Wayne. All the major music demographics are touched on, the "hot chick" judge is already a major name. Cute college girls will be tuning in for JJ, and people who lose to cacti at chess will be enthralled by "Weezy's" shenanigans.

JimmyM · #17 07-03-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclekebm

My dis-like of Gene is not un-warranted, I was close to him personally at a Las Vegas function, I'll tell you he is a condescending Jerk Off! & so is his son...

Yeah, he doesn't seem like the friendliest of people. Paul hated him when he first met him, too. Still does, I think. And that son of his is just a big ball of spoiled Hollywood brat zilch.

bassrique · #18 07-03-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Wow, lotsa hate for Gene, all of it completely unwarranted. Gene plays simple music and he's villified because he wears makeup and likes money, and meanwhile tons of bassists who couldn't shine Gene's Godzilla boots are hailed as heroes. Ridiculous.

As for him being a judge, while he was good at it, Idol only needs 3 judges. And one of them isn't Paula. I wasn't a big fan of Kara at first, but then she ripped her dress off during the finale show, and now I'm a huge fan So keep Randy, Kara, and Simon, let Gene continue being the badass rock star he is, and you guys go back to worshipping alt.rock heroes who can't play half as well as Gene.

OK, who is this "Kara" of which you speak?

JimmyM · #19 07-03-2009, 12:53 AM

Kara Dioguardi, the new judge on Idol this year, and songwriter of many recent horrible hit songs made famous by "artists" like the Pussycat Dolls.

totallyfrozen · #20 07-03-2009, 12:50 PM

I don't watch Idol. It makes me cringe; however, if Gene Simmons is replacing Paula Abdul...then yeah...it's a good call. I think Paula Abdul is as UNqualified to be a judge on that show as I am! She's just BARELY LESS qualified than Simon.
Randy...keep him.
The other 2...

...I don't get it.

A British trustfund brat silver spoon fed baby and a drunk dancing coach...yeah...to judge a singing contest?