As we reflect on Paul Potts, the newly discovered winner of “Britain’s Got Talent” [ BGT ] and his beautiful voice, we naturally reflect on our own values and life accomplishments. What gifts has God given us? Can the sun warmly shine on our faces? I cried and replayed videos several times to take in emotions of not only singer, but also judges, and audience. But my wonder had a gnawing knowing that did fit neatly into the ‘underdog to top performer’ story I heard in his storyline.

World wide delight from seeing Paul fully approved; perhaps after being de-valued for years, came as much for his humble slightly tousled persona, and as much for his ardent operatic singing. But, a charade that falsely elicits my true emotions seems a scam, especially if greedy.

I heard the story on video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA – from the opening set-up, “… the world of show biz seems a million miles away. Its Paul, a mobile phone salesman from South Wales.”. At 3.51 on the clip, Simon Cowell said, “I like shows where somebody isn’t a professional, has talent, isn’t aware of it, has a normal job, and then you see something else.”

Paul talked about his dream and that he lacked complete confidence. We can all identify. He sang. Magic. But, as Simon said, “… then you see something else.”, and like he said: I saw a former £8,000 prize [ about $16,000 U.S., now ] for Paul from Michael Barrymore’s TV talent show, and extended tutelage from operatic masters in Italy, four amateur opera productions, a concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and plans for a summer tour with them.

Obvious. Amateur talent needs training and experience. That is worthy! But my emotions are dialed into this guy who said his dream is to do what he feels he was born to do, and his struggle was with confidence! Prize money with experience in the craft seems confidence building. I saw a fellow who wore a humble jacket at his first audition before TV cameras, sans a tuxedo he knows well in opera, yet spiffed at the finals. But, his voice! Wait. A voice is the spoken word, too.

It was implied that he was an unknown without sponsors. On the British TV interview after Paul won BGT, he was clear, “You know, I’ve not taken up promotions before because people wanted me to change who I was, and I’m determined to be true to myself, because at the end of the day ….”, http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts – June 18 video, set 1.30. They wanted his talent, and he chose not? Okay, he can hold out! But, that seems strong and very confident! He refused pro-motions and we got e-motions: shy bullied kid; his best friend was his voice.

In part, there seems a true innocence. Did Paul get hijacked by Simon’s production people in his talent search company? Paul’s disclosure at the same June 18 video above, set at 0.23 near the tape ending [ reverse countdown ] is in response to the interviewer’s statement, “Don‘t forget where you had started.” Paul responded, “Well, actually, I actually sent you ( the TV station ) a tape. I actually this [ ? - a tape ? ]. And basically the letter I got back was uh, ‘Sorry. We’ve already booked the artists for the rest of the season.’” Note: 1. Paul seemed forthright and open, and 2. He had not given up on his dream, but had been aggressively marketing himself. The Simon Cowell production company machine does not seem to match that same story toward us, the public who votes. Paul seems to allow the ruse.

He was flown to New York to field key questions form NBC’s Today Show USA , like: “… and I know that you haven’t had formal training, so how did you learn to sing like this?”. He ignored the wrong assumption and said, “Umm, I’ve just always sung – just always sung. My voice has always been my best friend.”, June 21 video at 2.53; same site above. Endearing. DEAR ME! As Simon said, “has talent, isn’t aware of it ….”.

Humility means to be common and unpretentious, like its root ‘humus’. People who are ‘earthy’ do not cover over their experiences, help, and friends. Paul promotes ‘underdog’ and ‘unconfident’ assumptions. To Paul, what worth is his history about master teachers who gave him lessons, on which he spent most of the £8,000 prize money, and stage singers with whom he traveled the Italian operatic circuit http://www.bathopera.co.uk/Past%20Productions/Aida/aida_biographies.htm, and London’s operatic experience, with more having been planned? The same question about his experience was asked again on the NBC update of June 28 video at 1.10; http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts. Paul’s same endearing answer was given again. The reality seems that he was savvy to market outside-the-opera-box, in a talent search, marketing as an Unknown Unconfident Underdog. Three U’s emoted via U-tube feels like an emotional scrub in a U-tub.

Critics comment that Paul is okay for an operatic singer; not extraordinary. I like his voice. Paul Potts should have ‘Passion’ for a middle name. His voice is memorable. What is extraordinary, though, are hyped emoted feelings. Some people might say, “That is how the show world sells! Everyone is Packaged.” No! Not here! Not with true emotions of people around the world, teary eyed for the underdog; not in this case of contestants’ climbing the ranks on rungs of public votes: and the public paying to vote by telephone! Purity of spirit should remain pure, not a sham that brings shame to hope and faith in a Horatio Alger type humanity; done at our expense. I enjoy world-class music, but not world-class charades and emoted stories, for profit! What is the Paul and Simon story?

British Simon Cowell spent 2 years forming “Four Tenors” called “Il Divo”, a popular package of the operatic world, similar to the Three Singing Tenors. Producer-scouts know their world, like Indian scouts of yore with ear to ground, listening for distant buffalo runs. The public stampede matters. Simon knows the operatic world. He owns his talent search company, produces, and packages talent. He knows that both talent and emotion sell. Did he tweak our emotions through set-up stories to launch a Paul Potts’ Premier CD; with Simon producing more mogul money? I like full emotions and full disclosures; not half-full false ‘unconfident’ ‘unknown’ ‘underdog’. Half-full leaves me half-empty.

Paul’s ‘unknown’ enigma is really sans ‘full disclosure’. What we know is a hyped ‘underdog’ ‘low confidence’ story, and it yanks at more money. If he acts fairly, works hard and has talent, then he hopefully will reap reward. Paul was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor, the council’s youngest member in Bristol. He won their Eastville election in March 1996. That would have hopefully reaped him confidence. His friend is his voice? http://www.bristolwest-libdems.org.uk/news/000338.html

As BGT showcases this 36 year old mature amateur singer, then perhaps the last drop of bloody money can be wrung from innocence. Not his innocence. Ours. A contestant background video showed Paul in what appeared to be lush South Wales seaside, looking like a CD cover. Simon Cowell’s announcement at the final show that Paul Potts would be recording an album the next week was lucid business-linkage to the world. But to link our common emotions for hope in challenges, and our faith in people and love of life: to a ‘confident’ ‘hold-out promotional’ person who did not disclose his full story, is miserly manipulation. A contestant who approaches their show stage will be known: by producers: and in advance. Why? Producers want to uncover upsetting persons, especially when the prize is the doorway to a contract! They want to develop lead-in pieces about a contestant’s character and history! I want a good spirit that is fair to the closing of Nessun dorma!: Vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!, I shall win! I shall win! I shall win!

If Paul Potts fairly wins a competition to get a contract, then great! The June 21 NBC interview ended at 0.20 with a transition piece to NBC’s next show segment. Its topic was ironically poignant: “Greed in America: why some people will do anything in search of easy money.”. Emotion was hyped, then E-motioned by U-tube. We cried. Why? Good voice, and hyped! Perhaps disclosures of Paul and Simon were not as lyrically full as some New York city namesakes, but they might have much in common with another June 21 item from MSNBC: “Martha Stewart on grilled chicken done right” at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19054369/ . Someone, turn up the heat to grill them about “disclosure”, in this case! The sound of money echoes in my deeply emoted feelings, and charades are shallow sales.

John

I agree that her comments were very nice. It turns out that her name is Amanda Holden. There is also more information on the judges at the official Web site.

John

However… that was awesome! Kudos to that guy. It warms my heart to see somebody doing something they love, and actually succeeding at it. That was fantastic!