It's unlicensed and the amount of the cash prize has yet to be decided on, but in Ethiopia, "Ethiopian Idols" is must-see TV. It's not that the singing is so entertaining, but rather one judge in particular, Feleke Hailu, who is the talk around the water buffalo. See, Feleke insults people, frequently selling contestants that they "sing like a donkey." He's won the viewing audience over big time:
Fan Ejigahu Melesse says at first she and her friends were astounded by the bluntness of Feleke and his three fellow judges.
"I couldn't believe what they were saying to the singers," said the 25-year-old shop assistant who lives in the capital, Addis Ababa. "We just don't do that here in Ethiopia. But gradually we became addicted because it was so refreshing. Now we don't miss a show and think Feleke's comments are hilarious."
The contestants, however, find it hard to warm up to Feleke and his fellow judges:
The judges "are criminals," said Natinel Amsalu, a 17-year-old student and amateur crooner who was raked over the coals by the all-male panel after his croaky rendition of "My Love," a local song made popular by Ethiopian star Theowdros Kassahun.
"I am a very good singer but the judges kept saying I had serious problems reaching the high notes," said Natinel, who practices each day in front of a mirror. "They did not even listen to me. What they have done is a very bad thing. They made me look a fool."
How does Feleke feel about this? Recalling how one singer he'd criticized threw a stick at him, he said, "The problem is in our culture. It is not common to tell the truth or criticize. People cannot take criticism."
Posted by floridacracker at January 8, 2006 08:47 PM