Ellen DeGeneres’ Show In Hot Water For Using Unlicensed Songs And She’s Headed For Americal Idol
Rocking It Out With Barack
Everyone knows how much Ellen DeGeneres loves to rock out and dance with her DJ Tony Okungbowa in the beginning of all her shows. But recently, Telepictures Productions was slapped with a lawsuit for using unlicensed songs.
Ellen has been dancing to songs during her show intro for years. I wonder why this lawsuit showed up now? Seems like something the record companies would have caught a long time ago. Maybe they are just hurting by the almighty crush of the internet and can use some cash. Remember that song back in 1979, Video Killed The Radio Star by the Buggles? Well the record companies must be singing, “The internet killed the record companies.”
Not everything can go Ellen DeGeneres’ way all the time.
It turns out that several major record companies think the dance-happy host rocks out a little too much and are suing Telepictures Productions over the unlicensed use of more than 1,000 songs on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
You know how Ellen and in-house DJ Tony Okungbowa love their block-rockin’ beats. Per the suit, reps for Ellen said they don’t “roll that way” when the labels asked why they had not licensed the tunes.
But Telepictures doesn’t appear to be sweatin’ the copyright-infringement suit, telling reporters they have already been working with the plaintiffs to resolve their issues on “amicable and reasonable terms.”
The complaint, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Nashville, does not name DeGeneres as a defendant. (Though theoretically this means she’s been dancing to the beat of somebody else’s drum all this time.)
Well I guess Telepictures isn’t worried, and I would imagine they have enough dough to make the record companies who filed the suits very happy.
Besides Ellen has bigger fish to fry these days. It was just announced that Ellen will be replacing Paula Abdul as the fourth judge on American Idol. Apparently, she is elated about being asked to join the panel, and said that she is not going to be mean like Simon Cowell, but rather will let him know when he is being too mean to contestants.
Sorry, I just have to say this. I don’t understand why Ellen was picked for judging American Idol besides her obvious love for music. It seems like everyone on the panel has had something to do with the music industry in their past and seems a little bit more savvy when it comes to judging?
Don’t get me wrong, I like Ellen. She has never bothered me, and I have always admired her courage — just wish she would talk to her Scientology buddies about leaving the cult)
And as far as Idol goes…Randy what’s up dog? Jackson has always rubbed me the wrong way and I can’t stand Simon Cowell or the entire American Idol mania.
And remind me why Ryan Seacrest is famous again?
However, I have to give Paula Abdul kudos for her hits in her early 80’s singing career, (Opposites Attract, and Straight Up Now Tell Me) but sadly, he has become kind of ditzy over the years. Sorry Paula.
Maybe Ellen will bring a sense of freshness and honesty to the show that they so desperately need. It seems that the panel has become bored out of their minds and less and less tolerant of contestants and it has become no secret that this show is steep with ”ringers” that are not the average joes off the street trying to make the rags to riches story become a reality. Even though Randy Jackson and Simon have been quoted as saying:
“Let’s sign them.” We’re out to find the best undiscovered [talent] and really herald that.”
Undiscovered talent? HA!
There are handfuls of ringer contestants placed on this show which
are actual struggling artists. Music executives are the ones deciding who should be the next star by marketing them on Idol. It doesn’t mean that these struggling artists don’t deserve a chance at stardom, but it makes the whole Idol contest process snarky and very deceptive.
Take David Archuleta for instance. At age 12 he won Star Search. During Idol’s first season, he met with finalists and sang for Kelly Clarkson and then within days it was arranged for him to be on the show.
Archuleta is only one example. There are MANY more ringers that have appeared on Idol who had previous talent, agents, careers, and gigs etc… Click here and feel silly for believing all the hype that surrounds Idol and their ability of actually finding undiscovered talent.
The truth is, that the days of Idol finding a total nobody off the street and having them make it big doesn’t exist any more. Which is why I wished this show was over long ago. It’s just not what it pretends to be. I think Paula Abdul got out just in time. I am waiting for her to write a tell-all book about Idol which would finally send Simon packing. *that would be totally dee-lish!*
American Idol will be starting up fresh this January with a brand new face on their panel. I doubt if Ellen is privy to all the ringers on the show. Why would they tell her? And if they did, would she agree with it? I would like to think she wouldn’t.
Again it’s not that these struggling artists don’t deserve a chance at making it big, or should I say bigger…. it just seems wrong to promote the show as finding undiscovered talent. It is also sad for the other contestants, as it gives them even less of a chance of making it in to the finals.
As quoted by Vote for the Worst back in January of 2008:
So were the auditions just a formality this year? Because we’re fairly sure that if you have a Grammy winning duet with Alicia Keys, a band that opened for Britney Spears, or a prior relationship in show business, you probably weren’t waiting in line like the rest of the people who mistakenly assumed American Idol was a competition to find “the best undiscovered talent in America”. Then again, we all know what happens when you assume.
Count me out as far as tuning in to this “struggling artist ringer showcase”. Sorry Ellen, but at the very least, I hope you have a lot of fun on Idol cheering on the next pre-picked ringer!
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Wow, you don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. Yes, David met the finalists and was able to sing for them. He happened to know one of the contestants. It wasn’t an “audition”.
He also then had vocal paralysis and didn’t sing much for years. He decided to audition for Idol on a whim when he turned 16, never expecting to make it past the first round. He was no ringer. You should check your facts before posting something so blatantly untrue.
Comment by bella — September 11, 2009 @ 9:28 am
Bella, I only report what is out there. Which is why I provided a link to the “ringer” story in the article. Click it on..
I suggest you do some research, and start out with the link in the article that has the story on the ringers.
Or google: The Truth About the Contestants of American Idol 7
or perhaps read this story by ex contestant:
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/253976/ex-idol-contestant-says-show-is-rigged/
Which says this:
“Some ousted season 8 American Idol top 36 semi-finalists–including Felicia Barton, Kendall Beard, and Ju’Not Joyner–participated in an online chat with the Idol website AI Now today. And during his frank online conversation with fans, Ju’Not came right out and said that the TV talent show is in fact rigged, and that its contracts are unfair to contestants”
I also suggest you scroll down and read some of the comments left by readers under the The Truth About the Contestants of American Idol 7 article as well. Like this one for instance
Brooke White has released an album as well! It was originally released in 2005 and titled Songs From The Attic. Look here: http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Attic-Brooke-White/dp/B000KF0X0W
Comment by Queen — September 11, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Wow! I had no idea about the ringers. I actually quit watching a few seasons ago because it was just boring. Sometimes I’d watch the very beginning to see all the funny tryouts and maybe watch the end to see who won. I was going to tune in just to see Ellen. She is one of my favorite people of all time! But, now with this new info I don’t think supporting the whole Idol hype is a good idea.
Comment by Kelley — September 11, 2009 @ 9:55 am
you’re citing of vftw as a source takes your credibility down to zero…. nice try, but your sources of info suck.
Comment by nena — September 11, 2009 @ 9:57 am
”reporting what is out there” is a lazy excuse for old fashioned fact checking and research, as you have to be well aware that just because it’s reported or written doesn’t mean that it’s accurate, or factual.
Comment by baybet — September 11, 2009 @ 9:58 am
Queen here again…
This is a blog, not the Associated Press. I reported what is being said out there. If you don’t want to believe what is out there or what actual ex constestants have said, then that’s your choice.
Are you also not going to believe the past “rigged” contestant’s history of their past careers which are listed?
Others include Mandisa and Taylor Hicks, who both had CD’s before they were on the show.
Or maybe you would like to argue with MTV’s ringer story?
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579761/20080116/index.jhtml
If you want to believe that this show is on the up an up… again, that is also your choice.
OR if you just want to watch it for entertainment purposes like other “reality” shows, that’s ok too!
and if you think that Amercial Idol is all real, (which is your silly choice) then I have a bridge to sell you.
I think it’s a giant sham myself.
Comment by Queen — September 11, 2009 @ 10:08 am
Hey Queen….Read Bella’s comment again. She was just reporting on your inaccuracy about David Archuleta. You responded back with a link that DID NOT correct that inaccuracy. Do you have something to indicate that after David Archuleta sang to Kelly Clarkson when he was 12 he was placed on the American Idol show?
I know you are posting “what’s out there” and you are not the Associated Press, but I don’t see anything OUT THERE on this one. Anything to substantiate VFTW? Educate me.
Comment by prettyinpink — September 11, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
Prettyinpink,
I NEVER said Archuleta sang to Kelly Clarkson when he was 12. Get your facts straight.
I said he won Star Search when he was 12.
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/star_search4/video_junior.php
Some back history:
At age 11 he made his television debut. He sang “And I Am Telling You” on a Jenny Jones’ show for future Latino stars alongside season one finalist A.J. Gil.
Through A.J. Gil he was able to meet and sing for Gray who had sung the song on American Idol as well as Clarkson (that year’s winner) and Justin Guarini (the runner up).
In 2003, at age twelve, Archuleta sang on several episodes of the television show Star Search. He ended up as the Junior Vocal Champion on Star Search 2. On one episode, he sang against then-11-year-old Alexandréa Lushington, who became a “top 20″ semi-finalist on American Idol alongside Archuleta.
Also appeared on CBS’ The Early Show. and also and meeting the finalists from American Idol’s first season, for whom he performed a spontaneous a cappella rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls.
http://www.tv-gossip.com/wiki/David_Archuleta
Sounds like a ringer to me!
Comment by Queen — September 11, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
I see no correlation between David’s Archuleta’s appearance on Star Search at age 12 and his 16 year old debut on Idol…none. Besides which, he didn’t win Idol…so have you covered Cook’s musical experience?
Comment by Marylee — September 11, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
[...] Ellentellectual property lawsuit? – Glosslip [...]
Pingback by Daily Starbuzz – 9/11/09 | starcasm.net — September 11, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
Look people, let’s not get into a slug fest about Archuleta. He had prior training and appearances. Just like so many others. Just because he didn’t win, doesn’t mean he wasn’t a plant. It is what I believe.
Besides, how fair is it to put these people in with other constestants who don’t have a history of performances, CD’s, managers and such? (And I am not saying Archuleta had a prior CD or a manager, so don’t jump down my back).
But other ringers did have all these things. How would you feel if it was you competing and you found out you were going up against semi pros? Not so fair now is it?
As far as Cook goes, I didn’t look into his past, but I wouldn’t doubt if he had prior experience and appearances too.
The problem with this “reality” show and what I am trying to show, is that these constestants are not your average joe who are going to make it big. That is what Idol portrays and it is simply wrong.
IN MY OPINION.
They make it seem like these contestants are hidden talent that nobody knew about.
I think everyone who wants to have a shot at stardom, should try out. And if they are good enough, then they should be picked. BUT if some of these people have prior CD’s, gigs, manager and appearances under their belts, then they should have their own little competition.
To put these “seasoned” performers in with other constestants is just not fair. IN MY OPINION.
And it’s DECEPTIVE.
That’s my last comment. If you want to argue about Archuleta go ahead. The fact of the matter is….you can’t deny these “ringers” past bios, and you can’t possibly think this show is the real deal.
One of the ex constestants said Idol was not on the up and up and another ex contestant wants to write a tell all book. We all know THAT will be squashed.
Why on earth would you want to defend a show in ANY way that is PHONY?
If Idol changes their ways and tells people where these people came from and divulge all their past experiences, then at least it would seem a little bit more fair to the viewer.(which will never happen)
BUT… It still won’t be fair to the thousands of contestants who stood in line for hours, paid for airline tickets and had their families rooting for them, only to find out they were up against semi professional and professional singers.
So…If you think Idol is the real deal and totally on the up and up and you think you should support a show that is such a big lie, and you believe all their ridiculous hype…. then be my guest.
Idol’s success is a prime example of how stupid and gullible people really are.
There I said it. NUFF SAID!
Comment by Queen — September 11, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
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Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » Ellen DeGeneres’s Show In Hot Water For Using Unlicensed Songs And She’s Headed For Americal Idol — September 11, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
“To put these “seasoned” performers in with other constestants is just not fair. IN MY OPINION.”
Agreed Queen. I’ll admit to watching the show last season; Adam, in my opinion, is a huge talent. But the fact is that AI is not being upfront about their contestants. They do have ringers, and David Cook was one of them as well. I like Cook’s music he and seems like a good guy, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was a ringer.
As for the whole Paula thing, I think AI is crazy to let her go. If anything they should have axed Kara and given Paula the raise she deserved. I’m sensing a jumping the shark kind of thing here.
And that is my take on that
Comment by Rachel — September 11, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
I think part of what you are all saying is true. But you know, I’m sooooo happy that David Archuleta made it to the top. Anyway he can get there. His music is AWESOME! I wish everyone else the best of luck. It’s a hard climb out there.
Comment by concha — September 11, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
Archuleta was not a professional singer. He was merely a 16 year old musical savant who competed against people with years of experience and stage performances over him. 16 years old, and here’s someone actually tiffed that he got a chance to show his ability and be rewarded for it. He deserves everything he gets and he shares generously with others. Adam, on the other hand, was performing in music theater for longer than some of his opponents were alive.
Comment by la — September 12, 2009 @ 2:42 am
yeah if you were going to list someone who had past experience you could’ve picked someone besides david archuleta. like adam lambert, in broadway—wht was tht irish girls name?? well whtever it was she already had a cd or two. then, the great jordin sparks had already been touring and has a super rich dad so she could’ve done it w/out ai. I’m not dissin’ her cuz I think she is awesome! but seriously da? he was a kid on star search. so yeah…
Comment by Me — September 12, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
“ringer”, “plant” implies that AI is involveled in some clandestine activity that only its producer are aware of…until now. But eligibility requirements are a required read for all who wish to audition. Anyone who audition and claims to be shocked to find themselves along side contestents with some previous performance experience either didn’t read the eligibility rules, as AI requires, or they are being dishonest.
VFTW never claims that the named contestents didn’t meet eligibilty requirements. After it (VFTW) is an opinion blog. Just a sample read of some of the blog’s “news” will confirm that, like many other like sites, the facts will never get in the way of an agenda pushing story.
Comment by hitch — September 12, 2009 @ 6:57 pm
imo music should be free. I can play a song on a keyboard or a guitar for a group if I want and I see no difference with this.
Comment by Anonymous — September 13, 2009 @ 1:39 am
This article is totally rubbish! I wasted my time reading it.
Comment by Robert — September 13, 2009 @ 10:59 am
Robert…
Queen, here I also would like my 2 seconds back from reading your lovely comment!
Comment by Queen — September 13, 2009 @ 12:18 pm