American Idol: The Worst of Seasons 1-4

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Since its debut in 2002, American Idol has served well to reveal some of America's best undiscovered vocal talents, but in order to get to the best, you've got to weed through the rest - and that's what this release is all about. Sometimes the vocalists on American Idol are so awful that you just can't help feeling for them. Sometimes, as in the case of "She Bangs" crooner William Hung, the sheer lack of any discernable talent nearly transcends musical ability to become something of a talent itself. Either way you view it, the worst is often just as entertaining as the best, and it just doesn't get any worse than this. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Features:
  • • America The Beautiful (as you've never heard it before!)
    • Proud Mary (a popular contestant choice)
    • Fashion Faux Pas
    • Christmas Carols ...and more...

REVIEW:

• Even if a viewer doesn't like American Idol, it's hard not to get sucked in by each year's audition episodes because they mix in some fascinatingly awful contestants along with the more talented hopefuls. American Idol: The Worst Of Seasons 1-4 takes the viewer through all the highlights among these lowlights. As one might expect, the bum notes flow like wine -- the most amazing moment may be one young man's perversely awful rendition of "Like A Virgin" - and the contestants are always shocked when the judges greet their 'singing' with rejection. The results veer back and forth between hilarity and nastiness (Simon Cowell can be painfully blunt but Randy Jackson can match him for venom and even Paula Abdul sometimes gets in on the fun). However, the editors of this compilation balance these moments out with some amusing bits of revenge enacted by the contestants, like the young man who hurls a cup of water on Simon and another man who comes in and insults the judges and the contest so much that he isn't even allowed to audition. The one drawback of this video is the short running time means that many auditions are cut short or excised completely to get right to the post-song battle of words. That said, there is plenty of cringe-worthy entertainment here for those who can appreciate the ugly side of show business. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi