Harsh talent show judge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section may contain original research or unattributed claims.
Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the talk page for details.

The harsh talent show judge is a showbusiness cliche.

Talent shows invite aspiring performers, usually through an open audition process, to compete for the attention of industry executives and the general public. Talent shows usually focus on performing arts such as singing, dancing, rapping or comedy.

A harsh judge is a major drawcard for a talent show. He or she may become the 'hook' of the show - the reason that people watch the show and talk about it the next day. The harsh judge is often someone who the audience 'loves to hate'.

Harsh judges are often aloof and well-spoken. When performers make an error (or even if they don't), the harsh judge will be the one to pounce on the mistake. They may criticize a performer's obesity, hairstyle or other superficial features as readily as the performance itself. Sometimes lay people who have little talent will audition for talent shows as a joke or from a mistaken perception of their own abilities. The harsh judge is able to deliver put-downs to these people as a kind of punchline, thereby completing the joke.

It is usual for the harsh judge to speak last, after all the other judges. The producers of a show may also employ a judge who often praises contestants, in order to balance the effect of the harsh judge. Often this judge will speak second-last, to allow for the harsh judge's criticism to be more shocking.

Simon Cowell from American Idol is currently the most famous harsh judge in the English-speaking world. However, there are others who have played the role before and after Cowell: