Good singer, but I just don't see what the big deal is about. Probably it's that they didn't expect someone so plain looking having such a great voice. I never watch American Idol, or none of the reality tv shows, but I caught her on the news, and she's a decent singer, good range too. Seems like she's been replaced in the news by this "Jon and Kate" deal. Really who cares about these people's lives? I caught a bit of this Jon and Kate show in a piece that CNN did about it and it's the most pointless piece of crap that's currently on television now. And that's saying a lot considering the garbage that passes for TV entertainment.

At least Susan Boyle has some talent, which is more than you can say for either of those two clowns.

That this stuff gets a decent amount of airtime on the news says a lot about the media. Mad Cow disease, swine flu, and mushroom clouds from Iraq are just some of the stories that the media has sensationalized in the past. It's not only that they report excessively on stories that don't exactly matter much in the broader scheme of things (anyone from this list of 15 minutes of fame celebrities likely fit into this criteria!!), but it's that they sensationalize things that might matter. It's their job to report the facts, but sensationalism demands that liberties be taken, as such the wrong words can leave misguided perceptions in the minds of the audience.

For example, saying Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda in the same sentence left the perception in the minds of many that there really was a connection between 9/11 and Saddam--thus creating a "payback effect" when it came to the Iraq War, even though that regime had nothing to do with the attacks.

In the media's defense, real news keeps people honest. That means not overreporting on the trivial stuff (see: Jon + Kate, Susan Boyle) and actually reporting on real news. What's that you might ask? Real news keeps people honest, it exposes corruption, mistreatment, and lies. It is informative and helps people make decisions. When there's a big story, it's exciting and people want to read every word of it. But unfortunately for the media there's isn't a big story everyday. So what they try to do is sensationalize a not so exciting story, make the trivial into something and have people follow it.

While sensationalizing is nothing new, it really irritates me to no end, and it's one of the reasons why I stay away from TV news. Unfortunately I have to be reminded of this fact about every month or so.

usually when someone makes the list of 15 minutes of fame it is something negative. It is so nice to see a person make it for good. I heard about Susan Boyle in the news so had to look her up on You Tube. so glad I did. I watched the video of her coming on stage and my heart sank when some of the audience was sneering at her. goodness gracious physical beauty is oh so important. Then she began to sing with that beautiful voice of hers and she won the audience and the world over. I actually got choked up when I heard her and i do not get choked up easily. She strikes me as a very nice lady with a boatload of talent. she deserves the fame she got and hope she has a successful career. I am glad for her. UPDATE: it seems like the last seven weeks have taken it's toll on this sweet lady who was in the spotlight after she sang on Britain's got Talent. not only never having any privacy, but the pressure she was under and that gawd awful paparazzi who took great delight in harassing her. sounds like she had an emotional breakdown and is getting rest in a mental hospital. she has such a nice voice. I wish her the very best. and hope she is feeling better to cut that CD or whatever she wants to do.

I think she's great. From the first that she stepped out there I thought she was an interesting person. You could kind of see it coming but in a different way from what the judges thought. I like seeing show tunes myself and seeing someone actually being able to sing is awfully nice. I have seen them on Broadway. Many of them are not really singing as they only do enough to just show someone what the lines are and are just shouting all over really. Oh great, I paid to see this. I thought she did a wonderful job. She has also probably not had singing lessons and experience every day.

I have perfect pitch so it is nice for me to see someone singing well. I know I could probably not do that. I have been on other auditions. It is nice to see something like that for everyone that has tried to audition and seen their silly faces. I would not want to audition for the show myself but I could almost see it. She has a nice attitude and is not getting all conceited. It would be nice if she would win the show. One of the singers is saying that she is not that good but she herself is just talking mainly and they drag it out on her songs. If someone is really singing it is harder for them to do that. If she could take the experience and learn to grow with it, it would be great.

Dowdy woman has chutzpah to go on national TV and sing. It turns out she has a beautiful voice and can use it to sell a song. Pretty good stuf, if you are into show tunes. I wasn't that wowed, but I thought she held herself up well in a stuation that clearly would shake the nerves of the average citizen though.

I found the reaction of the panel of judges more interesting. These attractive TV people hold themselves up as national arbitrators of good taste (how did they get that gig?). They make their living not actually performing or demonstrating any talent, just judging it. They commented over and over that when they saw her they figured she would bomb and that she couldn't sing and had no place being on TV. And then she sang so beautifully and they were totally shocked that someone so unlikely looking could do so well.

How offensive was that? Only good looking people can generally sing well? Or at least only good looking people should do so on TV? Or at least good looking people should be the ones on stage and if they can't really sing, we can take care of that with a pre-recorded vocal track. Where is the next Johnny Rotten?

I don't see what all the fuss is about. Sure she can sing, but I can think of dozens who can sing better, and even more who can sing as well. Granted, by the standards of reality TV, she's Aretha Franklin, but in real life, she's not close. What I find interesting is the cultist frenzy that seems to think its a miracle that an average to plain looking person can sing. Although in this era when many "stars" lip-synch their concerts, maybe that is something of a miracle.

To me, it's not just about the realization of how one's look doesn't matter to one's ability. More importantly, I'm secretly hoping for a worldwide trend of real talents, humble spirit, and inner beauty.

Susan Boyle has shown us how she could soar through a song and touch our heart without any makeup and fancy clothes, and she has also shown us clearly what her dream is. However, she's not just another dreamer not based on reality. On another interview at her own home, she was asked how she'd like to spend the money if she won. Her answer was "let's do this one step at a time" (or something close to that). Many people have argued that there are many people out there who can sing like her and never have a chance to get famous. True, but she didn't win our hearts just because she's an ugly songbird. In fact, she's not ugly, she's ordinary looking just like 90% of us. Her personality, her wits, and even seems to show depth in true wisdom combined with her real talent have made her a gem. After watching the interview I have more faith in her that she can stay clear-minded even after attaining the fame.

Now it's my turn dreaming a dream of radio shows featuring only real good singers.

She is living proof that glamor has nothing to do with personal talent. I have seen many who seem to have all the looks, and not an ounce of talent to be found. I hope her career really takes off.

On the side: Has anyone noticed something on this particular review? Everyone so far has agreed on something! A real oddity for RIA! Just thought I'd point that out, as it's quite a novelty.

Well. . .this is the classic 15-minutes of fame . . .hidden talent that (temporarily) gets our attention. And she does have pipes.

She may be very homely, but she is who she is. She has a fantastic talent, and that's all that matters.

We're assuming that Ms Boyle is a genuinely nice, honest and sincere person who would get hit by a truck and be more worried about the truck driver. I wish her all of the success that she deserves.

But, there's an interesting hook, here. I've spent a lot of time in recording studios and have listened to a lot of singers...most of who were as good as Ms Boyle and countless singers who could smoke her. The other singers probably spent a lot of time in front of a mirror, fine-tuning their appearance, in hopes of gaining an edge, because in this day and age (and probably all days and ages), looks...hair, symmetrical faces, smiles and cleavages dilate pupils. Her looks didn't dilate any pupils, but it was the exact same concept...in reverse...that won her 15+ minutes of fame: her looks! No one expected that pie to taste so good. It was that stark contrast between her looks and her voice that caused all of the commotion. But, it's nice to see someone who we perceive as an underdog catch some wind in her sails...

(I understand that after the show, she borrowed half a million dollars against future earnings and lost it in a heads-up poker game. She was last seen standing at the stern of a shrimping boat, headed out to sea.)

She is an endearing and naturally talented person, for she clearly has not had any professional training. And even though I was touched by her performance, I am torn about all of the fanfare that she is getting. I feel that it is very condescending to be amazed by her talent; and not all that different from expecting her to not know how to sing based on how she appears in the surface. A person's skill should not be judged by their appearance. Talent and looks are mutually exclusive. However, if this is what it takes for someone who lacks the "adequate" looks and attitude to get a chance in a very superficial industry, then so be it. Power to her!

It is a great, even profound, delight when someone this real, this talented and this unpretentious shatters the artifice and the slickness which pervades what passes for popular entertainment these days, when Reality actually breaks through on one of these so-called reality shows. I hope that she realizes her dreams. Age should be no factor. How old was Grandma Moses when she first was recognized for her talent?

Her performance on "Britain's Got Talent" and the reactions to it by the judges and audience surely should win 2009's Most Surprising and Heart-Warming Moment. I confess -- I had tears in my eyes (I'm a softie, I know), but I'll bet I wasn't the only one. My predictions: (1) she'll win the "Britain's Got Talent" prize, and (2) she'll go on to achieve great success in musical theatre on London's West End and NYC's Broadway. Her voice is that good and that powerful, and she's got the grit and spunk. What a great story -- a currently unemployed 47-year-old unmarried Scottish church volunteer (her wisecrack that she has "never been kissed" was a joke, she later said) almost instantly achieves global fame. Given the first impression she created with her dowdy, ungroomed appearance and awkwardness, the juxtaposition of her powerful, beautiful voice was a startling, stark contrast. If you haven't seen the YouTube video, you owe it to yourself to check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk.

Susan Boyle is definitely worthy of her 15 minutes of fame, and hopefully she will be able to use her singing talent to give herself more than just a brief moment in the spotlight.

Let me add my "YES" to millions of others, though I think she may be famous for a lot longer than 15 minutes.

http://tinyurl.com/ctuemq

I searched on RIA and y'all are bums because I couldn't find her. Enjoy!