The unfortunate creature, in the picture above, found itself in a spot of bother during the first part of a story from the Christopher Eccleston season of “Doctor Who”, in an episode entitled “Aliens of London”. It was all about a family of extraterrestrial beings, the Slitheen, who take over the bodies of humans but with what can only be described as inappropriate social skills! In one sense, the pictured animal is not out of place amongst such company. But, in light of what seems to have been a major talking point over the last week or so, maybe it would’ve been more apt had this little piggy appeared in episode twelve, “Bad Wolf”, and, in particular, in the segments devoted to “Big Brother”!
I’m not a fan of reality TV shows but it would be wrong of me to suggest that everybody who has ever appeared in one is a no-hoper. While some well-marketed, but set to self-destruct, contestants gas ignorantly in every direction, there are those, although very few in number, who genuinely have talent. It might be because they have come from a privileged background but there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, thank heavens! Without aspiring individuals, there would be no Symphony Orchestras and the world would, indeed, be a truly poorer place. Spiritually, not economically. Perhaps Classical music isn’t your cup of tea. But, without these highly trained musicians, just imagine what “Eleanor Rigby” would’ve sounded like?
One such particular person to come to the fore, through a reality television show, is Myleene Klass. She is 28 now but her “big break” came six years ago in an ITV1 show called “Popstars”. That’s not what’s important though. What is important is that she started learning the violin and piano at the age of four. She took up the harp at the age of twelve. She received an A grade in A level Music. I could continue but you get the idea. She is very accomplished, and probably because she is a very determined young woman. You can see it in her face. There are many in the “music business” (and what does business have to do with music?) who claim to write their own material that couldn’t tell a piece of manuscript paper from a piece of toilet paper! Whilst co-hosting “CD:UK”, Myleene presented some rapper, whose name I forget, with a framed notation of one of his “songs”. When she is obviously skilled, I wonder what she hopes to achieve by going down the populist route? Whatever happened to violinist Vanessa Mae?
Now, of course, after appearing scantily clad in another reality show, Myleene is best known for taking showers in a variety of different coloured bikinis. There is nothing wrong with that in itself. She is a beautiful girl with a beautiful body. It’s the spin the media put on it that should perhaps be questioned. And yet, I’m sure she knows what she’s doing. There is a set of photos, and you can’t tell from just a single image, showing Myleene with her ex-Hear’Say band mate Suzanne Shaw, out on the town, and it is quite clear which of the two girls is in control. Ms Shaw is hanging on for dear life while Myleene is obviously trying to get her associate away from the glare of the photographers. Anyway, make up your own mind. Below are a couple of galleries showing Myleene looking far more sporty than Melanie C ever did!
4 comments:
She had an album out a while back called "Moving On". She played classical pieces on the piano. I remember seeing her playing on one of the tv morning shows while trying to promote the album. I don't think that it did very well which could by why she hasn't done anymore. Of course she was also working on her degree (her second I think) which could be another reason for not making another one. I'm not a fan but I don't dislike her either. She is clearly talented and intelligent.
I'm not a fan either. I don't think you can put a group together from mismatched contestants on a reality TV show. I'm of the old school believes in touring and gaining experience playing music together.
Her solo album probably didn't make much of an impact because it included many of the usual "suspects" recorded so many times before. I think she's contracted to make another four!
What intrigues me about Myleene is the mass of contradictions! She has all that talent and yet hasn't actually made a decent record yet. I suspect marketing is suppressing her natural creativity. And she possibly isn't unhappy with that if making money is a motivational force in her life. Trouble is, by trying to appeal to both popular and classical markets she'll end up appealing to neither.
It's a sad fact that the pop world forces singers, bands etc into a certain "mould". I'm sure there are many other talented individuals out there who have been forced to compromise their artistry and tow the media line. Goodness, that sounded pretentious. But you know what I mean don't you? And by the sounds of it, Marlene is one such example.
Mmm now are you using the picture of the pig for a reason, Time Warden? Could you be likening it to a certain recently evicted occupant of the Celebrity Big Brother house? Or is that just me reading into things?!
I know what you mean, Simon. But if someone like Kate Bush can hold on to her musical integrity, and remain inventive within the parameters she has set herself, then I’m left wondering why Myleene doesn’t stand her corner for something a little more creative. I would feel musically unfulfilled in her position and, in a sense, she is betraying her training for twenty pieces of silver. She is skilled where most are not.
Spot on about the pig! If you click on the image, you’ll see the filename is a bit of a giveaway. I wanted to make comparison without mentioning that particular evictee by name just as a kind of fun writing exercise AND so as not to give her anymore free publicity. She was paid £500 for appearing on “This Morning” which she passed on to charity, being blood money. It hasn’t occurred to her that said charity might be offended by her assumption that they’re happy to be tarnished by association.
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