Teddism.com

At this time last week, the name Susan Boyle meant nothing to the world.  In literally, a few short days, Susan Boyle, a middle-aged lady from Scotland has gained world-wide attention and fame and is loved and respected by tens of millions of people.  She has become an overnight sensation before our very eyes! 

For those of you who haven’t seen Ms. Boyle, on April 11, 2009 she auditioned on the English TV Show Britain’s Got Talent .  Because of her plainly appearance and homely style, when she came out, the audience and judges snickered – most everyone snickered.  In a uniquely touching moment for millions, however, when she began singing the snickering turned into tears, awe and applause.  That is because with her crystal voice of an angel, Ms. Boyle, a middle-aged unemployed charity worker, dazzled and amazed as she sung ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from Les Miserables… with a perfect pitch and a power that could rival any singing star today.

Watch Here!

Boyle is now making the rounds in the media, they are anxious to speak with her, because we are fascinated by her and want to get to know her better.  In a recent interview on CNN she said that she won’t change her looks, “why should I?” she asked rhetorically.  Then she predicted:

“I won’t be lonely, I certainly won’t be lonely anymore.”

What happened when seeing Susan Boyle performed like a star, most if not all of us were ashamed because we had judged on her looks.  We saw an awkward middle-aged lady that is probably going to do some amateur trick that would be as awkward as we had ‘judged’ her to be.  When we heard her sing, our first impression was replaced respect and a sense of shame for having put her in the box she had probably been placed in her entire life.  Surely we will be privileged to hear her singing for many years to come, and all the while we should remember the lesson that she has taught us – to not discount someone just because they don’t look the way we think they should.

Susan Boyle, to you we say:

Thank you for reminding us that there is a little ‘Boyle’ in all of us and we are looking forward to loving you for years to come!

This week, NBC’s new police drama, ‘Southland‘ Premiered in the slot previously held by ‘ER‘ for an unprecedented 15 Seasons – until last week’s Series finale.  To say that the ‘Southland’ pilot was not a good show is too simple and is not exactly accurate.  The episode struggled and teetered, once or twice on boring, but saved itself in the end.

Michael Cudlitz (“A River Runs Through It”) plays John Cooper an experienced Los Angeles policeman who is assigned to train young new cop, Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie, “The O.C.”).  Cooper’s straight, honest approach to the job leaves Sherman questioning whether or not he has what it takes to become a police officer.

The acting by Cudiltz and McKenzie was great, they were involved and absolutely felt the roles.  The supporting actors and the script were a bit week.  As is often the case with new shows, it takes a few episodes to find its groove.  Southland has an extra hard task – taking over a time slot that had been the king of time slots for many years.

There is hope in this new show but they need to turn it around in a few episodes.  ‘Southland’ needs to pick up the pace, get rid of the boring moments, develop the characters nicely and have great story lines.  Otherwise, it will show up sick in the ER!