But do you realize that judges go through a similar process?  Just like singers are typecast for a show (not a bad thing – see my posts on X-Factor and The Voice), judges are cast for certain roles too. 

I go into this in detail in The Killer Singing Audition Cheat Sheet, but today I want to break it down to the three main judges roles.

The People’s Judge

Love him or hate him, Simon Cowell is the reason American Idol was what it is (or was, depending on your viewpoint).  He is the reason XFactor will be huge.  Simon Cowell is the ultimate people’s judge. 

He says what needs to be said like most of us couldn’t or wouldn’t dare to. But most importantly he has a crystal clear view of why he’s there; not to hold hands but to find a marketable talent for his label.   He is first and foremost a  business man.  It is, after all, his money on the line and his people who ultimately have to work long term with the winner.

Other singing competition based TV shows cast a Simon-esque character; one who is tougher on the contestants and will make more shocking comments.  I know firsthand of judges who have been asked to be ‘the simon’ on a show. 

The thing that sets Simon apart is that’s who he really is.  He doesn’t have to act the role. And because of that, his comments, like them or not, are refreshingly honest.  Even Simon haters have to agree with what he says sometimes.

The peoples judge is there to cut to the chase, be brutally honest and say what they think with little or no attachment to the singer at all. 

The Singers Judge

God love her, Paula Abdul is back this fall for The X Factor.  Simon himself said (many times) he had little respect for her as a judge and found her frustrating to work with (though she probably shared the same view).  But Paula is back because she is the ultimate singers judge. 

Paula is the model for the caring, consoling, ‘always on your side’ judge that contestants really need to balance the often cold, cutting-but-true comments of the people’s judge.  Every singing show has a Paula.  Thankfully, most of the Paula wanna-be’s tend to give more useful comments than “you look beautiful tonight”.  Don’t get me started.

The singers judge is there to keep the singer from slumping into a puddle of their own broken tears after hearing from the people’s judge.

The Other Judge(s)

Did you ever notice that you barely remember the other judges?  If American Idol would’ve only run one season no one would remember Randy Jackson.  But you got to know him over several seasons until you did. 

Most shows that aren’t sure they’ll make it several seasons tend to cast an established singing star you’ve heard of.  But in the case of the XFactor (which Simon KNOWS will be back) they’ve cast two judges that are little known to the general public; a performer and an industry guy.

The other judge(s) in singing TV show are there to play the middle ground between the peoples judge and the singers judge; smoothing the way after tough comments or adding tough comments to otherwise softball opinions. 

These are generally cast to be someone with real music, recording and performing experience who generally have useful comments for the contestants.  The other judges are there because if you only had the ‘hate you’ – ‘love you’  judges, watching the show would require more emotion than viewer wants to invest.  After all, we watch TV to relax, not to get emotionally charged (O.k….except for football season).   

With the exception of those who own the show (Simon), singing show judges are chosen for their role.  Many times they’re picked for their name and/or reputation and then coached to fit the role they’re chosen for.   Knowing that can give a singer great perspective.  And understanding that the judged have a role to play too allows singers to focus on THEIR role instead of falling into the temptation of being defined by one or two comments.

If you’d like to know more about what the judges job is from the first auditions and on, check out The Killer Singing Audition Cheat Sheet.  In it I go into great detail about who the judges are, what they’re looking for and how to best get their attention.

 This fall when you watch the new slew of singing shows, look for the ‘roles’ the judges play.  Which ones do you like most?  Rate how they’re doing, not just the singers.  It can give you great insight to the process of being a part of a successful TV singing show.

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy

Get your Simon fix while you can.  Season 9 of American will be one of your last chances to see the brutally honest Britt as a judge on American Idol.  That’s because Brittan’s own X-Factor is coming to the states in fall of 2011.

Sure it’s a bit to wait, but the it will be worth it when you consider the differences between the two reality show styled talent contests.

Rumor has it Paula Abdul might be back for this one, but either way the show format that has launched European stars like Leona Lewis is sure to make a dent in the Idol audience and the talent pool.

So if you thought you couldn’t get a shot at your dream because of your age or because you’re not a solo act, now’s the time to ramp up your training and get out there and perform as much as humanly possible.  This is your last chance workout!  Oh wait, that’s another reality show.

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy