policy with pop

It’s Called Clapping, Ryan Kwanten. You Should Try It.

I clap loud. I clad hard. I clap often. (And, no, that is not a euphemism.)

But, do you know who doesn’t clap? That guy from Summerland. Okay, most people know Ryan Kwanten from True Blood, but I don’t have HBO and I’ve never seen the show.

Anyway, I’m sick and watching VH1’s Divas. Ryan Kwanten is in the front row and the man does not clap. Now I understand that host Paula Abdul’s skits and monologues are not funny and do not in and of themselves merit clapping. But, you should clap out of respect for the event and maybe pity for Paula. Everyone in the audience got the memo, except for front-row Kwanten.

VH1 Divas | Divas Video

Every time the camera pans to Kwanten, he is the lone audience member with his hands either to his sides or on the armrests. It is an awkward pattern. But, it becomes down-right wrong when he is non-responsive when Paula introduces Liza Minnelli, who is sitting in the second row behind him. (Why on God’s green earth did VH1 seat Liza Minnelli behind Ryan Kwanten at a Divas show!?!). I start screaming at the TV and the True Blood star – It’s called clapping! CLAP!

Now I recognize my outburst may be an overreaction – hey, I’m sick and a wee bit cranky – but it’s freaking Liza Minnelli, a living legend. Alright I’ll be honest… I vaguely know why she’s a legend. She’s a famous Broadway actress or something, right? Maybe my ignorance is a pop sin… But, at least I would clap for her.

Clapping is a good thing that should be given generously. Am I right? Or am I right? Or perhaps you prefer Ryan Kwanten’s style – less is more?

Open Letter to David Archuleta

I need to get something off my chest… and PolicyWithPop is the only venue I have to express it. So here goes.

I hate it when my favorite celebrities make bad career choices. And, David Archuleta might be making one by flubbing a golden opportunity this upcoming Wednesday. Someone has to warn him. So here’s my first open letter to a celebrity...

Dear David Archuleta,

You can sing the phone book and make it sound good. No doubt. But, I implore you: Don’t sing “A Little Too Not Over You” on American Idol’s Wednesday result show as planned. That performance will hurt your career more than help it.

Here’s why: It’s not a good song. It doesn’t highlight your voice. The song is not catchy. Quite frankly, it is bland. And, I’m speaking as a loyal fan (who apparently likes to give constructive feedback).

Just look at its chart performance. “A Little Too Not Over You” has been released for a few months now and hasn’t picked up much traction on radio or in sales. The pop song may satisfy some of your tween fans – an important group for sure – but it also turns away older crowds.

Don’t be a Kidz Bop singer. You are more than that. And your management and label should recognize this.

America fell in love with your tender-but-powerful voice and aw-shucks personality. Use your Idol performance to reintroduce America to that David Archuleta. Sing a touching ballad. Remind people of your amazing voice and the emotion you can convey while singing.

Sing “You Can” on American Idol. You’ll be more true to yourself and sell more records.

Best wishes,
Rich of PolicyWithPop.com

PS. If your management and label were smart, “You Can” would be your 3rd single release and marketed as a wedding/love song – just in time for spring and summer weddings and prom. But that’s just my opinion…