Flat-Out Awesome

But Can They Sing?

By B-Side | | 4:17 pm | 44 Comments
fairchild

VH1 premiered But Can They Sing? last night, and I’ll just say it. This show is amazing. Truly amazing. Just about the only detraction was the unctuous emceeing by host Ahmet Zappa. C’mon VH1. You can do better than that. Nevertheless, even though some of the singers pulled off adequate karaoke-level performances, the real stars of the show were wannabe crooners Antonio Sabato Jr., Kim Alexis, Myrka Dellanos (who?), and Bai Ling. Emphasis on Bai Ling. I still don’t know whether I’m embarrassed for these “retro-stars” or impressed with their “bravery,” as VH1 calls it, but honestly, I’m not sure if I care either way. As long as they keep spewing out the atonal dirges, I’ll be more than happy to sit and listen.

Audio clips in convenient, iPod-friendly mp3 format after the jump…

Click on the singers or their names to hear them perform.

sabato10-31-05
Antonio Sabato Jr. stuns all with a sweaty version of “Every Breath You Take.”
kimalexis10-31-05
Ever wonder what a pigeon would sound like singing country? Just ask Kim Alexis!
myrka10-31-05
I don’t know who you are, Myrka, but I like your style. Your awful, flat, atonal style.
bai10-31-05
And last but not least, Bai Ling takes on Madonna’s “Like A Virgin.” This performance was so fantastic, we had to include the whole song. Instant classic.

Who was your favorite?

About

44 Comments

  1. 1
    Lizardqueen
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 4:26 pm

    Oh Boise! I hope that I have somehow received the Chipmunks versions of these MP3 clips. If not, whew. That is beyond horrendous. But can they sing? Answer: No.

  2. 2
    L
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 4:27 pm

    I have to agree with Bai Ling’s awe inspiring performance… but the audio doesn’t do her justice! The public demands a video clip of her performance! I mean… come on… Madonna might as well retire and let Bai Ling take over!

  3. 3
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 4:28 pm

    L–

    I tried to upload a video clip, but it was too big. I have to wait until technical guru J-Unit returns to the TVgasm offices before we get video up.

    But I agree, Bai Ling’s performance was a sight to be seen, not just heard.

  4. 4
    Kat
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 4:39 pm

    Oh man, last week I was driving down Melrose and passed Bai Ling in her cherry red Mercedes, singing her head off like the world’s most passionate lounge singer. Now I know it had a purpose!

  5. 5
    Mark
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 5:09 pm

    I guess this proves that no publicity is bad publicity.

  6. 6
    Carmine Gotti
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 5:21 pm

    This is my show. If u dont agree, ur deaf, blind, and stupid.

  7. 7
    b
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 5:27 pm

    I used to like Myrka Dellanos… until now. She kinda looked ridiculous.

  8. 8
    b
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 5:28 pm

    Then again… Kim Alexis and Bai Ling…

  9. 9
    E
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 6:36 pm

    http://www.vh1.com/vspot/player.jhtml?name=shows&vid=64901

    If you want to see the Bai Ling performance in all it’s glory!

  10. 10
    amygirl
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 7:24 pm

    Hey B-Side-
    Thank You, Thank You, Thank You- I would never have given this show a second thought (didn’t even consider it last night, even though I knew it was on). But your audio clips made me an instant fan!!! I can’t wait for next week. Does anyone know the line-up? will it always be the same people competing against each other or will there be different guests on each week? How does this show work?

  11. 11
    Dave J.
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 8:28 pm

    Woah, Kim Alexis. That was some bad stuff right there.

  12. 12
    geewits
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 9:43 pm

    Ouch. I could only take a few seconds of each song. And by the way, that wasn’t Bai Ling, that was William Hung’s sister.

  13. 13
    mondo259er
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 9:45 pm

    wow, id say its a three-way tie between bai ling, myrka, and kim alexis. I mean, I thought I knew tone deaf via Britney Spears, but obviously these three ladies are the wave of the future.

  14. 14
    Fuzzbait
    Posted October 31, 2005 at 10:03 pm

    “You make me feeah, all sine-y and new…Like a verge-Gin..You’re so fie, and you my…Like a
    verge-IN..when you hahr bea neck to my…like a virg-IN…OWWWWW”
    That’s not Bai Ling, that’s Yoko Ono.

  15. 15
    Trumpoline
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 4:15 am

    x_Owwwwwwwwww!!!

    Damn, man. Bai Ling’s version kept spinning in my head for the whole day.

    I had the urge to stand up during my meeting and go “OWWWWWwwwwwuuuuuuu”!

  16. 16
    Tony A.
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 4:20 am

    I’m from Detroit and as of now I’m nominating Bai Ling to sing the national anthem before Super Bowl XL, to be played here this season. It’ll be a perfect reminder that Detroit sucks and is about to be swept away in the river.

  17. 17
    BigMax
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 6:16 am

    Tony A. — as a fellow Detroiter, please do not give them any ideas. I was at the Pistons’ playoff game where William Hung “sang”. Sometimes, with the help of some sedatives, I can forget how awful it was…

  18. 18
    SaveFerris
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 6:57 am

    I’m another fellow Detroiter (three in a row – wow!). This show was awesome, made me realize how talented some of those kids on American Idol are. Even at their worst, they are better than any of these “celebrities.”

  19. 19
    Toya
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 7:40 am

    There is no excuse for Bai Ling. She needs to be slapped – repeatedly.

  20. 20
    rubyslypperz
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 9:40 am

    I see 9 agents being fired this week……

    but God I can’t wait until Sunday night!!!!!!

  21. 21
    Misty
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 9:43 am

    This show is fricking terrible.

    I LOVE IT.

  22. 22
    Christy
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 10:00 am

    Okay, so I still have no clue who Myrka Dellanos is, but she does have her own website: http://www.myrka.com

    All I can say about this show is: OUCH!

  23. 23
    Gill
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 10:00 am

    Wow. Did they actually instruct the audience to patronize as muich as humanly possible. I can’t tell if they are cheering or laughing.

  24. 24
    ok_go
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 11:04 am

    Once again, I’m punished for having a MAC: VH1 site/vspot doesn’t work for me :(

    Any other links to Bai Ling?

  25. 25
    is
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 11:13 am

    I just listened to the mp3′s.
    They are kidding, right? This is not for real, is it? Who in their right mind would do this?

  26. 26
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 12:16 pm

    Well, Joey Pantoliano wasn’t …too bad.

    He wasn’t good though.

    This may indicate exactly how much “tweaking” is done to the current raft of stars to get them to sound halfway decent.

  27. 27
    Bea
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 1:47 pm

    Myrka Dellanos used to host a show on Univision, the spanish language network, called “Primer Impacto”, an “Inside Edition/A Current Affair” type of program. She basically gave up hosting the show when she started dating singer Luis Miguel, whom she met when she interviewed him for the show.

  28. 28
    Donna Martin Graduates!
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 2:56 pm

    E — thanks for the Bai Ling link. Truly had to be seen to be believed.

    I dunno, Fuzzbait, even was Yoko wasn’t as bad as THAT.

    I mean, Bai Ling thought it was all about looking pretty (?!) and shimmying in the tragic ballerina skirt. And then she rips it off!!! Wha?!

    Seems like she took Quentin’s theory in Reservoir Dogs to heart — “Like a verge-IN…….. OOWWWWWWW(ch)”

    ouch, indeed. we’re all gonna need sedatives to dull this painful memory.

  29. 29
    smithie
    Posted November 1, 2005 at 4:45 pm

    I wonder at what point during the taping the “stars” started to think, hey wait a minute, I was chosen because I suck…
    according to imdb Myrka Dellanos was married to Dave Matthews? is that right? I know that there are plenty of pseudo famous people that can sing, couldn’t they have gotten any of them? Even one? It’s sad when the power ranger blew them all out of the water….

  30. 30
    Posted November 2, 2005 at 11:23 am

    Ow ow ow ow ow, Bai Ling hurt my ears. Can I sue her? I think I see blood.

  31. 31
    san diego bayside
    Posted November 2, 2005 at 11:46 am

    Now put them all together with the Casey-dilla and Gagging Mom head thump and you have – hmmmmm – song soup? Well, you don’t have much to listen to but you sure know how to get those LOVELY sounds out to us!

    Thanks B-Side.

  32. 32
    happy_gal
    Posted November 2, 2005 at 1:14 pm

    Hello? VH1? The answer is no. HELL no. Not a damn one of them.

    Thanks for asking!

  33. 33
    me
    Posted November 3, 2005 at 12:59 pm

    I watched a rerun last night and thought part 2 was even better — then I realized it was R Kely’s Trapped in the Closet chapters 6-8 (or maybe 10 I lost count)…..sad to say even funnier

  34. 34
    Posted November 3, 2005 at 7:51 pm

    i think everyone involved with this show knows the only reason people watch is to make fun of them.

    we all know they suck.

    not really all that funny.

    but bai ling is amazing.

  35. 35
    Posted November 4, 2005 at 11:09 pm

    Myrka, Myrka, Myrka … Why did you do it? Especially now?

  36. 36
    Daniella Salsone
    Posted November 5, 2005 at 5:53 am

    Hey! This is the best damn show there all horrible but I love it!I love Carmine so my vote is on him! Can’t wait till the next show.

  37. 37
    Posted November 5, 2005 at 11:15 am

    Bai Ling….awfully amazing. Seriously, that is brilliant and camp. She needs to win. Because she’s the only one who’s not taking herself seriously (I hope…?)

    Bai Ling for President!

  38. 38
    Diane
    Posted November 6, 2005 at 9:36 am

    I’d love to see Bai Ling and William Hung do a duet of Islands in the Stream for the grand finale.

  39. 39
    Big B
    Posted November 6, 2005 at 7:25 pm

    Is it possible that anyone is more annoying than the singers on this show?…You wouldn’t think so, but look no further than the host. He trumps them all.

  40. 40
    Carlos R
    Posted November 8, 2005 at 12:57 am

    Myrka Dellanos? Why is she on here? Shes releasing a CD in English. She is horrible. Worst type of publicity for an upcoming CD. And whats up with the gotti kid…rapping isnt singing. Now dont get me wrong there is talent involved in coming up with up rhymes but as far as just repeating what has been written that involves no singing ability at all. You reall cant mess that up..wait …maybe just the gotti kid.

  41. 41
    BAI LING FOREVER
    Posted November 9, 2005 at 12:42 am

    I voted for BAI LING !!! LOL

    I LOVE HER!!!! :) LOL

  42. 42
    Angelia Extine
    Posted November 14, 2005 at 6:49 am

    CARMINE GOTTI IS THA HOTTEST GUY ALIVE I HOPE HE WIN’S!!!

  43. 43
    Posted November 15, 2005 at 6:28 am

    Thanks for posting this

  44. 44
    chelsie
    Posted November 16, 2005 at 10:44 am

    Carmine luv yah

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