I Like...Susan Boyle

When the news is filled with depressing things like family murder-suicides, more economic crisis, details about U.S. torture policy, and random medical student-turned-stalker-slash-killers, the media jumps on feel-good, smile-getting stories like that of Susan Boyle. This sweet, 47-year-old woman came on Britain's Got Talent, got boo-ed and laughed at by the audience and judges, and proceeded to knock them on their arses as soon as she opened her mouth. Seriously, it was pretty great to watch Simon Cowell's stone face break out in a surprised grin with her first notes. 

You should really watch the video. 

But as heart-warming as this is, and as much as it makes every housewife or bored businessman jump up in their living rooms to root for the underdog, it made me think about WHY we were all so amazed by her performance. YES, her voice is awesome, and she is extremely talented...but to be honest, it's nothing we all haven't heard before, in a concert, or in a musical. 

If we're being completely frank, the reason everyone was floored is because that awesome voice came from someone who looked like Susan Boyle. Before she opened her mouth, we all (myself included) assumed she was one of the weirdos who came to juggle or sing a ho-down about her cat on national television, because we are so used to judging people on their too-frizzy hair, or their not-made-up-enough face, or their slight lisp, despite the fact that behind all that might be a sweet, good, valuable, impressive person that - GASP - we might learn something from! Yes, the voice would have still been impressive had it come from someone who looks like J-Simp or one of the girls from The Hills, but I think the sensational media blitz wouldn't have spread quite as quickly as it has. It's a happy, victorious tale for Susan, but kind of a sad commentary on our society and where we place top value.

Maybe I'm too cynical, but I do think it's worth pondering exactly why our expectations were so low for this lady who is clearly brilliant/ace/cracking/bloody great. 

p.s. I wish I was British.