Well the editorials about Ashlee Simpson's performance at the Orange Bowl are out and are consistent - beyond scathing.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6791368/
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=386878
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news/14104649
http://www.katu.com/sports/story.asp?ID=73913
http://www.defamer.com/hollywood/gossip ... 028920.php
I saw the SNL disaster and was lost not on the lip sync issue, but how she tried to handle it blaming the band. I've got Karaoke regulars that have enough brains to just start signing if, on the rarest of occassions the wrong track is started (I've done it myself). At a Mark Chestnutt concert I went to many years ago they pulled a young man out of the crowd to sing part of the chorus with Mark, and then as a trick the band shifted to Elvis' Heartbreak Hotel. If the boy wasn't a plant he adjusted perfectly and started croaking out Heartbreak Hotel to the delight of the crowd.
Some further digging and watching the story unfolded included me seeing a video of an utterly distraught Ashlee Simpson completely unable to sing in practice for SNL. The sore throat story held some water and I had a bit of pity - harsh - but come on, it's not just her.
HOWEVER - I'm now left wondering if her young music career is not utterly on the ropes. Make no mistake, I don't think she has much talent. I have regulars that could crush her but they don't have the famous sister and/or the looks to drive them into the record industry. That is sadly the way it is. We honor our best and brightest and in the case of women who happen to also be a 34D and a size 2 and a butt that Sir-Mix-A-Lot can sing about all night long. Her tour starts next month I believe but I have to believe that ticket sales are going to suffer.
The irony for me is that Kelly Clarkson's use of a strong backing track was SO obvious. Her voice is not strong enough to sing her latest song either, but this American Idol winner has not received any backlash. This is where I go, "dayum, Ashlee's just getting a bum rap from all." Further if anyone remembers the Thanksgiving Day pro football matchup (can't remember who was playing) Destiny's Child did by far, the absolute WORST lip sync job I have ever seen - period. Of course not a whimper of a mention on that either.
At the end of the day being the far less talented sister of Jessica Simpson is a mammoth liability for Ashlee. I think her 15 minutes is over and she's done. Her father is going to have to do some wild PR to salvage the shreds of her credibility.