Editorial: Chicken Man set up to fall

Television shows such as X Factor exploit the fine line between exposure of genuine talent, and pillory.

Pillory is public humiliation and Northland's Chicken Man's, aka Mitchell Wahl, appearance on X Factor came close.

Mitchell sang I Can't Help Falling in Love, by Elvis Presley.

His performance followed a build-up which detailed how Mitchell lived in a caravan on a Kerikeri property, where he played piano with his chickens.

Mitchell's description of his chickens, and how he came to New Zealand on a one-way ticket - "the best way to come to New Zealand" - was utterly charming. The clear inference from the build-up was that audiences were about to hear something special. Perhaps another Susan Boyle moment from Britain's Got Talent, when an awkward, frumpy Boyle charmed a nation with her magical voice.

And then Mitchell sang.

Mitchell has, let's say, a unique voice, not quite in tune with the general interpretation of what constitutes a good voice.

The judges' reaction was kind, I suspect they sensed that Mitchell was a bit different.

The worst comment, on a show where cruel judges are an integral part, was from singer Stan Walker who asked Mitchell whether he honestly believed he could sing.

Mitchell replied he could, and just had to convince the world he could sing.

Mitchell has every right to appear on television and shouldn't be denied an opportunity to sing.

But where TV shows have a duty to be judicious in their choice of who they place on stage, is when there is capacity for a negative impact from any ensuing teasing or bullying.

Sadly, some of the comments that have accompanied Mitchell's clip online fall into this category. Mitchell probably spends, as we all do, some time online, and I sincerely hope he hasn't been exposed to this nastiness.

Some people seek the limelight by exposing a dubious talent, and welcome any ensuing notoriety.

I don't think Mitchell was in this category.