As I write this post, I am watching another contestant get up in front of four judges and sing their heart out. Now they are showing the reaction shots of contestants as they are told they are going to Hollywood. I HATE to admit this, but I can't help watching this show. In my opinion, "Idol" shows so many things that are wrong with society today, but damnit, I can't stop watching, I want more, give ME MORE. I love the people who can sing, but I love the people who can't sing even more. Where do they find these people? I suspect that some of them are bad on purpose in order to get some air time, but the ones that are sincere in their horribleness are simply amazing.
The problem with "Idol" is that many members of "Idol's" audience is stupid people with little or no talent who think that they have talent. The show's very design makes it seem, to the untrained eye, that becoming the next "American Idol" is as easy as falling out of bed. Combine this with the inflated egos of today's youth and it is no wonder that you have some awfully bad singers. Excuse me while I sound old here, but more than any other generation, this one is told that their dreams are right around the corner and that minimal effort is worth praise. For some reason, it seems that we have lost our courage in telling people they suck. The real question is "Has this been the case all along and it has just taken 'American Idol' to expose the ugly side of the 'American Dream'?" I'd like to think that at some point in our recent history, we told people that had absolutely no talent that they needed to stop what they were doing and get a job. Sure telling a kid that they have little or no talent is hard, but isn't it better to say the hard things then to watch them stubbornly tell others that they will become famous someday?
Another thing I don't like about "Idol" is that I hate they type of music they are promoting. The whole vocal gymnastics that "Idol" encourages makes me want to vomit most of the time and I am not a big fan of crappy pop music. I can appreciate a good voice and even get goose bumps if I hear an amazing voice sing a song that I could care less about, but I would rather listen to the new "Iron and Wine" CD.
So...if I had any scrap of integrity I wouldn't be watching this show right now, but...I am. I can't help it. I love to see those who can't get there due and every once in awhile there is a story of a person that makes you cheer and hope. It is finely crafted television that has sucked me in. Now, I am not a consistent TV watcher, so I won't be clearing my schedule to watch, but if it is on and isn't cutting into "The West Wing" then I am there. Well, I've got to go, this next contestant is going to be sadly pathetic.
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