Jan 16 2009
American Idol: Haven’t Contestants Learned by Now?
I am a self-professed reality tv addict and American Idol is no exception. I didn’t get into season seven for some reason (might have been all of the other reality tv shows on), but I have started watching the tryouts for season 8. The American Idol tryouts never cease to amaze me.
With Judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and newly appointed Kara DioGuardi, contestants try out in front of some of the most talented people in the music business today. Why is it that people will try out in yellow suits, bikinis, blue hair and can’t sing a note? Have they not seen the show?
I know, I know, people that try out for American Idol in ludicrous outfits that can’t sing a note might be trying to get their fifteen minutes of fame. Some of them do. For whatever reason they want to be known as the idiot that auditioned for American Idol in a clown costume while juggling fire rings at the same time.
The people I am talking about are those people who truly believe that they can sing. The ones that cry hysterically when they are not chosen and begin yelling and swearing into the camera that they “are the next American Idol! F the Judges, I’m great”. It is dumbfounding to me that people can make it all the way to an audition without someone in their immediate circle telling the the truth and stopping them before they are crushed on national television.
American Idol is now in its eight season and anyone trying out for the show knows exactly how harsh the judges are. I don’t expect to ever become America’s next top model or run for President of the United States. Why do ridiculously bad singers think they are really going to be the next American Idol?
I’m one of the few who just doesn’t “get” this whole reality tv thing. Lola, I too haven’t watched *any* American Idol (or it’s Malaysian cousin, Malaysian Idol), not even Survivor. It really doesn’t appeal to me. I would have made one exception: I heard after the fact that Meat Loaf was a guest artist for one of the Idol shows a year or so back: if I had known, I just might have recoded the show just to fwd and see what he did/sang/said etc.
I know, I know, I’m ashamed of my own addiction, but I just can’t help it. I agree Lola, that airing highly delusional people should be criminal. It isn’t funny or nice and to take advantage is obnoxious. There is a fine line and they cross it often - that I don’t like.
What I find so interesting about reality tv is the “stars” it creates…that it gives almost anyone an equal shot at becoming famous…even if only for awhile. Not that I want to be, but for those that do they have a plethora of reality tv shows to choose from. You will never get me in my underwear getting weighed in on national tv.