Here I go again…complaining! But if they didn’t give me anything to work with…. (I’m just saying). I just watched the guys on American Idol…I recorded it, and the only good thing about that was I was able to fact forward through the commercials. Anyhow…It struck me once again that this show has shot it’s load. (is that crass??) There was a time when American Idol was something special, it really was about finding the “best singer” in America, think: Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, Carrie. Now think Taylor Hicks, or David Cook…WHAT??? Now it’s about…well, I’m not sure what’s it’s about, but I’m sure their interest is not in finding outstanding talent.
The notion that after auditioning hundreds of thousands of singers that these 24 are the best of the lot is insulting. Simon is right when he says he can go into any bar or hotel lounge and hear similar performances. The problem is that he and his colleagues chose these people to be on the show. These singers get up on stage and do the best they can, then they get blasted as though they did something wrong. Most of these kids where mediocre when they auditioned. It is totally unfair to think that somehow they are going to morph into great talents when they hit the big stage in Hollywood.
The bigger problem I have with this mess called American Idol is that it holds up average singers as the gold standard of talent. Consequently when young kids see this they feel like that is what you strive for. It’s no wonder that truly great singers are becoming so much more rare. If the average kid can sing as good as the people on stage, then the people on stage ain’t good enough.
On second thought…I think I do know what American Idol is all about. It’s about creating an Idol. A false image they can promote as something that it really isn’t…real talent. American Idol is about making money, but don’t get me wrong making money is good. Just don’t lie to me and tell me you’re looking for the best singer in America…we all know that isn’t true.
Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH
