Friday, March 09, 2007

The Tyranny Of American Idol

I detest this show. I've never watched it through a full season and I have no intention ever to. It's the dumbest show on television. But, this season, the Mrs. is enjoying it to the point where she wants to watch it. And she's pregnant. So, she gets what she wants. Meaning I've had to sit through more than a few episodes. And, truthfully, I try hard to be either out of the house or out of the room when it's on. I detest this show.

But since I've been watching an episode here or there (6 total I believe, including 3 results shows), I've formed an even stronger opinion. Especially after last night. I've always found the fact that there are website urging viewers to vote for the worst of the competitors amusing. A way to buck the system. To prove the show is flawed and stupid. It's still funny that this works, as it clearly did last night when Sundance lost to the guy with Farrah Fawcett hair. Obviously, this show is a popularity contest, not one based on actual talent (of which about 4 of the singers can actually sing).

Another favorite is the fact that the judges are always stunned by the results. Always gets me. And for all the ripping Simon takes, he's just about always right with his criticism. Randy and Paula are fools.

Still even more amusing is the actual talent. Again, very few of them can actually sing. I can't sing. I've come to terms with this. As the saying goes, it takes one to know one, it takes someone who continually sings off key to know when someone else is off key. Most of the singers are usually flat -- just a tad bit off. But Randy and Paula sing their praises -- ironically --and are just as off key as the actual singers. And Simon chastises them and everyone boos. It's the dumbest show on television. And don't throw numbers at me. Don't tell me that America disagrees. America's stupid.

Meanwhile fantastic shows like Arrested Development, Studio 60, SportsNight and Scrubs get canned or buried in midseason time slots because they can't find an audience (Would I even want this audience anyway?).

This is what is meant by Mills' "tyranny of the majority" and Plato's "just because they are the majority does not make them right".

11 comments:

Eric said...

As an AI watcher myself, I will admit that this is a poor season for you to actually begin watching. The two prior seasons were far better (those were the only two I watched). The talent on this season's show is terrible. There are a few women that can really sing, but other than them - nothing. However, for a guy who has only watched 6 episodes (as you say, 3 of which were results shows and thus no singing - except of course through the tears of the losers), you seem to have a hardened opinion that smacks more of tv snobbery (I believe you have admitted to this in the past)than educated response.

Anonymous said...

Since when does actual talent have anything to do with it? It's all about marketability.

Without the help of "studio-magic", there would only be about a quarter of the pop stars around than what there currently is.

I'm one of those people who only watch the first few weeks to see all the delusional, talentless hopefuls get their dreams crushed (boo! hiss!). What I can tell you is that it's not just about the singing, you have to look the part too apparently.

If you took Reuben Studdard's voice and put it in either Milli or Vannilli, that guy would probably have a pretty long and successful career. Not that Reuben's doing badly now or anything, but I doubt that my young sister has his poster on her wall.

Well maybe not. Milli Vanilli would be about 40 or so now. But you know what I'm saying..

Anonymous said...

Scrubs is still on.

AaronG said...

Scrubs is still on yes, but it's always a midseason replacement and is always up for cancellation and has a different time slot every year and struggles with ratings. Even though it is a very well done show.

Anonymous said...

Isn't AI a Speilberg production?

Anonymous said...

Never saw scrubs never will,but from what i have read if i had a choice of watching that or watching the ants at the bottom of my garbage can play a game of soccor with a grain of rice ,i would choose the latter at least they would be doing something useful,like cleaning the bottom of the garbage can.

sara* said...

ahhh, American Karaoke. I must admit I watch. It makes for good lunch conversation at work. And if you can't watch tv and laugh at how deluded people really are (*ahem* Antonella Barba), then what good is it?

Scrubs is up for renewal for season 7 - don't know what NBC is going to do. Zach Braff would get $350,000/episode.

By the way, I read Life of Pi and thought it was great... haunting.

Anonymous said...

aaron. I have a question I forgot to ask. Do you have relatives in Canada?

Anonymous said...

sam the man you ask a lot of questions. why dont you call him seeing that he is not calling anyone at this point and time!!!

Anonymous said...

solid post...AI is, for the most part, for idiots. Like you, I have watched more this year than any other in order to appease the lady.
That being said...I was pretty disappointed in myself for being so upset over the "Sundance/70's hair kid fiasco". But made amends with myself when I rationalized my anger being the slight towards Pearl Jam....I will not put up with any slight(intentional or not) towards Eddie Vedder and the boys!!

Also...calling Studio 60 "fantastic" may be a bit of a stretch. Sort of like calling Anna Nicole a fantastic role model for youngs women...what? Too soon??

Oh yeah...Scrubs IS a fantastic show!!

Anonymous said...

haha!
i do call aaron. well not exactly, he just happens to answer my sister's phone.