‘American Idol’: Pre-packaged For Maximum Profit
by Jeffrey JenaI have never really watched “American Idol” until this season. My wife is a huge fan and every year I would watch the first few “audition” weeks with her for the same reason people slow down near a car accident. I want to see the blood and ugliness! I love the people who didn’t have any friends to tell them they couldn’t sing and the other train wrecks that show up with the delusion that they might be the next Kelly Clarkson.
My major problem with these talent shows is they try to give the impression that all of the contestants are just diamonds in the rough that took an hour off from the Burger King to come down and give it a shot. The people at “American Idol” want you to believe they have discovered some guy with a day gig and a dream and they helped polish up their act and transformed them into stars. Adam Lambert and Kris Allen did not go stand in line with the rest of the mob. They were somehow pre-screened and told when and where to report. Is there anyone in American who thinks that Adam Lambert wasn’t a professional singer before he was on “American Idol?”
The same is true of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” The people who are going to make the top twenty or ten or whatever it is are all long time professional comics. Many already have deals in place with NBC, or an agent and a manager before they “audition” to be on the show.
Here’s my point, after a certain point the show gets boring for me because all of the people have chops and a reasonable shot at winning. After a point in the elimination rounds all of the people on the show are already show business professionals who are acting out a charade for your entertainment.
I have noticed an embarrassing trend on the show this year. A few times this season if the “star” guest singer had been in the competition they would have been voted off of the show! Several of the guests were, as Randy Jackson might put it, a little pitchy.
Enjoy the final results tonight “American Idol” fans, and rest easy because no matter who comes out on top they are both going to have great careers. Besides the real winner has already been determined, the producers of “American Idol” and Fox who are raking in billions.
Hey Congress, how about a windfall profits tax?
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51 Comments
Honestly, is anything on TV real? I don't think I really care if it's real or not, as long as I'm entertained.I think Adam was very fun to watch because he did perform well. As long as I'm entertained.
Does anyone outside of 15-year-old girls and unsalvageable dimwits really give a sh**t about this show. Who cares?! Move on…
American Idol plays it safe. Nothing is threatening about the stars they make; they are simply harmless. Rock & Roll should be a little threatening & anti-establishment.
Why is that a charade? Should they subject us to 1,000s of singers based on the fact they have no talent and can't make a living doing it. That's like a big social program. American Idol neither claims the contestants don't already have singing experience (it was mentioned in some of the taped pieces and Kara mentioned one of the contestant's industry experience) In articles they make clear their rules…no current record contract…that's it. Fans post the contestants' old music videos on line. The contestants DO have to stand in line. I worked on a talent show and know that at least the voting is federally regulated. We should instead bask in the fact that there's a lot of great talent in our great country.
"Chuck" is real! Right…? We all know the Nerds are going to rise up and save the world… I mean, they've already got the Obama approved cars.
I remember when CBS had a show called Rock Star. Now THAT was a talent show. The contestants had prior experience but the show made them use it. They had to learn new songs with the house band every week, write their own stuff from time to time and all played instruments. It's too bad the bands that they were competing to be in were lame as hell. The first one was INXS and the second was some weak collaboration with Tommy Lee. American Idol is just a popularity contest, like every other reality show on TV.
Well, there's my little rant. CBS needs to bring back Rock Star.
What is this "American Idol" you people speak of?
Why'd you read this, then?
Jeffrey—
Perfect.
Your fan,
Mike Kriskey
Because SalKing IS a 15-year-old girl and an unsalvageable dimwit. Like, whatever.
It's a British import, staring a British tyrant and a whole bunch of Americans who want to be rich. . . Hey, that sounds like the beginnings of a pretty good revolution!
I've always felt American Idol was akin to the Gladiatorial games. No one watches to see who wins (no matter what they say); they watch to see who dies.
Jeffery you are right about the semi-rigged nature of AI. And in one way or another the same is true of all the 'reality' shows since Survivor. They are all manipulated in some way to produce a hit show. At least with the dramas and sit-coms and such the audience knows it's all illusion. But with these kinds of shows Holloywood has turned reality into the illusion. Well done.
http://shermansmarch.blogspot.com
I have a suspicion that smoked "Salmon King" just hates FOX in any genre!
I've never been an Idol fan. As an Okie, I took interest the year that Carrie Underwood won, and that was that, Although I didn't watch one episode the year she won, I became a Kelly Clarkson fan a few years ago when her sophomore effort was storming the charts. I remain a fan of Kelly Clarkson – go figure. As an Okie, I didn't even pay attention when the Okie David won – was that last year? Considering the prominence of Okies and Texans, not only in show success but in after-Idol success, maybe they should rename the show based on the fact – Clayniacs exempted – that Oklahoma and Texas produce the most popular winners.
This isn't state pride or prejudice, to me, this is just strange.
I am willing to go dimes to donuts that many of the contestants don't go throughte cattle call.
No proof just my thoughts
Nancy is going to be on the show next year. I hear she is putting out feelers for a new job.
I stopped watching TV voluntarily in the early '80s. I was told by the left "If you don't like it, just turn it off." So I did. You'd be amazed how often now I'm criticized, by the very same crowd, for "isolating myself from the culture" or some such b.s. The hypocrisy is incredible.
This is not to say I never see anything on the TV. It's impossible to avoid. TV's are on in bars and restaurants, all the latest stars' doings are on magazine covers at the newsstand…heck, I can't even avoid TV talk from political blogs on the Internet (although this one does come with a warning of sorts: the title)! But it amazes people when they discover I've really, truly never watched Seinfeld (or Cheers, or Silver Spoons, or…). I do see FOX News from time to time, but that's because my dad's TV is stuck on it and I'm forced to endure it every time I visit him. Other than that, I only see what I see in passing.
I am familiar with very few celebrities these days because of it. I hear all these names being thrown about on the Internet all the time and I often have no idea who's being talked about. But the thing is, I don't care either. Having been weaned from the tube so many years ago, I get a kick (and a twinge of sadness) out of seeing how much of peoples' lives are wasted on, and guided by, stupid TV shows and, conversely, a sort of smug-at-times satisfaction from knowing that, whatever my many other faults, I've at least escaped this one.
Gee, I wonder if that "red-state/blue-state" interpretation of the finals is gonna disappear now that the "red-stater" is the winner?
It's actually a good thing Adam didn't win. He would have suffered singing the Idol mandated crap. I remember when Kelly did win, what got her there was her bluesy, throaty, growl. She has not been allowed to use that since. Adam shouldn't be tamed. Chris is a perfect American Idol. He's sweet, Christian and most importantly unthreatening.
As for AI being 'fixed'. I buy into the fact these kids have to tryout. That said, remember it's television. To keep you watching the show it needs drama, humor, action and suspense. That has to be manipulated at times. Idol would crash and burn a thousand deaths if it was truly fixed. But it is controlled. That I'll give. It's a product.
Sure the show is cheesy. Sure Teenage girls go all "beatles" when it's on. But you know what… the show engages people. Gets people buying music. Introduces other acts to these kids. Look at tonight's star-studded lineup. It played to just about every musical taste. You had hip-hop/rap, soul, rock, pop, country, bluegrass, rock royalty etc.
This is the only reality show we watch as a family, though my wife watches "So You Think You Can Dance".
I still like me those scripted shows that showcase (IMHO) great writing and acting.
I watch because it ends up showcasing some extremely talented people, even if the production gets cheesey sometimes.
American Idol is really no different than the hundreds of competitions for unsigned bands and singers. They don't care what you've already done (legally), as long as you weren't already with a major label. I think that's fair.
It's kind of like the Olympics. You have to draw a distinct line between amateur and professional, while trying not to eliminate some deserving talent.
My 11-year-old daughter and I watch Idol together … it's "our" thing. So I've seen every episode of Season 8. While I do think everyone goes through a screening process, at a certain point the judges decide who they want to win and pimp that person 'til the end.
Thus the case with Mr. Lambert, an extremely talented young man who has already starred in several musicals in his native San Diego. From day One, Simon & Co. pushed him on the audience. America got tired and finally pushed back, naming a sweet young Arkansan, Kris Allen, AI of 2009.
The look on Simon Cowell's face … priceless. He can be paid millions of dollars, but he cannot control everything.
OK, enough schlock for tonite.
I read it because it was written by the mighty Jeffrey Jena.
Heh, yeah, I'll admit to watching American Idol. I don't understand the comment that the contestants were prescreened–isn't that the same as auditioning? Kris Allen, for example, drove to Louisville with his brother and a friend, and all three tried out, barely making the 7,000 (or some such number) cutoff. Kris and his brother made it to the next round, the friend didn't, and then somewhere along the line his brother was cut, too, leaving only Kris to make it to the televised portion of the auditions. Unless I'm a dupe who falls for such stories. Either way, for what it's worth, you can tell from the editing he was never meant to make it to the Top 12.
I was rooting for Kris because I like the sound of his voice and his song choices over Adam's, who I admit is talented. Sadly, I don't think the red-state/blue-state debate is over. Instead, it's going to be blamed for Adam's defeat.
I thought that I was the only one who enjoyed the initial audition rounds of A.I. because the alleged singers were so incredibly awful and deluded about their "talent." That's the appeal for me. After they weed out the truly awful and the marginal singers, the show is rote and kind of pointless by throwing different genres of music at the contestants and seeing how they'll interpret them. It's sort of like yelling out requests at a lounge singer, knowing he/she isn't going to do the song justice, but it'll pass the time. I agree that this is America's Karaoke Contest where the viewers think they are making a difference in something important, but mainly just raking in bucks for the A.I. machine. It's harmless entertainment as long as no one takes it too seriously. Final comment: Have you noticed how many of the finalists and eventual winners drop by the wayside? It's as if they were just the flavor of the moment, rather than the next American Idol.
Good call, jaciscully. The only difference is that gladiators didn't cry.. I tried watching the show a couple of times, and all I could think was "is there anybody on this show who isn't crying?"
And yet you hang out on a thread dedicated to a TV show on a blog all about television and movies. Strange.
And, really, what does it matter if people criticize you for watching or not watching television? Ignore them and live life the way you want to.
"red staters" have actually won every AI so far:
Kelly Clarkson-Texas, Ruben Studdard- Alabama, Fantasia Barrino- N.C., Carrie Underwood- Oklahoma, Taylor Hicks- Alabama, Jordin Sparks- Arizona, David Cook- Texas and now Kris Allen from Arkansas.
HEY!
I'm a big fan of AI. And I am Kris Allen fan.
HE IS BY FAR THE ONLY IDOL WHO HAS THE TALENT TO ARRANGE HIS SONGS QUITE REMARKABLY!
By that, KRIS ALLEN WON BIG TIME.
Given his natural talent in arranging songs….. KRIS ALLEN will BECOME ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN THE INDUSTRY.
BTW, he's not what the Judges wanted to win. We, fans, believed on him and his talents.
So excuse Allen with your rant.
I only watched the finale. Entertaining. Rod Stewart obviously refused to perform with wannabes. Kris is the Idol, much deserved. Get rid of fourth judge along with Paula and the Dawg. Simon rules.
I think the people in the jaywalking segment of the Leno show are real.
I shudder to think they are real.
I am AI fan. It's one of the highlights of the TV week. First of all, one does not get one's consciousness raised — no politically correct excrement to deal with as there always is on any show that a writer gets his pen on. Most of the contestants are worthwhile young people who are getting their shot in an industry where you have to be at the right place at the right time with the right agent with the right voice. It's a way to find the Kris Allens, David Cooks, Kelly Clarksons. Some will become famous, some won't. Some can sing, some are average. But it's not just singing, one has to have the whole package and some have it, some don't. Allison Iraheta had a marvelous voice but she was not attractive. Megan had an average voice and a winning way on the stage but that right arm tatooed from shoulder to elbow made her look like a biker babe. An overpowering tatoo on Angelina Jolie is of putting but we accept because she's already there. Megan isn't already there and the tattoo detracts from the whole package. She should always wear sleeves, as though she has a deformed right arm, which, in truth, she does.
Adam Lambert will be interesting to watch, He's a very handsome young man who looks like Elvis Presley. (Are all the Elvis biopics already filmed? There's your star!) Yes, he had stage presence and yes he was a pro. singer before Idol. But he wears a woman's hair cut, too much make up, looks seedy on closeups and hasn't got a clue how to dress. He is edgy and interesting, has a decent voice and knows how to put over a song. But when push came to shove, the voters voted for an attractive young man with humility who could sing, too.
1. your avatar is great. It is very un PC to say i loved that book and movie
2. So you think.. is hands down my favorite "reality" show.
but pros are in the olympics for some sports.
I don't understand how that can happen
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111111111111111111111111 one one one, eleven eleven
Ok my 2 cents:
Rod Stewart: he looks and sounds bad.
With No Doubt, queen, Slash and Kiss in the same season, AI is not just acceptable, it is THE venue to kick off your tour or album. Even Steve Martin got in on it.
Kris Allen: totally forgetable, i can't remember a single song he sang, and really forgot he was there until there were only 4 left.
Allison: not that good glad she didn't make it
Megan: the arm tatoo would work if she wasn't all Sandra Dee
Gokey: should have been in the top 2
Anoop: better than he got
Lil Rounds: that is a foxy lady right there. And has a real chance if she can get a good song or two to sing. She has no identity of her own, comes off as an impersonator
Adam: the best tallent on that show in 8 years. but he has a limited marketability. i think however he will outsell the actual winner
Norman Gentle: comedic genius
exactly my take Indy… I like watching Simon being brutally honest to the ones in the auditions… after that, I don't honestly care. I quit watching after the auditions, because a) the really good ones already are shown during the auditions (the surprises!) and b) the really bad ones get thrown out after embarassing themselves.
After that it's just like you said, just any lounge act…
I also like to watch the first few episodes of AI, until all the "I don't care what Simon says! I can sing, da**it!! I'll show him. I'll show everybody! . . ." types have been weeded out, though I'll often cut to commercial during those impassioned "He's just wrong" speeches, with the tears and/or swearing for added drama. Simon MAKES that show. He's generally far more interesting than any of the contestants. I haven't watched AI for a few years, simply because we haven't watched much TV around here, though I do enjoy reading reviews like this one on the shows I used to watch. I didn't know who Adam Lambert was until the other day when I was in the magazine section of the grocery store. He was on the front cover of a magazine (the name of which I couldn't tell you), and my first thought was, "Get that kid a haircut, and wipe the make-up off his face." Heartthrob material, he ain't. I'm glad to hear he has a good voice, but I hope he puts more effort into his character. I'm weary of the "This is me. Love me the way I am, da**it, or you're just not cool enough to matter" attitude.
Disagree. He should have nailed that No Boundaries, a song specially written "for him".
But no. His performance is also so-so.
The song is not attuned to Kris Allen, but the boy delivered it with "emotions".
The problem with your "theatric" singer…. he doesn't know how to carry a song with "soul". His performance of Black and White, though technically superior that the original, failed miserably when it comes to "delivery" and "commitment" to the song. Michael Jackson still delivered the song with strong commitment.
But the major problem with Adam was to much screaming and screeching. Even Kelly Clarkson tried to add some varieties in the end…. instead of being a template-like singer.
I voted for Adam in three weeks. But after Kris's performance of Ain't No Sunshine…. things have changed.
I found the real Star in Season 9.
Singing with Kiss was the worst idea. 2/3 of the voters were suspecting that Adam's genre for pop music would fall under the category of Queen/Kiss/Ozborne…. and not the group of Metallica/GNR/Aeorsmith. Adam nailed his future with the genre of Kiss…too hard to get along with the current trend in music……. non-theatrical, hip-hop, rap-melodic, ….. street music. Good for performances…. but not for CDs.
On the final analysis….. both were great artists. One is a natural musician with excellent taste for melody…… the other is an experienced San Diego performer known for his show-stopping performances. The natural born singer/performer outwitted the more experienced, "in-the-box" singer.
That's an astute observation…I'm not a viewer of American Idol but wasn't most of the fun of the show the auditions by gosh-awful singers in bad costumes and voices that made family pets flee the room?
To give you some ideas:
It's a porn show … 4 judges pimping a professional singer into the next pop music superstar (aka IDOL).
But a boy just walked in and stole the plum prize.
Sarah, you are exactly right.
Jeffrey, I agree with your comments to a certain extent but I can tell you Kris Allen was not a professional singer before he entered the American Idol fray. Kris is a smalltown young man who played guitar and sang at his church – hardly professional.
If for one was immediately put off by Adam Lambert's appearance. Is his voice not good enough to make his noticeable? Does he have to wear that goofy hair style and eye liner to get attention? No, he has a great voice, no doubt about it.
Flyover redneck America is sick of the "progress" this nation is making. We are "evolving" into Europeans – the same people we left and then kicked out of this country 230 years ago. The male population is being feminized and turned into cowering dogs.
Back to AI, Kris is a good guy and he won not only because he has a great voice, but because he is an All-American boy.
Mary, you hit the nail on the head with your story. I live in Conway. His brother told the whole story. Kris, his brother and the friend were the last three accepted for auditions in Louisville. They had to wait 17 hours to audition and were the last three to do so.
Before the competition, Kris was just a college student who played guitar and sang at his church. His brother talked him into driving 10 hours to Louisville to try out or he'd still just be a college student who sings at church. All of his friends here say he's just the nicest, shy, unassuming guy they know. A couple of years ago, he was the lot attendant at Home Depot. He's not a pre-selected, pre-packaged profit machine. He's just a great musician who used his gift to win the biggest talent competition in the USA.
They don't wait in line. The singers who end up on the show are submitted by their managers. Those cattle call auditions are held to help create story and provide content for the audition episodes. It is a charade. It's inauthentic. And frankly I'm tired of being lied to. It's pervasive in every aspect of our society. Shows like AI train us to consume these fabrications without questioning them and inculcate us so that we view their pedestrian abilities as exceptional. Our current president is an excellent example of a similar media created phenom. But as long as you're entertained. Right?
I;m chiming in again after reading the link above from a Huffposter: He makes claims that Adam lost due to a right-wing conspiracy. Well besides that being pretty silly theory I went ahead and read a bunch of the comments and I was amazed… there are actual peeps who read this thread on Huffington Post that didn't agree with this blogger. I was proud of that fact. Gave me hope.
Did America get it right? No if talent is the only primer. Kris is Idol Poster ready. He's safe. But to say Adam lost because he was Gay, wore eyeliner or whatever is BS. You want proof? See exhibit B: Chris Daughtry. He sure as heck isn't gay but he too wasn't safe. I think the only time this doesn't hold was last year when the not as safe David Cook beat the very safe but not as talented Archuleta.
But then again what do I know? We have never seen a true breakdown of the votes. And for that matter we actually wouldn't know who placed those votes.
But in the end It doesn't matter Jake, It's TV.
After posting twice here about this non-issue issue I was talking to my daughter about all these and I had a major thought and then slapped myself for not thinking of it sooner…. Sure votes were counted and Kris won…. but the real votes, the ones that really count are the pocketbooks and wallets of America. When the dust settles let's see who actually sells. That's the true measure and vote!
Why would anyone want to watch a bunch of amateurs? Susan Boyles are few and far between. The fact that American Idol employs semi-pros is a big plus, I'd say. So long as they aren't already stars, the integrity of the show is intact. They don't call it American Singer for Pay. It's American Idol, meaning it's about becoming a star, not meeting live audiences on a regular basis for the first time ever.
Oh, I thought it was something like the "idol singers" in Japan.
Oh come on. It's a great show. Always entertaining. Real talent. Simon. What's the problem?
Yo, Dawg. Okay, check it out.
For me, the only opinion on the now-four judge panel is Simon's.
That said, I wish my husband would stop TiVoing "AI" – I can't stand the show! Bring me some "Deadliest Catch" and "Dog Town."
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