Thoughts on American Idol

[kittytech]

In exactly two weeks American Idol returns to Fox. This will be the second season that I've followed since the show started 6 years ago, and I personally am looking forward to it. There are some though who feel that the show is terrible, and I do understand where they're coming from in some respects.

Just in case there's someone on the planet who doesn't know how American Idol works, (I didn't until last year so I imagine that there may be others around), contestants perform in front of three judges for the right to go to Hollywood, California, where they compete for the chance to get to the top 24, and then the top 12, and then of course, to become the top performer overall and receive the title of American Idol. Sounds fairly simple, but it's not. From what I understand, before you even get to the judges you have to perform for the producers of the show, who then decide whether you can move forward or not. It's very obvious that the show is for entertainment purposes since there are times when truly terrible singers are let through and good ones are told to go home. However, once the viewers get the chance to start voting for their favorite, things get more interesting.

The three judges are interesting as well. I like to think of them as good bad and indifferent, but it's not always the case. Paula, Randy, and Simon are all fairly interesting, however Simon is the one that I think most people have problems with because he is so rude. He has been known to make comments that are extremely cruel, and it seems to me as if those comments are the ones that make it to the evening wrap-up things on the news. Paula normally seems to be more balanced, giving both positive and negative feedback, but she's been known to take little jabs from time to time herself. And, whether it's a real thing or not, on-screen, Paula and Simon don't seem to get along very well. Randy usually has decent things to say and I'm trying to remember if I've ever heard him put down a performer and I honestly can't remember. But it's Simon, I believe, who really helps to give American Idol the negative spin that many people see. I think it'll be interesting to see how this season unfolds.

And now, let's see how many of you will be watching this season.




[Poll #899310]

Comments

[kl1964.livejournal.com]

I think it says a lot that, the morning after American Idol wrapped up last year, it was the lead story on all the news broadcasts. I really can't figure out how this show became such a cultural phenomenon. They had a mass try-out here in Seattle a few months ago, and thousands of people were lined up, in the rain, in the middle of the night. Frankly, you couldn't pay me to watch it. *G* Of course, I don't like any of the shows out right now, like Survivor, Project Runway, biggest Loser, etc. But that's just me.

[kittytech.livejournal.com]

I have never gotten into any of the other reality shows like that either. I personally think that someone is going to get killed some day on Survivor or The Amazing Race, and CBS is going to be sued, and I think it's nuts to be doing stuff like that. (Oh wait, participants are probably asked to sign a statement stating that they won't sue the network if they have any problems or die during the making of the show.) But, somehow I see this as different. It really isn't I suppose, but I guess I like being part of the process in some small way. yes, it's probably rigged, but I feel like I can judge on talent rather than looks like most people are likely to do. I've heard that they're not very supportive of disabled people though, and I can just hear Simon making some kind of rude comment about it.

[pawpower4me.livejournal.com]

hey, just blog-hopping and came across yours. I actually wanted to thank you for explaining how American Idol works, I never knew. I am deafblind and don't really watch much tv, but people do go on about it, and I've often times wondered what the big deal was, or how the show worked. smile

[kittytech.livejournal.com]

No problem. Believe me, some of the contestants are bad enough that you wouldn't want to hear them. SMILE! I actually still have you on my MSN contact list from a few years back. Nice to see you over here.

[pawpower4me.livejournal.com]

hey, yes I have you on my msn list, smile. Do you mind if I friend you here? Also thanks for linking to the accessible currency potition. I signed it, and was pleased to ee that there were more than 2,000 signatures when I signed!