Thursday, January 17, 2008

Idol Farce?

Well it is back...and honestly I am just not sure what to think this year. Of course I am talking about American Idol, and in the midst of the oh so wonderful writer's strike, it is one of the only "decent" reality shows that are permeating the airwaves right now since all of the good scripted shows are stuck in limbo right now.

On a quick tangent as it relates to television, there is one scripted jewel that premiered last weekend on Fox. It is a must watch if you are a fan of the Terminator movies. It is called the "Sarah Connor Chronicles," and I am impressed so far.

Okay back to Idol-I just really don't know what to think. Part of me likes the first few weeks with the "bad" mixed in with the good, but I'm already sick of it after two episodes. I get frustrated at the way they belittle some of the contestants by letting them through the auditions only to be made fun of on national TV.

HOWEVER...working in radio and being the local producer for a nationally syndicated show there has been a lot of talk about how "real" it all is.

Don't get me wrong, I know that reality TV is scripted to some extent. I know that there are several rounds of auditions, and I know that some of the "bad" contestants are people doing a "bit" for radio or to boost their careers. That's fine...I'm okay with that and some of them are really funny. However, what about the ones that really are sincere...and how many of them are sincere? The tall guy who butchered "livin' on a prayer"-I really think he was real and I feel bad about him. Or what about the guy who "sings low" and did "go down Moses" pretty sure he thought he could sing...don't know though. I am not entirely convinced that "I am your brother guy" was legit but who knows. I know this is all part of the grabbing ratings and viewers, but couldn't you shorten it...some of it is okay, but at least 2 weeks worth of 2 hours for 2 nights-a little much now, we've seen it. Let's get on to Hollywood.

Of course if you haven't heard, rumors are flying that the 50 finalists have been leaked to the net and several of them have had reps or recording deals in the past.

So with all of that and record labels dropping past idols (Taylor Hicks, Kat McPhee, and Jordin Sparks), I just don't know what to think. I am a little skeptical this year. I'll keep watching for now, but I need to see some breakout talent if they want to keep me this year. Let's have a couple more laughs and move on okay? Thoughts?

I am your brother...
-Matt

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't stand watching until they get to Hollywood, and I really don't get into it until the top 12. However, Eric loves these shows, so we've been watching. I was actually impressed that they didn't jump all over some of them, but disappointed when they laughed at that poor guy singing Go Down Moses. The guy who sang I Am Your
Brother, in my opinion, was just trying to get to meet Simom, I think. He wasn't at all disappointed in the result, and they had a blast with him. That's the impression I got, at least. I also know that they don't always let people through who they probably should to make space for some of the ones who can't sing or who show up in some crazy get-up. That's what annoys me. Not that I would ever be Idol quality, but if I thought I was and one of those crazy people got on the air while I was passed up, I would not be pleased.

DAKOTARANGER said...

Never really watched the show in the first place because the whole concept seamed so manufactured. The first sign that the show was in trouble should have been that movie Kelly Clarkson and that guy with a mop for a hairdo did. The next sign should have been when Kelly Clarkson cancelled tour dates do to lack of interest.

My guess is this is the last year for show and in another ten years another version of this will apear.