Am I the only one who just doesn't "get" the American Idol craze?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

It's a game show where bad teen pop rejects compete with lousy karaoke versions of whiny adult comtemporary songs by bryan adams and james ingraham that your mom used to play in the stationwagon. the winner gets overexposure.
Not only is it low-brow. It's boring as all get-out. And the faux cynicism of the man who gave the world the Spice girls, Simon Cowell-coupled with the sycophanic comments of washed-up lip syncer paula Abdul do little to add anything to the mess.
why do I know so many otherwise-intelligent people who live by this show?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. Nope...I hate that stupid crap.

Ryan Seacrest is such a loser.
Duckie

[KitchenWitch]

2. Nope - I think it is awful.

[MissB]

3. I don't get any of the "reality" tv.

Therefore, I don't watch much tv.

[L A Woman]

4. I understand why people like the IDEA of it...

picking the next musical superstar out of thousands of kids who camp out overnight to audition...it's kind of exciting.

unfortunately most of them already have agents and are working in the business. Mandisa (from this season) has already worked as a backup singer for Shania Twain! it kind of takes away from the magic.

but yes, i watch it. some of them are quite good.

[Maddy McCall]

13. Actually, I've never voted. Mostly, I watch to see Simon's venom.

His insults are magnificent. That's why I watch. :shrug:

[Floogeldy]

5. I won't minimize all of the artists you have mentioned . . .

. . but, yes. The TV show you mention is the worst sort of dribble ever to stimulate a tube electron.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. I watched it for one season

I am complete with having had the experience.

[Blue_Tires]

7. i 'get it'; it's just crap

a glorified 'star search' producing manufactured pop talent

[deadparrot]

8. Nope.

I don't get the whole reality show fad, though. My mom watches Survivor and AI. I can't stomach it.

[SeattleGirl]

9. I don't

But I'm not going to knock anyone who watches it. To each their own.

[Maddy McCall]

10. Everyone has their diversions. Sorry if one of mine isn't up to par with

yours.

Now, what shall you condemn next? NASCAR? NFL?

[hfojvt]

83. Why not both?

One is a waste of gas and the other glorified violence. :hide:

But I grew up with football, watching it and playing it in the backyard, so it has been hard to put away that childish thing.

It is unfortunate that you find Simon's cruelty to be entertaining. It seems to me that aspect of it and Survivor are part of the strain of the elites and the popular people laughing at the down-trodden and the outcasts. Somebody gets picked on/laughed at by the whole group.

[Random_Australian]

11. I'm not exactly crazy about it. Of the not-watched it never will variety.

[Broken_Hero]

12. Nope, you

aren't the only one. My wife and I both hate American Idol, it holds nothing for either of us. Now, American Inventor on the other hand, it looks very promising to me...:)

[driver8]

14. I have never seen a single episode -- I hate that shit.

I also don't give a f#ck about Survivor, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Desperate Housewives or any other bullshit that is called "entertainment."

[fudge stripe cookays]

82. I'm with you.

My TV rarely moves off old Law and Order episodes...just to have background noise on while I do genealogy or work. I HATE that crap.

I find it incredibly sad that while our Democracy crashes and burns, people are so fascinated by this bullshit.

And that's exactly what it is.

[blondeatlast]

15. Never watched it, never will. I never watched "Dallas," either.

I'm not sure what point I'm trying to make, though. :shrug:

[valerief]

16. You must be a straight male.

Every woman and gay man I know love it.

Viva la Elliot!!!!!

[6000eliot]

34. I'm gay, and I think it's absurd.

I agree entirely with the first poster. Why does anyone even care about such crap?

[valerief]

44. I learned today 2 straight men I know today watch it religiously.

It's a competition that doesn't involve a ball and doesn't involve teamwork or alliances. Right there it's something different.

The songs are familiar, for the most part, and we, the audience, get to not only critique the performances, but we can participate in the voting.

It's rather fun participating in a vote that actually seems legitimate.

[LynneSin]

58. And why does being gay mean you have to like bad TV crap?

Just because someone posted that they have a few gays who like the show doesn't mean the whole gay community is falling for that TV crap.

[meegbear]

56. I'm gay and despise the show thank you ...

you must be an idiot.

[Lilith Velkor]

66. This woman detests it

Go on with your bad stereotyping self. :eyes:

[Zomby Woof]

17. I don't get 99% of American fake culture

So I just ignore it... I gave up analyzing it years ago. :-)

[valerief]

47. You know, all real culture first started as fake culture.

The more fake culture ages the more it become real culture.

[Brigid]

18. Don't get it?

I don't even watch it. :evilgrin:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

19. I HATE "American Idol" so...

much... it... it... the... it... the... fee... flames... flames... on the side of my face... heaving... breathless... heaving breaths... "

[doc03]

20. No never watched it more than probably 10 minutes.

[RoyGBiv]

21. I "get it," but ...

I still hate it. Well, "hate" is too strong an emotion because to be perfectly honest what I hate is the constant discussion of it on radio, television, etc. Otherwise entertaining morning talk shows in the area are utterly ruined by the hosts' fascination with the show, or possibly their advertising agreement with it. I haven't actually watched it except for the first episode of seasons 1 and 2. Those were somewhat entertaining in the same way karaoke can be entertaining. When it started to be "serious" I went away. Ten minutes into the first episode with those who made the first cut, and I realized this was nothing but a long-format Star Search with less talent and no cuteness factor.

[Common Sense Party]

22. No interest in it. Never seen it. I didn't know Simon is to blame

for the Spice Girls epidemic. Another reason to hate him.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. My 7 year old asked me if I thought he could win American Idol...

I told him he was too good for it.

[allalone]

24. it's horrible

watched once while visiting somebody that likes it. To me it's just hideous caterwauling.

[Robeson]

25. I'm with you. It's the "Gong Show" redux....

...and why that should be top-rated, I'll never know.

[AtomicKitten]

29. The Gong Show was AWESOME!!!

And now I know why you folks in the Lounge ignore me for the most part.

[Robeson]

30. No doubt, the Gong Show should decide what is American culture....

...and hold our constant attention, just like American Idol!....:sarcasm:

[AtomicKitten]

31. no need for sarcasm

nor for the over-the-top criticism. Some forms of entertainment can be brilliant in their simple form of silliness.

But, again, thanks for making me feel so welcome in the Lounge. Your superiority in taste and culture is duly noted.
** insert sarcasm here **

[Lilith Velkor]

67. If we could gong politicians, I would be so there

I'm not being sarcastic here, people would probably pay a lot more attention to politics if it were presented to the public like the Gong Show.

[NMDemDist2]

26. nope, I watched 10 minutes once

that was enough to last me a lifetime

[Initech]

27. I refuse to watch American Idol...

Hey America, here's American Idol. Here's 500 channels of it. Watch this and get fat and stupid. We are your government. We are in control. Go back to bed, America.

[AtomicKitten]

28. We usually just watch the first few freakshow culling of the herd shows

... but this season kept watching. I'd tell you why, but it wouldn't mean anything to you.

So, theoretically, I agree with you. Except for this season.

[RebelOne]

32. Never watch it.

Saw it just once and that was because I was on vacation with my daughter and was stuck watching it with her, since she is a fan. And along with the reality shows, it is totally asinine.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

33. Nope, never seen American Idol or any of the other

so-called reality shows. I just think they're all a complete waste of time.

[riona]

35. It's like a sophisticated Gong Show

- but the Gong Show was more amusing

[bigwillq]

36. I love American Idol.

Any show that can make someone fulfill their dreams is fine by me.

yes, it's kinda of cheesy, the hosts are all dorks, it gets way over hyped by everyone but when you strip it down--it's really about giving someone (lots of people) their big break to try and jump into the music industry.

There have been some talented singers on that show since it started and maybe without that show they wouldn't have gotten the chance.

[johnnie]

38. I agree with ya

I think it's funny to see people rag on it here like they are making a stand against something. It's a friggin' TV show. I have only watched it the last two seasons, but i don't live and die by it. I think some of the singers aren't bad and I see nothing wrong with letting people try to win a competition.

It blows my mind that there are so many people who think these kids have absolutely no talent. Maybe they are aren't someone that you may listen to, but to say they all suck is a little absurd. I also recognize that fact that a lot of people like to "take a stand' against what is popular so they feel like they are too cool, intelligent, anti-establishment, "in the know" or whatever to watch such drivel, but I guess that is part of human nature.

I think most television shows are just entertainment and should be looked at that way. If you don't dig it, then watch something else. I think that by trying to be clever and making fun of the people who watch what you don't watch is a little silly.

[npincus]

75. then you DON"T BELONG at DU!

JUST KIDDING.... I love the show, too. People are entitled to hate it, but to judge others and make them DEFEND their taste for entertainment is ree-dic-you-luss.

Poor Kelly Pickler! I'll bet she ends up with a tee vee show... I thought she was kind of charming.

[MissMillie]

80. Lovely thoughts

I whole-heartedly agree.

[Mike Daniels]

37. I started watching again for the first time since Season One

American Idol is a chance to just say "the hell with intelligent programing or high culture" and to sit down and enjoy some fluff.

I don't consider this to be any worse than "Friends" or "Will and Grace" which weren't high art by any means but are still critically acclaimed programs and were amoung the most popular of their time.

At least with AI you get a different cast each season.

[AlCzervik]

39. i watched the 1st 2 seasons ans then i lost interest, same thing with

Survivor.

[Burma Jones]

40. I liked it better when it was the Gong Show

None of the pretentious crap, just an opportunity for folks to be as absurd as they wanted on TV......

[ProfessorGAC]

41. I Don't Even Believe It's On The Up & Up

There are so many ways they can manipulate or fix the outcome. Putting faves of the developers first, or last, or right before a commercial break, etc.

And, that's IF the voting is completely legit.

I think it's ridiculous.
The Professor

[skygazer]

42. It's no different really than most of what's on television

Television is, for the most part, a wasteland. There are a few shows out there that show some originality and creativity but most of them are the same bland crap that's always been available. Sitcoms tend to follow the same predictable storyline - dumb family (usually with overweight and stupid father, hot but moronic mother, ditzy daughter and wannebe cool son - and maybe a small brother or sister for some "baby" jokes) and all their dopey antics. There are the "reality" shows, featuring people who are so over the top as to be cartoonish doing ridiculous things like eat gross stuff for money or "survive" some contrived dilemma. All your standard cop shows and medical shows and "dramas" - when's the last time you saw something truly innovative on television?

[Orsino]

43. It's a hate show.

Sure, there's the occasional good performance. Most folk, though, are tuning in to hear what that nasty ol' Simon is going to say to the latest nobody who dares to aspire to success above his station.

If FAUX didn't keep us supplied with a steady stream of fellow citizens to hate, we might notice that we're being ripped off by Big Money.

Bread and circuses.

Bread and circuses.

[mconvente]

45. I don't like the show, but...

I do think Kelly Clarkson is very talented. Just my opinion though.

[tabasco]

46. Is that a tv show?

I watch a lot of tv but not crap like that.

I watch quality shows like Sponge Bob.

[njdemocrat106]

48. I like American Idol, but I'm so embarrassed to admit it in real life

If I get asked if I watch the show, I'll sheepishly admit to it, but I admit this show is programmed to the lowest common denominator of society. My addiction started last year. I remember watching an episode early in the season only out of curiosity, but I had to see what would happen the next week, and the next, and the next... (you get the picture).

[npincus]

77. do not be ashamed, my friend.

If people judge you harshly because you enjoy watching American Idol, they are not worthy of shining your boots (do you wear boots?).

[Rabrrrrrr]

49. Oh, I "get" it - America overflows with ignorant uncultured swine

Now, do I "get" why these people choose to be such bugger-all fuckwits? No, I don't get that at all. But I *do* get why the show is such a craze: it's the dumbest down, most vapid piece of shit on TV. Of course it's popular.

But given the low cultural and intellectual state of this country, I'm not at all surprised that swill such as American Idol is extremely popular.

Never underestimate the ignorance of the average person.

[begin_within]

50. I guess you had to have seen Season 2, in the spring of 2003, to get it.

Season 2 was by far the best they have ever had, and it was the season that firmly established the show on the American cultural landscape. The atmosphere on the show that year was still fresh, full of life, spontanaety, humor and some good musical moments in spite of their best efforts to mangle every American pop music standard they could come up with. That was the season Ruben Studdard won, but Clay Aiken came close to winning (and subsequently has been having a far better career than Studdard). Kimberly Locke, Trenyce and a couple of others also contributed musically. But it was the show itself that was still exciting, fun and fresh, and the judges (Simon, Paula and Randy) along with Ryan Seacrest were still interested in and excited by the show. It was so much better that year than it is now. In the past 3 years the show has steadily dropped in quality in all areas - especially from the musical standpoint, but also in the show's atmosphere and in the attitudes of the regulars. Simon, Paula, Randy and Ryan are just going through the motions now, basically there only to collect their enormous paychecks. If it had started with how it is now, it would be nowhere near the ratings behemoth that it is now, it would be just a minor show. But it is still coasting on its reputation from the first 2 seasons. What saves "American Idol" from dropping off the radar each year are the early episodes starting in January, showing the hordes of people who try out to be contestants, and some of them are so bad and so weird that they are highly entertaining - far more entertaining than the supposedly "good" singers who actually make the cut. Those early episodes (and, tellingly, there were three weeks of those episodes this year) stimulate interest in the show again because they have remained funny. So they jump-start their audience each January with highly entertaining "rejects" episodes which are carefully decorated with the planned "real" contestants for the season. These are interspersed with the hilariously awful ones, so that it serves a dual purpose of giving the audience the comedy payoff they tuned into, and to start getting them interested in the "real" contestants for the season.

[mduffy31]

51. I don't get it either

I would respect the contestants more if they had to, you know play an instrument and not just karaoke up there. Now it does take a lot to get up on stage in front of millions, I will give them that, but I guess that I respect the Nashville Star contestants more because they actually play instruments. I have yet to see one person on Idol even try to play something, although I can say that because I have not seen one minute of either, but just from the commercials I deduce that.

[ScreamingMeemie]

52. I get it, I just don't really care for the show. But it hasn't affected my

view on humanity to the extent posted about here. :hi:

[Blue Gardener]

53. I've never watched it

And don't plan on starting.

[izzybeans]

54. "It is like a turd falling into my drink"

Bill Hicks.

edited for being a little trigger happy with my l button llll

[HughBeaumont]

55. That show is an insult to entertainment and the music industry.

It's a glitzy karaoke show. As a musician, I find this shit to be an abomination and insulting to the real hard workers who make original music and their reward is living in trenches for years, surviving on Kraft Mac and Cheese, putting up with asshole upon asshole, bad gigs, bad breaks and lousy (if any) pay.

Now, you just karaoke lousy pop crap and BANG! You're a STAAAAAHHH!

Fucking ridiculous. The fact that by watching it, you're feeding the Murdoch/Newscorp machine is reason enough to avoid like the plague.

[bigwillq]

70. But the core of the show

when you strip away all the glitz, the phony hosts, the hype---

is giving people a chance to fulfill their dream. Like you said, many musicians live in the trenches for so long...I think it's great that this show has give some people the opportunity to break into the music business.

There are some really talented people that have come through that show. Some are on broadway, others have released their own cds.
That is the part I like about these shows.
These people were given a chance. Without the show, maybe they wouldn't have gotten that chance.

[LynneSin]

57. Sign me up for your team

I watched one episode while on a business trip and I couldn't find the remote. I found watching Karoke more entertaining than this.

You want to do a real "American Idol" - make them write their own songs instead of the karoke

[bigwillq]

69. Many have gone on to write their own songs.

Singing cover songs is just the rules of the show. Don't hate the contestants because of the rules of the show.

[DrGonzoLives]

59. Nope

I can't stand it either.

[fortyfeetunder]

60. Musical junk food

I will admit I've seen it, following it half-heartedly, but AI is only musical junk food. I missed the first several seasons, actually I have no clue how long this show was on the air/

As another poster said, AI plays to the lowest common denominator.

What is so absurd is there are more votes cast on American Idol than for the POTUS election.....

[Mike Daniels]

78. AI vs. election voter numbers is comparing apples and oranges

You do realize that people can vote as many times as they want on the show? If you can get through 100 times your vote is counted 100 times.

Besides, the voting population for AI includes people who are too young to vote in an election so again the comparison is flawed and meaningless

The only reason I'd worry is if it turns out that the number of people watching AI surpasses the number of people who vote and even that would be suspect since I would think viewer totals include people under 18 years of age as well.

[Chovexani]

61. Shit karaoke by untalented hacks

I was cooking dinner last night and my sister was in the other room watching that shit, I had to walk in because I heard someone BUTCHERING Blondie's "Call Me". Just...it was so fucking horrible I had to see who the person was so I could adequately express my contempt.

[jukes]

62. no, lots of us

don't waste time watching or commenting.

the entire concept is sad. i'm just glad pauala got a job; she obviously nds the work.

[DS1]

63. Fucking sucks.

You are a lesser being in my books if you like this show. No questions.

[bigwillq]

68. I LOVE that show.

So I guess I am a lesser being then huh. :eyes:

[DS1]

71. You've moved down a notch

Yes :shrug:

[npincus]

74. you frigging cultural low-brow!

I love it, too. tee hee.

I guess we have to quit DU and join a 12-step program together.

tee hee.

[NC_Nurse]

64. Never watched it

Never will.

[Evergreen Emerald]

65. I too have never watched the show

I was at a parent information night at my daughter's school. Some of the parents asked when the meeting would end, as they did not want to miss American Idol.

I was called un-American when I mentioned the fact that neither me nor my daughter have ever seen it.

[sinkingfeeling]

72. Never seen it.

[npincus]

73. I've been watching from the get-go... PILE ON everyone!

tee hee

[Taverner]

76. I don't like it myself, but I've been told by fans

that it gives them that Disney good feeling...

[DinahMoeHum]

79. You have lots of company here who think AI sucks. . .

and IMHO, Cowell is one wing short of a fairy.

:evilfrown:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

81. I watched a single episode once...

and determined thag it was not for me.

I can't abide a musical contest where a truly unique talent like a Billy Holiday or Janis Joplin or Peggy Lee couldn't win.

All the singers I saw/have heard about from friends who do watch have been utterly generic.