Why the f*ck is there an "American Idol"?

[Dangerman]

Why is America is lazy to try to stop Bush's criminal madness?

American Idol!

Rupert's Murdoch's perfect diversion to the truth of the Iraq War and the Bush crime cartel!

I am very pissed off at American Idol and wishes it never have been created in the first place!

:mad:

[KingFlorez]

1. Uh, okay

It's just a television show, not everyone watches it anyway. Not everything is a conspiracy.

[Buzz Clik]

2. I've never seen it, but it's very popular.

I don't think America was hungry for another PBS-style news show.

[terrya]

3. It's not my cup of tea

But there's a "British Idol" and a "Canadian Idol", among others. Might as well be an "American Idol". Besides, poor Paula Abdul has to have some sort of career. :-)

[oblivious]

6. I get Philippines satelite, and they have "Filipino idol" too.

I listened to a few of their finalists one day. Wow! I can't imagine watching the rest of it though.

[Gatchaman]

4. Relax, it's just a silly TV show

sheesh. I don't like it either, but I don't think anybody likes everything on TV.

[babylonsister]

5. I like it. What, no one is supposed to enjoy being entertained

any longer? If it weren't AI, it'd be some other mindless pap you'd be annoyed with.
Can't watch news 24/7; it's not allowed in this house. Plus, that gets boring, too.

[hfojvt]

10. American Idol goes beyond CSI

It is not just watched. It is talked about on the local news, on morning talk shows, late night talk shows. It is in the papers, on the on-line news, in magazines, etc. Yadda yadda yadda, it is almost impossible to escape. I don't think "Star Search" was hyped and promoted nearly as much.

[Sydnie]

26. but Star Search (in the same vein as Ted Mack's Amateur Hour

which had great local spin offs as well) was not a world wide franchise. American Idol is just one of many from many countries. I think that is the appeal of this show, as well as the single type of talent focus. These types of shows have been around since theaters existed, on a local, open mic/open stage type of showcase show.

The Gong Show, Make Me Laugh, etc. types of shows are entertaining, both for the talent it displays and the lack of talent that it displays.

(Anyone else remember Make Me Laugh? It gave Gallagher his start!)

[LTR]

71. Yes, I do remember "Make Me Laugh"

Funny as hell show!

With just about every game show that ever existed being remade (including the bad ones), I often wondered why this one was ignored.

Seems it's remembered more these days for the tragic fate of it's host, who committed suicide a few years after the show ended (shades of Ray Coombs).

[Sydnie]

74. I don't remember who the host was

who was it?

And who was the comedian that used the typewriter in his bits? Was it Gary someone or other? :shrug:

[elperromagico]

56. TV news doesn't have that much to do with news anyway. n/t

[valerief]

7. You wanted more wrestling, maybe? Don't expect anything real

on network television. Truth on teevee is a cold case.

[nam78_two]

8. I agree it sucks, but if it weren't there

its place would probably be taken by some reality dating show or some other crap.

Just switch over to CSPAN :).

[ContraBass Black]

9. Maybe, because some people like gameshows.

[kedrys]

11. Bread and circuses

Diversionary tactics to keep the common man dumbed down, IMO.

[LTR]

72. Shitty sitcoms have been doing that for the last several decades

So what else is new?

[blueDachi]

12. Actually, American Idle makes pretty good...

...edu-ma-tainment. You can witness what happens to a person with no perceptible musical talent when she has been told all her life just the opposite. And it's not pretty to watch. But it is fun...

[BlueJazz]

16. Yep....I like the Auditions better than the actual show.

Some of the Contestants are so delusional that I almost feel sorry for them.
.. And some of them are so damn arrogant, they get what they deserve..

[spoony]

39. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who fake their way

onto TV with "wild and whacky" auditions, and you can tell it's just some git. But then once in awhile you get a William Hung, lol.

[newyawker99]

47. Hi blueDachi!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mondo joe]

13. People like it. A lot of people. That's how democracy works.

I don't see the appeal myself, but if a lot of others do it's their choice.

[Treclo]

14. What about "American Dreamz"?

Okay, it wasn't really a show- just a funny movie spoofing today's political climate, as well as American Idol. Rather enjoyable- better than American Idol anyday!

[MrSlayer]

15. American Idol does really, really suck.

I mean megasuck to the tenth degree but it is not the reason for the perpetuation of this war. Most people simply have no idea that the "President" and his minions are treasonous criminals and most of them don't want to know. Willful ignorance and general apathy is the American way these days.

[BlooInBloo]

17. Because republicans have all but done away with socio-economic upward mobility....

... And so the idiot populace of America needs pacifiers, of which American Idol is one.

[edhopper]

18. You know,

The Iraq Study Group was sort of like the judges on American Idol tearing into a contestant without talent.

[Golden Raisin]

19. Panem et Circenses!

[Bakunin]

20. Well, you could apply this to history.....

The Marx Brothers in the 30s: setting the stage for Hitlers designs on Europe cleverly disguised with a readily acceptable name for Socialist to be lulled by.
Andy Hardy movies and the Our Gang series in the 40s: Looking back now the intent of the Studio Industrial Complex is painfully obvious.
Lassie in the 50s: How many times can one shit for brain kid fall down the fucking well? A metaphor? An Allegory on the Korean war? Or a sinister diversion........
There is so much here that this list only touches on, more research needed. My only hope is THEY wont get me first.

[Telly Savalas]

28. Don't forget how "Solid Gold" paved the way for the Grenada invasion.

[bullwinkle428]

81. Watergate would never have happened if "The Chicago Teddy Bears"

hadn't been allowed to air! :evilgrin:

[newyawker99]

48. Hi Bakunin!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Loge23]

21. And why do their albums (CD's) sell??

No conspiracy theory here, but I find the oddest fact about this phenomenon is that their CD's sell like hotcakes!
I'm not a watcher, but the popularity of the show and it's "stars" speaks volumns about mainstream "taste".
Lower the bar and more people will jump over.

[Bluebear]

23. I must have terrible taste then, some of the winners have been great

Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, enormously talented singers and I enjoy their acts far more than other 'mainstream' enetertainers.

[Sydnie]

25. And Diana is making it big on Broadway too

The women that have won have done well. The men, not so much, although I think Taylor Hicks will break that losing streak for the men too.

[cmkramer]

27. Jennifer Hudson

She finished a controversial seventh the season that Fantasia won; that was the one where Elton John blamed racism for her ouster. Anyway, she beat Fantasia (who was thought to be a lock for the part)-- and over 800 other women -- for the role of "Effie" in DREAMGIRLS and is getting rave reviews and is considered an odds-on favorite for an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

[LTR]

73. The movie did terribly though

Which shows that Americans at least have some amount of taste.

"From Justin To Kelly" is one of the worst pieces of shit ever made. I caught it on HBO and just couldn't finish it. Sorry, I just couldn't go for a spring break with no booze, no weed, no casual sex, and people spontaneously breaking into song. Suspension of belief only goes so far.

[Bluebear]

22. Heaven forbid human beings are actually entertained!

'perfect diversion to the truth of the Iraq War'

Idol started well before the Iraq War. Just sayin'.

[seriousstan]

24. Someone's off their meds.

:crazy:

[Occulus]

29. I agree, but for different reasons

People love American Idol, but if you take a look at the music programs of many schools, they are usually severely short on money, and their directors are vastly overworked, even above and beyond other teachers in the school. When I was in high school, for example, things like band camp- which was absolutely necessary for the director's contractually-obligated halftime shows- and rehearsals for musicals were unpaid. Not only that, but little things, like the flags the cologuard used, or the quality of the instruments the concert band used, or the scenery and lighting used in the musicals (our light board, which used big levers to dim the lights, gave off sparks on occasion), were definitely substandard.

The football team got new uniforms twice. Well, I suppose that's okay- in all fairness, the marching band also got new uniforms (designed after those of the Blue Devils drum and bugle corps uniforms of the time, for those who care), to the tune of $55,000. However, I think they're still using them now.

Our musicals were (and I believe, still are) performed in a room that was intended to double as a lecture hall and theater, which means that it only holds about 250-300 people and has a very narrow stage. Somehow, and I have no idea how we managed this, we fit 65 people on it when we did "Oliver", but it was very cramped, and when I've driven by it on the highway, it doesn't look as if they've built a true auditorium.

My point is, we're idolizing American Idol (pun intended), but we're not providing for the talent right in front of our noses. I think everyone would be absolutely amazed at the creative output we could all enjoy if artistic school activities were adequately funded. In the larger school systems, with student populations reaching well into the thousands, this is a possibility, but there aren't many schools that have the population necessary for such generous funding.

And that only speaks to the music and art programs in high schools. That doesn't mention the unfunded mandate that it NCLB (which should be repealed outright).

Why do we idolize American Idol, yet not provide for music and art programs in schools, and worse, treat talented kids as oddballs?

[Skittles]

40. not all of us enjoy crap like Idol

I think it is truly terrible stuff

[jmowreader]

41. Your school band had uniforms? Wow, man...

The "school band uniform" at my high school consists of a pair of white Adidas sneakers with the stripes dyed green, white slacks and a green t-shirt with "St. Maries High School" written on it. And white socks. They give you the shirt, but the rest is on you.

St. Maries usually has snow on the ground for the last game of the season. You can wear whatever coat you have.

[WinkyDink]

30. Don't be daft. Like Rupert Murdoch invented television.

Why not criticize those ridiculous PlayStations?
How about football games?
Bars?

[girl gone mad]

62. Because he doesn't like American Idol.

The things he enjoys are are meaningful and good for society. The things that other people like, which he doesn't get, are mindless distractions created by evil people.

[NMMNG]

31. It's mindless and silly

But do you really think that if it were expunged from the airwaves that people would suddenly flock to the news and begin demanding Bush's impeachment?

[shanti]

32. ITA

that's what most of my coworkers discuss every day. i have never and will never watch that tripe. oh, and these coworkers are the most intellectually disinterested people as well. i've tried having a political discussion with them, but all most want to discuss are food, shopping, american idol :grr: they don't vote either.

[Mike Daniels]

80. Most people prefer not to discuss politics or social issues in general at work....

but because you want to and no-one else does the rest of your co-workers are intellectually disinterested?

Great leap of logic you have going there.

[shanti]

85. most people??

i don't know where you get that. i'm just sick of the shallowness. eat that logic.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

33. You could say this about any TV show that draws a good rating

I mean, some of us do need and actually want a diversion to forget how much Bush sucks sometimes.

Speaking of which, sounds like you could use one yourself. It ain't healthy to go around like that.

[leftstreet]

34. Why not use this popular format for elections?

:shrug:

I've never seen it, but I know it's VERY popular.

How about American President Idol?
Or, American Senator Idol?

Stick 'em on there and let 'em talk about their policies. I would think MANY viewers would rush to vote for a No War candidate who embraced things like national healthcare, livable wages, affordable housing, etc.

[elperromagico]

54. No, they would vote exactly as they do now,

for the candidate who makes them feel fuzzier or looks prettier or speaks better. Failing that, vote for the taller guy or flip a coin.

Issues matter to probably about 20% of the electorate and they pick sides well in advance of the election.

[SeattleGirl]

35. The only thing that bugs me about AI is that more people vote

for the contestants on that show than vote in a general election. I don't watch it myself, but have no problem with people who do. I just wish that all those people would also get out and VOTE in a real election.

[elperromagico]

55. That's not really true.

A lot of people vote on Idol a lot of times, so 50 million votes could be just five million people voting ten times each - and I've heard of people voting as many as 200 times.

About 122 million people voted in the last Presidential election. Idol doesn't even come close to that.

[Warren DeMontague]

36. Because it's easy to distract mammals with bright, shiny, glittery things.

[threadkillaz]

37. Because Label and Media consolidation killed Rock n Roll

It's not about quality anymore. It's about control.

[Reterr]

38. Because Americans are stupid

We watch crap tv while we ruin whole countries.

[Raine]

42. People watch it

it gets good ratings, that's why.

[AtomicKitten]

43. Hey, I liked this guy.

Kept my mind off BushCo raping the planet for about 5 seconds.

[Hubert Flottz]

44. For people tp Worship...

The thrill is gone out of worshiping buckaroo Bushco so America needs a placebo.

[MadHound]

45. Same reasons there's NASCAR, football, Boston Legal, or any other television show.

The first reason is money, to sell more stuff to more people. That is the essential reason for television's existence, advertising and sales. The only reason that we have TV shows is to provide an attractive lure that will keep your ass in your chair throughout the commercials.

The secondary reason is to keep the masses passive, diverted and under control. Have them worry more about American Idol than the war. Keep them following NACAR stats rather than political malfeance.

Third, to filter the news and information the vast majority of Americans take in. To employ a RW echo chamber, spread propaganda, and ignore that news which is inconvient.

These are the real reasons why TV is in existence. Sadly, it has been proven a bane for this country.

[izzybeans]

46. It speaks more about the American music consumer than it does their politics

Consuming garbage is non-partisan American apple pie. If it doesn't come in a prepackaged in a styrofoam container than its just for Indie nerds, I suppose.

At the end of the day it is just a crappy show for karaoke singers to take their craft out of the bar and onto the t.v. They just get to skip the tryout for the mickey mouse club first. The producers and singwriters are all the same. The karaoke box just isn't as shiny.

[Dora]

49. We are the American Idle.

Idle hands do the devil's work, or so they say.

[nadinbrzezinski]

50. Circus, we only need some bread

[Goblinmonger]

51. Why the fuck is there anything on TV but news?

We have to stop the madness!

It needs to be all news all the time.

It's all a diversion.

[mondo joe]

65. Politics and the war are just a fucking distraction from American Idol.

What don't they want us to know?

[MacGregor]

52. A person can watch 'Idol' and still keep abreast of politics and world affairs.

I do it, and make no apologies for it. I don't think it's any more harmful than engaging yourself in baseball/football/basketball/NASCAR/hockey season.

Actually, when you get down to it, it's a five-month distillation of our politics, right down to candidates who are worthy who don't win (w00t to AtomicKitten for the Elliott love ;)), candidates who are mind-numbingly awful and in over their heads who go the distance, voters jumping on and off bandwagons, all the while being subject to caustic comments from Brits. :P

[Bluebear]

53. Elliott . . .

Yamin . . .

gotta love him.

[KansDem]

I've never understood how mortals can worship fellow mortals...

It just amazes me...

[tinfoilinfor2005]

57. I enjoy it.

I also enjoy DU. And books. And watersports. And little grey fuzzy animals that shed. What's the big deal? If you don't like it, turn the dial.

[Cleita]

58. You know one way I believe that would end war with the exception

of those that can't be avoided, is to ban sports and various entertainments until the war is over like American Ido.. I mean I don't think anyone should be enjoying football or celebrating New Year while our soldiers are in a foreign land dying.

No Super Bowl! Oh no! Get those peace talks going now!

[rinsd]

59. Its been a whole day before someone got sanctimonious about the trivial!

:eyes:

[Celebration]

60. Gotta admit

The red state contestants seem to do better overall than the blue.

Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina-- last three winners

I watch but the results this past year were about as perplexing to me as the last two presidential elections.

Some people like the Super Bowl. I like musical performances. Chris Daughtry is a real talent. Elliott too!!

If I had to think about the Iraq War 24/7 I just might go insane.

[The Count]

61. All reality shows are crap. At least AI doesn't mascarade as "News" and

is less mean than the kicking off the island national pass times (I might be wrong on that as I never watch it).
All I know about A.I is from a good spoof I heard on Air America - the old "Unfiltered" with Rachel Maddow, Liz Winsted and Chuck D on the democratic primaries...

[WI_DEM]

63. But Idol is only on for five months--what about "House" or "Desperate Housewives"?

[npincus]

64. so I have to think about Chimp 24-7?

[LSK]

66. its entertainment??? why dont you attack baseball, football, music too

:shrug:

[Miss Chybil]

67. I love American Idol.

It's fun to watch people work hard to refine their talents and win a chance to change their lives. I only get to live once and Bush is not going to steal all my fun. I can't wallow in his shit 24/7. I need American Idol, or something to offer a little distraction from the horrors of the Bush Cartel and other evil-doers around the world.

[Turn CO Blue]

68. Because people like singers. The human voice is the most

fascinating musical instrument. The venue is popular and fun. (I personally haven't watched since the second season but the show does not offend me. There ARE plenty of shows that do offend me.)

[slackmaster]

69. Because enough people enjoy it and watch it

So the media corporation that produces it can make lots of money on ads.

[LTR]

70. Yeah, no entertainment allowed! We're supposed to be constantly angry!

No play, we must work!

No fun allowed! Life should be hell!

:sarcasm:

You know, I really hate posts like this. I for one see absolutely no reason to live in constant misery.

BTW: I'm not into "American Idol", but I do respect it because it is fairly decent, non-lowbrow family entertainment. Not to sound like a prude (far from it), but I see nothing wrong with TV shows that whole families can watch together that aren't overtly stupid or trashy.

[ContraBass Black]

75. It does include a lowbrow element.

Some of the most popular episodes are those in which first-round contestants without skill humiliate themselves publicly.

[LTR]

76. I thought about that

But we've been bombarded with shitty television shows since these little boxes started popping up in homes back in the '50s.

I could go on and on about the worst shows ever made, but that would take up a whole other thread.

[DarkTirade]

77. I'm just surprised it's still running...

I mean, does ANYONE watch it anymore? First season... picking up steam. Second season, everybody watched. (unfortunately I was kinda forced to... only one TV in the apartment that wasn't mine, and my roommates watched it.) Third one... starting to died down. What are they on now, fifth or sixth one?

[cmkramer]

83. It's actually gotten more popular each season

It was the number one show of the year last year -- and this year too (or close to it). And it attracts the highest advertising rates too.

This season will be the sixth.

[DarkTirade]

84. Really? I don't know a single person who has watched it since the third

season.

[Ian_rd]

78. "American Idol" is not the problem, it's the news that covers it

The last time I ever watched TV news (literally) was when half of the program time was spent on reporting events surrounding "American Idol." This was my local Fox News affiliate. With everything going on in the world, they were reporting on a goddamn TV show. That day I stopped wondering why Americans don't know what the fuck is going on in our country or anywhere else. It pretty much made me physically ill.

The news business in America no longer exists to report the news, it exists only to make the largest profit possible. Several of the ways they do that are eliminating completely investigative reporting which is expensive, avoiding stories that make themselves or their parent companies look bad in order not to threaten stock value, and replacing news programs that require fact-checking and attention to detail with opinion pundits who don't know shit about anything, but are very good at talking for an hour straight.

[Mike Daniels]

79. Might as well ask why is there an equivalent of "Idol" in every major country?

You are aware that AI is an imported product from Europe (specifically England), right?

Are you going to rage against the citizens of other countries who watch this product as well or just the U.S.?

[fhqwhgads]

82. i don't think idol...

...obscures the truth about bush and iraq. people are willfully blind. if it weren't idol, it would be something else. i'm more concerned that idol obscures good music and good taste in general.

american idol, the csi franchise, and grey's anatomy: the evil triumverate of american television.

:hide:

[NaturalHigh]

86. I personally hate the show...

but I don't think it's some sort of conspiracy. Some of us (gasp!) want to be entertained and don't have the desire to just sit around pissed off about the current state of affairs all the time. Maybe that's not "progressive" enough for some, but give me a quality cop show (The Shield or Law and Order) over a bunch of uptight stuffed suits on some TV discussion group any day of the week.

[ThsMchneKilsFascists]

87. It's a crap show and mindless drivel, I hate it, BUT

So what?
I enjoy things others hate (heavy metal for instance)
Pop will eat itself and American Idol will choke on it's own vomit someday. Patience.

[Atman]

88. Hate to break it to you, but television is the diversion.

American Idol, and every other program, is just a sub-diversion. At any given moment you could turn it off and go plow a field, build a home, feed a homeless guy, protest BushCo, post a bitch about tv on DU...

Oh, wait...DU is a diversion, too.

Never mind.

.

[and-justice-for-all]

89. Blame the UK for American Idol...

..Thats were we got it from. Simon was part of the UK show which is basicly a carbon copy for the states...

Yes, of all things intellectually numbing, American Idol takes the cake. Right next to Reality(less) shows..Uneducationing television that will lead us right back to the fucking stone age! And yes, even if you dont watch that shit, you will either be directly effected by or feel the socical effects of it in the near future...With uneducated, religiously indoctrinated, "Reality Television" taught asshats running around their will not be an economy worth a shit. with Science and Technology labeled as the devil's Work you might as well put your money on Stupid because thats all that will remain.....