Earlier this week I indulged in one of the first two-hour specials of the ever-popular television show “American Idol”. On the show, people audition in front of four judges (traditionally three, but they needed to spice up the eighth season) for their chance “to become the next American Idol”. The show is chock-full of personal testimonials from contestants, freak-show quirks, and inspirational stories that keep the viewer riveted. Eventually as the season progresses, contestants drop like flies for missing a note or having a flat performance; then, only one is chosen as the “American Idol”.
American Idol can be a roller coaster of entertainment, deceit, and monotonous brainwashing. It gives an ultimatum for human purpose: either you can sing or you can’t. (there was one exception to this in the premiere episode when a girl auditioned in nothing but a bikini…but I’ll get back to that) Either you are marketable or you’re not. A freak-show or a Superstar. A contestant that can’t sing is treated as though they are worthless and wasting the judges’ time. They are then put on parade for viewers to mock, and feel pity for. Sure, it’s humorous when your parents sing badly to the old songs they loved back in the day—but imagine if they were doing it on T.V. for entertainment purposes and then shot down to feel worthless?
The empire wants us to consume and idolize. It’s in the show’s name: American Idol. We are told to vote for the “Idol”, sucked into watching each episode, every performance, every critique so that we can furiously dial the number for our Idol. It’s commercializing a person with talent. Take the girl in the bikini I mentioned earlier for example, she didn’t have a good singing voice (which was admitted by every judge) yet she still passed on to the next round simply because she was wearing basically nothing. She’s being idolized for her body.
American Idol has contributed to American Pop Culture in some positive ways. It helps the music business with finding new artists. It gives a chance for businesses to advertise through sponsorship. And what would life be like with out a little William Hung? Honestly. Even he got a record deal.
I agree with you, Cassie, that although the show started off as a vocal contest, it has morphed into a freak-show and beauty pageant seamlessly combined with prime interests to embarrass victims on national television. While there are often auditions that sound like they have some potential, the auditions aired are usually those with no talent. Unless, as mentioned in the main post, they do something wacky enough to increase the station's viewers (like audition in a bikini, try out when tone deaf, etc). As Cassie mentioned, the show has been in successful in finding singers who do have talent—remember Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and Kelly Clarkson. For the most part, I think this show exhibits behaviors of the empire and does not demonstrate many kingdom values. This is not to say it’s a terrible show and a Christian shouldn’t watch it; they should, however, realize that the network wants us to see these illustrious “stars” and lust after their fame, bodies, and talent (or lack thereof) and therefore not be swayed by it.
ReplyDeleteI think your right. In the very beginning when the show was new it was actually to find a good singer but now its more about if you look the part rather than if you have the voice the amazing voice. This show is very entertaining but they make a mockery of people which i don't think is right. The program is only influenced by the empire which says that sex sells. The girl in the bikini illistrated that very well. The judges should only choose people by their voice and nothing else.
ReplyDeleteRob and I watched one full season of American Idol, but that was when people of all shapes and sizes were valued for their talent and that internal spark of beauty, even if their outsides also became flashier as the show progressed toward the season finale (Kimberly Locke, anyone?).
ReplyDelete