JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum American Idol 2009

Here's an article I wrote during the auditions.

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Why I hate American Idol (but still watch it nevertheless)

I used to LOVE watching American Idol, not because I believe it's a venue for fresh faces or one that actually gives those with REAL talent a chance to shine (and this is not to say that those with REAL talent didn't really make it), but basically because it shows the obvious flaws EVERY human being on earth has, from the one who conceptualized it, the ones producing it, organized it, judging it, the ones who fall in long lines all day just to have a shot at the judges, both to show what they've got, or humiliate themselves with what they think they have, to the ones who actually watch Simon, Paula, and Randy from time to time make fools of themselves when they scratch their heads and wonder how in the hell that one particular contestant even make it into Hollywood, oblivious to the fact that they had something to do with it in the first place.

I love hearing new and unique raw voices that I would love to have myself. I love seeing some of them make it through the auditions, the eliminations, the finals. I love seeing and hearing them evolve or devolve. I love hearing their weekly song choices, and compare my "judgment" of them with that of the 3 (now 4) judges. I love the fact that it's actually America who votes for their favorites, and it kinda gives you hope that raw talent could really still make a difference in the world.

I used to wonder why they had to show MOST of those who actually shouldn't even think of singing at all, least of all think that they have the talent to do so. I kinda hate those parts, but, after eight 7 seasons, I started to understand that without those "talentless freaks," David Cook won't even shine. I started to understand the gimmicks and the costumes come of these people get into just for 5 to 15 minutes of TV air time, because for some or most of them, getting attention, that proverbial 15 minutes, was all they need. There's always next year, or the comedy club downtown.

And there's the real special ones; it began with William Hung, who for his charm got a one hit wonder, then the guy who looked like Clay, who we didn't really care about, and who can forget our very own Renaldo Lapuz who impressed the three with his all white garb and Pinoy fighting spirit with his original song "we're Brothers Forever.

Then, there's the bikini clad Casey Carlson Katrina Whatsherface who got through the auditions by sheer, er, skin factor, despite the fact she dissed Cara whatshername, earning the ire of Paula in the process.

There's also the occasional surprise of a REALLY talented individual in an unsuspecting "Indian (not Native American) geek grad student in shorts" package that left all four judges in awe when they heard that the guy's got the voice to get him through to the next round. (edit: And I was really glad Anoop made it as a Wildcard.)

I loathe Simon as a person, but love his sarcasm. I mean, he's really nothing compared to House, but House isn't auditioning singers. Being sarcastic myself, I can't help but agree with most of his quips about life and the 12 notes, yet still end up loathing his presence.

What about Paula Abdul? Who cares? She's a dancer who sings, and that's just about it. Her voice is NOTHING compared to the talents she's auditioning, and she should just have stuck to dancing since I can't find a reason to hate her back then when she was dancing.

And Randy, whom Ive never really heard of until Idol, basically transformed from a whale to an elephant seal, probably because of the stress of being with Paula and Simon for the last 7 seasons.

And who can forget the controversies? A few to mention, but one worth the spotlight is the AI "songwriting contest" which is actually marred with issues, since most of the finalists are professionals and the winners so far actually didn't need to win since they've more than a dozen hits on their belts, considering the fact that the AI organizers had the gall to charge $10 dollars an entry. That actually doesn't surprise me anymore, since the issue is quite familiar in our local songwriting contest scenes.

I mentioned David Cook. I knew he was going to win, but NOT because of his talent. I actually like the gayish David Archuleta since the kid has a better tonal quality and a wider vocal range than Cook can ever sing in his lifetime, and Archuleta is still a kid.

So I still hate AI, but, I still watch it from time to time, when the reruns on other channels have run their course and have burned themselves onto my idling brain, I idle it further watching Idol.

Because, in all honestly, at one time or another, we've all wanted that 15 minutes...