Well this year started out virtually the same as all of the prior years.   A stadium full of people all wanting to be the next American Idol with very few of them actually possessing the singing talent that is needed to be the next American Idol.   As I watched the show I couldn’t help but wonder not only about those that are auditioning but about us… about me… as a viewer of this show.  What is it that we find so enjoyable about other’s heartache, misfortune, and in some cases sheer lack of talent?

When you look at the stadiums of people that show up to audition, you know very well that not all of them get an opportunity to go in front of the “judges”.  I would be curious for any of you that may have gone through the process or or are in the “know” how they “weed” the crowd down to the group that get to appear before Simon, Paula and Randy.   Certainly the criteria to see the judges is NOT singing talent.

Look at those that were “featured” and ask yourself: “Why they were chosen?”  Is is so we/they could make fun of them or worse yet their hardship or situation in life?  Did the producers deliberately want humiliate them in front of millions of viewers? The sad thing is I found it entertaining, and in that statement alone I think we get the why… Entertainment equals ratings. 

How can we forget:

The overweight girl with the overweight mother. – her dreams were crushed!

The young man with the extremely low “fog horn” voice. – he thought he could sing and is going to be back.

The woman that decided she was going to go into “actressing”.

Milo and his “No Sex Allowed” song.

The black cloaked guy in the funny costume that waxed his chest.  (Simon: “All because that fat lump wants to be on TV”)

Paul and that “creepy” Paula Abdul stalker song

Princes Leah

I’m sure there are many that audition that have no desire to be in the competition they just want to be on TV.  But when a contestant truly believes they have the talent and the judges make fun of and demean them has the show crossed the imaginary line between civility and entertainment?  I’ll be glued to my TV again tonight for round 2 of… who can we humiliate and make fun of tonight!