Projects Possible

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!

We all have that TV show or two that we find to be entertaining and enjoyable.   For me it happens to be Heroes on NBC.   From the first episode last season I was absolutely hooked.   Through all of the hype of “Save the Cheerleader…Save the World” to the almost too predicatable last episode I watched and rewatched (from my iPod) each episode with interest and speculation.

Sept. 24th we had the premier… again quite a bit of hype and while I’m still lovin’ it (Isn’t that a McDonalds commercial?) I think the Hiro storyline is rather strange.  I’m sure it will get better and I will go back and rewatch last night’s episode to pick out all of the details I missed (I was distracted by work so I’m sure I missed quite a bit).

If you haven’t watched the show I encourage you to try an episode or two.  You can go to the NBC site (just click on the image above) and you can watch last night’s episode right on your computer.    I’d like to get your thoughts… As the season progresses I have theories coming out all over the place as to what is going to happen… and well… last year I didn’t do too well in my predictions.