American Idol- Trading Class for Ratings
Author: DavidJones // Category: Music, Pop Culture, TV, Youth Culture
Let me start off by saying I am not one of those people who is anti-American Idol because it uses the word idol in the title or seems to be a show based on amateur karaoke. To be honest, I’ve enjoyed watching the show over the years and have even been impressed when the show has removed contestants from the show because of run-ins with the law and other questionable behavior.
However, this season on American Idol, it seems as though the judges, or at least 2 of them, have traded in their class and objective criticism for ratings. A contestant who has become known as “bikini girl” recently made it past the initial audition round and through the first round of Hollywood judging. Her nickname, as you can probably guess, comes from the fact that she initially auditioned in only a bikini.
Some of you may be saying, “What’s the problem?” Well, here’s the problem: She can’t sing! Sure, she can carry a tune, but she has done nothing worthy of putting herself in the top 100. Judges Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi seemed to acknowledge that, but amazingly Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson refused to take an objective approach and gleefully put her through to “the next round” twice.
Typically, I have much respect for the honesty of Simon Cowell. I don’t always like the way he presents it, but the guy does know his music. Unfortunately, this seems to be nothing more than a publicity stunt that is being used to bring in ratings. In a sense, what they’re doing is working because….well, I’m writing about it right now.
Just curious what you think about this. Is this all just silly nonsense that will take care of itself eventually, or have the judges gone a little too far with trying to catch the public eye? Is this hurting the competition? You decide…
Tags: American Idol, bikini girl, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell
February 4th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I have been wondering about this myself, David. I think that maybe Simon and Randy are well aware of the fact that she can’t sing, but they are just trying to be funny by putting her through each round. I’m hoping that’s all it is, anyway. I can’t imagine she’ll make it much further, but I’m kinda shocked she passed the second round. I also wonder about those contestants out there that sing better than her that didn’t make it past those 2 rounds. If I were one of them, I’d be pretty upset about it! I guess we’ll see what happens….
February 5th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Well this situation certainly worked itself out. She got booted last night with Simon showing very little remorse for letting her go. Maybe the joke was actually on her the whole time.
If anyone cares, I think I’ve found the guy to root for. Can’t remember his name, but he’s a Church Music Teacher who lost his wife not long ago. He can sing!
February 5th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
All I’m saying is that William Hung deserved to go to Hollywood!
February 6th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Wait a minute. There are actually people who don’t like American Idol because it has the word “idol” in the title?!?! You can’t be serious.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Completely serious! I know some who refuse to watch because of the inclusion of the word “idol.”