"Idol" Criticism
First of all, let me just go on record as saying that the only reason to watch The View or better yet search for clips from the show on YouTube is to see who Rosie O'Donnell is going after today. She is such a breath of fresh air for television in calling it like she sees it without mincing words -- and what's more, without being mean-spirited! This morning she apparently took on American Idol and as much as I love the show, I have to agree with her. The last two evenings of the new season six premiere were shocking in the hosts' brutality towards the contestants. It wasn't even funny, really. I found myself sitting there thinking, "What an awful reflection of Hollywood. I've never seen anyone treated like this in an audition."
I also thought to myself how horrendous to shatter these people's dreams by having the audacity to say, "This is not the career for you. You need to stop doing this." No one says that to you on an audition in Hollywood! They'd probably get shot! Or fired!
Worse yet were their attacks on physical appearance. And it's not just Simon! For the past two nights, all three hosts have made fun of the contestants' hair, their eyes, their weight -- everything! You know, there was a time when this show was about the art of singing and not about editing it into a "freak show."
I have had countless people tell me that I should audition for American Idol -- not because I would win, but because I'd get on the show and I might even get a ways into it. Especially with the Ryan Seacrest controversy of the show trying to sue me over using my real name, Sechrest. (That one still baffles me!) And I was actually considering auditioning for season seven! But after seeing these last two episodes, I don't know if I would want to submit myself to their tongues or their editing teams. These are not what "normal" auditions are like. This has become a veritable firing range and I give it up the tens of thousands of people across the country who had the strength to face them.
I don't know if I can support the show by watching it anymore, much less auditioning for it.
This morning, Rosie showed a clip of one contestant in particular, this poor kid who really gave it his best shot, but had a very different apperance; someone who has probably been teased about it all his life. Simon said to him, "You look a little odd. You look like one of those creatures that live in the jungle with those massive eyes. What are they called? Bush baby." The boy was brought to the verge of tears -- yet Paula and Randy burst into hysterics the second he leaves the room.
Rosie said, point blank: "So that's compassion for you, isn't it? Isn't that what America thinks is entertainment? To make fun of someone's physical appearance? And then when they leave the room, laugh hysterically at them? Three millionaires. One probably intoxicated."
Thank God for those who have the courage to say what pops into many of our heads just as quickly as we dismiss it.
What they're doing on that show these days... it ain't cool, folks. It's cruel.
posted by Jason Sechrest at 7:30 PM
17 Comments:
Jason, Hollywood is all about the looks besides the talent unlike porn industry. If you're hot but with no talent, people will forgive you because your look amuse them. If you have talent but not too much hot looking, that's fine, because we need this to balance our bias.
Look at T.R. Knight of Grey's Anatomy (although I didn't watch the show), given that he is gay (too me it's just average looking), which I'm sure he doesn't care about the looks, but at least he did well on the show so when this whole controversy about being called faggot, people rather choose back him.
BUT, if you don't have talent or hot looks, sorry, you're so out of this hollywood game. There are so many examples in Hollywood like Paris Hilton, FHM Girls, Maxim Girls...etc
Back to American Idol, the ratings were high already and they're under pressure if the ratings drop substantially in the middle of the season/show. the show enters its middle-age now. They have to do something at least to keep the rating flat at the higher end. You, me, everyone knows that those who didn't made it to the competition stage are definitely not too good looking and their voice are horrible (or either of them) And after 5 seasons of criticizing their voice and singing techniques, do you think people will not be bored by this? so they have to go after people's looks. Most people's basic state of mind is to watch other people's dream get shattered, because only me can be better than the others
Rosie definitely nailed the point, but, isn't this the Hollywood of 21st Century? Our technology is improving however, our state of mind are still in the good ol' shallow days to keep us amused.
As much as I think this show should be folded, because not only you created jokes that ruined people's life forever, but also, how long will these Idol winners will last? How many of them will make it big in their own niche like Jim Verraros? How many of them still made it big after the 2nd or 3rd album? Will they ever have the ability to become the next Kelly Clarkson to win a Grammy? I doubted it. Look at Clay Aiken, people rather seems to be notice his questionable sexuality, but not singing careers.
Jimmy - I would never argue that looks and/or talent are essential to "make it" in Hollywood. I'm not upset that these contestants didn't make it through to the next round by any means! What apalls me is the way in which they were dismissed. These three are a fucking joke. You do not get called a "bush baby" when dismissed from a cattle call in Hollywood. You would never even be told, "You look a little odd," unless it were a compliment and right for the role. As for the ratings, if you are correct then that is just plain greed -- which is also not to be tolerated. They started with a fantastic concept and because they were such a phenomenon have become greedy and compromised what the show is actually about. This was supposed to be -- and used to be -- a showcase of "dreams coming true" -- not dreams being shattered, remember? This was supposed to be -- and used to be -- a show where singing and sure even an overall look was "critiqued" -- not pulverized. Hurting people is not a way to stay in the ratings game. It makes many audiences uncomfortable. (Trust me -- I should know!) Nor is it a way to make people feel comfortable or welcome on those auditions. The show will suffer for it in future seasons. Mark my words. They've lost Rosie and me as viewers. I highly doubt we're the only ones. xo L, J.
The reason why I mentioned that was because in Taiwan, there was a similar show to American Idol, each week they had several celebrity "contestants", some were even singers on the show, called something like "cut-throat singing contest".
The judges were like Paula and Simon, they were Song/BMG music producer/executives for the Asian-Pacific area on the show, and you know what? If you think the criticism on American Idol was too far to make you uncomfortable, these ones are the real killer. There was the dude, a celebrity's son, (that celebrity had major impact on the entertainment industry for almost 4 decades) was sent to hospital for mental illness after the show. (He was caught smoking pot in Vancouver, btw ) Because of that incident, the entire show was a big hit and everyone just wants to see how far they can go to criticize people.
The reason why I brought it up is, because there is this market of people dying to see people's shattered dream so tv producer makes one for them. Yes, it does irritates the audiences, but to the producer, did they care? Did Paula care? Did Simon care? Did Randy care? As long as the advertisers keeps throwing big bucks to this show, as long as they are 30 million people to continue watching this "new format", do you really think they really give shit about (for instance) 100 people decided not to watch? Do they really give shit about Rosie's refusal to watch it anymore? In fact, Rosie helped to hype the show, because this is probably the trap they set up to create more hype, to attract more who wants to watch people with shattered dream.
This show seems to foresee this trend. When a product is scarce, everyone wants it. They wants to see who are the next being criticized for, because this is the only show doing so. You're also right that the show will suffer because of this, I guess only time will tell. If the next few episodes or the entire season averaging about 25+million audiences, you know what? This will be the trend for the 7th or 8th season, if they decided to do that, or, it'll be just like a talk show where you have copy cats popping up there and there and by time, I guess we'll just have to shut the tv down.
However when you look from the other side, American Idol may actually be considered as a "showck-and-awe education" before stepping into Hollywood stardom, you know we all love to gossip those happening in the Hollywoodland - who's hot, who's not, who's ugly, who needs to get a life.
Jimmy - I just think it's a joke, really. It's not a prep-course for Hollywood, it's a prep-course for hell. I live in Hollywood. That's not what it's like. People who have made it so high up on the ladder that they are in charge of the auditioning process have made it there because they have tact and diplomacy to go with their eye for talent. Any casting director in Hollywood who said this kind of stuff would be fired. And yes, there is a large audience for a program that shatters people's dreams and sets out to destroy their self-esteem. There is also a large audience for snuff films and underage porn. It's like that founder of Atlantic Records who just passed away recently said: "Just because you've sold millions of records doesn't mean you're good. McDonald's sells a lot of hamburgers." xo L, J.
P.S.: I should note here, I was afraid to say this in case they weren't, but the kid they showed in the clip and his friend that followed him -- it seemed pretty obvious that they were probably Special Ed kids. These were not your run of the mill foolios out to make an ass of themselves and get 15 minutes of fame on the show. These were clearly very fragile people who you knew, the second they walked into that room, would shatter if they were made fun of because they've probably been made fun of all their lives. And it was heartbreaking -- seriously like tears welling up thinkings about it -- to see them so hurt. Absolutely broke my heart. - J.S.
Jason, I totally agree with you. This season has been unusually cruel so far. But as mean as the judges have been, I think the producers have been even meaner. Tens of thousands of kids show up to audition. Only a handful make it to Paula, Randy, and Simon. It's an army of producers who decides who might have enough talent to proceed, and who will make good TV. Some of the poor kids who show up are completely delusional and probably shouldn't be there, but then when the producers send them through, they get their hopes up.
And then the producers choose to focus on the "freak show" rather than the talent. I think in the first episode, of the 17 people or so that they said made it to Hollywood, I think they only showed 3 of them.
I always liked this part to find the "diamond in the rough" (I became a Kelly Clarkson fan during her audition), but it really doesn't get interesting until they get to Hollywood. But this year it's been unusually mean.
Mean judges, meaner producers.
Kevin - Wow. I had no idea there was a preliminary. How dreadful to have let those kids go through. You're right. They're just as much at fault. xo L, J.
Haven't have watched this shit. Never have, never will.
When it first came on and I heard about it, I laughed and thought who the hell is Paula Abdul to critique someone's singing! I mean get real.
The only way I used to follow it was because Entertainment Tonight had that fucktard Bob Goen on who was obsessed with the show. Like when Mary Hart talks about Jennifer Aniston and you can just tell her clit is throbbing, Bob used to be genuinly creepy in his adoration for these "singers."
I also take issue with people who go on "reality" shows to become instant music stars as opposed to those who have spent years working on their craft and getting shitted on by the music industry.
And let's face it, music (in general) has been pretty shitty since the late 90s.
i read your entry on american idol. those 2 guys from seattle, the fat one and the other one, they arent friends at all. they were on the morning radio saying they did it for the show but never spoke again. the fat one works at safeway and the other one works at some store at a mall. lol the fat one sang the same song (god bless america) and everyone was shocked because he was MUCH better than he was on the show. he said it was his nerves and honestly, he was quite good. the other guy (the monkey one) still isnt good.
gotta love seattle
you need to watch The X Factor. Its Simon's show in the UK.... VERY GOOD. Sharon Osbourne is a judge. Its actually better than Idol. He is actually nicer on that show.
Anonymous - Yeh, Angel Benton was saying that to me yesterday too. He hasn't been able to stand the show from the beginning for this reason. And MAYBE the show has always been like this and I was just blind to it. Maybe I've changed. xo L, J.
Mark - I don't care if they sounded like Kevin Federline -- they're there to be judged for the singing and overall star quality. Not to be ridiculed for physical flaws that they can do nothing about. There's not excuse for it. It's just overtly cruel. What are we? 9 year old picking on the kid with the bottle cap glasses? They are supposed to set an example of America and those who make the American dream come true. I was just heartbroken to watch those two guys have things they can do nothing about picked on for some reason. The poor fat kid must've been thinking every fucking second in his head that day, "Am I too fat for this? I'm too big for this. No one will let me get through this big." And it's the FIRST thing they pick on when he walks through the door! And that other one... you KNOW he has looked in the mirror every day of his fucking life and gone, "Why do I look so crazy?! Why are my eyes not like other people's?" L, J.
Jason:
I totally agree with you about Rosie although I did enjoy "The View" before she was on there.
I have to disagree regarding the comments about "American Idol". I am a die hard American Idol fan and have watched every episode from the very beginning, have been to all the concerts, have the albums.
While many fans hate the audition episodes I love them. These people who try out and are bad, have to know they are bad or they have some serious delusions and must live among enablers.
The judges comments may be cruel but there was not one which was true.
Being a person who is overweight, not the ideal looker I have suffered many horrible name calling over the years but I rise above it.
American Idol is my only reality TV and it is addictive.
I know I should be more sensitive regarding the harsh comments but when it comes to this show I somehow lose myself in the moment and my normal beliefs.
It is sad that the body beautiful, great looking people are the ones who are idolized when there are so many wonderful, exciting, talented people in America.
I am a study in contraction when it comes to American Idol where I embrace the comments but in real life I would save something. Oh well what can I say.
Ronald - LOL... You're so cute. Everyone's allowed a guilty pleasure, right? haha ;-) xo L, J.
I just kind of think that the reason why the "mean spirit" format is a hit because we all wanted to say those words to people we don't like, or hate or whatever sometimes, but we're just afraid to say those because we don't want to be labelled as "mean spirited" people.
American Idol's criticism gives viewers a platform to yell, scream, bitching, criticizing those people, I guess.
If I auditioned and they said something rude to me about my looks, I'd just slap the shit out of them. All three of them bitches! The only person who could do that and get away with it is Janice Dickinson - 'cause that ho is just crazy. She's pretty much a crazy ass drag queen in a plastic body.
I LOOOOVVVVEEE me some Rosie
Kisses
~Miss P
Miss P - Well, Janice seems to do it with a certain amount of humor and love too. AND... that's MODELING. That is a profession that pertains to NOTHING but physical beauty so that is what they SHOULD be critiquing on that show! lol xo L, J.
I was thinking about getting I Love Lucy DVD the other day. Yes, the art of sitcom has dwindled since Will & Grace ended.
I think we need a sitcom just like the old days, just for laugh, no sex or violent reference involved. Just the plain old joke with different ways to present them.
JASON MY FRIEND...LET ME SPEAK FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE...IDOLS EDITING CAN EITHER HURT YOU OR HELP YOU...THE THING IDOL DOES NOT EDIT ARE THESE PEOPLE'S VOICES...THIS SHOW IS NOT FOR THE WEAK HEARTED...THE PEOPLE THAT GET TURNED DOWN THAT ARE CONSIDERED "GOOD" BUT "NOT READY" IT'S TRUE...THEY WOULDN'T LAST THROUGH HOLLYWOOD WEEK...IT'S ONE OF THE MOST STRESSFUL TIMES IN THE COMPETITION FOR SOME PEOPLE...AND ODDLY ENOUGH...THAT IS WHERE I HAD THE MOST FUN...IT WAS WHEN I MADE TOP24 IS WHEN IT GOT STRESSFUL FOR ME...BUT I DO GET WHAT YOUR SAYING...THIS BIGGEST ADVICE I GIVE PEOPLE IS..SHOW BUSINESS IS ALL ABOUT TOUGH SKIN...AND IF YOU CAN'T TAKE PEOPLE JUDGING YOUR HAIR,SKIN,WEIGHT,VOICE,EYES,CLOTHES...ETC..ETC..DON'T GO INTO SHOW BUSINESS AND DEFINITELY DON'T AUDITION FOR "AMERICAN IDOL" AND AS FAR AS GIVING DOWN RIGHT MEAN COMMENTS...HEY THAT'S GREAT TV...AND ALL THE JUDGES PLAY A CHARACTER...IT'S ACTUALLY RATHER FUNNY TO WATCH NOW...I KNOW WHEN THERE ALL BEING SERIOUS AND I KNOW WHEN IT'S FOR "TV"...BUT REALLY THAT'S THE REASON WE WATCH THIS PART OF THE SHOW...FOR THE "FUNNY" ASPECT...NO ONE CARES ABOUT SINGING UNTIL THE LAST WEEK OF "HOLLYWOOD WEEK"...
Bobby - You're right. It is good television. I even tuned in again last night to be honest. I just feel like there's a difference between being humorously mean-spirited and completely demolishing a person's self-esteem. It's one thing to tell someone, "You look kind of odd," it's another thing to sit there and point out all the reasons why. AND some people can take that kind of "tearing down" while others can not and I just feel like they, as judges, should be able to gague that a little better than they did with those two particular kids on episode two of this season. xo L, J.
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