[Fyre4ce]

Does anyone else find this show disgusting? I have never actually sat down and watched an episode but I have seen bits and pieces, and lots of ads, and that alone is enough to make me sick.

Think about what this show, whose popularity seems unbounded, says about our culture. These people are supposedly our "Idols." That is a very strong word. It goes far beyond aspiring to be like someone. "Idols" require worship. Who do we worship? Intelligent people? Scientists? Engineers? Doctors? Diplomats? Civil rights leaders? Philanthropists? People who make lasting contributions to humanity? It's not even politicians, athletes, or businesspeople (or lawyers). It's people who can sing! Yes, these are the people we worship. (In fact, most of them have very little singing talent anyway - it's more their ability to perform like a pop star.)

The structure of the show only serves to enhance its repulsiveness. Contestants are numbered, lined up, and await their turn to undergo judgement. Those who are judged worthy are celebrated, and indeed become celebrities (only to move to Hollywood, buy a huge house and a fleet of cars, and start up a cocaine addition). Those who are judged unworthy are insulted, ridiculed, and led off stage never to be seen again.

The problem is not with American Idol, it's with our culture. We continue to obsess over the ****ed-up lives of celebrities who have more money than they know what to do with, and whose divorces and drug addictions I could not count on both hands. We idolize these people because they have money (which is how we measure success in life) but they only have money because we idolize them. This self-perpetuating relationship is poison for our society. It is an obstacle to the pursuit of truth and the improvement of the human condition. (And for you religious folk, doesn't the Bible prohibit false idols?)

So, go watch your American Idol. Enjoy it, even. Just know that you're contributing to the degenerate, materialistic, voyeuristic ideologies that created it.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

If TV showed what i wanted to watch 24/7, there would be nothing but tech shows and pornography.

So I try to keep an open mind for other people's tv habits. I think my mom likes it because they sing songs from her generation. So whatev.

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by Apple Pro Underwear

If TV showed what i wanted to watch 24/7, there would be nothing but tech shows and pornography.

LOL good point. Maybe I'm overreacting.

[Rolling Bones]

Some English snit insulting Americans. It's great.

[hayesk]

I agree with you 100% that the worship of celebrities is disgusting. Look at Paris Hilton for goodness sake - she doesn't even do anything and she's famous.

The term "teen idol" to refer to pop stars has been used for 50 years - it's not a new concept. As for this show, maybe you object to the title of the show. But it's just a talent contest. Bottom line, they're just having a talent contest to find someone that they think will be popular and sell records. It's not really disgusting or objectionable at all.

There are two aspects of the show that I don't like:
- they reject talented people based on their look or how they present themselves. Pop stars are all coached, dressed, trained to behave, etc. by handlers. Rejecting someone that doesn't have all that at first is hypocritical. Not only that, they have the opportunity to raise the public's taste, but waste that chance and claim they're slaves to what the public wants. Yet, they're the ones on TV - they dictate what the public at large wants.
- they go through all the trouble and find a winner that is talented, and then they make the winner put out an album with over produces commercial garbage. What a waste.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

I think the show is a great comedy. i love it to death.

I do not feel the least bit sorry for the people who are on it and made to look like fools. On the form contestants fill out they clearly as "Are you the best singer in America?" "Are you the next American Idol". Everyone answers YES.

[jjlannoo]

I don't watch many series at all ( i do watch a lot of movies). 24 BSG and idol are about it. I think its a fun show. hollywood week seemed rushed for some reason this year though.

These guys earn their fame a lot more then most of the manufactured singers/stars out there.

[Rolling Bones]

What ever happened to that fat black guy?

Kelly Clarkson is the only one that made it anywhere she's hawt. And the one from last year I guess is big on the country scene.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

What ever happened to that fat black guy?

He got shown up by the second-placer, Clay Aiken.

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

Some English snit insulting Americans. It's great.

I resent your remarks, chap. Did you see my location? U S of A. Born and raised. I'm sorry to spoil your tea party, but I'm as American as apple pie.

I am not anti-American. In fact, I think we have it pretty good here. I might even go on record as saying we take an undeserved amount of criticism from the rest of the world. (Remember the Metric System thread where I stood up for America?)

But, we are not without our problems, and our worship of celebrities is, in my mind, a serious social infection that ought to be excised.

Of course, I am open for some lively discussion! ...as always!

EDIT: By the way, why did you assume that I was English and not American? Was it because I can actually write worth a damn? I happen to think that most Americans are poor writers. Most struggle with even the finer points of grammar, let alone a little style and some word economy. This is another discussion entirely, but I am still curious about your assumption...

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

I think the show is a great comedy. i love it to death.

I do not feel the least bit sorry for the people who are on it and made to look like fools. On the form contestants fill out they clearly as "Are you the best singer in America?" "Are you the next American Idol". Everyone answers YES.

Arrogance is a necessary quality for being a celebrity. If I were running the show, I would immediately dismiss anyone who didn't mark "Yes" to both questions.

[James L]

Originally Posted by Fyre4ce

I resent your remarks, chap. Did you see my location? U S of A. Born and raised. I'm sorry to spoil your tea party, but I'm as American as apple pie.

I am not anti-American. In fact, I think we have it pretty good here. I might even go on record as saying we take an undeserved amount of criticism from the rest of the world. (Remember the Metric System thread where I stood up for America?)

But, we are not without our problems, and our worship of celebrities is, in my mind, a serious social infection that ought to be excised.

Of course, I am open for some lively discussion! ...as always!

EDIT: By the way, why did you assume that I was English and not American? Was it because I can actually write worth a damn? I happen to think that most Americans are poor writers. Most struggle with even the finer points of grammar, let alone a little style and some word economy. This is another discussion entirely, but I am still curious about your assumption...

LOL good point. Maybe I'm overreacting.

Wow.... don't take this the wrong way, but I think you do take things too seriously!

I would think that RB was simply referring to Simon, the english judge who tends to be quite sarcastic with his comments to the contestants and the other judges.

American Idol is a good hour of entertainment. It is a contest. Everyone who enters it does so knowing full well what the deal is, what the rewards are, and what the consequences are.

No one is forced to watch it. Like any other show, the channel can always be changed!

Cheers,

James

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by Fyre4ce

I resent your remarks, chap. Did you see my location? U S of A. Born and raised. I'm sorry to spoil your tea party, but I'm as American as apple pie.

I am not anti-American. In fact, I think we have it pretty good here. I might even go on record as saying we take an undeserved amount of criticism from the rest of the world. (Remember the Metric System thread where I stood up for America?)

But, we are not without our problems, and our worship of celebrities is, in my mind, a serious social infection that ought to be excised.

Of course, I am open for some lively discussion! ...as always!

EDIT: By the way, why did you assume that I was English and not American? Was it because I can actually write worth a damn? I happen to think that most Americans are poor writers. Most struggle with even the finer points of grammar, let alone a little style and some word economy. This is another discussion entirely, but I am still curious about your assumption...

???

Sorry man. I was referring to that Cowl guy.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

He got shown up by the second-placer, Clay Aiken.

Ya the ugly as sin gay guy all the girls love.

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

???

Sorry man. I was referring to that Cowl guy.

Oh, sorry. My bad. When I created this thread, I was sure I was going to get attacked relentlessly by the 20-odd million American Idol watchers out there, so I was all geared up for battle. I obviously assumed you were talking about me. Again, my apologies.

[Teronzhul]

I had never watched it previously because I assumed it was just a 21st century "Star Search" and I could never stand that program when I was younger. My sister recently forced me to watch the season premier.

I ended up watching all of the audition episodes, and found them quite humorous. The number of people who think they have the potential for stardom who are absolutely without talent is staggering.

I stopped watching after the end of the auditions, but I got a kick out of the whole thing nonetheless.

[Monique]

I actually have been watching it for the past 2 weeks because there are reruns everywhere and because of the Olympics my favorite shows are not on. Also, I am working days now so I tend to watch more junk at night.

[Kerrigan]

I think the show is satisfying because it adds an emotional element to pop music, which is increasingly becoming more and more of a commodity.

[SVass]

We are improving. Two thousand years ago, people hacked each other to death in an arena to entertain the masses. Of course, Caesar did conquer foreign lands (and we don't do that anymore). Who killed the "insurgents" at Masada? sam

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by SVass

We are improving. Two thousand years ago, people hacked each other to death in an arena to entertain the masses.

I say bring it back.

Ahnold vs Chuck Norris.

[wdlove]

Never watched the show.

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by SVass

We are improving. Two thousand years ago, people hacked each other to death in an arena to entertain the masses. Of course, Caesar did conquer foreign lands (and we don't do that anymore). Who killed the "insurgents" at Masada? sam

Agreed 100%. I think it's very easy to overlook all the great things modern society has brought us. Plentiful food. Medical care. Basically freedom from the worry of your neighbor killing you and taking your stuff. A public education system. Leisure time. The arts. The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. These are all very powerful things that have been earned off the backs of many people over thousands of years. But, we should not be complacent. There is still plenty of room for improvement. I think I've identified a big one here.

[nredman]

i guess these chicks are on american idol - i may have to watch it and turn the sound down

[thunderous_funker]

I have never watched the show but I have seen the ubiquitous ads and heard some of the "stars" here and there.

Why do they all sound the same? Instead of conducting a search for songwriters or perfrmers who are original it appears to be the search for the next pre-packaged yodeller who sounds exactly like everyone else on the top 40.

That's what bothers me.

[Silky Voice of The Gorn]

Man, the OP is taking American Idol waaay too seriously (he sounds like Aberdeen on one of his 'commercials advocate theft' tirades). I dig the show, it's a trainwreck of comedy. Mostly for Randy Jackson and his 1990 "Dog pound" nonsense, and Paula Abdul's new-agey ramblings. The woman can't criticize to save her life.

Yeah, it's all commercial crap, and I shudder to think about the morons that actually waste money voting, but yeah, whatever.

Oh, and Becky O'Donohue is a finalist, her twin sister didn't make it. She's hot in a robotronic way, but she won't last another round, she sucks. Katharine McPhee is drop-dead gorgeous, and can sing, I peg her to go all the way.

[mdc]

Talking about stars, where did our post stars go?

[thunderous_funker]

Originally Posted by Silky Voice of The Gorn

....I peg her to go all the way.

Are we still talking about singing?

[starman]

Originally Posted by Fyre4ce

Does anyone else find this show disgusting? I have never actually sat down and watched an episode but I have seen bits and pieces, and lots of ads, and that alone is enough to make me sick.

Think about what this show, whose popularity seems unbounded, says about our culture. These people are supposedly our "Idols." That is a very strong word. It goes far beyond aspiring to be like someone. "Idols" require worship. Who do we worship? Intelligent people? Scientists? Engineers? Doctors? Diplomats? Civil rights leaders? Philanthropists? People who make lasting contributions to humanity? It's not even politicians, athletes, or businesspeople (or lawyers). It's people who can sing! Yes, these are the people we worship. (In fact, most of them have very little singing talent anyway - it's more their ability to perform like a pop star.)

The structure of the show only serves to enhance its repulsiveness. Contestants are numbered, lined up, and await their turn to undergo judgement. Those who are judged worthy are celebrated, and indeed become celebrities (only to move to Hollywood, buy a huge house and a fleet of cars, and start up a cocaine addition). Those who are judged unworthy are insulted, ridiculed, and led off stage never to be seen again.

The problem is not with American Idol, it's with our culture. We continue to obsess over the ****ed-up lives of celebrities who have more money than they know what to do with, and whose divorces and drug addictions I could not count on both hands. We idolize these people because they have money (which is how we measure success in life) but they only have money because we idolize them. This self-perpetuating relationship is poison for our society. It is an obstacle to the pursuit of truth and the improvement of the human condition. (And for you religious folk, doesn't the Bible prohibit false idols?)

So, go watch your American Idol. Enjoy it, even. Just know that you're contributing to the degenerate, materialistic, voyeuristic ideologies that created it.

Dude....chill.

It's a TALENT SHOW. You're taking the show WAY too seriously.

And you're wrong - there have been people that have been kicked off the show and come back, even for 15 minutes (WIlliam Hung, anyone?).

The word "idol" has been around for a LONG time. I think as far back as the 50's. It's not about worship, it's just a phrase cooked up by the record industry.

It's actually a fun show.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Anyone else see Simon throw the pen at Ryan as he walked by? That was funny

[jasonsRX7]

I watch the show and I like it... Not really sure why, but I do. I don't really like most of the type of music they perform, but the show is enjoyable.

[OldManMac]

I watched it this past Tuesday, and I'm glad I did, because it served to remind me that there was a reason I haven't watched any tv in over a month; there's precious little worth watching.