When Season Five of the incredibly huge television show American Idol began, I watched it along with some 30 million other viewers. Even though I was watching the show mainly because I knew someone from the area who had auditioned on the show, I was still extremely interested regardless of my main reason for watching. Once the preliminary city auditions were completed, the Hollywood rounds weeded out all of the unwanted contestants. By this time I was officially hooked on the show. Finally, the 24 contestants were ready to sing their hearts out. I stopped watching this show when the top 12 contestants were announced. Enough is enough! Here is why I stopped watching ...
1. These singers are not the best in America.
Oh please, give me a break! I have friends who can sing better than most of these hoodlums. You call this American Idol? The contestants sure are being idolized alright, but where is the talent to back all of this up? Sure, most of them have some talent ... but not anything special! I want to hear people who can really sing and aren't in it just to get famous.
2. Everyone makes such a big deal about it.
Why should we go around acting like these people are Jesus? They're just like you and I, and as I said before, most of them aren't even anything special! All you have to do is walk in that audition room and make it to the next round and you have instant fame ... fame should be earned, not given.
3. I just don't have the time to watch this silly nonsense.
I know that the show only lasts for an hour on Tuesday night and for a short time on Wednesday night, but who in their right mind had enough time to sit around and watch this earlier when they were showing two-hour segments for two or three nights a week?? There are all of these crazy times that you have to keep up with from time to time, like there will be special premieres or special episodes that come on television at times other than the regular show time. I'm not able to get all of the things done in a day that I want to accomplish, so who has the time to think about this silly nonsense (especially the two-hour episodes!)?
4. The judges say the same stupid things over and over.
"Oh, that wasn't your best performance."
"You had a few pitch problems, but it was okay."
"That was dreadfully awful."
"Just keep doing your thing, you will sail all the way to the finals!"
Come on, where is some real constructive criticism? Telling someone that they were "pitchy in a couple of places" does not cut it for me. The singer should be able to figure that one out once they watch their performance on tape, if they don't already know it. Don't get me wrong, I really do like Randy, Paula, and Simon, but I can't believe they get paid all of that money just to say the same things over and over. I could honestly sit up on the stage and tell the contestants the exact same things that these judges are telling them. If I'm a contestant, I want to know exactly what I need to do to make my performance of a song better. I want to know about phrasing and technique and dynamics. The judges need to give the contestants some real advice.
I'm sure that more reasons why I quit watching this show are floating around in my head somewhere, but I think I have written enough. How do the rest of you feel about this hit television show? Even though I don't watch the show, I'd like to see who actually wins the contest. My favorite contestant had been Katharine, and she is actually left in the top three now, so I may watch the final show if she is in the top two. I was really impressed with her singing abilities ... so hopefully she will win. Anyway, enough of this!
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I don't know, it is addictive television. I wasn't a fan of this season either because I really don't think that these people represented the best that was out there. Especially if you watched the city audition special.
http://www.progressiveu.org/214427-procrastination
betcha you didn't know more people vote for their american idol than for gore in 2000 (who won the popular vote... if you recall).
I enjoyed American Idol but the reason I am not watching anymore
is because it is Too Addicting to me. I don't like being addicted
to anything at all.
That's because those who are under 18 can vote for American Idol and not for president. Maybe if a demographic could be done of American Idol voters, that could be interesting.
Eh. I'm never into that American Idol in the first place. How can some of those people even pass the audition when their singing ability is below mine--and I can't sing to save my life?
I originally liked Simon, but lately he's become too much of a bastard to my liking.
Wow .. that's pretty insane and ridiculous. People need to stop voting for dumb pop stars and need to start focusing on other things that really matter, like voting for their own country's leader!!!
Why do people need to vote for their favorite singer anyways? Why can't they just go out, make a demo, get signed to a label, and let the consumer decide? Like normal artists do. Instant fame is ridiculous. You need to earn it like everyone else or it's not worth anything.
Yeah, that's definitely true. This show was created just because the creaters wanted to make loads of money, that's all. Sounds like they're kind of selfish and greedy!
Very good points, I watched the first 3 seasons and then I was burnt out from it all!
I definately agree with you. If you have a life, how can you find time to watch this every week. I think it is entertaining but way too time comsuming. I think that it is rigged anyway. Some contestant who I think are just awful stay on the show forever. I guess there has to be someone for Simon to make fun off.
Regardless of why the producers made the show, the fact remains that it works. People continue tuning in and votes continue being cast. Addtionally, despite your complaints about talent level, American Idol singers (looking at the long term success of Kelly Clarkson and short term, and intermittent success of Clay Aiken/Fantasia) is a credible institution to some degree. While rumours abound of votes being manipulated, the end winners are generally top notch singers. If the show was a complete joke, then it wouldn't be worth anything.
It's the same principle with an auction house like Christies. If they sell forged art (without checking reliability) and a customer finds out, then the auction house is dead. Who wants to buy from a deceiver? Same principle for Idol.
Yes, you're definitely right about past successful American Idols .. such as Kelly Clarkson, I think she is just awesome. But as far as the whole show goes ... I don't think that these people are necessarily representing the United States of America. Definitely some good singers here and there though. I didn't say it was a complete joke, I just found that I have better things to do than watch it.
You have a several points in what u said about American Idol. A couple of the people with good voices ones that deserves to stay goes home eariler than those with average voices... That is kind of sad and last year's was a bit better with the contestants who had some of the best voices. All in all it is easy to be attached to it, but at the same time, judges being paid to do this ??? should be more critical if not on t.v. then in private so the singers could improve more.and better not on t.v. giving honest criticism that hurts someone in front of millions. the truth that hurts say it then for the vocals and the singing.
You can give criticism that doesn't hurt at all and is still extremely helpful. Such as phrasing, or intonation, or anything really ... most constructive criticism isn't said in a negative way anyway ... you can point out the things in the performance that were done well and then point out the things that need to be worked on.
For example, masterclasses given at music schools generally offer very constructive (and sometimes "hurtful") criticisms, and this allows students to really learn from their mistakes. Note that this is how serious music students go about their education. :-D They're in it to actually be the best musicians they can be, as opposed to looking for instant fame.
AI=Pointless
Honestly I never watch reality tv, save for shows that are making a difference in people's lives. Shows such as American Idol are shallow in that it's not really going to matter who won in another few years. It's all for entertainment purposes and isn't really changing the contestant's lives save for their few minutes of fame. The types of reality shows that are really good are shows such as Extreme Home Makeover, and the like in that they are actually helping someone or several someones out. They're giving them homes in conditions that are often-times ones that no one should ever have to live in. Yes, it's used as entertainment, but not shallow pop culture entertainment. Things are being done that matter, and that are helping people. Shows such as this can also bring awareness to sheltered people that there ARE others in America that don't have it so nicely. The types of shows that make me cry because of someone's happiness at being touched by people who care about where they live, and making sure that they are safe in their homes are the types of shows that I like, because it puts a face on suffering, and shows me that not all people are shallow self-centered narcissists. These are the sorts of shows that bring hope that people care.
A big part of it was the younger audience. People under 18 did a lot of voting... yes many adults too but all those 13 year old girls were putting the most in.
I love how you brought up the judges' comments, i personally cannot stand Paula's comments, seriously, you are supposed to be a judge, it's ok to say bad things to people if they didn't do a good job. The egos of the idols blow up tenfold once they're on TV, i couldn't stand that Chicken Little guy who just couldn't wait to get a shot on camera.
I can see why you don't have the time to watch this silly nonsense, what with all the time you spent writing six long paragraphs about it on a weblog.
Yes but I'm trying to make the world a better place! And you certainly can't do that by watching a little boy who looks like Chicken Little sing a Stevie Wonder song now can you?
You know, I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about, but that's probably a valid rebuttal. I retract my previous statement.
i like american idol, but i dont ever want to watch it because of all the commercials.. like one person will sing and then a commercial break.. thats WAY too many commercials!!!
me either hate it
I think you've gone pretty far for a poor jealous person who'll never make a CD. Unfortunatly for you, 64 Million people love the final 12 contestants and probably would have hated you for your hissy attitude. Forget about singing... Continue ruining young singers' dream you're being good at this young lady.
i only watched the first couple of seasons and only the auditions too. its funny how some of those people truly believe that they can sing...i know i cant