The Death of American Idol
Finally! Who actually watches that show and thinks they are not wasting precious moments of their little, insignificant, never-to-be-famous lives?
After seven seasons of this miserable show, it is finally heading towards a demise. For the first time, the show is experiencing serious downturns in the ratings, even though it has held the top spot. When the show debuted in 2002 its finale was ranked #25 in the ratings. By the second season that became #3 and by the third season #1. The finale has been #1 ever since then and will probably hold that distinction this year as well. However, all that is about to change.
You probably can guess what the number one show was before American Idol stole that coveted spot. No? Well, you should be able to figure out that CSI (the original, not the Miami, Hong Kong, South Africa, or whatever the fuck other versions they came out with) held the title for the two years previous. Before CSI there was a lot of jostling. Friends, Survivor, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire took turns at the top. Yet, before that stretch, and I’m talking since 1951, there was only 1 other non-scripted television program (i.e. reality/game show) at the top, The $64,000 Question in 1956. That is effectively 50 years of scripted television ruling people’s TV sets.
Then, there was Idol. Unlike Regis and his game show and Survivor, Idol didn’t just give you money and a minute in the spotlight, it offered the oppurtunity to become a star, for life! Yes, if you could prove that you could sing (ahem, perform) in front of millions on TV and win over the American public, then your mediocre little life would transform into a the glitter and adoration of pop superstars (everybody wants to be like Britney, or if you’re older, Whitney).
People got to experience the humor and degradation of simple proliteriats at the beginning of the season and then watch the “best of the best” at the end to see who would go on to better, more fulfilling, happier, sexier, and less mundane lives. Right? Wrong.
Only one, that’s right, one American Idol winner has created a follow-up album that sold more copies than the original album. Kelly Clarkson, sold more copies of Breakaway released in 2004, than she did of her first album, Thankful. It could easily be argued that the reason for her second album’s success over the first, however, can be heavily attributed to the growing audience at the time for the hit TV show. Which is strengthened by the fact that Ms. Clarkson’s most recent album, My December, released in the summer of 2007 has yet to sell 1 million copies (Breakaway has sold nearly 6 million copies to date).
No, what we have learned from American Idol is that people are depraved, popularity/celebrity hungry imbeciles who, quite frankly do not know what they like. Is this really surprising? Would you ask a doctor how to get out of a DUI, or a lawyer how to get rid of the rash on your genitals? Of course not, and they both have high level degrees that take years of schooling. Even though everyone has a iPod and many of us love music, we are not experts, we are sponges. We soak in what the experts give us. Most of us are lemmings anyway, we like what we are told to like.
That means that in the comfort of people’s homes without the pressures of their influential friends, these lemmings vote. Their votes result in a final winner which should be the next Mariah Carey, or Celine Dion, or Justin Timberlake, etc. But, the reality is they are not. Not even close. Even with the so called experts, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore to help the viewers decide, in seven years, the show has produced a torrent of donkey manure.
Now, as with all “good” (or “shit”) things, there must be a merciless end. The drop in ratings, I suspect reflects the influentials. Those people who find the new, trendy, more interesting things in this world and bring it to the sorry bunch that sits on the sidelines waiting to be told what to do next. There is a lag in this process, but I suspect that in three years American Idol will no longer be the top show. It would be faster, but shows of this magnitude will not go away without a fight. There will be more celebrity specials, more “Save the World” specials, more gimmick crap to try and prevent the inevitable demise of a behemouth. But, in the end it will be gone.
What will follow this dearth of creativity to be the dominant show?
themicrocosm
corporateamerica101
The Hazean
intellectuallyactive
drkllpnt
erikpetesgirlfriendssister
MrNiceGuy
carrieskaleidoscope
senatorbailey
Let’s hope its gone in less than three years. I have watched one and only one season of American Idol. The first season. Kelly Clarkson is the only American Idol good enough for me to buy an CD of hers. The rest are okay but I wouldn’t waste my money. Although I have to say that I think Clarksons’ sales have gone downward because she is starting to write and sing music of her own type rather than under the guided supervision of the producers and what-not she was set up with after American Idol(and their pop-princess music). Now that she is trying to be herself and create her own style of music, American Idol fans have realized that they’ve been robbed! As for the other American Idols, I won’t change the radio station if a Carrie Underwood or Jordin Sparks song comes on, but I won’t be purchasing their CDs. Overall, I am pleased to see the downfall of American Idol.
American Idol is a great TV show. I think you have judged too soon on the contestants. There is still time for them to make successful albums and have long successful careers. I think Carrie Underwood is my favorite and she going to be around for a long time.
American Idol (along with the same TV shows all around the world) is (was?) nothing else but a huge gold mine for Simon Fuller.
I work with David Archuleta’s cousin. So sue me if I’ve watched it once or twice. You do what you can with rabbit ears on your tv.
Umm, American Idol sucks. You’re right about the lemmings that buy into it. Just look at Jesus Fish, she loves it.
Seeing extremely talented singers perform, whether it be in a karaoke bar or on tv, is entertaining. You are all wrong.
Nah, I think you’re just settling. Maybe you should watch Lawrence Welk.
“extremely talented singers”??? Perhaps I don’t get it, but if they were so damn talented wouldn’t they be making more hit albums and drawing large audiences to cool ass venues? I remember a TV show back in the day (Dane Cook seems to think that’s a Wednesday) that produced some stars. Remember that little show Star Search with Ed McMahon? Yeah click this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Search and look at all the notable competitors on Star Search. There are at least 15 very recognizable STARS, that have continued to “shine”. And the scary part is people only sort of cared about that show.
…and you have redeemed yourself, my friend.
I dont listen to the genre of music produced by american idol winners, or star search winners, based on the list you linked. All I’m saying is that there should be some level of respect to these people who have the balls and the drive to showcase their talents, which far exceed those abilities showcased by anyone on here, on national television. Sure the name of the show claims that these people are fit for stardom, but as long as the target audience is pleased, why do people here feel the need to hide behind their computer and bash their abilties. Jealous that they took that leap of faith and truly pursued their dreams, perhaps??
Not really, I just think the show’s a sham b/c it’s such a popularity contest. Singing ability is important, but it’s not all that matters. You have to be marketable physically. Notice that the cute white girls did a lot better than the fat guy, the teen mother, or the old looking dude. If it was a contest solely based on talent, maybe I’d give the show more credit. Besides, AI has trained all of us to be critics. Have you not learned anything from reality TV? You are the weakest link…goodbye!
LOL. Touche corpam101. However, it does not apply. Just because someone does not have the talent to do a particular task does not strip them of the right to critique others. Hiding behind a computer, is rather like saying that I have not put myself on the line for judgement.
See: http://themicrocosm.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/pushing-30-a-case-for-pills/ as just one example of that not being the case.
And as I recall a handful of critics lambast my pitiful attempts at acting humor. Perhaps you’re right though, I don’t put myself on the line enough to make commentary on some shit TV show that showcases some pitiful singers with no talent.
Oh, and perhaps you don’t listen to any of the people from the starsearch list, but a ton of other people do. Regardless of whether or not your tastes match their “talents,” no one will argue with the fact that just a few of these people are stars:
Usher
Justin Timberlake
LeAnn Rimes
Dave Chappelle (more talent than just singers from this show)
Sharon Stone
Britney Spears
Rosie O’Donnell
Christina Aguilera
Destiny’s Child
Drew Carey
and the late Aaliyah
Here’s the thing. I can respect young talented people trying to become stars, except that it is in a depraved unearned manner that belies their weaknesses.
It’s like winning the lottery. Most winners have spent all the money a few years later. Whereas, someone who had to bust their ass to get there rarely loses it overnight. Whereas American Idol grabs people from anywhere and everywhere, Star Search grabbed hardworking entertainers who looked like they had a shot. There’s a big difference. Talent doesn’t equal success. Actually it frequently breeds failure, because talented individuals lose their tenacity, their drive to be successful.
The show is a sham! It is a cheap trick played on the poor souls who think that success comes overnight without having paid your dues. That just isn’t the case 99.9% of the time. Hell, even the fucking gay kid who’s going to win this Idol, what’s his name, Archuleta?, he is a former Star Search contestant. He’s got talent already, which should have disqualified him from being on the show, because it breaks the entire premise that anyone could be the next Idol. Idol blows. Simon Cowell, mostly, and Paula Abdul’s antics, are the reasons why people watch, so that we can hear them berate the little people (us). It makes us feel better to know their are people that stupid and talentless. Where’s your respect for them?? The show gets really old fast when “talent” starts competing. I repeat: Idol blows!
I tend to give more credit to people who really try to pursue their talents. The people who go out and beat the block trying to play gigs in shitty clubs and peoples backyards in their journey to a major label. People that actually earn their success through grit and determination. I tend to think the people on American Idol only ever wanted to be on American Idol. Kind of a shortcut in my opinion. By the way everyone on American Idol sucks, the hapless ignorant contestants down to the 3 washed up judges that are only afloat b/c of this craptastic show.
I like karaoke whether it be in a bar or on televsion…that is all I’m saying. I’m not saying that these people deserve the same recognintion of the likes of Dave Matthews, Ben Harper, 50 cent, Norah jones, or any other big names of the day, just because they won this contest.
And micro, I know you have the intelligence, creativity, and drive to reach your goals, that is the only reason I would make such a comment. I’m just too damn eager to see your films on the big screen and to hear your stories of times spent in the far corners of the world filming your movies. The link is not necessary, I have already watched and enjoyed your shorts dozens of times.