I’m sitting in for Ethan on the Nightside Project again and the topic is the American Idol auditions tomorrow at the Rob Bishop / Energy Solutions Arena.
I understand that American Idol is pretty popular, but, well … why?
They don’t even play instruments.
Anyone want to explain it to me? Sound off in the comments section.
4 users commented in " American Idol - I just don’t get it? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI have no answer for this. I can only think that people somehow think that fame will come their way. And isn’t fame what our society is all about?
People desperately want to touch what they consider to be the immortal, i.e. fame. They don’t realize just how fleeting fame is. J.S. Bach wrote some of the most amazing music in music history and died virtually anonymous. His fame would come later.
Ultimately, the quality of our art will stand upon it’s merit within the context of it’s quality. American Idol embraces the flash talent, but ignores the depth of soul. I don’t get American Idol, because frankly, I don’t sometimes get America as it stands today. To some extent, I feel like a voice in the wilderness.
Not sure why it is popular, but I’ve watched it for the last two years, so what can I say.
Oh, and they do play instruments now. Perhaps one of the interesting things about the show is watching people who are “just like us” i.e. regular bar-tending folks who get on TV with billions of viewers and get to be famous for 1-12 weeks… and I think people get a kick out of rooting for someone from the beginning and seeing them win. In social psych the term is called BIRGing (basking in reflected glory).
Even though I don’t watch much TV at all, I’ve set aside time to watch American Idol. I think I like it for three reasons: 1) I love to hear people sing; 2) I love competition (the judges, great lengths to be the best, etc.); and 3) the “American Dream” factor appeals to me, meaning that a “regular” person can become famous. It’s just a lot of fun for me.
Because it’s democratic.
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