Friday, May 22, 2009

What America Idolizes

Sorry, folks, but I just had to jump into the American Idol (AI) season eight discussion. While I am not addicted to the show, I do generally tune in during the last few weeks. This season I was for Adam Lambert all the way. He was by far the most interesting, talented, engaged personality among the contestants. But an article by Josh Tyrangiel published in the May 18 issue of Time Magazine, magazine made me review the seasons of American Idol that I've watched. People, AI is a celebration of the bland! There are no two ways about it, the voters seem to prefer someone that's just "good enough". If you've every watched and said, "My cousin Betty sounds that good", or "Heck, I could sing better than that!", you are seeing a potential winner.

Just like in the job market, or the race for promotions on the job, the people who vote don't likie to be challenged. I've seen no statistics, but anectdotal information suggests that most of the voters are teens, pre-teens and children. Metro PCS with unlimited texting, anyone? On a local radio show the hosts shared that they didn't vote, but their daughters did.

I suspect that Adam Lambert will do just fine. Queen could use a front man since losing Freddie Mercury, and Adam had a blast with them. Several of the runners up hve easily eclipsed the season winner.

I'll be a little less inclined to watch American Idol in the future because we have enough bland in entertainment and our culture today. Where are the geniuses of arts, literature, science and phiosophy going to come from in this hideous, timid, politically correct age?

Just my two cents! :-)