American Idol creates a monster?

[Dagny 0]

If you are not following american idol, here is the short story. Two contestants left. One, a 16 y/o WF, student. The other a 19 y/o BF, single mother. Listening to the radio today, a surprising (to me) number of people emailed and called in to voice their disgust about the possibility of a young, single mother being voted as the winner of Americal Idol's third season. It surprised me because the commentary seemed archaic, at best. There were comments about how the single mom, Fantasia, was immoral and how her up-and-coming stardom meant that she would be a bad mother to her little girl and that she was not an "idol" they would want their children emulating.

There are a few issues that really bothered me about this whole thing.

One - American Idol is a contest to determine the best singer and grant that person a contract and publicity to launch their career. It is not a format for injecting your social and political opinion. People are so judgemental! Where is the support for a single mom that elected to take responsibility for the life she created and the praise for her ability to seek out her dreams and a better life for her and her daughter?

Two - If people honestly feel that she is immoral and should not be made an "idol" because of the impact it may have on impressionable children, I have to ask...why are you allowing tv and its personalities to impact your children that significantly? If you haven't raised your kids to think critically and make "moral" decisions, then your parenting skills are to blame, not the sexual history of a young girl blessed with a strong voice.

And three - Who do the American public think they are to presume that someone can't be a good mother because they have a recording contract and a busy, high profile life? There is no perfect way to raise your kids. Who is anyone to make a judgement like that with no fact to back it up?

What are your thoughts?

Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic.
-Salvador Dali

[Kennedy 0]

disclaimer: I do not and will not watch American Idol

(A) American Idol IS a monster.

(B) Hey, if this is her way to a better life, more power to her.

(C) It's entirely possible she is immoral, and thus not a great mother, however I haven't been watching and don't know (I don't think being a pop star automatically makes you so).

(D) It's not a contest for the best singer, it's a contest to find the best material or a pop sensation. Does anyone think someone like Aretha Franklin would have a snowball's chance?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Dagny 0]

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It's entirely possible she is immoral

Perhaps. But, immoral just on the basis of being an unwed, young, single mother? I think not.

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Does anyone think someone like Aretha Franklin would have a snowball's chance?

So true...well, let me amend my previous statement. American Idol is about picking the best singer of the pre-screened best material for a pop sensation. You're right, anyone who doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold for stardom (or come close) is usually eliminated before making it to the stage.

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(A) American Idol IS a monster.

How right you are! I MUST watch the 2 hour finale tonight and then my life can return to some sense of normalcy until the next season!

Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic.
-Salvador Dali

[AndyMan 7]

Allow me to step out on a ledge, and say that Fantasia has pipes that put Aretha Franklins to shame. The womans voice is quite simply amazing.

I do wonder if there's something funny going on with the two contestants that are left. I think Diana DeGarmo should've been booted weeks ago, she's got some major tonality issues - she doesn't even sing consistenly in key. I wonder if the only reason she was kept around was because she was white, and fox didn't want two african american finalists. I would have much rather seen LaTonya London in the finals, she's absolutely amazing.

I can't see how American Idol would have any credibility if Diana (the white girl) won. She's been consistenly critized by all 3 judges, for very good reason.

If the world is as it should be, I don't think there's any question that Fantasia (the single african american mother) will be taking home the big award, campaign by sexist and racist right-wingers or not.


_Am

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You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[RoadRash 0]

First of all, I can't believe you are commenting on American Idol...but I had to respond...Don't worry I'll make it up to you...

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(A) American Idol IS a monster.

Yes, I agree...and that is why I stopped watching it until recently with all the goof ball antics that have been taking place...I couldn't resist...

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(B) Hey, if this is her way to a better life, more power to her.

I personally don't think she needs this contest anymore...she has gotten sooooo much publicity...well, she could get a contract right at this moment...

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(C) It's entirely possible she is immoral, and thus not a great mother, however I haven't been watching and don't know (I don't think being a pop star automatically makes you so).

I agree...but like you said it is entirely possible and to tell you the truth...it's none of my business...so I don't care...::shrugs::

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(D) It's not a contest for the best singer, it's a contest to find the best material or a pop sensation. Does anyone think someone like Aretha Franklin would have a snowball's chance?

I completely agree...Right on......But if anyone would do their homework on this show, they would realize that "Idol" shows have been around for quite some time...and not much has changed...

I love to mention the fact that Japan had a VERY popular idol show and obviously the best looking and not necessarily the most talented won...

~R+R...Do I care who wins? NO, I don't, because the damn thing is rigged anyway......

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~...

[kelpdiver 2]

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One - American Idol is a contest to determine the best singer and grant that person a contract and publicity to launch their career. It is not a format for injecting your social and political opinion.

I think you invest too much in this assumption, Dagny. It's a reality show based on phone voting - it only marginally relates to the notion of who is the best singer, as proven by the Aloha state, if what the papers tell me is correct. Having hair that the teenie girls like is at least as important, at least for the male contestants.

It's also been clearly shown by the past seasons that the losers still have the opportunity to succeed in getting a contract, and at that point the public decides what it wants to spend on. The winner may have a bit of a head start, but life isn't fair, and the music industry isn't close.

I'd be amazed if the people bitching about her being an unwed mom represent any minor portion of the voters.

[Zenister 0]

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If the world is as it should be, I don't think there's any question that Fantasia (the single african american mother) will be taking home the big award, campaign by sexist and racist right-wingers or not.

if the world were as it should be the contestants would be working for their 'stardom' (as Aretha did) not riding the fame lottery...

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Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[jannu 0]

I didn't even bother to read this thread.. just wanted to say that the Finnish Idol, Hanna Pakarinen was on the same load this weeks monday, jumping a tandem... she was soooo terrified

Nice girl though, signed my logbook... the next jump was signed by Brian Germain

Take care, greetings from Finland

jan

[AndyMan 7]

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if the world were as it should be the contestants would be working for their 'stardom' (as Aretha did) not riding the fame lottery...

I don't understand.

Are you suggesting that the winners of American Idols don't deserve recording contracts? Are you suggesting they haven't worked pretty much their whole lives to get to where they are now?

Is American Idol any different than American Bandstand, or "Reach For the Stars", or any of the similar shows that go back decades?

I don't know much about Aretha Franklins early days, but I'd be willing to bet that at least one point in her career, she "got a lucky break". Why is the winner of American Idol less deserving of a Lucky Break than Aretha Franklin?

I hope you're not suggesting that the people on American Idol haven't worked their asses off to get there. Clearly, as demonstrated by the skill of the performers, that isn't the case.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Zenister 0]

have you looked at most of the contestants actual performance history? number of live shows and tours?

perhaps you should...then compare that to artists and musicians who 'proved' themselves and built a fan base thru their own work as opposed to being handed one instantly by a tv show..

talent is one thing, determination and drive is something entirely different..

winning a TV contest is not indicative of the later qualities.

American Idol is a lottery contest for fame, there is simply no comparison to an artist who earns a recording contract totally on their own merits and those who would likely have spent their lives singing beautifully in the shower but never make anything of themselves because they lacked the drive nessesary to work for it instead of the instant gratification of AI...

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[meltdown 0]

if the world were as it should be the contestants would be working for their 'stardom' (as Aretha did) not riding the fame lottery...
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Damn fine point. As a musician though, we'll take it any way we can get it!

[PhillyKev 0]

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if the world were as it should be the contestants would be working for their 'stardom' (as Aretha did) not riding the fame lottery...
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Damn fine point. As a musician though, we'll take it any way we can get it!

If the world were as it should be, no one would listen to that crap music that they all sing on that show.

[Kennedy 0]

Here, here!!

or

Hear, hear!!


[which one is correct, anyway?]

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[lawrocket 3]

Seems to me that American Idol has dismissed 1) a chick who did a porn site; and 2) a dude who got pinched for DUI.

There are morals clauses in it. I just figure that the dude who knocked her up must be mighty upset right about now.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Luv2Fall 0]

I wish nothing but the very best for her.

[kelpdiver 2]

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American Idol is a lottery contest for fame, there is simply no comparison to an artist who earns a recording contract totally on their own merits and those who would likely have spent their lives singing beautifully in the shower but never make anything of themselves because they lacked the drive nessesary to work for it instead of the instant gratification of AI...

I don't see your argument - thousands of people try out and they then compete for many weeks. It's not a matter of getting a lucky selection and a single good performance.

It may be easier to toil in the shower singing - you don't have the pressure of millions watching you or getting trashed by the English fellow on prime time tv.
Nothing keeps any small band singer from trying out as well. Or William Hung.

I see no reason to think less of a winner from this than of Britney Spears or the latest boy band. Pop music isn't entirely about talent, or hard work, or suffering for years at dive bars. Any winner has earned their recording contract.

[bodypilot90 0]

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If the world were as it should be, no one would listen to that crap music that they all sing on that show.

well at least it's not country

[PhillyKev 0]

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If the world were as it should be, no one would listen to that crap music that they all sing on that show.

well at least it's not country

Man....I almost can't decide which is worse.

[Zenister 0]

no body in 'pop' music earns anything.... its given to you by record companies who are only interested in your market value, not your musical ability or talent.

if it sells to the sheep your in...if not...go peddle your 'art' somewhere else the industry is only about money..

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[Remster 30]

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a chick who did a porn site;

Who?

Remster

[kelpdiver 2]

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no body in 'pop' music earns anything.... its given to you by record companies who are only interested in your market value, not your musical ability or talent.

So why then does it matter how they get their contract?

First you said these people are winning the lottery, while others are toiling away forever to "earn" their recording deal.

The name of the show "American Idol" might indicate that no one else doubts your statement here.

[billvon 3,120]

> no body in 'pop' music earns anything.... its given to you by record
> companies who are only interested in your market value, not your musical
> ability or talent.

?? If you look at what someone like Billy Joel went through in his early days, you'd be hard pressed to claim that he didn't earn the money he eventually made - based not on what his first producer was willing to give him, but by his talent and his determination.

>if it sells to the sheep your in...if not...go peddle your 'art' somewhere
>else the industry is only about money..

You've just defined capitalism! If you want to do art for art's sake, just do it. If you want to make lots of money, do art that people want to buy.

[Zenister 0]

good example, compare Billy Joel's path with those of AI's contestants...(although i'm not so sure Mr. Joel qualifies as "pop" in the sense of AI and Britany Spears for exactly that reason....)

do you really think anyone who wins their fame on a television show really has the musical ability and drive of someone who works, plays and creates their own music on the way to success?

Pop culture creates a market for whatever artist the record labels back that quarter, and issue the push list of the week to all their corp underlings....if enough radio stations and music channels play a song long enough, somehow the sheep imagine that it really must be good and popular and suddenly it is

if you cant see the difference between corp mass produced musical mindcandy and a musician....well...

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[billvon 3,120]

>do you really think anyone who wins their fame on a television show
>really has the musical ability and drive of someone who works, plays and
>creates their own music on the way to success?

I have no idea. I've never seen American Idol. I don't know what criteria they use.

>Pop culture creates a market for whatever artist the record labels
>produce..if enough radio stations and music channels play it long enough,
>somehow the sheep believe it really must be good and popular and
>suddenly it is.

Disagree there. There are plenty of examples of bands that got lots of publicity but never made much money.

>if you can see the difference between corp mass produced musical
>mindcandy and a musician....well...

A musician is someone who creates music. It's like claiming that Dan BC is a skydiver and AggieDave isn't because he mostly does tandems. One's better at 4-way, but that's a different issue. It sounds like your are saying that you don't like some modern musicians. A good solution there would be to not listen to them.

[Zenister 0]

i dont as much as is humanly possible..I try to stick to local acts that are actually playing their own music…

for everyone of the bands you can name who failed with full on corp publicity and backing i can probably name 2 who succeeded....for as long as they had the corp backing to get airplay and sell albums...but when that sophomore album came around and they didnt have the same level of publicity support.....

thats where 90% of one hit wonders come from....acts who would never get exposure in the first place (because no one really listened to them) but with the right spin, hair color, makeup, and a done to death, every hour on the hour radio rotation....instant success as long as the corp coffers remain open to keep them on the air...

ever wonder how that band you’ve never heard of at all(because they weren’t a band before 6 months ago) is suddenly on every radio station twice an hour?? It sure isn’t because the fans demanded it….

If AggieDave put his heart and soul into being a skydiver, worked crappy jobs in low playing towns and traveled around building a fan base for his tandem job while DanBC didn’t really give a shit about skydiving (just a job, a way to pick up chicks) and was handed everything from day one by a corporation that was really only interested in how much money they could make off 4-way….

Yes I would say Dave would be a better skydiver, simply because he wanted it more and put the personal effort into achieving his goals….he’d certainly be a better person for it…

note all names of existing persons used for analogy only

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Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.