Last night America began its rampant love affair with a little talent television show called American Idol. As predicted the ratings were high, as strike-weary viewers returned to their sets in droves to watch derelicts, clowns, and the occasional old guy sing their hearts out for reasons only known to them. Now in its seventh incarnation, American Idol is stronger than ever and not showing any signs of slowing down. While its clear the herd of talent is slimmer every year, the ratings for the show only skyrocket upwards, it seems, and what's even more astonishing is that it seems that the ratings actually climb as the weeks progress. The show has truly become a cultural event, changing the zeitgeist evidenced by discussions the day after it airs.
'Oh, my God, did you see..." or "I thought he or she was better..." or "I voted for him...", are just examples of the chatter that follows a normal Tuesday, and now Wednesday event. The show is a juggernaut, and people can't get enough. The way I see it, the show has become the perfect commentary for what this country has become. Here's why.
1) It's an import.
America is no longer the country of innovation and original ideas. But we like to think we are. Our cars are Japanese and Korean. Our clothes are Sri Lankan. Our gas is Saudi. Our television is British. People don't care that Simon Cowell had this show in Britain for years, it doesn't matter. Simon brought it here with smart producers and saw an idea that was successful in Britain, but he saw, could change millions for billions, while in America.
This concept of imports arriving successful and leaving a global phenomenon is not new. Look at our history. Ford started here. So did Basketball. I wouldn't call basketball a uniquely American sport anymore, would you? The point is this. American Idol wasn't ours in the beginning, but it sure feels like ours now, doesn't it?
2. Marketing dreams.
American Idol lives on the what-ifs. "What if I were just given an opportunity? I would make it." This is a convenient lie we tell ourselves when we are lazy. Bottom line, we are given opportunities - every day. Those who succeed are the one's who take the one's that they are offered and turn that into more opportunities. But what we see on TV is just the end product. Just the performances. We don't see the practices. We don't see how much these singers actually work on their craft. We just see the glitz. And we think its easy. America lives to deliver this empty promise of a dream come true if you just wish it. What they don't tell you is that you actually have to work a little too.
3. At the end of the day the most talented ones usually win anyway.
America is the country of opportunity. Or at least that's what they like to tell you. American Idol promises you fame and fortune, only caveat, you have to have actual TALENT. The losers never make it far - even Sanjaya had run his luck out eventually. That reminds me, you must also have a sizable modicum of luck as well. But luck is a very small variable in the equation. The show churns out pop stars yes, but no one that I would say wouldn't have been found by the music industry anyway. The successful ones anyway. The Justin Guarini's and other also-rans never grace the airwaves. It's no mistake. The same is true of the country overall. Bottom line, this is a talent-ocracy. You must have talent to suceed in this country. You must have luck. You must be able to perform when the spotlight is on you. Or you become an also-ran.
There it is. American Idol is America, for better and worse. And we watch because we get it. We want to be a part of it. Every year more and more people want to audition, want to be a part of it, want to live the American Idol dream.
Why?
But I will watch American Idol yes, because at the end of the day you criticize the show, you hate the show, you wish the show would go away, but...
would you really live anywhere else?
Keywords: America, American Idol, Television
