Coming off that last post, I hope I don't sound cranky, but I'm pretty turned off the current "American Idol" craze.
Wait, I'll rephrase that--I'm observing the "American Idol" craze, and here's what I think.
While I've never made this ratings sensation our family ritual or something we Chatterings curl up before like a roaring hearth, the youngest Chattering came home from school this week complaining that everyone in his fifth grade class was talking about the program. He felt depressed by his inability to meaningfully participate.
So I was just about to cave and flip the TV switch, when ABC ran a "Good Morning America" piece that asked the question "Is This Season's 'American Idol' Too Mean?" Apparently, some of the less talented people trying out for the show really think they can carry a tune, and the panel's harsh critiques this past week made one guy cry, and others feel brutally humiliated. Some of the contestants even seem to me to be emotionally damaged already, impaired, or unstable.
So is being wickedly mean to peopel who are earnestly trying to show their talents something you want your kids to ape? Even if you, the parents, are there to watch and insert your comments, is this the best we can do for our kids?
Between homework assignments and Hebrew school there's just no time anyway. It's all we can do to sit down to a dinner and clear the dishes afterwards. If we do that much, we feel pretty proud of ourselves.
So you tell me, since I've really only seen "Idol" snippets, has "American Idol" served your family well? Do you find valuable lessons in it? Is it just entertaining and otherwise harmless? I don't want to sound like a Chattering Nag.
Is 'Idol' Too Mean?
Friday January 19, 2007
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About Chattering Mind
The last update to the Chattering Mind blog was in July 2007.
Chattering Mind is a blog on motherhood, aging, health and healing, yoga, whole foods, spiritual music, meditation, as well as the struggle to manage time and clutter.
Read more about writer Amy Cunningham.
Although I am an American Idol fan, I do feel that they sometimes exploit well meaning people who obviously have no idea how untalented they are. It is disappointing to see Paula Abdul, who is usually the kindest of the three judges; snickering at people. The best part of this show is when we can enjoy watching the amazing talents emerge from the finalists. Patricia www.lordsart.com
As a person who tried out and failed, and then got to walk through the process with my sister all the way to Randy, Paula and Simon's door (by the time they get there, they've passed 3 auditions, by the way), I'm pretty horrified watching this year's 'Idol.' Not only is the talent absent, but they waste so much time and energy on the people who have the least. In my opinion, the entire thing is ridiculous. Yes: we get to experience the talent of people who can really sing, but must we sit through the hours and hours of cruelty (to our ears and the contestants) to get to the good stuff? And 2 nights per week? Is America really this clueless... or are we just sad? I've vowed to only watch to see if they broadcast my sister's footage, and then I hope to God they don't cut and paste the film to make her out to look like an idiot, because she was one who could really sing.
I agree with Bruce. We as a society, or at least the media perception gives me, are telling my generation and the younger ones that being harsh and critical is bad. We need to have frank criticisms as much as the blessings, perhaps even more, so that this way kids know what they really have skill-wise. If all kids are given are blessings and no critiques, they will not be able to handle disappointment when they are older, like when they try to apply for sports, college, or even the simple act of getting dumped on a first date.
Critique is one thing; sarcastic quips are another. If the judges, especially Cowell, would stop with the unhelpful smart remarks and comment on specific things the contestants are doing wrong, the critiques would have a purpose. Harshness IS a bad thing. It's perfectly possible to criticize a person's performance without demeaning him or her.
has "American Idol" served your family well? Do you find valuable lessons in it? Is it just entertaining and otherwise harmless? This year we've found the judges only marginally entertaining and mostly two-faced, mean, and arrogant. And many of the contestants act the same, fighting back, swearing, stomping out. Honestly, where do they get these people? It's more pathetic than funny. Mean-spirited, too.
We stopped watching after the 2nd night. We're trying to teach our kids honesty, kindness and humility. (how popular are we?!.) Countering this entertainment juggernaut is an uphill battle. Once they get to the final picks, AI will be worth watching and we'll likely tune-in. Right now it's just the hype to hype the actual competition. Everyone is insulting everyone else and acting foolish. This stirs up controversy which creates free pubility which in turn boosts ratings. Since these are pre-recorded, edited shows, everything we see is deliberate and intentional. With 10% of American households watching, what does that say? That we have an appetite for such bad beahvior? Do we even recognize it as bad? Does it matter? Maybe that's the more disturbing thing about AI: our own behavior...