Comments on: Cruel Laughter and American Idol

By: Hal H.

Hal H. — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 01:37:43 +0000

Doc #44 It is in the doctrine and covenants: “Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.” 82:19

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:40:01 +0000

I don’t know Dan — people have been willing to be paid money to prostitute themselves since the dawn of man. I don’t think their willingness makes the whole process any less objectionable.

By: danithew

danithew — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:23:57 +0000

Some of the people I felt worst about (the way they were treated, that is) have been showing up on other popular night-time television programs. They seem to have survived the trauma and are taking on further opportunities to humiliate themselves and even try to advance their careers.

So maybe we shouldn’t feel so bad for them after all.

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:06:45 +0000

The REAL criminals are the ones who tell these fools that they can sing (and the fools themselves).

gracie – The problem as I see it is that some of the people weren’t just figuratively “fools”, some of them seemed to be “mentally challenged” folks — people who in centuries past were literally called fools. If they were mentally challenged then they probably didn’t have the capacity to discern the fact that they can’t sing or that they were the butt of a nationally televised joke. So I agree that their friends and families (assuming they were not also somehow mentally challenged) probably should have protected them from the wolves that are the producers, but that doesn’t make the whole thing any less distasteful and morally objectionable.

By: danithew

danithew — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:02:13 +0000

I find myself watching this show almost despite myself, but there are some singers who are so good that they leave me sitting there with my jaw on the floor.

Yesterday, I think it was … there was a singer named Sundance Head who sang incredibly well. I was in delirious shock and wished he could sing more. This wasn’t the first or last time I’ve had that same feeling about a performer that showed up for the American Idol cameras.

By: gracie

gracie — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:42:38 +0000

I must concur that the REAL criminals are not the producers who purposely put these idiots on television or those of us who watch this lovely idiot parade. The REAL criminals are the ones who tell these fools that they can sing (and the fools themselves). I can sing. I have sung at weddings, funerals, and in high school musicals but I am NOT qualified in body or talent to get on NATIONAL TELEVISION to pursue a multimillion dollar superstar contract. For God’s sake when did we become the land of the self aggrandizing and megalomaniacs? I have a lot of gifts as an artist, a teacher, a parent, wife and friend. But at the end of the day, I am better than some and worse than others…aren’t we all? Please people, be honest with your friends, lovers, and children. Support them in their endeavors…encourage them in their pursuits, but be honest when the time comes. You can be positive and gentle and still be firm and honest. You and your “other” will only have yourselves to blame if you are embarassed on national television. AS for me, I am going to enjoy the idiot parade for as long as it lasts. One must find humor where ever one can.

By: Norbert

Norbert — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 08:49:37 +0000

There seems to be an amazing streak of self-exploitation coming out of American TV. I find the Idol shows difficult to watch, but I am also amazed at things like Dr. Phil or Supernanny in which people are willing to have their horrible lives videotaped and explicated for some free therapy. I suppose there is some social benefit to that — people can see examples of crappy parents and such — but I find it too too depressing.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 04:59:34 +0000

My husband and I have watched AI since season one and I have a few thoughts (as I re-watched Wed. night’s Seattle “episode”):

(disclaimer: I’m not a fan of the producers letting in crappy singers. I think it’s mean, too…)

Okay, which is better? Paula and Randy being patronizing and “kind” to those that are terrible and then laughing at them behind their backs? Or Simon telling it to them straight?

I have to agree with what #17 said: “Who told these people they could sing?” Because seriously, their friends and family members are just as cruel as the judges when they convince their kid/friend that they can make it as far as AI. I mean, come on! I teach voice lessons, but I still know I’m not good enough for AI or making a career out of singing.

One last thought –the more disrespectful the person auditioning is, the ruder the judges get. I saw at least 8 auditions this season that could have gone over way worse, but didn’t because the “candidate” was polite. I hate those people who can’t sing that are like “Simon doesn’t know anything!” Okay…..wha? Simon is a jerk, yeah, but he’s been in the music industry for how long? And has made how much money? Yeah…anyway…

By: JKS

JKS — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:28:41 +0000

I watch it because I like to see the talented people. That’s the fun part. I don’t find most of the bad ones all that funny to laugh “at.”
I am a little torn about the morality of it. I do think that these people are making a choice to be humiliated. I didn’t watch the Seattle night but in the Minneapolis night I didn’t think the judges were all that cruel (compared to times past). Mostly honest, with a few ruder comments.
If someone is horrible and the judges say its horrible that is fine with me. If someone is kind of good (but not good enough) I think that they shouldn’t be saying its the worst thing ever.
However, I also feel it is a little like old ptractical joke where the popular guy asks the unpopular girl to Homecoming and then humiliates her in some way.

By: Pam J

Pam J — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 17:58:35 +0000

I watched. I laughed. I cringed. I hid my eyes. I dropped my jaw in shock.

With that confession, I will say that I feel sad for those that actually think they have talent, but clearly do not. Whether they are socially enept, mentally slow, or just plain stupidly arrogant…they all are deluded (of course this is my musical opinion). Do you think maybe they know they are bad and go on anyway in hopes of being the next William Hung?

The fact is that more people tuned in this season than any other. So to the producers, the bad ones make them more money than the good.

What makes me upset is that I wasn’t shown all the good ones. We are told that 20 or so people made is through in Seattle…I only saw 5 or 6 actual good auditions. I like to see the successes…it makes enduring the bad auditions worth while. There were only 20 that were good, could they not fit all of those in??