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By posting on this subject, I’m admitting that I watch American Idol with my kids…something I managed to avoid up until the last few episodes of last season. Because I actually enjoyed watching the final 12 contestants battle it out last season, I thought it would be kinda fun to watch this season with Kayla and Cole beginning with the first night. Like I said, Ithought it would be kinda fun and that’s where my problem with American Idol lies…it wasn’t just kinda fun, it was super fun! So, what’s the problem?
I guess my problem with American Idol stems from a shortcoming I know about myself: I love to poke fun at people in ways that often poke a little too deep and can be hurtful. I know people are an easy target for humor because their oddities and quirks are obvious and easy to pick out and pick on. I’ve known this is something I need to work on for a LONG time, but since I kinda like it when people pick on me the same way, I have a hard time remembering that most people don’t. The first two episodes of American Idol were a reminder!
Over the past two nights, my kids and I have spent FOUR hours laughing uncontrollably at the less talented and less attractive contestants. In fact, the goofier the contestant, the more air time they were given and the harder we laughed at them.
I must have said something like “Ahhh, this guy is really trying…I feel bad that they are making fun of him on television” a dozen times last night. But then I kept on laughing. These people aren’t actors, they are just normal (or somewhat normal…) people hoping to catch a break. People, by the way, who have way more courage than I do.
But I have a problem with the fact that American Idol is getting huge ratings and huge dollars at their expense and is literally laughing all the way to the bank.
Of course, the real problem is that I’m laughing right along with them. The people at Fox don’t know any better….but I should.
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I couldn’t agree more. The worst it watching it with friends, I love to pause it when the more unattractive people are on there…to see how much more unattractive I can make them look by pausing at an awkward moment. It’s gotten to be game we play. Just when I didn’t think it could get worse!
I agree with you, my wife loves the show and so I am forced to watch (although I tend to read and just have an ear on the tv). I think we try and justify our enjoyment of seeing others being humiliated by saying that they know they are bad and just want to get on tv, but honestly the ones who are on this season clearly do not have a clue that everyone is laughing AT them rather than WITH them. It is probably what makes it compelling to watch because we are trying to figure out if they are acting that way so they can get on tv or if they really think that they are talented. At least that is a reason you could use for getting so much enjoyment out of it.