It's always a magical time for me, invoking suspense and anticipation like no other time of the year. I mind the calendar, counting down the days to the beginning of an event like no other. I always make sure I have no interruptions that could mar my happiness on this day of special days. Diet Coke and remote control in hand, I am ready for it to begin. Another season of American Idol begins and I sadly cannot wait.
Why should I, by all measure an intelligent and sensible girl, become so intimately involved in such drivel? There are a few reasons for my fan girl behavior year-in and year-out, and I know that I am not alone. Viewership for American Idol has been huge for many years, reflecting a phenomenon that is not always easily explained. I will put into words how American Idol has worked its magic on me.
American Idol always starts its season with auditions, a good amount of which are heinously bad. The delusional nature of the folks who audition is what makes watching a delight. As a viewer, I just cannot believe that they don't hear what everyone in America hears: nails on a chalkboard with a little "cat in heat" thrown in. They come out of the audition room, after being eviscerated by Simon and company, (although this year has been kinder with J Lo and Steven Tyler thus far... I'm still trying to figure out if I accept this change) and go into full-on tirades about how the judges don't know what they are talking about, their mothers tell them how awesome they are, and we have not seen the last of them. Pure comic gold... can anyone say, "Pants on the Ground"?
*I would like to add that I do not like when they make fun of people who obviously have mental handicaps. Not cool, American Idol! They curtailed that nonsense this season, thank goodness.
Then of course there is the annual picking of the favorites and foes, a ritual that cannot be helped if you watch the show for more than two minutes. Granted, Idol does go to great lengths to manipulate the audience with people's back-stories. This only gets contestants so far, as eventually weaker singers cannot overcome their deficiencies, no matter how cute or quirky they are (there are sites like "Vote for the Worst" which encourage power voting for the worst contestant left in the field, but even the Sanjayas fall in the end). Those who get the villain edit vanish much quicker than others. Just ask Clint Jun Gamboa from this year's batch of hopefuls. His vocals were far from bad, but when he kicked poor 15-year-old, cherub-faced Jaycee Badeaux out of his group during Hollywood week at one in the morning and did not look sorry about it, America exacted their revenge by booting him out the first chance they had. Oh, the drama! And in the end, the catharsis is gratifying.
And lastly the big factor in my obsession with Idol is the discussion it provokes amongst my friends, co-workers, and even complete strangers in the grocery store. It's funny how people you hardly talk to in the workplace will pipe up when you mention someone's performance:
"I love Crystal Bowersox! What a great singer. She really sings from the heart."
"Are you kidding? She's a hippie! She needs a shower."
"She may be earthy, but what has that got to do with her natural talent?"
"Eh. I just can't look at her."
Whether we agree or disagree about Idol contestants, it's got us talking about it. Idol has an amazing ability to invoke discussion at water coolers and in chat rooms across the country. That is a powerful thing for talent show to connect us in such a way.
Every year that I watch, I choose a favorite. One contestant inexplicably annoys me. Someone gets further in the competition than they have any right to. My favorite picks a song that is wrong for them and I fear they will get voted off. Ryan Seacrest's hair defies the laws of physics. The results show has horrible singers like the Jonas Brothers perform. I get mad at America for getting it wrong and vow never to watch again. And every year I come back, eager for more because I wouldn't have it any other way.
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