Why do we want to be “American Idols”?

I confess, I've never been a fan of "American Idol".

But to be honest, I fail to understand why this TV show has become such a national obsession...or maybe I do, and it makes me shudder.

Part of the reason I'm not a fan of the show is that I disagree with its' basic premise, that "fame" is something worth pursuing at virtually any cost, regardless of whether the people pursuing it have what it takes to achieve it.

Now don't get me wrong...I'm the last person in the world to discourage people from following their dreams. They should...at least until it's apparent that their particular dream has no basis in reality.

And frankly, a great number of the "Idol" contestants are dreaming(read "hallucinating")if they actually believe that they're just a "big break" away from reaching that brass ring...and to allow these people to delude themselves to that extent, and risk not only ridicule but permanent psychological damage is cruel and manipulative. And we want to see THAT?

When I first became aware of "American Idol", it reminded me eerily of Chuck Barris' infamous "Gong Show", which ran in the 1970s and 1980s. It became a stage for both the ridiculous and sublime in terms of "talent", and soon the "hook" for the show became laughing at and ridiculing the contestants that had no talent at all, but proceeded to demonstrate to us exactly why they didn't. To put people like that up on a stage just to laugh and mock them represented some of the most base human values that I could imagine.

Now, one good friend of mine was actually a contestant on that show. And his "talent" was one that was good for a laugh, but not one that had a lot of longterm practical value. He made music with his armpits...which impressed the "Gong Show" judges and delighted the audience. He did well...but most people did not, and a lot of them were laughed right off the stage.

That friend, incidentally, is now one of Fresno's leading evangelical leaders...proving he did have REAL talent...although his talent would not have been suited for the "Gong Show"...not even "American Idol"...but there was one thing about him that was different from most of the contestants of the "Gong Show" AND "American Idol".

He didn't take himself that seriously...and he knew himself...and was comfortable about who he was. He looked upon his appearance there as something "different", and fun...he was under no illusion that he would become famous by being there. Unfortunately, too many people go on shows like "American Idol" thinking(or at least hoping)that they'll fulfill their elusive show business dreams..a la Kelly Clarkson or last year's winner(whose name unfortunately escapes me at the moment).

While watching the news today, I saw clips of "Idol" contestants driven to tears as they were sliced to ribbons verbally by Simon Cowell(the one breath of fresh air on that show). Granted, Cowell could be a bit more tactful at times, but he rightly realizes that he does no favors by pretending that some of the people that appear on the show have any realistic chances of achieving the "fame" that dangles at the ends of the sticks attached to those contestants.

And what is gained by being reduced to tears? Well, when one shakes off the initial hurt of rejection, one may be struck with a sudden dose of realism and turn their life's direction toward something more in line with their actual abilities...which may or may not involve becoming well known, as if that were the measure of true "success".

Look, I know a lot of people like "Idol", and make a habit of watching it each week. That's fine if that's what you like, and if you enjoy watching it, I have no quarrel with you(except for your taste in entertainment, maybe). But I have a quarrel with the notion that the show is there to give people their big "break". It is there to attract an audience, nothing more, nothing less. And if the way they choose to do it is to essentially manipulate people into thinking that the nation wants to see John and Jane Doe embarrass and humiliate themselves by their lack of any discernible talent, then that's where we have a parting of the ways.

I realize that there are some genuinely talented people that appear there, and if that's how they get their "break", then more power to them.

I just don't feel the values that "American Idol" represents are my values. So I don't watch it...and don't plan on doing so any time soon.

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