I love watching American Idol. It’s reality TV at its finest. And yes, that’s exactly what it is, reality TV. It’s not a “talent competition” or any other such nonsense. Who was the last “winner” of AI that was even remotely good? Kelly Clarkson . . . maybe. The producers make up back stories, edit clips, and generally do their best to make the show as dramatic as possible. After all, this is what turns the best ratings. And I certainly want to help them in their task of creating entertaining programming. That’s why this year I’ll be voting for the worst.
Vote For The Worst dot com words it very well on their home page:
“We think that the less-loved contestants are more entertaining than the producer favorites, and we want to acknowledge this fact by encouraging people to help vote for the amusing antagonists that annoy the judges. VFTW sees keeping these contestants around as a golden opportunity to make a more entertaining show.”
What do you think happened to the show’s ratings last year when Sanjaya kept getting voted on? Ratings went up. If anything, when large groups of people vote for the worst performer it helps the show. It adds drama and thus, increases its entertainment level.
You think it’s mean? Unfair? Consider this: even though Daughtry lost to a gray-haired old man who insisted on convulsing around the stage he has STILL sold millions of albums. This tells me at least two things: 1) Success or failure on AI has little effect on a good artist. A good artist will succeed regardless. 2) The general voting public has little sensibilities concerning good music.
Does anyone really think that American Idol can produce a great singer? Come on folks, American Idol is meant for entertainment purposes only, not to make good music, let’s make it entertaining. Vote for the worst.
12 Comments
Even if I could, I wouldn\’t vote for the worst. I hated watching last year and seeing that Sanjaya was still there.
LOL. I agree. But it\’s all about seeing AI for what it is: entertainment.
May lightning bolts smite me before I vote for the worst.
Seriously, though…you raise some good points about who wins vs. who is commercially successful…but personally I\’m more entertained when the good singers make it further into the season. I\’ve thought for a while that the show should change the voting process to strike a balance between the \”popularity vote\” and the \”judges\’ judgments\” to avoid losing/alienating viewers.
Perhaps a few people were passed over on the final 24 in favor of the \”Sanjaya types\” that will garner \”worst vote\” attention? I certainly felt like there were a few folks whose dreams ended in Hollywood that were better than some of tonight\’s performers.
Oh yeah, you know that\’s the case. The producers aren\’t out to deliver the best, they\’re out to put together a show that will get ratings.
I enjoy listening to the better performers too, but I\’ll vote for the worst
No spoilers please, I haven\’t watched tonights episode, waiting for the wife to get home, but I was upset to see Josiah go home last week (the kid who lived in his car).
I realize that it is entertainment, but Sanjaya acted like he really thought he deserved to be there, and that is sad.
Interesting thing about Josiah, he recently appeared on the Ellen Degeneres show and was given over $8,000 in music supplies. He\’s really not that talented though. He needs to take that money and spend it in ways that will get him back on his feet.
Ben, you asked, \”Who was the last \’winner\’ of AI that was even remotely good? Kelly Clarkson . . . maybe.\”
I think Carie Underwood is incredibly talented. She has sold somewhere around 9-10 million albums. Nabbed three Grammys. I think she is pretty good. She\’s a great singer.
Point taken. I still say that even though there are a couple winners who\’ve done well, they\’re offset by the monumental failures of Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks.
Absolutely! Taylor Hicks … LOL!
Dude,
This comment is in regards to the the YouTube video you posted from the group No Comment.
Get this: I was the emcee at that very performance. I met all of the groups (including people in No Comment), and even joined my former group (Undeclared) do do vocal percussion on one of their songs.
In fact, they invited me to do vocal percussion with them in a few weeks when they open for Ben Folds. If you email me, I\’ll send you an mp3 of one of our tunes.
Anyway, I\’m writing a blog post about all of this real soon, so I\’ll shut up now.
Very cool, Jake! I\’d love an MP3. ben (at) openswitch (dot) org
FYI: The last winner who is \”remotely good\” is Carrie Underwood. Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, and more album sales than any other AI winner ever.