‘Idol’ pleasures
I’d never fire someone for disagreeing with me, of course. But Mr. McGuire’s pushing it.
‘American Idol’ is a really good show.
Yes, I too resisted its charms for the first few seasons. When everyone was talking about Kelly, Justin, Clay, Reuben, Fantasia, Bo, et. al, I was curiously mute. Quickly, I’d try to divert attention to the aforementioned “Apprentice,” but it didn’t always work. I lived in fear that I’d be found out eventually. I was an ‘Idol’ virgin.
Then, last season, the compulsion to be In the Know overtook me. No self-respecting student of pop culture like myself could resist a phenomenon that had so entrenched itself in the modern lexicon. I had to tune in and spend 56 hours with Simon, Randy, Paula and Ryan. I would worship at the altar of ‘Idol.’
Simply by signing over a few precious days of my lifespan to the Fox network and its proud advertisers (I even went out and bought myself a Ford!), I was instantly plugged in to the nation-sweeping drama. I could chime in when someone talked about how Mandisa gave Simon what he deserved. I could nod in agreement when another said how dreamy Ace was. When someone said “Chicken Little,” I got the joke. I considered renaming my cat “Bucky Covington,” just because it flowed so swimmingly off the tongue.
So hold out if you can, Michael. If you’re content with not being One of Us, be my guest. Go ahead and read your books and newspapers and discuss ‘issues’ with your ‘friends.’ Resist the strains of ‘Since U Been Gone’ and listen to your ‘music’ instead. You may call it rugged individualism; I just call it being a loser.
Not The Biggest Loser, of course. That’s on another network.
January 18th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I, myself, came down with a terrible case of McPheever last year.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Ooooh, I feel a new reality show coming on. Reporter-Wars. Get him, Mike. =)
January 18th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Hey Jeff…..I’m guilty. We do sit and watch every moment of that darn show. I’ve often also asked myself “Why?” Here’s something that’s been missed up to this point: “We’re ALL curious”. There is a great interest in learning about other people….how they look, how they act, where they come from, along with “how about that outfit?”
It’s like being in the real estate business and going into homes to observe/experience/ see how other people live. Not to compare yourself, but only to see what others value in the confines of their own worlds. Not to judge, but only to be a voyeur to learn from, expand on, enjoy humorously, or cringe from the knowledge.
The real lesson is this real-life example that we’re all different, we all have unique spirits, different goals, different lives, AND….what would this world be like if we were all the same?
As for me, I do it for the laughs and the interesting people that can’t help themselves.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
If only to complete the circle of former Eve Sun writers’ wisdom on the topic, I’ll chime-in. Since the popularization of ‘The Real World’ years ago, I, like Mike, have tried to follow that path of ‘rugged individualism’ and until recently managed to steer clear of all reality-based boob tube topics. That worked well until last season when I found myself an outsider in many watercooleresque conversations. That’s when I joined team Mandisa.
Watching Mandisa’s early rise to the station of season favorite, and her equally early exit from the show, I became a fan. I cheered her on, told my wife that the big woman with the pipes was obviously the class of the field, and made excuses for her being shown the door too soon. (The pretty people always win.)
Those who agreed with my opinion were instant Idol buddies, and within that bond I’ve discovered the mysterious pop culture parallel that explains Idol’s success. In planning our free time around the singers and spending hours a week watching these Idol favorites, Fox viewers such as myself have become the new NASCAR fanatics. Like the legions of Chenango County racing fans who fly # 3 flags from their front porch spot of honor, Idol fans form a year-long union with others who’ve chosen the same team. We wear our preference on our sleeves, or flag poles.
Like many sports and the team allegiance that go hand-in-hand with them, Idol gives us something very replaceable to bond with, to argue over, and experience victory with should our guy win. The feeling in my stomach after losing Mandisa from the field must be much the same as an Earnhardt fan’s who’s watched the threemobile run out of gas on mile 499. Both provide the fan a common gripe.
Those who dig NASCAR may not see the connection, and I know many who fancy themselves a performing arts afficionado would disagree, but this year’s Taylor Hicks will have foam domes and novelty tees rolling-off the assembly line by early March.
January 19th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
WOW you call it being a loser?? hahahaha that’s funny. You called Mike a loser.
And Morse–NASCAR?? Haha that made me laugh.
Mike–stay strong my brother.