American Idol Analysis

I have something to confess.

The Diplomat watched American Idol last night.

By chance I was in the room and happened to stay for the full duration. I think this episode was near the end of the season.  I say this because I saw a glimpse of the show in December and the number of contestants filled a stadium.  Last night there were about twenty contestants, half of whom were conspicuously gay men.  Apparently, the relevant votes were already cast and this show amounted to Ryan Seacrest delivering the news of who goes on and who goes home.  The light dimmed. Seacrest called two contestants to the front of the stage.  The contestants held each other.  Seacrest said something like this:

Paul and Brett.

Side by side.

After the nationwide vote.

One of you has made it.

One of you has not.

The person who will continue in the competition.

Based on America's vote.

Is…

Seacrest did this for ten pairs of contestants.  Each dramatic moment was separated by three minutes of dimwitted commercials. 

Here are a few of my observations and comments I have from the show.

I thought the show was about singing.  I saw six minutes of actual singing during the one hour show.  Nine minutes if you include J.Lo's "Get on the Flo'" video that was blatantly advertised at crucial moment.

I was rooting for the vampire heroin ho to win.  I don't think she made the next round but I can't be sure; the Dip switched off before the show ended. 

Steven Tyler squints a lot.  I think he needs glasses.

Ryan Seacrest is a polished dude.  He's too polished.  I think he's CG. 

The funniest moment was a commercial advertising a premiere for a trailer for the movie Water For Elephants.  The premiere of a trailer?   Is that for real?

Final thoughts: 

This is a show about singing without any singing.

Someone is coaching the men in American Idol to be flamboyant.  It's my guess that they are the same folks who produce those HGTV style shows like What Not to Wear.  Honestly, what is up with all the flamboyance?  Please, I invite someone "in the know" to explain this to me.  I’m not talking about flamboyant behavior at a Gay Pride event, I'm talking about the sometimes-fragile sometimes-frilly, overly-excitable antics 24/7.  And why is it such an integral part of mainstream media these days?  Capitalizing on gay flamboyance was original about ten years ago.

America Idol is one long commercial.  I want to know who lobotomized America to watch this crap.  One thing for sure, I'll be tuning in next week with my brain checked at the door. 

 

 

Comments

[mark from nrc]

You are watching way too much of way too few channels if you are seeing this "flambeau" thing all the time. I don't think you'd see it on ESPN, generally, or on shows like American Chopper, Lock-Up Raw, or Cops. You just need to broaden your viewing choices.