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Viewer expresses distress over bad reality television

Mills College Weekly

So as this new semester has found a way to start itself, the
thought of excessive amounts of reading, 8 to 10 page papers, and
rambling lectures are soothed by the fact that reality television
lives on. Sadder than the fact that we use TV as a means of
escapism from our assumed pathetic lives is the idea that we escape
our reality by watching reality TV.

However, instead of looking down on our current pool of sadness
that we sit in so well, I say we invite a few friends over and
realize that the majority of the American population is in a
similar situation and is sending S.O.S. messages to the
entertainment industry via American Idol.

In all honesty, the show is bad. It lacks talent, originality,
and creativity. It’s Star Search with a new name. So what
makes this show so popular that we feel utterly compelled to
participate in an obvious fifteen-minute phenomenon? The fact that
the music industry is desperately searching for the next big thing.
Desperately.

As a music lover, the current state of music is depressing. No
one has real marketable talent anymore. Performance skills are
lacking in all genres. And no one does anything new, not even
shocking. It is to a point that music lovers nationwide have become
so jaded that we look forward to the next big thing to criticize.
Hence why American Idol is truly the all-America show. Also
why I show my patriotism and watch. However not all the way
through, I just watch the first auditioning week.

The entertainment industry is also aware of this fact. There
seems to be a silent agreement between the American public and the
industry that if there are no artists to emotionally move us or
make us get up and dance, there needs to be something, or someone,
we can laugh at. And in an age when talent is scarce, American
Idol
has graciously fulfilled that agreement by aiding in the
search for the next Michael Jackson. In the meantime, we are also
allowing those without talent to be on TV anyway. And with that, I
agree.

Talent has become an anachronism. However, good ole’ fashion
poking fun will always be around to stay. Also why the American
Idol
antics are acceptable. But possibly what the American
public is failing to remember is that the show is a joke. These
artists aren’t meant to be taken seriously and are in no way
deserving of critical acclaim, Grammy nominations, or more than
their allotted fifteen minutes. As our young Kelly Clarkson seems
to be violating the terms of our great agreement, I am opting to
reword the S.O.S. message from “American Idol” to “Wanted:
Talent.”