The “American Dream” to me is making your dreams, what ever they may be, come true. People come from all over the world to enjoy America and live for their dreams. Some people will do anything to make their dreams a reality. For example going on TV, and being a part of a show like American Idol. Some people think that the shows are exploiting them, but I do not.
The main reason I think that the contestants on this show are not being exploited is because they choose to be there. They stand in line and wait for hours in the hopes of being on the show. They want the publicity, they want to be famous. I know that in watching the show some of the really bad singers that go on the auditions do it on purpose to be on TV. You see these people dressed up in crazy outfits, sing like crap and then when Simon and the other judges say they suck they get upset and yell at them. It is all an act! They put that outfit on and knew that they could not sing. They know that they will get a bad review and if they make a scene they will be on TV. I think that many of they egg on the “exploitation” of them selves. Look at William Hung. He was on the Ellen Show and many more, all because he could not sing. Do you really think that he thought he was as good as all the other contestants on the show? I highly doubt it. He wanted to be on TV, and he was. Without a show like America Idol he would have never got what he wanted.
On the other had there are people that audition that can really sing, but they know what they are getting into. They have the choice every week to get up there and sing and be judged. They know that in order for the show to stay popular there has to be a “mean” Judge. If everyone was nice and sweet no one would watch the show. They choose to be there; therefore they are not being exploited. Many of them would not even get a “big Break” if they were not on the show.
Most people who want to be a singer know that the business is harsh and subject to the whims of society. For many people this is with the fame and fortune. They want it so the put up with all the crap that goes with it. So in short I have to say that if they are choosing to be on the show in its third and up season they know what they are getting into. They are not being taken advantage of; they are striving for fame and money. If they do not like it, then they should quit. If these Contestants are “exploited” then they let it happen and go along with it knowingly. They do it for the fame and money.
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I totally agree with you! American Idol is all an act. They say that it is a form of the American Dream, its not! Its merely people who think they can sing, dressing up like idiots to get their time on TV. I agree with you on what you said that William Hung. He has a ton of money now and is famous. But for what honestly? He has no talent what so ever and can definetely not sing! He even ended up on Ellen's show, which is because he has no talent! And whats up with Ellen even being on Idol? What does she honestly have to do with the music business? She is not a singer nor a song writer. So why is she on the show? I mean at least all three of the other judges have an actual part in the music world. People that want to persue music as a career should already know that it is a rough business. Many people that truely want this as a career would do almost anything they were told to do in order to become rich and famous. This should not be due to the fact that people go to crazy extremes in order to accomplish this.
ReplyDeleteTo me, your blog was spot on in its portrayal of American Idol. For as many years as it has been running, young people, especially, have been following it, watching it every season. They obviously realize what goes on with the contestants on the show, from receiving harsh criticisms to the long days and commitments. They have the understanding that there can only be one winner and no fame is guaranteed. The show can be a great opportunity for people to take a shot at being singers. It can help others realize that they're not good enough, or that music is truly something they want to pursue for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteI like watching the show because I really want to see the contestants succeed and be consistent at singing well each week and being current and contemporary, showing that they can be popular on the radio and have a successful career. I just enjoy music and am amazed at the God-given talent some people possess, of which I have NONE! ;)
I suppose that some people will claim that the contestants on the show are being exploited, they are only there to be used for entertainment purposes and will never receive as much money as they deserve. But every time I see American Idol Rewind contestants have very positively been affected by the show. Although they all may not be multimillion dollar recording artists, they are happy with their lives and careers and look upon their American Idol experience with fondness of an important time in their lives. It opened doors for many, keeping them working in the field of entertainment that they love. Good for them!