Why I love American Idol

Why I love American Idol    by Bob Boog

I love watching American Idol. I call it a guilty pleasure because part of the fun involves the total annihilation of someone's inflated opinion of how well they can sing. Which is why even if I would be eligible to audition for Idol, I wouldn't do it. No way. Simply because I've heard myself sing, and though I may fool myself into thinking that I'm able to carry a tune and gather a round of applause from a small crowd of drunken karaoke compatriots, I know I'm not that good. The question in my mind really is why do other people do it?

    Why are so many people willing to brave the long lines, and then endure singing a cappella - without a musical instrument- before a panel of three or four cynical judges who can - with just a few choice words dash all their hopes and dreams? (Not to mention a person's self-worth.) Some foks will argue that the lure of easy money is the main reason that most people audition. And I don't totally disagree. But here are three more deep-seated reasons why I believe that people try out for these auditions.

1. Recognition. Why else would a man wear a ridiculous costume or cape or why else would a woman would don a skimpy bikini to show up to an Idol audition? We all want our 15 minutes of fame. After all, American Idol isn't only just another show on National television. It's been the Number One show for the past seven or eight years in a row. So even if you don't impress the judges with your outstanding singing ability, you may still be stopped, recognized and remembered too. "Hey, aren't you the She-Bang guy? Or "Hey, bikini girl!"
2. Authority. I've noticed that many of the contestants are musicians, music students or music teachers. I would imagine that getting the coveted yellow "ticket to Hollywood" might help a band get booked for a gig or look good to slap on a resume. After all, there is a deep-seated sense of duty to authority within us all. Wouldn't future paying customers want to hear somebody who has passed the gauntlet of Simon, Randy and Kara?
3.  Consistency. Most people believe that they look and sound good when they sing, and if the receive encouragement from friends, relatives and/or anybody -- that's all they need to be convinced. Thus, they'll justify their thinking that they're good by making a decision to enter a national singing competition! They can't wait for the approval of the judges plus the millions of Americans who will appreciate listening to their musical talents too.

Let's face it. We all fool ourselves from time to time. Sometimes we do it to keep our thoughts and beliefs consistent with what we have already decided is true. Other times we fool ourselves because we crave appreciation and recognition. Maybe we do it because everybody else is doing it, or we have spent so many hours practicing, we figure that Father Time has now made us good.

      The sad truth is that most people are average singers. Part of the allure of the show is the culling of the extraordinary talent from the rest of the pack. But the other juicy delight is listening to a contestant and then watching raw emotions erupt as dreams are being painfully destroyed or delightfully discovered before our very eyes.

            American Idol. I love it!