|
|
Television Review: American Idol
Ah, reality television. I have met very few people who don't have a strong opinion on the latest television phenomenon.
There are some people (like me) who love it, can't get enough. Others however, disagree.
Wherever you stand, it's hard to deny that at its core, American Idol is an entertaining distraction. Arrogant teenagers
with agents sing live on TV and then are ridiculed by judges, including Paula "straight-up" Abdul. Come on. Tell
me that isn't entertaining.
I was like many of you... during American Idol's first season I mocked it as "pop crap" and a lame way to manufacture
yet another teeny-bopper pop-star. I was right too as anyone who has heard "a moment like this" from Kelly Clarkson
will tell you. Mindless fluff, right?
But this year, something weird is going on. There are two frontrunners and neither of them are what you would call your
standard pop star. First take Clay... nerdy southern boy... 90 pound weakling... most amazing voice on earth. To look at
this kid, you would NEVER expect the voice that you hear. Then there's Ruben... 300 pound african-american from Alabama...
smoothest voice since Al Green. Not only that but Ruben just radiates coolness.
So what is going on? All indications are that Ruben is going to win this competition that America votes on by phone.
Ruben. A fat guy. This is good. America seems to be sending a message that says "Hey, we're not interested in
manufactured pretty-boys and girls anymore. We aren't buying it. Give us reality. Give us talent, regardless of
the package".
Next time you're in a Christian bookstore (if you're the type who has to go to these places), take a walk up the music isle.
What you will find is a stunning collection of beautiful people with average talent. Christian music nowadays is all
about the "look" and very little about the talent. If people like Terry Taylor, Randy Stonehill, Rich Mullins, and
Ashley Cleveland were just now starting out, they would never even see an interview, much less a record deal. I've been holding
out hope that perhaps this trend will soon change... that talent would win out over aesthetic... that what an artist
has to say would win out over what they have to show. It may be a tiny sign, but American Idol and the bizarre front-runners
give me hope that perhaps things are changing.
Review by Greg Adkins
|