When Idol Turns Ugly

I was a huge fan of American Idol the first few years... I adored Kelly Clarkson, loved Ruben's eyebrows (maybe you had to be there) and was moved by Fantasia's voice and spirit. But as the years went on, I have to admit on some level I was just going through the motions. As a self-professed TV junkie, it's bad for my rep not to be tuned in to one of the most highly-watched shows. I think I got a little turned off by how they dragged everything out. The results show? Spare me. But there are a few things I've always liked: the really good singers, Simon's rude comments, making fun of Paula's clapping and obvious drug/alcohol problems. So I hear on the radio today that Rosie O'Donnell made the following comment regarding the second episode of the this year's Idol:

(the situation, for those who didn't watch, was that Simon insulted this guy Kenneth Briggs by saying he looked like a "bush baby," then laughed with Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul after the contestant left)

"Isn't that what America thinks is entertainment? To make fun of someone's physical appearance and then when they leave the room laugh hysterically at them – three millionaires, one probably intoxicated... The whole thing, it's terribly sad to me."

On the radio they defended the judges and the show by saying that nobody forces the contestants to sign up for the show, they get their 15 minutes of fame (which is probably what they're looking for) and used William Hung as an example of someone who was mocked/ridiculed by the judges but went on to have a moderate amount of success. Well, maybe that's overstating it. But at the very least he extended his 15 minutes to an hour or two.

But is all of that really a justification for what the judges did? I have no problem with Simon telling people anything regarding their questionable talent. Sometimes I feel sorry for them, but really, that's what they signed up for. But does a person who enters a talent competition really sign up for being criticized for their appearance? Do they sign up to sing, or to be told they are fat, ugly, creatures from the jungle, strange looking, or gender benders?

Maybe they do sign up for it. I mean, we're on Season 10 or so of Idol at this point, so by now you've seen how many people Simon has made cry for whatever reason. But I think what Rosie is really saying is, "Why do we find that funny?" And I think she has a point. I think it's hilarious when they show the people who can't sing, and it's made all the more funny when the people are especially awkward-looking. My favourite Simon line ever is this:

Contestant: I'm a blank canvas. You can do anything you want to transform me into the next American Idol.
Simon (holding up pen): This is a pen. Not a magic wand.

Classic. But I didn't like it when Simon was commenting on Mandisa's weight last year. I thought it was mean and completely uncalled for. I know we live in a world where appearance is important, I realize it's especially so when you're going to be on TV. But when did it become okay to just call people ugly or fat to their faces? Is that an England thing? (Mckinley?)

I don't know what I'm really getting at here. And I'm not necessarily pointing a finger because I do watch the show, and I have talked shit about how people look (behind their backs) and I have laughed at least once or twice. Maybe I'm really looking for the answer... why is that entertainment to us?

In sin and error, pining
-sbg

(i stole that from a book)