The ‘American Idol’ phenomenon

by Bryan Blanks
Courier Staff

In its fifth season, “American Idol” has once again become a must-see show for millions of diehard fans. The show topped its ratings records earlier this year, and people across America just can’t get enough of the Fox reality series. Contestants in the top twelve range from ages sixteen to twenty-nine, and the talent is more impressive than ever. The show is highly entertaining, but why over the past five years, has “American Idol” become the big talk of television?

In a way, “American Idol” has allowed viewers to live vicariously through the experiences of the contestants. MC senior Kelly Winfrey feels that, “if nerdy sixteen-year-old boys waiting for love can belt their hearts out on stage, so can the average American eating chips on their couch; everyone sings along.” I feel that executives behind “American Idol” have an agenda when selecting contestants. Producers are not only looking for contestants who bring sex appeal, but they are looking for those who will cause the viewers to ponder “how in the world they ever made it thus far.”

Another huge factor in the success of “American Idol” is that fans feel that they have been given the right to judge the talent pool of America. Each week the viewers are able to watch the show and agree or disagree with the panel of judges. Many viewers put themselves alongside Paula, Randy, and Simon and actually feel their opinion makes a difference. In my experience, people actively watch “American Idol” and give positive or negative feedback to each performance. Many people almost watch “American Idol” as if it were a sporting event.

Furthermore, when looking at the success of reality television, I often speculate the longevity of the “American Idol” craze. How long can this talent-show hype possibly go on? Not only is “American Idol” strongly entering its fifth season, but it has created a surplus of talent-based competitions on television, including “Dancing with the Stars,” “American Inventor,” and “Nashville Star.” Producers of “American Idol” have obviously created a working formula that has been proven to be globally successful. However, I feel the true success of “American Idol” lies in the hands of the “Idol rejects.” As long as people are willing to humiliate themselves on television in front of millions of viewers, “American Idol” will hold strong.

“American Idol” is a true example of escapist entertainment. The show is a way for people to step outside the harsh reality of the world. It is definitely more fun to get angry and frustrated with Simon Cowell every week than our current Administration. Viewers across the world are able to look forward to a show that they can actually watch with their families; not to say that “American Idol” is the best thing that has ever happened to families in America, but it is no wonder why this show has become such a huge phenomenon.