O shame, where is thy blush?
Unlike the rest of the country, I never jumped on the American Idol bandwagon. It’s my personality – I eschew all things popular. If everyone else is doing it, you’re generally safe to assume that I am not. Two glaring exceptions are Disney (of course) and Glee (and I’m genuinely surprised that this offbeat show is so popular).
So American Idol – clearly not for me.
Also, I loathe ‘reality’ tv.
Yes, actually I can feel you cringe. Sorry.
But last year, worlds collided when Disney World built an American Idol attraction. I had the opportunity to tour the set and get the behind-the-scenes scoop on the whole attraction, and it was interesting enough to make me tune in to the 2009 Idol season.
Mostly unremarkable for me.
None of the artists really grabbed me, and the overall show was just moderately entertaining. But dutifully, I DVR’d the new episodes last week, which I just finished watching.
Appalling.
And unlike the rest of the country, I’m not talking about Pants on the Ground or any number of other not-good singers who auditioned. Largely I’m not even referring to Simon Cowell, who has been remarkably subdued in his criticism this season. (A most welcome change, I might add)
No, I’m talking about Mary J. Blige. To a lesser extent, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi. To the fullest and utmost, the viewing audience of this show.
Shame on all of you.
I really can’t believe I am about to say this, but I agree with Rosie O’Donnell wholeheartedly. Almost two years ago she said “Is 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? The whole thing, it’s terribly sad to me.”
To me too, Rosie.
In case you didn’t see it, meet Jesse.
Mary J. Blige, your stock dropped through the floor in my eyes.
Shame on you for laughing in this kid’s face. Shame on you for being even more cold and heartless than Simon Cowell, whom everyone expects to have the compassion of a serial killer. Kara tried to cover for you, to give you an excuse for your bad behavior. It was the best she could manage and it was quick thinking on her part, but still a thinly veiled disguise.
And shame on all of you, too, that tune in every week to laugh at people like this.
What kind of people do that?
I know that some people who go on this show are ‘asking’ for it. They dress in crazy costumes, they behave bizarrely, they are very obviously trying to grab their 15 minutes of fame a la William Hung. While I don’t condone mocking people, I don’t get overly undone about a chuckle at the expense of those who intentionally put themselves out there for a laugh.
Does Jesse seem like one of those people to you?
He strikes me as an unsuspecting victim of a mean-spirited producer, condescending judges, and a cruel viewing audience, all getting their jollies out of belittling someone who did not ‘ask’ for it. Jesse was manipulated and blindsided. And shame on everyone who found that amusing.
This isn’t about hand-holding and sweetness. I don’t expect the show to be all sunshine and roses. Some of the auditioners do need to hear that they shouldn’t plan on a career in music, and sometimes the truth hurts. But no one deserves to be belittled. Laughing in someone’s face isn’t entertaining, it’s cruel. I am raising 3 children and if one of them ever behaved that way, they would face an immediate and harsh reprimand. I’d be willing to bet that most of you wouldn’t allow your children to make fun of a classmate in that manner either.
So consider, don’t your actions speak louder than your words? If you spend your evening curled up on the sofa laughing at people like Jesse, then you’re sending the message to your kids that making fun of someone is ok – cool, even.
So yes, I agree with Rosie. It makes me terribly sad as well.
We’re really a nation full of jerks sometimes. And worse, too stupid to be ashamed of ourselves.
Tags: American Idol, Jesse, Mary J. Blige, shame
Current Affairs, Entertainment, Rants & Raves | Heather January 18, 2010
Facebook comments:
By heather, January 18, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
now here is where i completely agree with you! though i’ve only watched one episode of AI ever, back in the days of clay aiken. i don’t care for reality tv much at all. often i feel like the odd man out because i never know who the people are that are so popular these days.
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By Becca - Our Crazy Boys, January 18, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
I’m not a reality tv person, either. My husband and I would always watch the first few weeks of AI just to see the funny stuff… Then Michael was watching with us one night and I realized how horrible it was. I was embarrassed that we sat there laughing at those people (like Jesse) that just don’t understand that they’re being picked on. I can’t bring myself to watch it again.
I have, however, caught clips on the “pants on the ground” guy, and he made me smile. Since then, every time I have seen a kid with his pants hanging down, I start singing to myself. He was adorable.
Good for you, Heather.
.-= Becca – Our Crazy Boys´s last blog ..What’s mine is yours… =-.
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By mary b, January 18, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
I’ve never watched American Idol either.
I watched the clip and felt so bad for that guy Jesse, just putting himself out there hoping for a chance, and to be treated that way was terrible.
Guess there is no need to start watching that show anytime soon.
.-= mary b´s last blog ..Football season appetizers and Old El Paso gift pack giveaway =-.
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By Debbie T, January 19, 2010 @ 8:37 am
Shame on them. Not an AI fan either, and don’t watch reality TV. There was a girl from my town that was on and
I didn’t even know it. (Paris Bennett, had to go look it up) I couldn’t agree more Heather.
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By Darcie - Such The Spot, January 19, 2010 @ 3:55 pm
I guess we’ve found another one of the select few things that we don’t agree on. Reality TV I mean. I can’t think of a non-reality tv show that I watch. Not one. And yes, I do enjoy American Idol. The first shows of the season are my least favorite though. I know that the judges can be very cruel and I wince when they are. Like when Jesse was on – I felt so bad for him because he seemed like a genuinely good guy who just didn’t know he couldn’t really sing. I hate that the judges make fun of people like that. But I still watch the show because I love that they take a talented person from the depths of nothing and give them a shot at fame and fortune. The other people, the really bad singers who go on the show knowing full well what the show is all about? I do feel sorry for them from time to time (Jesse being one of them). But at the same time, I would know better than to take my sorry singing voice on national TV. Survival of the fittest and all. Just sayin’.
Take it with a grain of salt though. I’m also the kind of person who thinks score should be kept in kids’ soccer games and not EVERYbody should make the team when they try out for various sports. Thick skin serves a person well.
.-= Darcie – Such The Spot´s last blog ..The Wife. And Happy To Be. =-.
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By angie, January 20, 2010 @ 2:54 am
I don’t watch TV period. This is the perfect example of why.
.-= angie´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday-Sunset =-.
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By tracym, January 25, 2010 @ 10:10 pm
We love AI here…not so much the auditions, but the actual competition. My girls love to hear the kids sing and perhaps be famous someday.
…but we also loved Princess and the Frog.
.-= tracym´s last blog ..The Sins of my Mother… =-.
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