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'Idol' worship

"American Idol's" ratings are up a whopping 10 percent, reports that august chronicler of the perils of Paula, Simon, Kelly, Fantasia, et al, The New York Times.

Clay Aiken is a hit. That poor kid mangling the Rick Martin tune was a hit. The telecast of tryouts in Greensboro were a hit. Everything associated with the mutant offspring of "Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour," "Fame" and "Star Search" is a hit.

I don't get it.

I have tried watching this show and, frankly, the most fun I tend to have involves the wannabes who can't sing a lick.

Obviously, some of these people are intentionally trying to be awful (anything for a split second of fame). But part of the fun is trying to figure out which ones those are -- and which ones actually believe they have talent.

As for the others, the arrangements and choreography typically are hokey and uninspired, and will age -- when this show inevitably airs in reruns some day on TV Land -- as as well as "Donny and Marie."

She bangs, she bangs indeed.

Comments (6)

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Dudley Bokoski said:

About the only thing left for TV is "reality journalism" with real people reporting the news. As nutty as it sounds, somewhere they are probably testing the pilot. In a way, blogging is kind of like reality TV. We get to put our opinions out there like real journalists and sportswriters. It's interesting and kind of strange all at the same time.

jaycee said:

I never watched "American Idol" until last week, the show before the GSO special.
Man, that show is like CRACK! One shot and I'm addicted! I laughed harder than I have at any other TV show in years.
It's like a train wreck...you know it's gonna be ugly, but you just can't turn away.

Jon said:

I've been an "Idol" addict since the 2003 season and especially enjoy listening to the wannabes who'll neverbe in entertainment. That's really where the entertainment is along with, of course, Simon's sometimes nasty critiques of the performers.

I was proud that our Fantasia won in the 2004 season in light of the difficult circumstances she encountered while growing up in High Point. And of course, who will ever forget the success and fame that Raleigh's Clyde Aiken received for the runnerup position in the 2003 season.

"American Idol" has been good to the Carolinas as well as the rest of our country.

Allen Johnson said:

I may in the only guy in the free world who does not love this show.

Allen Johnson said:

Oops. Let me try that again. Actually, I mean I may be the only guy in the free world who does not love this show.

mrproduce [TypeKey Profile Page] said:

Naw, Allen, I'm with you on this one. It frankly sucks!

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