What do you think of these talent shows...

[stan1980]

Like X-Factor, Pop Idol, American Idol etc ? More specifically, I was watching X-Factor the other day, it's a new series and normally they make a point of showing the really bad singers along with the good singers, then normally Simon Cowell proceeds to humiliate them in front of millions. Entertainment or exploitation or a bit of both?

 

[cantata]

I think they're incredibly cruel.

Firstly, there's the fact that you dash thousands of hopefuls' dreams, often in humiliating ways. Secondly, there's the voting by the moronic public, who can't tell the difference between someone who can sing and a song they like. It's a ridiculous way of judging people.

Those shows almost always turn up utterly soulless, bland people anyway, because anyone with the slightest bit of personality would get voted out early on. It's just a huge waste of airtime and it makes me want to gnaw my own legs off.

 

[Autumnleaf]

They're cheaper than making a traditional show and about as many people watch them as traditional tv. Its fiscally a good thing for the Hollywood money makers.

Sort of reminds me of The Running Man movie.

 

[B'alaam]

Entertainment or exploitation or a bit of both?

Entertainment by exploitation, perhaps?

And I agree both with Cantata and AutumnLeaf regarding these shows. Take all the comments cantata stated and add "However, its cheaper to make, the public is sucking it up, and these shows are making lots of money, so the television industry is on a roll right now"

I actually tried watching American Idol a couple of years ago. I actually managed to grit my teeth through one episode then (thinking that it just had to get better) I started watching the next episode. I had to stop about halfway through because I wanted to gouge out my own eyes and take an ice pick to my eardrums

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I occasionally watch the auditions but not past that. It is exploitative, but I can help finding some of the auditions hilarious. At the end of the day, the people freely choose to get involved, so they can face the consequences. That's my excuse for watching shows like Jerry Springer and Jeremy Kyle, anyway. I know I shouldn't find pleasure in watching obese, adulterous drunks in incestuous relationships throwing chairs at each other, but I can't help myself...

 

[B'alaam]

I know I shouldn't find pleasure in watching obese, adulterous drunks in incestuous relationships throwing chairs at each other, but I can't help myself...

Kinda like looking at a train wreck, huh?

 

[Athene]

The Germans have a word for it Schadenfreude - happiness in the misfortune of others. There's an element of that in all of us and I think tv shows like the X-factor and American Idol take advantage of that.

 

[cantata]

It's all fine and good saying they freely chose to be in it, until (as in Britain's Got Talent) it's a fourteen-year-old girl whose parents have told her she's an amazing singer who gets laughed at on national television.

 

[stan1980]

This is the thing, a lot of these poor singers somehow don't realise they can't sing until the judges rip them to shreds. Some of them don't even appear to be mentally all there. To humiliate these sorts on TV is quite shameful and exploitive, they don't have broadcast that. I often wonder though, why a close family member or friend hasn't stopped them going on before the damage is done.

 

[cantata]

I often wonder though, why a close family member or friend hasn't stopped them going on before the damage is done.

Love is deaf as well as blind, I guess.

 

[SallyNow]

This is the thing, a lot of these poor singers somehow don't realise they can't sing until the judges rip them to shreds. Some of them don't even appear to be mentally all there. To humiliate these sorts on TV is quite shameful and exploitive, they don't have broadcast that. I often wonder though, why a close family member or friend hasn't stopped them going on before the damage is done.

I agree that it is unfair to exploit the developmentally challenged or those with psychological illnesses. However, the staff of American Idol, who have to deal with thousands of people over the two-day auditions in each city, cannot be expected to perform wellness tests on every entrant.

I felt bad for the people in the first two seasons of American Idol, as many didn't know how ruthless it was going to be. But since then, well... it's well known how cruel it gets.

What drives me nuts are people who come in to American Idol thinking they are good singers because they have been told they are good singers by hacks who pretend to be singing coaches.

Before any singer makes it to see the TV judges they have to go through many pre-auditions. The most entertaining people - not the best singers - are picked. Once a person is in the process that should be rather obvious (from what I've heard from those who have auditioned for such shows)

It would be nice if the judges at least told the bad singers, "we're sending you through for your personality". It would be also be simple kindness to reject those they suspect have developmental disabilities. And, chances are, they do for many. Out of the thousands that register only a few make it to see Paula, Simon, and Randy.

But for some reason, despite the fact that people know they are going to be ripped to shreds if they make it through to the TV judges, they still audition.

 

[Athene]

This is the thing, a lot of these poor singers somehow don't realise they can't sing until the judges rip them to shreds. Some of them don't even appear to be mentally all there. To humiliate these sorts on TV is quite shameful and exploitive, they don't have broadcast that. I often wonder though, why a close family member or friend hasn't stopped them going on before the damage is done.

I've heard and inclined to believe it's true that all contestants are pre-screened and only a few get to see Simon et al and that few is a mixture of the good and the abysmal. From the singers point of view if they've got through the first level of screening they might actually think they've got some talent so it would come as a huge shock to hear from the judges that they're poor.

 

[mpok1519]

just more neon spectacle to keep people occupied.

 

[wanderingone]

It's all fine and good saying they freely chose to be in it, until (as in Britain's Got Talent) it's a fourteen-year-old girl whose parents have told her she's an amazing singer who gets laughed at on national television.

I don't watch these shows so I really can't make much of a review (other than to wonder about the fascination so many have) I find it generally repulsive to sit around making fun of people.. even those who are basically functional adults who "know" what they are getting into, I am more than mildly disgusted to hear that kids get the same treatment. I don't blame the television entirely, children have parents who should be looking out for them, but I can't imagine a valid reason to knock a young person to bits emotionally.

 

[bluegreensea]

I've only ever seen bits and pieces of these shows, and then only rarely, but they tend not to be my cup of tea at all, and reconfirm my choice to keep away from tele as much as possible. The idea of celebrating one's abilities is nice, and constructive criticism would be helpful for those who are working on dance, singing or some other area of interest. However, to me it doens't make good tv. I'd much rather be living my life than watching someone else live theirs, so watching people play sports, watching people cook and watching people make or break careers is of little interest to me except when close friends are involved. Furthermore, it's a really negative environment and the competition that is sometimes on display is really unhealthy I think...it seems to encourage egotism and narcisism.