What does it mean to 'win' 'American Idol'?
Two things happened last week when Michael Johns was dumped from our screens:
1. Everyone piled on Ryan Seacrest for his tricksy hobbit comment about how last year at this time the bottom contestant was allowed to stay. ... But not this year! Bye Michael Johns! Low blow. Seacrest reportedly said it was just the TV way of adding drama. Nothing personal. Not even his idea.
2. After Michael Johns was dumped he was reportedly showered in sympathy, not only from peons like us, but Dolly Parton (who said she would like to work with him) and even Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. So don’t cry for him, Australia.
This teaches us a few things and invites at least one pertinent question.
First, it reminds us this is television. Every time Ryan pauses and says we’ll find out who’s going home tonight ... after this break! ... that’s letting us know this show should really be half its length, but it’s padded out to an hour to fit in advertisements and keep the ratings high for a full hour. Every time Ryan and Simon banter, think the same thing. It’s all a show. Every time they mention the idea of the contestants taking calls for “Idol Gives Back,” remember, that’s just TV. It isn’t real. David, Brooke, Kristy — none of them were taking your calls.
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1. Everyone piled on Ryan Seacrest for his tricksy hobbit comment about how last year at this time the bottom contestant was allowed to stay. ... But not this year! Bye Michael Johns! Low blow. Seacrest reportedly said it was just the TV way of adding drama. Nothing personal. Not even his idea.
2. After Michael Johns was dumped he was reportedly showered in sympathy, not only from peons like us, but Dolly Parton (who said she would like to work with him) and even Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. So don’t cry for him, Australia.
This teaches us a few things and invites at least one pertinent question.
First, it reminds us this is television. Every time Ryan pauses and says we’ll find out who’s going home tonight ... after this break! ... that’s letting us know this show should really be half its length, but it’s padded out to an hour to fit in advertisements and keep the ratings high for a full hour. Every time Ryan and Simon banter, think the same thing. It’s all a show. Every time they mention the idea of the contestants taking calls for “Idol Gives Back,” remember, that’s just TV. It isn’t real. David, Brooke, Kristy — none of them were taking your calls.
continue...
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