January 20, 2004
Why is Bad T.V. Just So Damn Good?
Last night was the premiere of the third season of American Idol, a show that I've never watched before except for five minutes at a time. Let me tell you, the seventy minutes that the show was on was some of the most entertaining television I have seen recently. With the decline in quality of The West Wing (the main reason I never watched American Idol), something has got to hold my attention, no?
I've watched bad television in the past. I've watched most of The Real World series, started to watch The O.C., watched Survivor, and even catch myself watching Fear Factor every now and then, but American Idol is a whole new beast? I'm really not in it for the singing, since I could care less who wins the show. I'm in it for the scathing criticism from the panel of judges and the idiots who actually think they can sing well. Who tells these people that they are any good? Last night, there was this woman from Brooklyn who was wearing a rather atrocious outfit (despite what Paula Abdul said - an aside, does Paula now get shit for her last name?) and "sang" Route 66. She was absolutely horrible. I mean seriously, when would her singing ever sound good? I don't want to picture her in the shower, but I don't think she would even sing well there! American Idol is bad television, but makes for great amusement. No wonder it kills in the ratings.
Posted by tien mao in TV at 11:02 AM
I've never watched much of American Idol except for the audition shows. They are absolutely hilarious! I have no idea what some of these people are thinking, but they are truly scary. They really need to add a gong or buzzer to the show for the truly awful ones!
Posted by: Justin at January 20, 2004 11:41 AM
I generally stop watching after the initial auditions.
Simon said exactly what I did about that horrible Route 66 woman, except I said it first: "That's not Route 66".
Scooter lady was bat-shit crazy, and I don't want to see what kind of breakdown she'll have when they eventually cut her. Actually, that's not true. I *do* want to see it.
Posted by: rappy at January 20, 2004 12:14 PM
i agree with both of you. the auditions are too funny not to watch. but if it comes up against my other shows, i won't be watching.
the best line of last night was when one woman said something like, "god was with me" and the response (i think from simon) was, "well, god was on vacation." classic!
Posted by: tien at January 20, 2004 12:21 PM
I tuned into AI last night. It was the first time I'd turned on the TV in 2 weeks...Scooter Girl was mad frightening.
Read: TV Without Pity. Their commentary is hilarious, particularly once AI goes into full throttle.
Posted by: corie at January 20, 2004 1:37 PM
do you really think the bad people are actually there on their own and not paid/recruited to go on? it seems like a big part of the draw of the show.
anyway, enjoy the bad tv while you can. in 5 years, when there are absolutely no good shows on, we can thank the whole reality thing.
Posted by: dan at January 20, 2004 1:49 PM
two weeks?!? it's a miracle if i don't turn on my tv within 2 minutes of getting home. i like having it on as noise. sad, i know.
dan, i can't even imagine how those people think they could be good. i mean, they have friends, right? they shouldn't let them go on that show.
Posted by: tien at January 20, 2004 4:04 PM
i like the noise, too...but i only get about 4 channels. unless i'm up for fox5 or upn9, it doesn't make sense to turn it on.
Posted by: corie at January 20, 2004 7:08 PM
The O.C. is not bad TV. For shame.
I love Animal Planet's Animal Precinct. ASPCA cops policing NYC pet owners and abusers. The best.
Posted by: Jen at January 21, 2004 1:50 PM
well jen, just because it's entertaining, doesn't make it good tv. and just because it's good, doesn't make it entertaining.
Posted by: tien at January 21, 2004 1:59 PM
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tien: well jen, just because it's entertaining, doesn't make it good tv. and just bec... {read on}
Jen: The O.C. is not bad TV. For shame. I love Animal Planet's Animal Precinct. AS... {read on}
corie: i like the noise, too...but i only get about 4 channels. unless i'm up for fox5... {read on}
tien: two weeks?!? it's a miracle if i don't turn on my tv within 2 minutes of gettin... {read on}
dan: do you really think the bad people are actually there on their own and not paid/... {read on}
corie: I tuned into AI last night. It was the first time I'd turned on the TV in 2 wee... {read on}
tien: i agree with both of you. the auditions are too funny not to watch. but if it ... {read on}
rappy: I generally stop watching after the initial auditions. Simon said exactly wha... {read on}
Justin: I've never watched much of American Idol except for the audition shows. They ar... {read on}