Idol Finale: The Happy Medium

dah...
bitter...

ì•„............

I'm reminded of Ernie Kovacs old comment, "Television is a medium because it is neither rare nor well done." And as one of the perhaps two dozen in this country who has never once watched American Idio^H^H^H^HIdol, I can at least state that here is a program that confirms the worst fears... namely that television reflects the collective intelligence of this country. More news time, web space and newsprint has been wasted over this show than concerning real issues and real problems, but for some bizarre reason we need to keep our minds off of those problems instead of addressing them. It's a sad state of affairs, and it only seems to be getting worse.

Oh. Come on. You are definitely not the first person to say that the country's attention to American Idol exceeds that paid to national affairs and other "important stuff." The movie "American Dreamz" was based on that very premise. And, given low box office returns on that movie, it's a mantra we are tired of hearing. Guess what, there are lots of people who can and do pay attention to both. Furthermore, notwithstanding that American Idol is a great big cheese-laden schmaltzfest, the producers have a social conscience and have done their part to raise awareness about AIDS in Africa and genocide in Darfur. It is television that happens to be exceedingly well done and the kind of cultural phenomenon that is, indeed, rare. If your looking for an indication that the collective intelligence of the country is down, pick on Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Inside Edition and the entire E! network not a legitimately good television show.

If the voting were reversed - if each week people voted for the person they thought *ought not* to move forward then Melinda would certainly have been in the final. Instead it's Melinda, the golden one who does well all the time. Sure her humble act was a tiny bit over the top, but she was undeniably the best singer. And Blake, the 'performer' as people call him. But really he's the one with youth appeal - and the father who's more excited about it all than he is. Finally Jordin - who is young and a great singer. So what do people do with that choice? They can't vote for the one they want off. They have to vote for the one they want to go forward. Everyone assumes Melinda will so they choose the one they want to go against her.

The contest, with voting as it is, will always run the risk of this kind of result. People assume the favorite will go on.

RLang: So true, so true. America is a pitiful place these days. Can you imagine in the mist of an illegal war, 20 US souls lost in the last few days, poison foods from China, highest dropout rate in history, a president that's broken every "worst" president in history, and Americans go on the freak-out over idoltry.

As long as Congress in not recessing to watch American Idol, who cares that we are indulging our selves in a few hours of entertainment. If we discarded everything that was not relevant to solving the world's problems, we would have to cancel prime time TV, the Super Bowl and close all of the museums.

How funny to post a paragraph criticizing a show you have never seen.

Idol is not about intelligence or social conscience. It is about entertainment. And for a couple hours a week, I find it entertaining.

In 10 years time, these two finalists will be but a memory. Melinda will be a world wide star. Pointless watching this week, as the real winner wasn't there.

Y'all take this stuff way too seriously. It's no reflection of society, it's no metaphor for American mediocrity, it's only a freakin' TV show.

Waaaaa, waaaa, waaa, Melinda. I am sure that Blake and possibly Jordin will be around in 10 years, and Melinda as well. I would like to have seen Blake win. Oh well, he will be another Chris Daughtry. Like people said above, its just a show. Anyone who only pay attention to pop shows and not news isn't involved in the real world anyway. I like the show but I thought this season was week. Several performers were cut by the judges that should have stayed. Time to get some work done on Tuesday/Wed nights.

Alex: your post was excellent, albeit ruined by your misspelling of the word "your" when, in fact, you meant "you're." Please take heed for the future, as it dilutes your intelligent message.

Wow,

Got some anger issues, Dude?
It's freaking American Idol, not the coronation of the next world ruler.
Get over yourself.

sweetness but i liked blake better =)

I am writing from and India and we too watch American Idol here (Surprise, Surprise) as well as our own franchise - Indian Idol.

Its good entertainment. For those who think this is all stupid and not worth a minute on TV there is a saying - The most powerful weapon is in the hands of the viewer - The Remote

And, please don't worry about the carreers of these three people. If they are consistent (Melinda is) with their music, they will be around forever. Good music never dies.

"It's freaking American Idol, not the coronation of the next world ruler." Okay, that's funny. We didn't do so well choosing the current world ruler (Bush Jr.), now did we? American Idol is not much better. Clearly the one who should have won (Melinda) did not, but this is not the first time this has happened. In the big picture, it doesn't matter. Look at Aiken, Daughtry, Hudson and others for proof.

In response to Mr. Angry Poster, I say this. I work full-time, I work part-time, I am pursuing a master's degree, and I am well aware of the world's issues. It is for all these reasons (and particularly the sad state of our world caused by our current administration, which I'm guessing you helped put into office) that I like to actually enjoy a couple of hours of frivolous entertainment each week. No one is being hurt by this, unlike the thousands who are being killed because of our current president. Dude, "get over yourself" indeed!

What a pathetic show yesterday, and the outcome was never in question in the first place. I had to watch "Lost" instead as well (I did watch Jim Lehrer before though). No wonder some people don't want to get off the island when American Idol awaits. Funny how utterly bored Simon looked, but who can blame him? Jordin, Blake, I really could care less. I just hope that Melinda will leave both of them in the dust. And how terrible did Kelly Clarkson look???
Need some more coffee here.

Re: RLang's comment - What I can't figure out is why having a little fun can't be a "real issue" while not invalidating the more serious "real issues". A real "sad state of affairs" will exist when we can no longer find something to smile about and only dwell on unpleasant issues. Re: Melinda Doolittle - I honestly believe she was voted off because she was much less of an amateur singer than the others - indeed; she has done much professional work as a backup singer. I do not believe she was voted off because of lack of talent - people just want to see a true amatuer win the contest, not someone who has sung, albeit backup, with established celebrities.

Why is TIME Magazine writing about American Idol. Pointless pop culture commentary like this devalue the credibility of your magazine.

Jordin is just fine as an American Idol. Melinda always gave a decent performance, but frankly, I found her a boring performer. Even her "not backup anymore" number with the Winans last night was ho hum somehow. Blake is charming, good for him. I would have liked to see LaKisha in the finals; she will end up like Jennifer Hudson and have a career in spite of being voted off.

It's not brain surgery and it doesn't mean we're not paying attention to all the ills of the world and this administration; let us enjoy an hour or two of silly pleasure.

This article made it into Time Magazine?

Melinda was'nt voted off because she was a pro. Melinda was voted off because this is not a singing competition, it never was. This is a popularity contest, and the teeny boppers vote for the cutest.

El Stone -
Pop culture matters. It is part of what defines our society and also reflects our cultural values, not to mention that it is a socializing factor for our younger generation. Not to sound too academic here - but maybe that will add to my credibility here.
As for TIME's journalistic excellence, it really does not compare to other sources such as the NY Times. But that's my own personal take.

I think it's funny that there are people leaving comments about how we should be paying attention to "real issues" and not wasting our precious time on worthless entertainment. You're the people using your precious time to leave a lame message on a comment board for American Idol! Plus, the average American is doing pretty well right now, and they've been seeing pictures of starving African children and hearing almost daily reports of bombings killing innocent people in the Middle East for decades. Why should they care? How can you make them?

American Idol is one great things we have to watch
Seeing there are not any good comedys or sit coms or anything else much to watch.
Ameriacn Idol gives any one a chance not only in singing but also in writing a song for the finale
It is exciting
and the children all over American are watching and having good clean fun, Something they don't get much of .
And beleive it or not they are the one who do most of the voting. Im sure of it.
Kind of like Ed Sulibvan of the 50s & 60's
Im so glad to watch ti .