"Idol" and related shows

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

This isn't a thread about liking or not liking American Idol and related shows. There's plenty of those threads if you want something like that. Instead this is a thread about why I dislike it and what others think of my reasoning. I don't want people giving posts of "i like it because i like it", that's useless to everyone and if this forum would allow it, I'd delete those posts in a heart-beat from my threads.

One main reason I dislike it isn't because of the singers, some are pretty good. Instead it's due to the judges. Some are able to give a rationale for their decisions but many judges don't, instead it's something like "oh my god, that was so amazing!" or simply screaming into the microphone going wild like a zoo animal. To me, judges are meant to give an actual reason involving critique and improvements. After all, these people aren't performing simply because they want the world to hear their beautiful voice, they're competing because it may be a golden ticket to a future successful career. Judges giving no useful advice is simply useless. If I were to compete, which I have no plans to, I would want the judges to take a minute or two to give a critique, advice and compliments. Instead, it seems the judges are mostly about giving compliments, unless someone completely fucks up in which case, they give critiques.

Second, this is about the contestants, when they audition to get the desired "ticket", those who get it are understandably happy. I have no dislike on that part, camera shows them happy with whoever they brought along, that's fine. The thing I cant understand is when contestants fail and they resort to being a childish fool in front of national television. It's their dream, so it makes sense they may get all broken up about failing but is there any reason for acting like such a fool? Furthermore, why does the camera seem so intent on following these failures as they rant and whine? They lost, they're the failures, the show isn't about focusing on the failures so if they start being foolish, why doesn't the camera ignore them? When I watch it, I care about those who make it, those who failed don't concern me yet is seems like the show disagrees with that because they do show their reactions.

It's like in professional televised fights, the camera focuses on the winner unless the loser is being very unsportsmanly-like. For champion bouts, that's different, both fighters are very skilled and there's only 2 to show. In these "idol" or "next star" shows, for the finals, it's fine showing those who made it in 2nd and 3rd or 4th.

Third, this is toward the dance competition shows, the judges here are exceptionally useless in that there's so little critiques and just compliments or screaming in joy. I believe one judge actually teared up because the contestants were so amazing. That's absolutely pathetic, if a judge does that, get rid of them, they're even more useless. However, the contestants all seem to have skill unlike the singing ones where some have golden voices, some are decent and some shouldn't have even bothered. In the dance ones, the latter group doesn't seem to exist, which I find good. The thing I find confusing is I watch them and I think "what in the fuck are these people doing?". So many are jumping around, doing hell knows what with little pattern, it looks like a bunch of people seizuring while attempting to dance. I find it confusing because the "judges" love it as do the fans but I'm left there wondering what went on for the last few minutes.

Perhaps I'm just a stickler and arrogant but overall, I'm confused over why they have become so popular. I see one dance show then another then another and it's the same stuff. The singing ones seem to have spawned more but what is so amazing about them that they're popping up all over the place? Even some news channels sometimes announce who is competing right after talking about major international news then continuing on with further news. There must be some significance if it gets that representation but I cant for the life of me figure out what the hell it is.

Looking back on this thread, it may be better placed at the debate section.

[Katrina]

The thing I cant understand is when contestants fail and they resort to being a childish fool in front of national television. It's their dream, so it makes sense they may get all broken up about failing but is there any reason for acting like such a fool? Furthermore, why does the camera seem so intent on following these failures as they rant and whine?

Auditions are so, so, so different from what people see on television. Why do they focus on the people being ridiculous after they are told no? To make it seem like a big deal. To get ratings, of course. I auditioned a few weeks ago for So You Think and made it through a few rounds/two days but was cut directly before the remaining contestants (which I think was about 30 out of the 70 of us who were still there, which was cut down originally from the 700 the first day). There's a special "exit" curtain... someone is behind the cameras PRODDING these folks to get angry, TRYING to get a rise from them. The guy filming us reallyyyy was not a fan of me, because he realized in about five seconds that he wasn't going to get any foolery from me. However, I can see how a lot of people lose their cool because my goodness, they know just what questions to ask to get people angry!

I believe one judge actually teared up because the contestants were so amazing. That's absolutely pathetic, if a judge does that, get rid of them, they're even more useless.

I soooooo disagree with you on about 400+ levels! Do you not watch the back stories? I suppose, as a dancer myself, I can connect very well... but I feel like I would connect even if I hadn't the slightest idea what dance was. Dancers/choreographers often judge things about personal experiences. Examples: Mia Michaels choreographing about hopefully reuniting with her dad in heaven after losing him to lung cancer? Or her personal experience with addiction? Travis Wall choreographing about his mom's sickness? Jean Marc Genereaux choreographing for his daughter, who has Rett Syndrome? To see something that makes you feel so VULNERABLE be expressed so eloquently? That's such an emotional experience. If I'm being honest, I've absolutely teared up at dances on the show... many, many times. I think its a beautiful expression through movement.

The thing I find confusing is I watch them and I think "what in the fuck are these people doing?". So many are jumping around, doing hell knows what with little pattern, it looks like a bunch of people seizuring while attempting to dance. I find it confusing because the "judges" love it as do the fans but I'm left there wondering what went on for the last few minutes.

Dance is evolving. The style is evolving. The dance world of 2011 is about more than jazz hands and high kicks. (:

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by Katrina

Auditions are so, so, so different from what people see on television. Why do they focus on the people being ridiculous after they are told no? To make it seem like a big deal. To get ratings, of course. I auditioned a few weeks ago for So You Think and made it through a few rounds/two days but was cut directly before the remaining contestants (which I think was about 30 out of the 70 of us who were still there, which was cut down originally from the 700 the first day). There's a special "exit" curtain... someone is behind the cameras PRODDING these folks to get angry, TRYING to get a rise from them. The guy filming us reallyyyy was not a fan of me, because he realized in about five seconds that he wasn't going to get any foolery from me. However, I can see how a lot of people lose their cool because my goodness, they know just what questions to ask to get people angry!

I figured ratings had to do with it but is that the only reason?

Originally Posted by Katrina

I soooooo disagree with you on about 400+ levels! Do you not watch the back stories?

I don't watch it because I don't particularly care. To me, I value their dance and singing as that's what they're meant to do. If they had a hard life, they can use that as inspiration but I don't have any concern for their lives otherwise.

Originally Posted by Katrina

I suppose, as a dancer myself, I can connect very well... but I feel like I would connect even if I hadn't the slightest idea what dance was. Dancers/choreographers often judge things about personal experiences. Examples: Mia Michaels choreographing about hopefully reuniting with her dad in heaven after losing him to lung cancer? Or her personal experience with addiction? Travis Wall choreographing about his mom's sickness? Jean Marc Genereaux choreographing for his daughter, who has Rett Syndrome? To see something that makes you feel so VULNERABLE be expressed so eloquently? That's such an emotional experience. If I'm being honest, I've absolutely teared up at dances on the show... many, many times. I think its a beautiful expression through movement.

Using the experiences as a story-line is fine with me, it's great I don't mind it, however, I have no interest in watching the person before/after pour out their story. To me it's more of "yeah yeah, wonderful story, now put on your dancing attire and go". If someone were watching the dancing and crying loudly, I'd be inclined to get them to leave because they're disturbing others who paid to watch the show, not to have someone turn into a flake and cry. I think the stories behind their dancing are great and they should express the stories through the dancing. I'd be willing to hear a 3-minute or less run-down of the story before/after dancing because I want to see the story through their dancing, not through them standing around and telling it. To me, if it were an autobiography book signing event then I'd value them talking about it more.

Originally Posted by Katrina

Dance is evolving. The style is evolving. The dance world of 2011 is about more than jazz hands and high kicks. (:

That I understand, it's evolving but I don't see how the chaotic movements tell any story. I have no desire to have them talk about the story before/after dancing because they should express it through their dancing, then a very quick and brief run-down. Something like "this dance is dedicated to my friend George, he had a drug addiction on oxycodone and heroin, I plan to express that story through my dancing, hope you enjoy it". That to me, is adequate, maybe a sentence or two more but beyond that I think "are you ever going to dance or did I tune into your documentery?".

With the styles evolving though, I find that as no excuse for judges tearing up over the dance or the story. Outside of their role as a judge, they can cry all they want but as a judge they cut that out.