Idol thoughts
Last Monday I was an audience member of an Idol eviction show. Don’t you think it’s weird that we’ve ended up adopting the same vernacular as Big Brother? I admit, I’ve been watching, in between the episodes of Operatunity on the ABC. I’m a sucker for these kinds of things. Perhaps it’s because I can’t sing to save my life and envy those who do. I don’t know.
So how did I scam a ticket? Well, friends who have asked to remain nameless (hehehe) had a spare one and mentioned something about Kyle (one of the judges) in passing in an email, which sent me into a rant about how evil people prosper in this world and subsequently earned me an invitation to come along! Admittedly, we were at least 18 years too old since most audience members seemed to be tweeny boppers with the ability to scream at 120 decibels. But we knew all the contestants names and we each have a favourite (go Jess!).
Remember Hey Dad? Probably the last successful Australian sitcom? Well, going to an Idol eviction show is a lot like being in the studio audience of a Hey Dad episode. Some things don’t change eh? In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion the person who revs the audience up at the beginning and during the ad breaks is the same guy. It was kinda weird, as if I’d stepped into some alternate reality. Lots more screaming tho. Lots of screaming. And signs. You’re encouraged to bring along your own banner. We refrained.
The other thing that struck me is just how orchestrated the bitching between the judges is. Television has always been about smoke and mirrors and it’s very clear in the studio (which is much much small than it looks on the tele in ur lounge room). They may hate each other - I don’t know - but it’s really about playing up for the cameras. And I also thought that they boys - James and Andrew - were very nice. When Ricky was voted off the island one of the fans got very upset and was crying and James took her up onto the stage afterwards to meet him.
People call Idol a talent quest, but that’s not it. It’s a popularity contest - in that respect, its name is extremely apt. And longetivity was never its aim. It struck us as we watched the Young Divas - a girl group made up of previous contestants. As one person commented, what happens in a few years time when the blossom of youth has faded? Anybody seen Boyband yet?
But I had fun! It was great to scream and shout and boo and cheer with the audience. And on the way out I had the chance to shoulder charge Kyle and didn’t take it. Gosh, how grown up am I?
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Hey!
Mad and I call them “elimination shows” eg “America’s Top Model is another one of those elimination shows”. This is more acurate than the oxymoronic “reality show” term.
Also, Mad saw Boyband and reckoned it was dire. Same joke over and over again apparently. Which for me pretty much sums up any new Australian comedy in the last 10 years.
I was just about to tell you my name for these shows is ‘eilimination shows’, but looks like my husband has beat me to it. ‘Elimination’ sits much more comfortably with me than ‘reality’. Thanks to Foxtel, I’ve become hooked on America’s Next Top Model. In the last series (Series 6), the runner up is your identical twin! I swear it’s true
Her name is Joanie, and I’ve been meaning to tell you for ages - it’s freaky how much she looks like you.
And yes - don’t see Boytown! I wish I could get those 2 hours back. I’m normally very easy to please with movies, and rarely complain because I see most escapism as being good, but this movie was the same 5-minute gag stretched out over 2 hours. I was cringeing by the end.