(Oops, I accidentally lifted another Neil Young lyric. And Hung's singin' voice wasn't real. It sucked. Period.)
Hung made a bit of money off his being mocked by the AI tri-judges. He put out a CD or two, got a small cult following and made some commercials.
Good for him.
The problem is: Hung started a trend that disturbs me. Like, well...this guy, from last night's 2008 season premier:
I don't' care about the chicken or the egg debate of whether TV creates guys like this, or whether he's empowered by using TV to further his desires. I'm simply tired of seeing goofballs like Hairy Chest Guy get his 7.5 minutes of fame. But more importantly, I'm disturbed at AI--and the American public--for embracing a pastime of laughing at people who live with obvious psychological challenges. People who think they can sing because they have little or no personal insight, live with mental illness or have an autism spectrum disorder. They are set up to be mocked and taunted by millions, and have no clue it's going to happen.(Excluding Hairy Chest Guy, of course. He didn't seem to have a disorder. He was just an ass.)
Beginning tonight, AI goes in the Mel Gibson drawer for me. I'm just not gonna participate.
13 comments:
I blame the friends and family in these peoples lives. Who would encourage a person with no talent to audition. Like the black man who was the tour guide. He said his co-workers told him he should try out. WHY? Because they are cruel people, that's why!
Not everyone has a psychological disorder. They just aren't that bright. But I agree that AI should stop wasting our time with the weirdos.
I also find it hard to believe that you will NOT be watching!-Cara
People are cruel, Kelly. But I bet you laughed.
And Cara: I said not everyone has a disorder, like the Hairy Chest Guy. And some people, as I said, don't have terrific personal insight. OK, some people are dumb. But, I think a significant number of people from last night lived with some serious challenges.
And I just won't laugh at people who are dumb, actively ill or who have a disorder. So, I ain't watching. Believe it.
My wife watched this so I caught bits and pieces. It's just not amusing. It seemed like they spent more time on the mental cases and attention whores than the good singers.
The dude is wearing a princess leia slave girl outfit... Man, I'm glad I'm not into reality programming. The real world is scary.
I don't find it an event to laugh at as much as one to be horrified over. It's that "Oh my gosh!" factor that keeps me coming back for more.
I'll be watching for you.
I dislike reality tv of pretty much any variety. I especially dislike American Idol for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it's boring, tedious, mean-spirited, and superficial.
It makes me a little bit sad for us that so many Americans are caught up in this. There are so many things you could be doing instead that aren't a total waste of your time. Like watching porn. Hell, you might even learn a thing or two.
Hey Jenny: I presume you are using the word "you" as meaning the general American population. Because, well...I already know a lot about porn. I mean, a lot.
And I agree. There's a whole lotta other things to be doing besides laughing at people for their problems.
Dude, you missed a great show tonight. Not really, I mostly watched Rounders and flipped over every now and then.
Kelly: I've got another theory. I think most people are reluctant to bust their friends' chops about their singing voice (or whatever) 'cause they just don't want to make them sad or whatnot. As a result, some of those folks' perceptions of their "talent" get reinforced and they end up making asses of themselves on TV 'cause they really think they're good.
Or something like that.
On another, altogether more disturbing note, is there any particular reason that Hairy Chest Guy needs a floor-length loin cloth? Yikes!
FG: Welcome to the club of those who don't watch American Idol. That makes about a dozen or so in the whole country, I think.
I've also stopped watching at our house. The American Idol, that is.
Considering that the approximate US population is 301,139,947 or so, and that according to Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment of Fox, Idol has about 12 million viewers this season (which has actually decreased from the previous season), JDB must have meant a dozen or so clubs.
I haven't watched a full episode of AI, ever. My life is probably better for it.
However, I have actually heard the William Hung album, in full - a friend actually purchased it. It probably evens out.
(on the above - a cover of Hotel California. That's all you really need to know.)
Woof
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