American Idol: Exactly Why is it so Popular?

A simple click of the remote control and chances are you'll turn on a show that is, or has something to say about the show American Idol. This phenomenon of a show has truly captured the hearts and imaginations of America. For a few short months, the evenings and blogspots of the United States are filled with talk of the different contestants, and of course those judges that we love.

So what makes this show so popular? It's certainly not the first of its kind. Shows such as Star Search or even The Gong Show come to mind. And yet, the previous shows did not have as much popular appeal, even in their prime. Below is a brief discussion on some of the possible reasons why American Idol has won over so many people.

Living the Dream

Perhaps one of the many reasons why American Idol is so popular is because the contestants get a chance to live a dream that many people have had since childhood. The rush of performance, the lights, the glamour of the clothes, even the cheers or applause of the crowd are all things that I believe we all secretly want a little piece of.

Of course, there are those of us who know very well that we can't sing. I have the Karaoke tapes to prove it. So what do I do when I get a chance to catch American Idol? Simple; I live vicariously through the judges and criticize the contestants. I don't watch the show that often but I must admit the encouragement of Paula coupled with the snippiness of Simon makes for a very enjoyable show.

Finding Talent

Of course, there is a great deal of talent on American Idol. No one can deny that the various contestants have withstood countless try outs and auditions, each time knowing that the next one could be their last chance. There is something about watching them perform, and give their best every night, and every time they are up on that stage. Watching these young people grow and change into consummate performers is a great way to spend an hour in the evening.

Perhaps one of the best reasons why American Idol is becoming so popular is because the audience has the ability to influence the results. By allowing the studio audience and the audience at home to vote, they get the feeling that they can shape at least one's person's reality.

These are just a few of the reasons why I think American Idol has become so popular over the few seasons that it has graced the televisions of America. I'm sure there are a few more, but that's for other people to explore. So how about it? Why do you love American Idol?