Why We Are Fed Up with American Idol

Other networks need to stop allowing themselves to be bullied by American Idol. The last time I watched American Idol auditions, it was only because no one else would dare show a good program opposite it.

The public has made it painstakingly aware that we cannot live without television. Technology has advanced to the point that even when we are living our busy lives, we can still be recording our beloved shows at home via DVD-R (or VCR, for the old-timers).

When the show began, it was tagged with the name: American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. In its first season, judge Simon Cowell received media attention for his negative comments about the performances. It seems this was brought to the attention of the show's producers, and they capitalized.

Increasingly, Idol (as it is affectionately called by avid followers), has aired the untalented. While Cowell was noticed for his ability to be brutally honest with performers, he was forced to act in accordance with his character when the untalented began to audition.

We are now lucky if we are able to see five auditions in thirty minutes of airtime. For a television show that began in search of the best, it has now become a search for the most ridiculous.

The commercials entice viewers by using rude remarks of the judges when a simple no would suffice.

So many people have begun trying out in a simple attempt to catapult their entertainment careers. Those who bring props but can't hold a tune, those who make up sob stories to tell the cameras and "capture the heart of the people at home."

First of all, keep your problems to yourself. We all have difficulties in our lives, so stop trying to gain our sympathy votes. That is, in fact, all they are. Sympathy votes have no relation to talent. Spare us the sob story because we can see through it.

Stick to singing, already! This isn't a talent competition. No one cares if you can do ballet or twirl a baton while belting out a less-than-spectacular vocal performance.

And for crying out loud, keep control of yourself! The show airs at eight o'clock. That's still family television. Stop with the swearing and foul words. Especially in the middle of your speech about how America is going to embrace you. Not when you act like that, we won't.

Why can't we have a decent singing competition without all of the politics? The producers need to buckle down and realize that most people want to see the contestants who actually have talent. And those that only want to see the worst, maybe they have issues of their own to work through.

The ratings are consistent throughout the season. That is, when it is finally narrowed down to the good performers, guess what? We still watch it! So keep the garbage off of our screens.