Worshipping False Idols

I feel it necessary to start this article by notifying the reader at the outset of the double-fold bias that is inherent within the following content. First, the vast majority of the information that has fueled this "opinion" was garnered from the website www.votefortheworst.com, a website dedicating to making American Idol more entertaining by calling the general public to vote not for the best or most talented singer, but by calling them to vote for, you guessed it, the worst. Second, the bias of the source is only enhanced by the fact that it is a gratefully welcomed justification for this author's preconceived bias that American Idol is a joke, born to sell records to the public by feeding them the false belief they have a hand in the outcome, in shaping someone's destiny. It's like voting for the president - the ones in charge want to give you the illusion that you have power (an illusion you're just dying to believe), when in reality your vote absolutely, positively, without a doubt doesn't matter.

Now, to the point.

American Idol has based it's reputation on the idea that the producers and the judges of the show have scoured America for the best undiscovered talent with the goal of "discovering" them to the world. The popularity of the show is dependent, in large part, on the ability of the members of the ever-loyal audience to say, "That could be me. I could sing like that." If you need proof of this claim, just tune in to the show for the first few weeks to see all the talentless wannabes flocking to make fools of themselves in front of cameras because they truly believe, somewhere deep down inside themselves, that they are the next American Idol.

However, with the seventh season of the now infamous British import now in full swing (the top 24 were just chosen), questions of the show's veracity are beginning to surface, giving wind to all the reality TV conspiracy theorists out there like myself who, for lack of better things to do, make fun of all the reality TV aficionados yet at the same time salivate for just a chance to catch a flaw that could destroy their WWF-esque, Santa Clausian enthusiasm.

The current issue seems to be that while the public has been fooled to think that there are now 24 everyman, everywoman undiscovered talents waiting for their chance to hit the big time, the fact of the matter is that a large portion of the "top 24" Idol contestants are anything but undiscovered everyman talents. Here is just a portion of what has been uncovered so far, listed by (false?) idol:

Carly Smithson: This contestant, formerly known as Carly Hennessy, apparently had a recording contract sometime in the late 90s or early 00s with MCA Records, during which her pop album "Ultimate High" sold less than 400 (yes, that's hundred) copies despite being promoted for close to $2 million. And, according to votefortheworst.com, one of the songwriters who worked on Carly's album also wrote songs for albums by previous idols, including Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke.

Michael Johns: This stud-muffin is no stranger to the music scene, apparently signed to Maverick Records as the lead singer of a band called Film. Apparently the band was due to release a debut album in 2003, until, again according to votefortheworst.com, Johns allegedly left the band and stole their songs, claiming he wrote them.

Kristy Lee Cook: Not only does this diva look like Leeann Rimes, but her manager just also happened to manage the now famous country star as well. That's right, this "undiscovered" talent has management. She was signed to Arista Nashville Records, and supposedly had Britney Spears lined up to appear in her 2001 music video debut.

Jason Castro: This guy was on a TV show called Cheyenne, playing the "love interest" of the main character.

Robbie Carrico: This guy was a singer in the pop group Boyz N Girlz United, whose apparently terrible music video can be linked to from votefortheworst.com. This is a band that opened for the likes of Britney Spears and LFO. Apparently he was one of Britney's first boyfriends...hmm...sounds like an everyman to me...

Syesha Mercado: Was on a TV show called The One and is a daughter of a Motown backup singer.

Joanne Borgella: A plus-size model who won the TV beauty pagent Mo'Nique's Fat Chance in 2005, this contestant has sung with Patti Labelle and former Idol Bo Bice, among others for a Christmas special. She's appeared on numerous TV shows including The Tyra Banks Show and Good Morning America.

Amy Davis: A model who was a round 2 qualifier for Nashville Star in 2007, Davis apparently sang in a band with two members of Survivor. Though I guess I must admit I'm not sure why that matters...

David Archuleta: This guy won Star Search at age 12. Enough said.

Brooke White: Has opened for Phil Vassar on tour.

Jason Yeager: A top 25 finalist on Making the Band. Not a big deal, you think, but the guy was on TV. He had his chance to make it in front of America and apparently he already blew it. Next please.

Kady Malloy: Put out a record with producer Nick Trevisick, who has worked with artists such as Mandy Moore and Natalie Imbruglia, among others.

As an interesting side note, Jermaine Paul, a contestant who made the top 50 this year before dropping out of the competition, was already signed to J Records (according to votefortheworst.com, this label is "home of Clive Davis, he who signs most of the winning Idols") and nominated for a Grammy for a duet with Alicia Keyes on her second album. He also appeared on a remix of Kanye West's "Gold Digger" as part of the group Focus.

While appearing on a previous reality TV show or putting out a record at some time in your past doesn't seem like that big a deal, it becomes an issue when you suddenly become a finalist on a show that claims to find the best undiscovered talent in America and to give them a shot at well-deserved fame. If the preceding information on these contestants can be verified, it would seem that this season of American Idol is more about giving another chance to people who had their shot at fame and blew it than it is about promoting undiscovered talent. If the producers of Idol think they could fool the public in the age of technology they were foolish themselves to think that they could get away with it. Or maybe we're the fools, and they know that most will probably watch regardless.

The moral of the story is this: the system is rigged. However, what you do with this information is your own decision. The fact is, most systems in life are rigged. If we can deal with our government, I'm sure we'll find some way to deal with a planted season of American Idol. But for you purists out there, I hope this article makes you think twice about your programming choices, and that when you hear that theme song cue, maybe you'll reach for the remote not to turn the volume up, but to hit the power button instead.

Sources:

My own intellect.

Also http://www.votefortheworst.com/americanidol7contestants