Musical Reality

I was nine years late in getting addicted to music reality TV - American Idol.  Ellen and I started watching it together in Season nine and even got Jenna and Susan interested during Season ten.  This 11th Season continues to attract sizable viewers (21.6 million) with a TV rating of 7.2 and is the most watched TV Series (number one for eight consecutive years) .  The X-Factor (originated in U.K. now in season 8) had its first season in the USA for 2011 - I was one of 12.6 million viewers of the finale just before Christmas.  Simon Cowell has created quite a franchise with an innovative business model, all around creating musical superstars (that I'm sure he and his company hold the rights to).  I suspect the next program will be a Superbowl playoff between American Idol and X-Factor. 

Actually the idea of creating a musical superstar is depicted best in the 1980 movie "The Idolmaker".  One of my favorite movies about music, musicians and the industry. The movie depicts the cut-throat, oneous contractual ways of the entertainment industry (definitely a power mismatch with plenty of abuse).  Even Ellen and Jenna loved watching this movie with me - especially the colorful performance of "A Boy and A Girl" by the Sweet Inspirations.   So it is natural, that all of us enjoy watching the competition among the potential superstars on American Idol.

Part of the appeal of this realtiy series is you get to see the journey of the unknown artist in their  "American Dream" - to hit the "big time" and become a "Star"  However, I suspect when you "pull back the covers", the superstar artist doesn't get the bulk of the rewards - it is the distribution and marketing engine that wins.  But that also is the American way - the person who risks the most - gets the most return.  But the real excitement is the "opportunity" - the chance to make it big but only if you have what it takes - talent, stamina, perserverance and some luck.

Tonight - Season 11 begins the "survivor portion" of the program - where the result of America's vote begins each week to  narrow the field to one American Idol.  I better stop blogging and watch the show. :)

Postscript:

Maybe the American Idol format would be a good way for our parties to run their Presidential primaries.  Let's put Simon Cowell on it.