Spring Break
'Idol' host shouldn't be blamed
Zach Wingerter
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Opinion
There's nothing wrong with laughing at people on "American Idol." There's also nothing wrong with a judge telling someone who sucks that he or she sucks.
It crosses the line, however, when people begin profiting off of generally unknowing people who are labeled victims and given mini-celebrity status.
One of the most famous "Idol" rejects, William Hung, was given a record deal. He now has three CDs out. Hung is taking his "Idol" rejection all the way to the bank, but at what price? It is one thing to be laughed at on national TV, but continuing the charade and extending it to a career of being made fun of is much worse than some Brit's harsh words.
Not one person who has ever bought a William Hung CD has ever done it because they thought Hung was a talented vocalist. His CDs are purchased by people who want to laugh at him. Instead of giving him a record deal and laughing along with the rest of America, Cowell instead told it like it was and went on with the search for talent.
Simon Cowell is not being "too mean" this season. The people who are guilty of that are the networks who are making a buck by putting "Idol" rejects such as Briggs and Jayne on their shows, babying people who are only "victims" because that's what the networks turned them into.
"American Idol" is on Fox Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
It crosses the line, however, when people begin profiting off of generally unknowing people who are labeled victims and given mini-celebrity status.
One of the most famous "Idol" rejects, William Hung, was given a record deal. He now has three CDs out. Hung is taking his "Idol" rejection all the way to the bank, but at what price? It is one thing to be laughed at on national TV, but continuing the charade and extending it to a career of being made fun of is much worse than some Brit's harsh words.
Not one person who has ever bought a William Hung CD has ever done it because they thought Hung was a talented vocalist. His CDs are purchased by people who want to laugh at him. Instead of giving him a record deal and laughing along with the rest of America, Cowell instead told it like it was and went on with the search for talent.
Simon Cowell is not being "too mean" this season. The people who are guilty of that are the networks who are making a buck by putting "Idol" rejects such as Briggs and Jayne on their shows, babying people who are only "victims" because that's what the networks turned them into.
"American Idol" is on Fox Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
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