America's got sex
Sara Gregory
Issue date: 9/23/09 Section: The Edge
So I finally got my cable hooked up. Don't judge me, but I've lived in the same place for over a year and only recently found my cable plug. I don't want to talk about it.
While surfing my newfound channels, I happened to come across the season finale of "America's Got Talent." Since I loved that YouTube video of the trombone player from an earlier season busting a move to "Bad Girl," I figured the show was worth a try.
Unfortunately, I started watching halfway through the finale. Shakira was the real "talent" they were showing at the time.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to stick my fingers in my eyes through to my brain and swirl them around.
Here we have a show claiming to reveal America's hidden talent, yet simultaneously integrating examples of the successful industry-bred pop star.
So what does it say when our "America's Got Talent" judges give a standing ovation to Shakira? It says that Americans love sex.
After five minutes of Shakira humping the air in a skin-tight leather spandex outfit, she moves our attention to the two DJs on either side of the stage or even a violinist playing backstage.
When she actually does sing, Shakira uses no more than four or five notes. The rest of the performance happens in her hips. I'm pretty convinced she'd be a talented stripper, but not a vocalist.
Oh, then my favorite part. The part when Shakira got the most positive response from the audience: she moved downstage and literally humped the speaker while locking eyes with the cameraman.
Sweet. We are presenting American watchers with a grotesque show of sex appeal and electronics. Those DJs surrounding Shakira aren't there for show; you can bet most, if not all, of the song was pre-recorded.
I think it's revolting for a show claiming to be searching for real talent to showcase fake talent for their finales. Anyone watching this year's Shakira performance cannot deny the role sex appeal plays in the resulting audience reaction.
We are all so distracted by the tight clothes and the cleavage and the humping that we don't realize we're listening to crap. In the words of Bobby Darin, "we listen to what we see."
Right now, we need to recognize that the primary catalyst of our generation's popular music making is sex appeal. When we focus on how hot a performer is, or their bodies more importantly, we lose sight of the actual music they are producing.
We cannot blame the media for exploiting our subconscious desires, but we can change what we choose to buy; thus changing the popular demographic they sell to.
Let's just put sex back where it belongs - offstage and preferably behind closed doors. You can say you're listening to music, but you'd be lying. You listen to Shakira for good music the same way I watched "300" for the plot.
While surfing my newfound channels, I happened to come across the season finale of "America's Got Talent." Since I loved that YouTube video of the trombone player from an earlier season busting a move to "Bad Girl," I figured the show was worth a try.
Unfortunately, I started watching halfway through the finale. Shakira was the real "talent" they were showing at the time.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to stick my fingers in my eyes through to my brain and swirl them around.
Here we have a show claiming to reveal America's hidden talent, yet simultaneously integrating examples of the successful industry-bred pop star.
So what does it say when our "America's Got Talent" judges give a standing ovation to Shakira? It says that Americans love sex.
After five minutes of Shakira humping the air in a skin-tight leather spandex outfit, she moves our attention to the two DJs on either side of the stage or even a violinist playing backstage.
When she actually does sing, Shakira uses no more than four or five notes. The rest of the performance happens in her hips. I'm pretty convinced she'd be a talented stripper, but not a vocalist.
Oh, then my favorite part. The part when Shakira got the most positive response from the audience: she moved downstage and literally humped the speaker while locking eyes with the cameraman.
Sweet. We are presenting American watchers with a grotesque show of sex appeal and electronics. Those DJs surrounding Shakira aren't there for show; you can bet most, if not all, of the song was pre-recorded.
I think it's revolting for a show claiming to be searching for real talent to showcase fake talent for their finales. Anyone watching this year's Shakira performance cannot deny the role sex appeal plays in the resulting audience reaction.
We are all so distracted by the tight clothes and the cleavage and the humping that we don't realize we're listening to crap. In the words of Bobby Darin, "we listen to what we see."
Right now, we need to recognize that the primary catalyst of our generation's popular music making is sex appeal. When we focus on how hot a performer is, or their bodies more importantly, we lose sight of the actual music they are producing.
We cannot blame the media for exploiting our subconscious desires, but we can change what we choose to buy; thus changing the popular demographic they sell to.
Let's just put sex back where it belongs - offstage and preferably behind closed doors. You can say you're listening to music, but you'd be lying. You listen to Shakira for good music the same way I watched "300" for the plot.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
Heidi H.
posted 9/23/09 @ 2:07 PM CST
You need to get over yourself. You may have missed it (since you clearly weren't listening), but the song is called "She Wolf" and it is making a point about female sexuality. (Continued…)
Sara
posted 9/23/09 @ 5:48 PM CST
Since everything that I wanted to say Heidi M. already said it, I will just say that:
I grew up listening to Shakira before she was known in the United States. (Continued…)
Bob
posted 9/23/09 @ 6:13 PM CST
Regardless of her past accomplishments, her behavior on stage is unacceptable. Not to mention the fact if she does represent so many charitable organizations, she shouldn't be going around 'humping' the air. (Continued…)
dann
posted 9/24/09 @ 12:44 PM CST
your are such a plonker, i could see that you are very sexually depress, this is not shocking at all in Europe. and maybe you might want to listen to the statement she is saying in her lyrics. (Continued…)
Lelo
posted 9/28/09 @ 6:44 AM CST
Nothing wrong with that but I hope for better education about it!
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