I'm so glad I've never been on American Idol. I might be past the age range, but we won't talk about that. There are so many people on that show who feel they could be a Superstar, and then get told the truth.
Some people will never be Superstars.
I feel so bad for the contestants. It would be so frustrating to be in a group of thousands and make it to the final three judges. Celebrity judges. AND be on TV! And then be told in front of an enormous unseen audience that your singing stinks. I would rather be told before I get that far.
Why lead these people on? I know, there's an audience to entertain. But that's just horrible in itself. Are American viewers so desperate for entertainment that we have to make fun of people who can't sing. Do we have to see them get humiliated on national TV?
This is the first year I've watched the show. My husband has seen it before and asked me to watch it with him. I did. I felt awful.
Mostly, I remembered what it was like at a writers' conference when unpublished writers try to convince editors that their story is the next Great American Novel. I'm so glad writers' conferences aren't televised.
There would be a panel of editors (maybe celebrity editors?) who tell would-be Novelist Superstars that their stories need more work. If Simon, Randy, and Paula were editors, I'd hear them saying different words, but with the same meaning. "You're writing is entertaining, but it isn't right for this publishing house." Or, "Your idea is great, but the writing needs to improve."
At the writers' conferences I go to, I don't hear editors speak bluntly in Simon-fashion, "That was awful! Simply awful. It just wasn't any good. Why are you here?"
Most of the time, editors are kind. I've seriously pitched my novel to only one editor, and she was very nice. I plan to send her a full proposal as soon as I get an agent.
So in view of the fact that I will be pitching my novel again this year, I send a warm "Thank You" to all the dedicated editors who help unpublished novelists see their areas in need of improvement - without all the humiliation.
God bless the hard-working editors for all they go through to find the few special novelists that make it worth the effort.
3 comments:
It's been written that some of those people just want to be on TV so badly that they be the worst they could be ...just to make the bloopers reels. The more dramatic, the better chance you have.
But for the others, doesn't it say something about their peers? To get that far and nobody in your circle of influence would say anything?
Keep on writing! :)
Thanks for stopping by Mr. Daddy. I hope your kids are doing well.
Enjoy your week.
Of course they want a William Hung and others to publicly go down in flames. Unfortunately much of our society sees destruction and misfortune as having entertainment value. Whether we are giving good advice (but with an air of distain) or mowing imaginary people down on video games, I think we show a lack of care for others. I think Simon is more honest than Paula and I would want to hear what he really thinks, but I would rather hear it through Paula, with added words of encouragement. If we are not supporting each other with the truth AND giving encouragement in some way, I think we are falling short in our care for each other.
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