What if someone COMMITS SUICIDE after being rejected and ridiculed on AMERICAN IDOL? Can They SUE??

Question

some times they are really harsh on these people who set their dreams too high.

Answer 1

I have long thought this either has happened (suicide or suicide attempts and definitely depression and if one is clinically depressed, suicide and suicidal ideation is a side effect) or will happen

. Also if they become depressed as their life's dream was lost or they are mercilessly teased and humiliated back home or are a sensitive person, and become depressed or suicidal, the drugs themselves often cause suicidal ideation as many studies show,

I myself suffered from clinical depression for over 20 years and believe me, I would not wish it on my worst enemy. I was suicidal the whole time during the 15 years I took SSRI antidepressants. I had continual suicidal ideation nearly everyday..almost attempted three times and but for the grace of God am here.

I have been told I am very strong even by suical prevention counselor who heard my problems,having suffered so many serious problems and I always sought help plus was stonger than I thought resisting for my kids , but someone not so strong may not be able to resist these strong feelings of suicidal ideation and kill themselves.

Especially the young have increased side effects as a result of antidepressants. The minute I decided to never take them again after having a bad reaction to one, I NEVER was suicidal again although in the years since have had many serious problems.

Then it came outin the news, the drugs were actually causing suicides in teenagers and later it revised it to some adults, They even have special black box warnings on some of them now (SSRIs).

So yes, suicide is a real possibility. Especially comments like to that one 16 year old that she looked like a sack of potatoes and you kept cramming more and more potatoes in it. You know that girl faced enormous teasing and laughing when she returned to her high school. She was very upset and likely was vulnerable to the above scenario. They definitely should use caution when someone is still in high school or a teen, but frankly Idol and the judges don't care. Though at first, someone may show anger..eventually it will turn to sadness.

I am stunned by the number of people on Yahoo answers who state they would laugh or that the contestents should commit suicide or that they deserve it or the answerer doesn't care.

This just shows how down hill america has gone. Those shows with sex and violence get all the attention, shows like this are an example of one's that that harms society by changing it..like a doctor so used to suffering he sees often that eventually it doesn't bother him or he doesn't care or cry except for the most tragic of cases..so too do we and the judges get so used to being rude or thinking things are acceptable or it is fine to say everything no matter how deeply it wounds or what its effects on others that we start lowering the bar as to what bothers us or what criticism or rudeness is acceptable.

What shocks or offends or upsets us gets smaller and smaller with each year What once was acceptable now becomes acceptable. People don't realize the slow hardening of their hearts or decline of their character.

Kids also are very at risk,and begin to emulate the behavior becoming crueler and more rude to others in their own lives. Children are already cruel to their peers and seeing it modeled, accepted, and laughed at by their parents when watching TV (so they are watching their parents reactions very closely and catching their clues and values as to what is acceptable not from words but behaviors--values are caught not taught.)

When my children were small, I caught them closely watching me during watching TV shows to see what I laughed or didn't laugh at..actually intently watching me and waiting for my clues before laughing or frowning. I caught them out of the corner of my eye and realized how my actions were every bit as important as my words. How they must be consistent. I realized that what an adult might laugh at wasn't necessarily appropriate for a kids to do the same and became very consistent with how I reacted..always remembering in the back of my mind how they were learning by watching and being careful in my reactions.

I am happy to say, they have excellent values today. But most parents aren't that conscientious or aware and don't realize the bad values kids absorb by both watching the show and watching their parents laugh when people are insulted or hurt. I was also careful as a teacher to model exemplary (but genuine) behavior.

..Maybe AI and shows like it are one reason the country is such a mess today. Luckily I quit watching TV about 25 years ago..but my mom lured me back and I do watch AI and so you think you can dance after many years of watching no TV. My grown children still both watch no TV and in fact, mocked me for watching SYTYCD,

Msybe this numbing of conscience and inability to feel the pains of others spills over to and explains why Ameirca can drop th equilivant of 1/4 million Nagasaki bombs in Iraq and noone cares..why we talk about being prolife while ignoring the horrific birth deformities our weapons (depleted uranium) are causing since it is one million times more likely to cause birth defectsthan nondepleted uranium I just read..but I guess since it is them not us we don't care..same thing here.

As to your question..sadly, even if they knew someone committed suicide, you can be darn sure they would suffer no consequences. They have high priced lawyers and papers all contestants sign holding them totally not responsible..just like the doctors make you sign one absolving them of all responsibility for injury and death even if it is the doctor's fault.

Even without the contracts the family would not win as AI has unlimited money for the best attorneys and can drag cases on until the family is bankrupt..they will not pay you can be sure of that..even if they do, they can well afford it compliments of us and they will not change the formula. I personally though I watch the show vowed never to buy one product (until the singer was not under contract with AI) when I saw so much evidence that it was rigged.

None of the judges would be sorry of a suicide because they demonstrate their character each week..they don't have the caring for the common man with their wealthy lifestyles to identify for more than a fleeting instant.

Like most people they would justify it and absolve themselves of all but the smallest drop of guilt saying it was their job, the person already had mental problems, or shouldn't have tried out or whatever. If they would happen to feel some temporary guilt, the producers would be sure to tell them often and get them professional help to tell them that they had no blame so they didn't lose money by damaging the judges and formula and their money which is all they care about. (Not because they cared about the judges either but the money they make from them)

Sometimes I despise these producers. If the suicide hit the news, idol would either have no comment hoping it went away or perhaps even parody and make fun of the suicide on Saturday night live..they are disgusting but still I must confess addiction both loving and hating the show,

I also think when someone watches it with others they are more likelty to laugh at insults thus reinforcing it in all the people watching with them. Thus thinking everyone does it (laughs at people)

You are so right to bring this up. Let's hope the people affected have a strong self esteem and strong support system. Many may need temporary counseling.

Do you remember during the Cory show, when they had the people who were in the top 24 but didn't make the finals on their when they revealed Cory's allegations (which I think were true) say that many of the people who got cut were very depressed and some were suicidal. These people directly on the show and watched and saw this happen so they know it is true,

AI is playing with fire but off the hook maybe someday though they will feel the fire as God reveals all the pain they caused and the results of their comments and actions in the lives of many of the people they affected and their families left to deal with it.

If they were responsible or had a part in a suicide and even just suffering though they will not lose a law suit or pay for what they did, there is a higher court where money and fame will not protect you from justice. You cannot hurt others and get away with it forever..eternal justice picks up those who karma misses.

Answer 2

If someone commits suicide after being rejected on American Idol then they had real problems before they came on the show. No one can blame American Idol for that. Sometimes Simon is a little harsh but most people know what they are getting into. I think Simon is what makes the show worthy to watch.......I don't think they can sue...

Answer 3

Technically they would be dead, in that case they cannot sue. But, if they leave a suicide note stating that the reason they did it was because they were ridiculed and verbally abused on American Idol then their relatives can press charges for them against American Idol, that doesn't mean they will win but by judicial law it is a fair case, unless the people on the show sign a waver or something. I suppose if you get a good enough lawyer you could win also, but I imagine Idol has high-paid lawyers for that reason.
*You can sue about almost anything, someone acctually sued for falling on a trampoline and won over 1/2 a million dollars in their case, another person had someone attempting armed robbery on their home and the robber was walking on the roof, fell through, and sued because he landed on a kitchen knife and got a scar on his leg he won his case also.

Answer 4

How does a dead person sue?

Get real.

Everyone seems to think that everyone HAS to be nice to everyone else, or a lawsuit should be pending. Ever hear of "Freedom Of Speech"?

Just because untalented people can't handle being told in plain and simple words that they have no talent is no reason to start making martyrs out of them or condemning the people that are given the task of weeding out the worthless.

No entertainer has ever been applauded for every performance, and if those people can't handle the mild criticisms that come from the Idol judges, then they are clearly too thin-skinned to make it in the entertainment business.

Answer 5

No, they're not alive anymore. I think that anyone who auditions for American Idol, should just KNOW that they should expect some harsh criticism from Simon. C'mon, that's what is funny, is how blunt he is to everyone. So, if the people can't sing he tells them. I did feel really sorry for that cute boy rocker with the raspy voice from MN... but he should know in his heart that there will be something out there for him. I always say, There's a reason for everything." Singing is just not some of those peeps expertise.

Answer 6

I was thinking something along the lines of that yesterday after watching the show. I think that they are being rude for several reasons. #1 - entertainment - we all watch and all laugh at those clowns. Some of them just gotta know they are not made for show business. #2 - they have to be cruel with them to make them tough. It is a tough world out there and not Barbie Land. They have to get used to being rejected - especially in that business.
I agree that sometimes it could be said a little nicer and I also feel sorry for those kids but on the other hand...obviously someone has been lying to them, otherwise they would not be naive enough to think they could make it. It might be better for them to hear the truth now instead of continuing to believe that they are actually good for several more years. Makes you wonder what kind of friends or families they have that tell them they are good???

Answer 7

I agree with DT, the producers would require a waiver signed that would stop any lawsuits. The waiver probably says something like "in exchange for the opportunity to audition, I agree to never sue the show, no matter how hard Simon ridicules me."

Answer 8

Very good point. I agree the judges are unnecessarily cruel. It's one thing to make fun of stuck up people who think they're the cats meow yet can't sing one note in tune, but to make fun of someone just for the way they look is awful. Sometimes you can tell that the person auditioning isn't all there and the judges are just horrible to them. They're always saying it's a singing competition.. if this is true they should stick to judging singing and stop the feeble attempts at comedy.

Answer 9

Rejected and ridiculed? That just sounds like any other day to me. So what you're saying is, is if I get on that kak tv show and manage to get ridiculed by some has been judges and some fella who wears his trousers to high and desperately will not own up to being homosexual, I could sue and get some cash out of them? Top stuff, on the phone to Heathrow now.....see you soon.

Answer 10

No, they can't sue. The show has no control over who is suicidal and who is not, and the show cannot dictate who takes the criticisms and how. People know what they are getting into, the show has been on for five years with no signs of stopping. If people bring lawsuits, it would be settled but still frivilous.

Answer 11

People shouldn't take that so seriously. If they can't handle it, they don't need to go on the show. I can't handle that so I won't put my self through it. And I would hope that they couldn't sue. The show has been the same for 6 years so they have to know by now what it's all about.