What do you think of this season's American Idol?

Question

What do you think give your your opinion. The news says the judges are being too harsh, what do you think? Who is your favorite so far? Do you think American Idol has gone too far like as far as mental people on the show? Give me your thoughts.

Answer 1

I admit I do get addicted to the show, but after I found out it was rigged, I decided never to purchase any product where American Idol benefits (I do know they benefit by my watching as the more people that watch the more advertising dollars they can get from advertisers, but I will never buy any tape or similar product). Even though I like an artist, I will only buy a CD after they are out from their contract to AI that gives the show any profits. I either buy products down the road when the contract has expired or 2nd hand through eBay.

As far as them making fun of people this is unacceptable especially when the person suffers from physical or mental disabilities or for something they have likely received painful comments from others on in the past like weight or height that differs from the norm. This is just mean and does not focus on the singing and the inner self and personality.

As far as last week's show, although I personally did not think Kenneth Briggs (who Simon called Bush Baby) had mental disabilities, he may have. His grandmother states he has Aarskog Syndrome which causes his facial abnormalities and short stature. The syndrome causes 30% of the males to have mental retardation, so Kenneth may or may not have mental disabilities, but is definitely a sufferer of a medical condition that causes his appearance which is beyond his control. Simon is definitely wrong for his mean comments to the man, who to me, seemed pretty nice and who handled Simon's comments admirably.His grandmother also reports Kenneth has been made fun of all his life and wants Simon to apologize. It seems the comments have hurt the family.

To see the video on TV on his grandmother speaking...,


http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=4953566


As far as his overweight friend, Jayne, I read the following. "Jonathan James, who has a mild form of autism and has participated in the Special Olympics, was also featured on Seattle's telecast. Surprisingly, the judges treated James with only minimal ridicule for his girth, and showed some kindness afterwards, telling James he was "a nice guy" with a "good personality." James says he doesn't regret appearing on the show, and along with Briggs is enjoying his "15-minutes of fame," appearing last week on Jimmy Kimmel." So he is definitely mentally disabled.

Another mentally ill participant who was told Simon would be hard on him and to react strongly has an upset mother whose phone was ringing off the hook after his appearance on AI. Steven Thoen, 28, said the Fox television shoe's producers were disrespectful and unfair to him. His mother, June Lorimor of Superior, said that the show took advantage of Thoen’s mild mental retardation and made him a laughingstock. It seems their is some preplanning done if producers told him in advance Simon would be hard on him, so it seems some of it is planned cruelty for a reaction.

In view of this, it appears that ratings overcome compassion as a value on American idol, so I agree with your suggestion. Know you are not alone. What bothers me is that the youngsters in the audience will emulate the cruelty and rudeness and lack of kindness championed on the show. They are learning values that are often formed by age 8 and that will affect their behavior throughout life.

As an educator, let me remind parents that children are watching parents closely to see how you react to know how they should react. They will copy behavior more than listen to words. Remember values are caught not taught.

Although not applicable in this situation as it is wrong to laugh at someone's disabilities (and Kenneth said it bothered him when he saw Paula laughing hysterically after he left the room), sometimes what adults think is funny and laugh at may not be something one would want their kids to laugh at.

Keep in mind that kids are watching you for clues. I remember when my kids were smaller once catching my son at of the corner of my eyes watching me to see if I laughed at something questionable before reacting. It was then I realized how much my behavior was teaching them.

Personally, I feel cruelty and rudeness to all participants is uncalled for; however, it seems particularly bad in view of physical and mental disabilities or picking on a trait above the norm that likely bothers someone like weight or height and making fun of it with the intention of upsetting the person and then filming their reaction. There are so many things about the show that bothers me, but I do enjoy hearing the singers who make it and learning more about them, so I haven't boycotted watching only buying and voting since it doesn't count. For more on that see my best answer here..


http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtvbpAPmc6mZSQnfv1sjtDLsy6IX?qid=20070117000311AAuPvRm&show=7#profile-info-8e5f9cb1082d891d0f3075f0e2e92d34aa

Answer 2

I like american Idol - I've watched every season except the first - but every year this part of it gets more and more painful to watch. They used to show some bad people but they'd also show more of the good people getting through. Now its almost all the really bad people. I'm getting to the point where I don't want to watch it until they get to Hollywood, because yeah, the bad people are attention getters at times, but in a car wreck kind of a way and not in any way that is good entertainment. And is it just me or is Randy getting to be just as bad as Simon?
On another note, the people who bash simon by saying "where's his hit album?" make me laugh ( at their stupidity). You don't have to have a record in order to know what is good or not. You don't even have to be able to sing to know the business and what will sell. Simon isn't just a Idol judge - he's a music executive and routinely makes decisions about who will get record deals. So if he doesn't know what he's talking about, then there's a real problem here. And I notice that people on the show are more than willing to think he knows what he's talking about as long as he says they can sing - but as soon as he dares disagree with them then suddenly he's a talentless hack who doesn't know what he's talking about. You can't have it both ways people! Get a clue.

Answer 3

Actually i think simon is actually easier on the people this year than any other year. The other two judges seem to be a little harsher than they were in the previous year. But i would say that most of the people that are auditioning has seen that show and should know what to expect, especially from simon.

Answer 4

American Idol is getting from bad to worst. The judges are not being harsh. If those contestants can't handle the critism Simon, Paula, and Randy is giving them, then how will they it when they get out there? ("REAL WORLD").

Answer 5

YES they have with the mental people. I did a post on this the other day and it seems people are very fed up. I can spot someone on the autism spectrum, and some of them were on it and its cruel to be that mean to someone who cannot understand what they are saying but they understand when someon is laughing at them

Answer 6

KRIS ALLEN gained!!!! i'm extremely shocked- i presumed Adam had the win! there have been in basic terms approximately a hundred million votes solid!!! i think of maximum everybody is in marvel too, and Kris did no longer extremely even act that excited!!! perhaps he grow to be in marvel too! it style of feels like the votes that Danny might are turning out to be went to Kris somewhat!!!

Answer 7

I think that some of the contestants are in total denial. But others are good and the harsh things they say are mean and uncalled for. For some this is their life time dream and it is just mean to crush their hearts. Wrong....

Answer 8

I think simon needs better comments and they need to let more people in, there wont be enough for later. Only seven from Seattle?
I hope the Indian kids do well.

Answer 9

Haha I think its funny! And whats up with Paula Abdul? She crunked up! oh. I love the Girl on the first one that roared like the cowardly lion! That had me ballin! And.. oh the boy that Simon said he looked like a creature in the jungle with the massive eyes! its funny

Answer 10

I used to watch but Simon is totally cruel and where does he get off telling people they can sing has any one ever heard of any of his hit singles??