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The Hunger For TV Talent Shows
By Geoff Cummings
What is it about reality talent shows on TV that bring in the huge audiences? Shows like American Idol, now in its 9th season are very popular. In the UK we have Britain`s Got Talent, where most of us saw Susan Boyle for the very first time. And, of course, we have the show that won the `Most Popular Talent Show` section in the National Television Awards in London this week - X Factor. The X Factor is regularly seen by more viewers in Britain than any other programme on TV. Personally, when the X Factor is showing I watch the other channel - BBC - as I prefer Strictly Come Dancing (it`s called Dancing With The Stars in the US). But, it has to be said, the public in general can`t get enough of talent shows, whether it`s dancing, singing, comedy or anything that comes under the heading of entertainment. Can it be that we all love a winner? That we all want to see someone come through the rounds week by week against the odds, and get voted through right up to the end? I`m sure there is a large element of us wanting someone from a humble background to catch a break and `make it big` to become a star. We like people who are willing to compete to fulfill their dream. On the other hand, I also think there`s the darker side to it all. The early stages where people with no talent whatsoever turn up and get verbally torn to shreds by the judges, and in some cases by the audience. Let`s face it, when around 12,000 turn up for auditions, and only 13 get through to the next stage, that has to say something about the lack of talent around. The surprising thing is how many of these no-hopers, when asked if they genuinely think they are good, really do seem to believe they have what it takes. On the other hand, there must be some who audition just for their 15 minutes (or just a couple in some cases), of fame. They`ve got on TV, they`ve met the judges, and they absolutely know they can`t go any further. Sometimes it`s hard not to shake your head in disbelief that some are willing to perform in front of the judges, and millions of viewers, no doubt to the embarrassment of their friends and families. A waste of time for the majority who audition, true, but it does provide a laugh in this crazy mixed up world. |
Grandmother Wins Spain`s Got Talent Show
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I suspect strongly that the really awful performers are chosen to appear on TV simply for their entertainment value. The huge number of applicants are screened; somebody selects the one that go live. They must pick a number of truly awful performers because it makes the first couple of shows more fun for the viewers. At least, that's what I think.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
I think you are probably right, June. I know some people who prefer the earlier stages because that`s when the show is at its most entertaining - due to the really bad performers.
It is a simple fact that if you eat or drink enough of something you don't like, you can develop a taste for it.
TV talent shows are cheap to produce and appeal to some of the basest instincts of the audience. Probably the historical equivalent of this type of entertainment is the public punishment so beloved in days of yore. Maybe talent shows are the modern day equivalent of putting someone in the stocks for trivial offences? Since the TV producers know that they now have a Pavlovian audience, trained to switch on their sets on demand, they don't need to worry about quality. All they need to do is get the adverts exposed to as big a gullible audience as possible.
Whatever, in the current era of dumbing down and appealing to the lowest common denominator, while the screeching masses of brainwashed viewers think that they are enjoying the shows, they will continue and proliferate.
What I find most interesting is that many people who talk about these shows really love to complain about the general quality of the performers.
TV is turning too many people into adicts - and it is an adiction that is poisonous to the whole of society.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for your comments, Arthur. I`ve never been keen on all the glorifying of the judges either. On the X Factor they come on stage like mini-gods before taking their seats. All over the top for my liking. And much of the time their comments can`t be heard because of the shouting of the audience.
I've never watched any of these talent shows, Geoff.
However, I really enjoyed it when Susan Boyle was discovered. Great voice, great story.
Thank you for sharing.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks Frederick. Susan Boyle has had a fair amount of problems though since winning. Too much fame at once I think. Some of her actions seem to indicate a mental instability as she strives to cope with the pressure. She does have a good voice though. Actually I tend to prefer the American talent shows to the British ones. This was funny from this week`s American Idol- http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/blog/article/394861/ "TV2 viewers witnessed a peculiar American Idol audition last night, as security had to force 28-year-old candidate Jarrod Norrell out after he refused to leave the show. Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi were left speechless after auditioning Jarrod in Orlando, Florida, for the ninth series of the talent show."
I think there is three main reasons these shows are popular. First, many people are wannabes. They want to watch someone else do what they don't have the courage to do themselves. Second, there are those who watch just to catch someone make a complete fool of themselves with the satisfaction that it's not them doing that. Third, there's not much quality TV to watch as an alternative.
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This intel was contributed by odls
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