YOUR AMERICAN IDOL WHEN A TV SHOW BECOMES A POP CULTURE PHENOMENON, THE WORLD MAY NEVER BE THE SAME.
American Idols Live hits the Verizon Center on Aug. 14, and Weekender chats with top-10 finalists Chikezie and Kristy Lee Cook
Date published: 8/7/2008
BY BASSEY ETIM-EDET
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
THE U.S. ECONOMY has been steadily going insane. While the government works diligently to restrain it, the rest of America hides at home, crossing its fingers and throwing salt over its collective shoulder.
It's that feeling of a lack of control that can turn a television show into a television empire. Even six years ago, when the Dow was up, a competitive reality show--Fox's "American Idol"--was able to massacre its primetime competition by allowing America to be the ultimate decider.
Drunk with power, viewers watch each season obsessively and critique each performance with authority, always the fourth and silent judge on the panel. What keeps the home audience coming back week after week, season after season, is the knowledge that only with its permission will one contestant get the chance to achieve the dream of a career in music.
After weeding out those with a delusional sense of talent, criminal record or lewd Internet Web site, what's left is a Benetton ad of average Janes and Joes, palatable to the general population.
Every week the audience is treated to a warming anecdotal clip of each remaining finalist, subconsciously prodding them to pick a favorite, to fall in love with their just-like-you ordinariness.
This season's 10th-place finalist, Chikezie, worked for TSA at Los Angeles Airport before making it on the show, and seventh-place contestant Kristy Lee Cook loves horses.
Taken out of context it's all so yawn-inducing, but in the realm of "American Idol," the mundane becomes a heroic personification of American normality.
In fact, Chikezie, who recently spoke with The Free-Lance Star, revealed: "I was recognized by my hometown of Inglewood. They gave me a holiday, April 25. It's an amazing honor."
judge, jury, executioner
It makes sense when considering the riot that ensues between each week's performance night. Like techno-gladiators, fans take to their cell phones, landlines and computers to battle for their favorites. They sign on to message boards and look to blogs to defend or validate their choices.
Radio stations play sound bite after sound bite, critiquing or mocking every inch of the show.
| What: "American Idols Live"--2008 Tour, featuring top 10 finalists from the show
When: Aug. 14, 7 p.m.
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F Street NW, Washington
Cost: $42.50-$68.50
Info: Automated phone: 202/628-3200; receptionist: 202/661-5000, or verizoncenter.com |
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Date published: 8/7/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Great article on American Idols
(posted by
91883
, Aug. 8, 2008 1:14 am)
I enjoyed your article on the American
Idols. Such fun! Most of the articles that I have read from the Northeast especially the New York area have been negative. We live in Dallas and will see the Idols on August 25th. Dallas can't wait! Following the AI Tour on the internet has been fun. I would never have had the opportunity read your article without AI. Keep up the good work! Thanks!
A Different View
(posted by
goboywonder
, Aug. 8, 2008 12:44 am)
Thanks for the article. It was very refreshing to get a different take on the tour. Chikezie is an excellent singer and performer. I went to the San Jose and Sacremento shows and just loved the energy and soul he put out to get the crowds in a partying mood. Keep it up Chiki and don't let anyone tell you you can't do because you already are.
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