[desirae]

More like jumped, skipped, hopped, staggered drunkenly over the line...that would describe that better then just "stepping". Anyway, I watched American Idol last night and I was disgusted by the judges behavior. They were entirely to cruel to those they were judging. I mean at first, (in earlier seasons) Simon (mean English/British judge) would say something mean...and that was the end of it. But people were intrigued and found this classic entertainment. All of a sudden there are tons of shows around that involved three judges, including the mean British guy. That faded, but American Idol has stuck, mostly because we see the after effects for the winners of this show....they really do succeed well in show business. Good for them.

But, this sort of entertainment has entirely gone to far. The cruelty has become common. Even to those who are talented. This morning Rosie O'Donnell says "this is three millionaires, one possibly intoxicated (Paula Abdul), sitting up there judging people with below average mental capabilities. Then laughing at them hysterically as they leave. They even made-fun of people's physical appearances." Of course there was clips proving these points, and it was appalling.

What do ya'll think? Personally I will not condone to this sort of entertainment...screw American Idol, I'd rather watch Seinfeld reruns.

i say bombard Fox with e.mails. the producers are behind this. only they can allow some pitiful people on there and then tell the judges how to react to them......they have the purse strings. it's absolutely sickening!

[desirae]

Yes, I agree. This is obviously an attempt to shock people into curiosity, that would alone attract people to watch. Not everybody stands in front of those judges. They allow the talented, and then the worse. They send the worse in there for ridicule....you're absolutely right, it's disturbing and if a person actually finds this entertaining, they have no heart.

[kimmydawn]

I've removed several responses here. Some were fine and went along for the ride (mine included)...for that I apologize.

For those of you who were involved in argumentative/flaming posts, please refrain.

Please refer to the community guidelines here for future posting: http://tinyurl.com/jlaf7

Thanks,

KD

deleted by mellors

if after the last few series’s you still watch the program, even though you know what it is going to be like in the prelims from past experiences of the show, why bother watching it again?, you know whats going to happen, the more people that complain in the news and media only fuels the fire, boosts the ratings and fills the pockets of the producers / owners of the show.

I guess the simple answer is if you don’t like it, don’t watch it, the rating will drop and the show will be discontinued because its not cost effective.

What I find amazing is people vote for tv reality show outcomes every week, fueling the demand for more reality shows, advertising, marketing, merchandising are all big businesses involved in this format, yet less and less people go to the polls and vote at an political election, where’s the big media outrage concerning that?, there aint going to be one because its not cost effective.

[(JD)]

I don't watch it for watching as enjoyment. I check in on it from time to time, but also note the media about the show. IMO it has ALWAYS been this way, and I never liked it. I think it's just that the media hasn't shown it so much during the prime time, all that negative stuff. I'm supposing that they felt they had pumped people up to being able to enjoy it fulltime now, rather than just on the behind the scenes clips.

[desirae]

Well, I'm not sure how people responded that was flaming, since I was unable to see them. What I don't understand is how people can get angry enough to get deleted. I suppose there's so major American Idol fans out there...IDK. Believe me though, I have noticed a huge difference between the judges in the first season, compared to this season. I guess the demand and ratings fuel the fire, that's why personally I will never watch the show again. I've heard many people say that. I hope it doesn't air next year, and if it does then it realizes it's cruelty is unattractive.

[(JD)]

Ok, maybe I wasn't clear in my findings... I don't think the judges changed at all since the first season, only what the director decided to air. Remember, the viewer only sees and hears what they decide you'll see and hear. If they had aired the garbage at the first (on the show itself, because it was available obscurely) it might not have been so "acceptable."

I'm sorry that you seem to feel let down by the show. It can be disheartening to put your time and energy into something, and allow yourself to enjoy something and then, because of standards feel like it's been taken away.

Maybe there's a new show coming on that will fill the void.

[desirae]

That could be true as well...that makes sense.

Interview from this morning on the Today Show.

Still being exploited imo.

Today Show interview

[jlove973]

Petunia, thatnk you for the link.

WOW! That is just wrong.
I used to watch that show all of the time and I NEVER would miss it. Well, when I first heard all the drama about Paula I decided that I would not watch it until all of that boiled over, maybe a few weeks or so. Now this I won't go into detail, but I will not turn on AI again. I watched every day for the last 5 season's. The contestants were aware and knew coming in what it was all about. Simon really did cross the line and I am glad the the world was actually able to see it. So much for good publicity. That's just darn right HORRIBLE publicity.

[Rhapsody]

I just wanted to say that I NEVER watch reality shows..... for in the end they are all just out for the ratings, therefore, you should expect this kind of treatment toward the people that become part of the show - Sad, How Sad that humanity has stubbed so low, but once again.

Rhapsody -

i watched the link, thanks for that petunia, the special olimpics guy was picked on unfairly, i agree with everyone on that, but realistically speaking what chance, if any, did he really have? and who is to blame for letting him on the show in the first place, surley they (fox) have a audition process first, so dont put it all on simon and the rest of the judges, they have to work with whoever is picked by fox entertainment for the show, blame the people who told them they have talent when in reality they dont.

who is to blame for letting him on the show in the first place,

That is where it all begins...let them audition but c'mon...

[Eva1nder]

Thanks Petunia for the link.

I just have to say I don't care about all the politics and the fighting of "you should know about it before hand because that's what the show is about."

This isn't really what this is about.

The problem here is knowing right from wrong.

I've watched the show and there are many times that they put ppl down for their singing and let's face it many times these ppl should not be singing. Okay that's one thing, but then they go onto make other comments about what they look like and many times it gets out of hand.

And that's exactly what happened just like that time with the asian boy last season. ( I can't remember his name), but he got in the spotlight because of it as well.

The show is about an audition to become a singing star. It's what Simon professes time and time again. It does not however give him or anybody else the right to tell them they look bad and put them down as a "person"

They are there to be judged as a possible singer and performer. Well get to the point and tell them and be done with it.

Now as far as Kenneth Swale and Johnathan Jayne are concerened. Well after hearing Johnathan talk and you hear his innocence. I think it's incredibly sad to know what was said to him and that he can have the "much better" attitude then anybody involved.

Many ppl say "ppl should know what they are getting into."

It's easy for you to say that, but for some who really believe that they have talent and they may have a shot OR that they have a learning disablility and again that maybe they have talent who Are YOU to say they should know better?

I think YOU should know better and I definately think that panel should KNOW better then to go over that line.

My son is disabled and really it doesn't have anything to do with that ...I mean yes your heart maybe pulled more, but everyone deserves to be treated with some amount of respect.

That show is more about bullying and being made fun of until they get to the performance part and what's sad is most find that to be more entertaining.

Says a lot.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you don't agree with what I have to say you are entitled to that as well.

I just needed to vent because when I heard Johnathan speak I really was upset about this issue.

Yes, I agree 100%

Let them audition like everyone has the right to, but don't put them in front of the judges to be humiliated.

It's like sending a lamb to the lion's den.

[(JD)]

It is the directors/producers who you need to complain (to) as they are the ones who decide who goes before the panel of judges. Obviously they allow some that aren't the best, to make a "good" show of judges behaving badly? I think it would be a good show with ALL good talent being on air, and the sorting process keeping those who can't sing, off the camera view!