MediaMyopic

Season 1 it was “stage presence.” Season 2 was all about “the IT” factor. This year’s American Idol catch phrase is ‘authenticity,’ – an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one. The irony of Idol as a vehicle for authenticity is beyond absurd; it’s problematic because it presents a convoluted packaging of reality for its audience. What began as a talent search for the best pop artist has morphed into a vaudeville-esque competition for poseurs of disparate genres; now the judges cast token rockers, country singers, soul singers – even a beatboxer here and there. And this year they’re allowed instruments to boot. Nonetheless, contestants are pigeonholed into a genre by week one, before they can reflect on the kind of artist they want to be. They’re asked to sing from a limited song pool (which promote the works of guest judges), they’re told to signify a certain image through their style/dress and now Simon suggests how they are to address questions from the show’s version of the press: Ryan Seacrest. And somehow Simon has the gall to question the authenticity of this year’s contestants. Viewers beware this show was never authentic. Fox founded Idol on emulation and mimicry and the fakers (Daughtry anyone?) do just fine.