American Idol

Now the shift will now be made to specific reality tv shows that I feel have been a major influence on all of television. The best example is definitely American Idol. Over the past few years, millions of people have tuned in to this single show, but why? Is it for the concept, the contestants, or the judges? Some people love it all. My roommate is looking forward to the date in January when American Idol will return and she can watch three days a week for the entire season. Diehard fans, like my roommate, enjoy every aspect of the show. However, I believe that the most popular part of the show would be the tryouts.

Many families, including mine, watch the tryouts to get a good laugh out of the contestants. Some contestants tryout and have amazing voices, but others not so much. The latter contestants make fools of themselves and the judges aren’t afraid to tell them so. But why do the families like watching it so much? Are the American people only interested in when others mess up? One reason that people may find this more enjoyable is because that they are interested in other people’s failures rather than their own. People get to escape from their own lives, whether they are happy or sad, it gives them a break.

It’s crazy to think that something as simple as American Idol will allow people to feel happy and worry free for a few hours a week. The American people have so many things to worry about, especially now with the current economic state, that they need those few hours to relax. American Idol may be one of the most popular shows on tv right now, but for reasons that some might not realize.