Following are two broad categories of Reality Television, and I recognize that the motives of watching any of these shows are not purely negative or worth criticism. This post is written in the spirit of the assignment.
Disclaimer out of the way, let's go.
Train Wreck Television.
That's how I refer to television shows like Cops, The Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown Downward Spiral Hour, and game shows which feature people performing demeaning stunts or eating disgusting food for money or purely just to be on television. It's acceptable to make a fool of yourself as long as you profit or a lot of people learn your name. Afterward, bide your time and accept your guest slot on Rock of Love or the Bob and Tom show. With some luck and a well timed publicity stunt you might achieve enough fame to or infamy to be on one of those C-list celebrity house shows.
Idol worship.
Dancing with the Stars, Newlyweds Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, The Hills, Real Housewives of(insert city here) etc. Although I think a more appropriate title would be "Really Successful Gold-diggers of...". Denise Richards??? Really?
This is the art of combining voyeurism and consumerism. Watching celebrities. Living through celebs. The benefit of feeling like you are involved in the daily personal life of someone who's existence seems more interesting or desirable. Even if your not that interested it's like the super bowl in that the shows are almost like a social exercise and no one wants to be left out.
Only one show combines contemporary America's desire to both live through celebrities and mock the silly people who are beneath us. This is the one show which provides us with a buffet of flavors in a single dish. The Creme de la Creme.
American Idol
As such, I submit that American Idol displays the current symphony of flavors and preferences that currently encapsulates American culture.
The opening rounds are train wreck television. The three judges visit different cities looking for "talent". We get to laugh at the clueless folks who can't sing and just need to realize how pathetic they are. We get to gawk at the people who wander in with a bizarre gimmick.
It's a modern day Barnum and Bailey Circus. And according to the neilsen ratings, suckers are still being born every minute. About 30 million or so.
The proof is in the pudding. And the pudding is the ratings.
It is in this segment of the show that I am reminded of the Bob Dylan song Ballad of A Thin Man:
You hand in your ticket
And you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you
When he hears you speak
And says, “How does it feel
To be such a freak?”
And you say, “Impossible”
As he hands you a bone
Is the sucker the one on television dressed like a banana singing purple rain or the person who enjoys watching others do this, and then buys the products he or she is hawked during the commercial break?
But I Digress.
Once the auditions are over singers selected the idol worship portion begins.
It's in the word American Idol. Idol
Here is where the other American hunger is satiated. A "idol" is selected, and on top of that, we get to do the selecting. A facet of the "democratization of celebrity." We get to crown someone as being worth our admiration and affection. And in a way, if the contestant you voted for won, you won too. Albeit your own life won't change yet the winner receives instant celebrity.
SIDENOTES/BONUS
1. The capitalist aspect our culture is also on display from the onset of the season. There are winners and losers. Losers go home and winners get a record deal.
2. We like to build up public figures and tear them down. Don't worry, now that this person is famous any embarrassing details of their now public private life are free for scrutiny.
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