'American Idol': A very thin line

Each season of "American Idol" asks our nation not just to choose our champion, but to decide what kind of people we are. What makes us, American viewers of "American Idol" (as opposed to viewers of "Lithuanian Idol" or "Indonesian Idol" or any other franchise of the worldwide empire) unique? In choosing an idol, we say what as a people we aspire to be -– are we a whimsical beat boxing people or are we at heart a perky yet sincere balladeering people? The great questions of our age each year sort themselves out on the "Idol" stage.

This year, the preseason audition episodes force us to confront another question haunting society: Where is the line between deluded belief in one’s talent and actual mental illness, or sadder still, mental handicap?

This is the line that the audition episodes walk. We all as a society agree that it is wrong and not endearing to mock the disabled. We also as a society believe that it is impossible not to laugh at healthy-minded people who nurture catastrophic blind spots about their own abilities. The show by and large seems to recognize that line, saving its worst abuse for the merely misguided, while the truly, clearly handicapped receive gentler letdowns.

However, in this preseason, I find myself questioning whether this divide can be defined as neatly as we would like to think. The giant hulking fellow, for instance, who walked in circles talking to himself, protected his excruciating voice on the advice of Christina Aguilera and who reported, “I sing so well my dad would say, ‘I hate you,’ ” clearly seemed to have things going on beyond just acoustic overconfidence. Philadelphia’s glitter girl who lived with her mother in a one-room apartment and launched into borderline Tourette rantings similarly appeared to be driven by some larger issues. 

A less-clear question arose when it came to the Elliot Yamin singing park ranger: Is he just really nice or might he be, perhaps, a little slow? Could his impossible belief in his horrifying singing be a symptom of something else rather than the disease?  Although -- at least in his backstory reel -- he seemed completely functional, it's hard to believe there is not something more going on there.

And if one is going to go down that slippery slope, is the singing waitress who screeches to the cheers of her model boyfriend really just that out of it?  At what point does being that out of it become a problem that we should be worried about?

And what of that other demographic –- the people, like the “Guyshadow”-wearing kindergarten teacher, who seem to be consciously making spectacles of themselves in tragic bids for negative attention but who also still pretty much believe they are going to become the next American Idol. How can such a rich, multilayered denial coupled with delusion not be a sign of something more scary than funny going on (not that pre-homicidal-rampage scary can’t also be funny).

But at the end of an "Idol" audition episode, what the two hours really bring to light is just how fine a line our society walks every day. How often in each of our days do we stand beside people who wrongly consider themselves intelligent, beautiful, witty, brave?  Often it seems just about everyone we know (certainly everyone I know) is deeply, horribly deluded in some way or another. And in real life, Simon Cowell never shows up with their glass of cold water. In the end, don’t the audition episodes really point out to us that, viewed under the lights of network television, much of our world may not be just amusingly misguided but in fact -- as Simon labeled Mr. Guyshadow -- “very menacing”? 

"American Idol" may not always have all the answers, but it always shows us the questions to ask.

Postscript: Watching the animated opening where the little character rides the elevator past giant live billboards of past Idols, it seems the figures displayed go straight from Carrie Underwood to Jordin Sparks and that Taylor Hicks has been wiped from the official history. I have replayed the opening five times on my TiVo and can't see Taylor. Does anyone out there see him someplace that I'm missing?

-- Richard Rushfield

Comments

[J. Jean]

Correction: “Guyshadow”-wearing kindergarten teacher actually called it guy-liner.

[Ex-Idol Fan]

Dear Mr. Rushfield:

Loved this article on idol and totally agree. Your comment regarding Taylor Hicks is spot on! Taylor Hicks won Season 5 however, since he was "not their chosen one to win" they deliberately set out to destroy him and his career. Why? He didn't fit their vision of someone to back? Why? He actually has talent and not the cheesy, pop/rock "hype" of the moment flash in the pan?

How does Taylor Hicks go from People's Hottest Bachelor, won for "best manners" and being a southern gentlemen to completely disappearing in a few months? Not true, just made out to appear this way from the powers that be AI/CLIVE DAVIS who directs the media what to say.

I say it's unfair, totally uncalled for and poor behavior from so-called intelligent music experts.

Taylor sold 298000 copies the first week, good sales the next few weeks. AI AND CLIVE DAVIS HAD TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE HE WAS A FAILURE. Over the next four weeks, Simon went on Ophrah making statements that he didn't like Taylor. AI started and the nasty comments about sticking gum on Taylor's face, Taylor made a small comment "Ai is fizzling out (for me)" and the media ran with this. They had to fulfill their part of the Winner's contract so they made it appear that something was done for him. However, another person from Season 5 WAS their choice, allowed his CD to come out before Taylor's, given the going home song HOME, payola, promotion etc. Hype & pumped to look like this person was a star. Like the Brittney type treatment.

They never restocked Taylor's CDs and there are still about 300,000 unaccountable. By March - April his CD was nowhere to be found. Every other idol had well stocked stacks of them in the stores I frequent. I've called over and over to request Taylor's songs on the radio, 'WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY HIM" WAS THE ANSWER OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

It was all a plan to degrade him, make it appear like he was inferior when in fact this is not the truth at all. He headlined his own tour, 120+ concerts with a phenomenal band.

So why ruin his career? Because America voted for him? Then why ask for votes? Just have a talent show and AI picks who they want. This is exactly what happened. Don't mind if they want to make money, after all it's a business, but don't stoop that low to hurt someone who was the winner of your show.

Taylor's genre? Not popular? There were several songs that could have been released to more than JUST THE ONE GENRE IT WAS SENT TO!!!! Could they let him go UP THE CHARTS instead of stalling at #19? No because Chris Daughtry was nominated and won Adult Contemporary Artist - as he was their favorite? Taylor Hicks & Chris Daughtry could not be the winner in the same category? Chris Daughtry won and stood on stage accepting his award with the tour band - THEY ARE NOT THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY MADE THE CD, why is this allowed?

The NYT has always been the most reliable source out there. The injustice done to Taylor Hicks is horrifying. Just in time for AI this year, they announced Taylor was dropped from the label! This is not true either but Clive Davis and American Idol want you to think this is what happened. They want to beat Taylor Hicks into the ground so that he'll never come back up for air. Taylor has many older fans which the media LOVES to ridicule. They're forgetting a couple of things, they have money, educated and know how to fight back. AI/Clive Davis are rotten and mean I say!

Mr. Rushfield, I trust you can understand what has happened here. I truly wish there was someone who would uncover the scam of American Idol.

Family show? No way, their liars and cheaters and I don't want my children to learn what they are teaching.

Thanks for the opportunity of posting my thoughts. Like Taylor Hicks wanted his voice heard, I want my opinion heard.

[Stefanie]

To Whom It May Concern,

Do you honestly believe that their is a conspiracy to destroy Taylor Hicks? Do yo think that of all the things Clive Davis has to do, he sits around in Mr. Burns fashion, plotting his next strike on Mr. Hicks? You are entitled to your appreciation for Hicks' music, but it doesn't sound like you have a clear understanding of the music business or the purpose of American Idol. The show's intent is not to discover Bob Dylans or Rolling Stones, individuals/bands that will make music forever and ever and ever. The show is there to entertain, give people a chance to get known and maybe get a contract. Hicks got his contract and his album and his shot. If the lable chooses not to renew his contract that it its perogative. He doesn't get unlimited chances just because he's an Idol. That is the nature of the business that he is in; that is, he is not a victim. In fact, he is lucky to have gotten the opportunities the show provides in the first place.

[windpasser]

AI should be ashamed of themselves. Clearly Taylor Hicks is being dissed and dismissed from the show. I for one was one of the 64 million people who voted for him and love his voice, album and performance more at each of the shows I've seen in concert.

I really resent this blatant manipulation by Nygel Lythgoe and his croonies. Get your 5th season winner BACK UP there, you fools! The people spoke loud and clear. I'm fed up with this show.

[Smoking Gun]

I agree with everything that Ex-Idol Fan has to say. Apparently, Clive Davis also was seen at the "grassy knoll" just after JFK was shot. Curious!

[Stacy Love]

I caught most of the last two nights of American Idol. I have to admit that I had a truly visceral reaction to the display of the "glitter girl" and the large man who circled the stage seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. Not to mention the Star Wars girl. My level of discomfort was profound and I felt myself wondering why I was feeling so voyeuristic about it. Almost like the desire to rubber-neck at a bad accident , even though you know it should not be an acceptable reaction. I was actually hoping that they had found "actors" and that it was staged for "entertainment". Sadly I think it was real. The "normal" auditions became a luxurious , welcome relief.

[YesWe Know]

IT is very evident they have dissed Taylor Hicks over and over since he won AI. They make me sick. When he returned to sing on the finale last year, they wouldn't even introduce him as the winner the previous year....got no introduction at all. Are you people blind. Why wouldn't they put his picture up there with the rest of the winners on the opening credits. And then they stuck his picture over in the corner behind this huge plant so noone could see it. I agree with the first poster here on everything she or he said. America would have to be blind not to see it. And it isn't just what they did to him on that show, Clive Davis set out to destroy his career right after he won and gave the one they wanted to win the promotion, the radio play, etc. I called lots of stations to request him and they told me they were not allowed to play Taylor and not to request him again. So, what do you call that! Why wouldn't they play someone that is requested? I know 100's of people that have done the same thing and they never play Taylor. Look what happened to Kelly C. after she went against Clive D. If he wants to he can destroy your career and she had to apologize before they would let up. Taylor has sold out concerts, I know because I went to 2 where they was standing room only left. And the audience had the time of their life. He has sold 2 of his own cds made before AI that he wrote the songs on also. He made lots of money off of these because he did these on his own. Clive got none of that money. Also, he sold around 820,000 cds worldwide. Now you tell me why someone would get dropped if they sold that many. They still have lots of people with them that sold lots less than that. Taylor was not dropped, he and J records both said it was a mutual decision. The press has to say what they are told and they use the word drop. I would love to read this from Taylor's people or Jrecords.....nowhere to be found. Taylor has wanted to be out of that contract from the beginning because of the way they treated him with no promotion, no radio play etc. They did nothing for him. He is much better off IMO.....

[Music Lover]

I'm not a regular American Idol watcher. I catch the occasional show each season. I missed most of the Taylor Hicks season, as my father was very ill. I was watching Oprah when Simon Cowell said he couldn't stand Taylor. I found it very odd that this man was running down man that won American Idol, by the American Idol rules. I also remember reading similar statements from other people connected to the show. It always struck me as odd. I was not aware of some of the other things that were going on. The timing of these things is awfully suspect. Considering the reputation Mr. Davis, I wouldn't doubt that some definite manipulation is taking place. It would be interesting to get the whole story.

[Cathy]

Mr. Rushfield............American Idol may have started out as just a talent show, but it quickly disintigrated into something else. If you go online, and google any Idols name, you will come up with some of the most disgusting things you have ever read. Critics, who may have no musical credibility, can bash these poor people who are just out to get somewhere with their artistry whether they have talent or not. However, the fans have created hate zones that seek to do everything they can to drag down these people. It pits ordinary people against each other over Idols that they do not know and probably never will. It makes Britney Spears look well.

It actually does show alot of who we are, and especially when we can remain anonymous online, how vicious we can become. It is scary.

I have been a casual fan of Idol since the second season. I became an avid fan in season five because of all the talent , and the winner was my favorite, because of his versatility. It has not gone unnoticed as you have seen yourself, that he has been deliberately shutout in not only this years credits but last years as well.

That would be bad enough, but last year, to see Mr. Davis, come onstage during what was supposed to be a happy time for the new Idol, and publicly berate three of the former Idols in front of millions of people is incomprehensible. The tackiness was beyond belief. American Idol used to be a show all of the family could watch together, but now I am not sure what they are teaching.

Lastly, to the poster that doesn't think a conspiracy plot is possible...........they are naive and need to do some research on the music industry. In reality, it has never been a very pretty place, and in fact is associated with many unsavory activities. Sadly, I can't enjoy American Idol anymore.

[PattiH]

I really thought I was paranoid or over reacting or perhaps there was some good reason for why Taylor was clearly not visible in the opening of the show. Then the LA Times noticed too!

[mandm]

ex-idol you are so correct!!!Now, if some of the media and the journalists with common sense and integrity would start reporting this, then maybe people will wake up.Wouldn't that be a blessing!!!!

[Granny who boycotts]

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the disrespect given an American Idol winner of Season 5, Taylor R. Hicks. I had never watched AI before, and apparently, I never will again. Why? Not only has Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer of American Idol, been extremely insensitive and rude to the winner chosen by the largest vote in history but he and his staff have also alienated that same voting group. I had never voted before, nor seriously watched American Idol, until Taylor Hicks came upon the scene. Yes, I voted, as did my family, my neighbors, my coworkers. We were, and still are, quite committed and excited about the refreshing change on television, a performer who touched and awakened my passion for music.

Nigel Lythgoe, stated "Just because a granny in Omaha falls in love with Taylor Hicks, it doesn't mean she will go out and buy his record, even though she will pick up a phone and vote for him." Mr. Lythgoe, doesn't speak for me. I not only buy music, I am among the largest group in America with disposable income. I choose to dispose of my income to none of the advertisers of American Idol. I turned OFF the radio, as I turned OFF American Idol.

I agree with the first poster here. There has been an orchestrated effort of non promotion of Taylor. The entire premise of the show is false. It doesn't matter who the voters select nor how those voters are treated. They want to tell us who we should like and what we should listen to on the radio. This granny isn't interested, isn't watching and isn't buying Mr Lythgoe's absurd rhetoric.

[Traci]

This was a well written commentary on the very thing I had been feeling. As I went to bed after watching the first day's show, I felt strangely upset and agitated. A little guilty. After waiting all summer for the show to start again, I have decided to wait until the audition shows are over to start watching Idol again. The sole purpose of these shows is to laugh at people who think they can sing, but cannot. That is not uplifting, inspiring, or even fun to watch. It's certainly not what I want to teach my children-- hey, let's watch some stupid people and laugh at them. Later, when the show gets going and becomes a true competition between people who have talent and are striving to reach a dream--THEN we will watch again. The audition shows appeal to the lowest common denominator in humanity, but we can choose to rise above it...

[Steve]

I have yet to meet one person that gives a crap about Taylor Hicks. Who cares where his pictrure is? If you can actually find someone that does care, ask the overweight, middle aged lonely gal what she thinks.

[Patricia]

I was a very faithful watcher of American Idol. In fact my whole family made it a point to sit down together and watch it as a family. 3 generations including myself, my 30 something married daughters, their husbands and teens and pre teens. We were under the impression that AI would be bringing unknown talent to America. Talent that the “music industry” wouldn’t give a chance. Then along came Taylor Hicks and everyone was impressed with him. We had many discussions about him through out the season. When he won – you would have thought our team won the Super Bowl.

Then the bashing started. Even though Simon has publicly stated that “he doesn’t get Taylor” and “I can’t stand Taylor”, he said some very complementary things to Taylor (and America) during the show. Was he lying during the show? Or after?

Season 5 got the highest ratings and the American Idol Live concert that toured the country for Season 5 was the most attended. My daughter is a ticket broker and said that she had many people buying ticket just to see Taylor.

Then his CD comes out and….. nothing……. No promotion. Almost non-existent radio play. I too have personally contacted my local radio stations and was told that they were not allowed to play Taylor…. What??!!!!! Then the stores were selling out of his CDs (in spite of the non-promotion) and not re-stocking. None of this has made any sense. Unless Taylor was black-balled and the record company came very close to breach of contract by failing to promote his CD.

It seems that the American Idol machine are really only there to continue to push the flavor of the month of over-produced pop music, regardless of what America wants. Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer of American Idol even went so far as to make a public statement that “America got it wrong”. Excuse me! Why in the world would we continue to tune in and get excited when the show’s producers make it very clear that they do not have a shred of ethics or moral fiber when it comes to backing the winner – and to insult their own audience.

Then to make a public statement that Taylor is no longer o the record label only days before a new season starts. And the total disrespect that other posters above me have outlined…..come on?

America has a rich musical history coming from the South. Not all of us want the urban rap-crap that is being force fed to our children. It is time for a change. I just wish that someone with some journalistic integrity would follow up and start investigating today’s music industry. There is a lot of documented incidents of greed, illegal payola to radio stations, drugs, etc. And our beloved American Idol is right in the middle of it.

Come on – someone – anyone? Go get the real story here.

[Landon]

Mr. Rushfield-

Really enjoyed the article and agree! To my surprise, I find many who share my views about idol and the treatment of Taylor Hicks. Never was a serious idol watcher until Season 5. It was by far the best season with the most talented and interesting contestants, with Mr. Hicks coming out on top. Others obviously agreed. During the audition rounds of Season 5, the viewership was down a bit. By the end of Season 5, it had risen to be the highest rated finale show and the most votes ever cast! Coming off of Season 5, season 6 opened with a bang. The rating quickly diminished and idol was on a downward slope and has yet to recover- still slipping.

Not saying all because of Taylor Hicks, but the numbers are interesting all the same. I followed his career after idol. Coming off his Idol tour, he began touring on his own. The concert I attended was packed out. People couldn't move- the enthusiasm was overwhelming! CD sells were doing good at this point. He just needed that one song on the radio! That one video! Anything to let people know he was still around. It, unfortunetly, never happened. I am here to testify that the radio stations would NOT play his music with the same excuse as mentioned in previous posts..."we can't"..CD's were not in the store.

In my opinion, idol made a huge mistake by dismissing him. After the comment Simon made about "gum on the face", I tuned out to never return. Apparently viewership is unimportant to Simon. He dissed the highest vote getter ever and has continued to do so over and over again- making Taylor out to be some sort of joke. Not showing him in the opening credits is a little over the top...actually, way over the top.

Idol is still on a decline this year. With the writer's strike and nothing else on the tube, one would think it would be a slam dunk. Seems like idol has officially ran it's course and peaked out two seasons ago.

[sparky]

american Idol had a problem with a true talent who knows who he is and what he wants and who they cannot control. They were never happy about how he stole their show from them in Season 5 and turned it into "the Taylor Hicks show". They have never been happy about the thousands of his first two independent cds that he has sold because that was money they couldn't touch. Its also an achievement that never gets mentioned.
taylor will be fine , doing exactly what he wants to do as he always has. He just borrowed their show for a little while to get what he needed.
They have decided to pretend that he never existed, as far as I am concerned they exist no more.

[Carol]

I agree with so many of the posters above. The folks in control of American Idol are so connected to radio, press, production, tv, etc. in the entertainment and music industry, that if they decide to diss someone, it shows up in many areas of media and entertainment. One of the reasons Taylor was able to get out of his contract "mutually" is because there was a breach of his contract by the label and promotion teams. He was not allowed to be played on the radio. His cd's were not re-stocked, although they were requested all over the country. Only some of the sales were counted and quoted, and they didn't tell whole truths when discussing all that he had done and accomplished since he won in Season 5. He has been busy touring all over the country for months and months without a break until just this Fall when he stopped touring to work on his next cd. Even so, he has still performed at wonderful events and played music for lots and lots of people, even while on hiatus from touring. His two independent cd's that he made before American Idol have sold very well and are worth everyone's attention. He is not the crazy character portrayed on American Idol. He has so much more to offer and his live concerts and band are truly amazing! He is unique and passionate and so talented. He deserved better than the treatment he got. There has been so much negativity and unfair treatment of him, and yet, he has remained positive and grateful for his opportunity on the show, has never spoken a bad word about the show or the people involved, and continues to work hard and strive for entertaining folks with the music he loves and feels so deeply. He should be praised for his stamina and courage and talent, instead of being disrespected and treated so unfairly. Season 5 was full of talented, charismatic contestants, and America loved watching the show, but now, as the truth is coming out about how the contestants are manipulated and treated, how they attempt to dupe the audience and throw in "ringers", etc., the truth is beginning to be known. Taylor hasn't been the only one who was mistreated, but they are under such strict contracts that they are not allowed to talk about all that happens behind the scenes. Someday, and I think it will be soon, those who have attempted to destroy the careers of others, will themselves find difficulties in their own business and lives. People are getting fed up. I fear for Jordin this year, in that she is so young, in having this stuff happen to her if her sales aren't what they should be. It's happened to past winners and contestants as well. Someday the whole truth will be known. In the meantime, I admire and respect Taylor and the others who have been so unfairly treated for their perseverance under such pressure and torment. They are to be commended. Not only have they disrespected the contestants on the show, they have disrespected the audience as well, saying, "America got it wrong", etc. They're saying that the premise of the show, for the American people to pick a winner, is wrong. They're saying that the American public is stupid and can't see through the tricks they are playing. They'll find out soon that they're the ones who've been wrong. I will not watch the show ever again, and truthfully, I think it's a terrible show for what it teaches and demonstrates to the American public, especially children. Bullying and negative, hurtful comments have no place in a family show, in my opinion.

[Laura]

Very interesting article. Too bad that non of the readers' comments, so far, have been on topic. I think that we all know people who think that they are better at things than they actually are. Some people really think that they can sing or dance or tell jokes or give interesting speeches, etc, but sadly, they can't do any of those things well, in the opinions of their audiences.

Thing is, if people who think that they have talent don't show it to others, they may never realize a dream. Even if they are turned away, at least they would have the satisfaction of knowing that they have tried, so I can understand why they give it a shot. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I like that the judges have not been as mean so far this season. Some of the contestants are delusional, some are there just to get on tv, knowing they have no talent, some really believe that they are good and they are, and some believe that they are better than they actually are.

Everyone who has sat through recitals and school plays knows the pain of sitting though performances by people who should not be on the stage in the first place. Those people are usually more willing than good. They receive positive feedback and grow to believe that they are good. That's how some of them probably ended up at Idol auditions.

[Louise]

I am a true and ardent fan of Taylor Hicks and his music. The fact that a reporter recognized the missing picture of Taylor from his Idol win speaks volumes. This is an example of the kind of thing that his fans have noticed and debated for almost 2 years. But, we are called middle-aged, fawning fans because we have a brain and a set of eyes and we can figure out that what is happening isn't right. We're not whining over his treatment by the music industry any more. We're supporting his career for the decades that it will last.

We have chosen to take the high road and support Taylor Hicks, his music, his Whomp at the Warfield DVD that will be released soon and his upcoming CD release and tour. The reason we take the high road is because it is what Taylor Hicks has done in the two years he has been with J Records despite their lack of promoting their own artist. This is the music industry and Taylor is a grown man. His career will continue for a long time because he is a real person and performer who has been true to himself and his music.

Kudos to you Richard for noticing that Taylor Hicks is an Idol winner and what may seem small to the general population, is a factor in the context of American Idol. The American people voted for Taylor as well as the other Idols and he deservedly belongs front and center as much as any other Idol.
The show has become too uncomfortable to watch and I choose to spend my time supporting good, live music and Taylor Hicks fits that bill, among others.
Thanks again for having the fortitude to point this out. The Simons and Nygel won't be getting my support any longer. In my way I will show that America did get it right all 6 times!