Post by John Durant on Oct 1, 2011 18:20:29 GMT -5
As I see one TV music talent show after another I've come to this conclusion:
...even with millions of dollars of promotion behind these shows, the over-saturation of new so-called stars is like a buffet with 3000 dishes for you to choose from.... you may like the taste of a dish here or there, but after tasting so many dishes even the best is soon forgotten. Most of these winners are journeyman at best, and don't have the depth of talent required for a deep rooted career in an overcrowded trade.
There is much to be said for the "real artists" who come up through the ranks in the traditional manner. These people hone their stage skills in small venues and have years of experience in recording studios. It's kinda hard to be a seasoned recording artist when you've only picked up "the studio brush" during a four to six month TV talent show.
True, there have been a few stars born out of these contests, but think of the hundreds of millions of dollars poured into these productions for the one or two so-called Idols that many of us scarcely remember two or three years down the road.
I see these contests for what they are... a instrument for advertising, and nobody producing these shows really cares if a star is born as long as the ad revenue comes pouring in. Their formula is simple:
Get contestants from regions where networks need a ratings boost so that family, friends and communities get behind "their next star". It's not by accident that auditions are held in certain cities.
It's close to the karaoke concept... let the people entertain themselves while you make money at the bar... who the hell cares if they sound good as long as they're binge drinking and you make a profit!
Same deal with reality TV...but that's a gripe for another day...
John Durant
...even with millions of dollars of promotion behind these shows, the over-saturation of new so-called stars is like a buffet with 3000 dishes for you to choose from.... you may like the taste of a dish here or there, but after tasting so many dishes even the best is soon forgotten. Most of these winners are journeyman at best, and don't have the depth of talent required for a deep rooted career in an overcrowded trade.
There is much to be said for the "real artists" who come up through the ranks in the traditional manner. These people hone their stage skills in small venues and have years of experience in recording studios. It's kinda hard to be a seasoned recording artist when you've only picked up "the studio brush" during a four to six month TV talent show.
True, there have been a few stars born out of these contests, but think of the hundreds of millions of dollars poured into these productions for the one or two so-called Idols that many of us scarcely remember two or three years down the road.
I see these contests for what they are... a instrument for advertising, and nobody producing these shows really cares if a star is born as long as the ad revenue comes pouring in. Their formula is simple:
Get contestants from regions where networks need a ratings boost so that family, friends and communities get behind "their next star". It's not by accident that auditions are held in certain cities.
It's close to the karaoke concept... let the people entertain themselves while you make money at the bar... who the hell cares if they sound good as long as they're binge drinking and you make a profit!
Same deal with reality TV...but that's a gripe for another day...
John Durant