>Mike,
>
>> a show that is watched by 30 to 40 million viewers per episode.... Out of a claimed 50 million votes
>
>40 million person hours to watch the show, and maybe 100 million person minutes spent voting.. what a waste of human potential.
>
>>Thoughts? Predictions?
>
>Who of any of these people involved will be respected musicians 50 years from now? I doubt that any of these "manufactured by the industry" performers will be around in even 10 years. The whole concept of this show has really irked me from the inception. .. trying to decide which of my CDs originally recorded in the 60's I'll pop in the player... or what band I might go downtown to see play at a club or festival this weekend. hmmm Ruthie Foster is playing a free show tonight at Unplugged at the Grove might just have to start the weekend early.
>

I don't view it nearly that harshly. Probably none of them will be remembered 50 years from now but that's not the point, is it? The rags to riches story is one that never grows old.

I suspect Idol is a poor predictor of professional stardom simply because of the format. The contestants are made to sing one style of music one week, a completely different style the next week, on and on, week after week. One very strong singer this season, Mandisa, got booted on country and western week. How fair is that? The judges were constantly on Chris Daughtry to stop singing so many rockers and branch out a bit. Does anyone say that to Keith Richards? (When he's not busy falling out of palm trees, anyway, LOL). Real recording artists don't jump all over the place in this manner. They find a style or genre that works for them and for the most part stick to it.

Enjoy the show tonight if you go.