What does the American Idol tell us? It basically reveals our deep-seated need to be noticed, to be appreciated for something that is completely our own.
The American Idol phenomenon opens that Pandora Box that uncovers the human desire to be applauded, to be recognised as being an unique individual with a gift that is held in awe by millions.
I am not sure if any behaviourial scientist has embarked on a project to understand the mega success of this TV reality show. For example, why is it for the past five years that the American Idol had met phenomenal success despite it being televised on the same old format year after year.
Surely, TV viewers are not so easily to please as to accept in toto the "same, old stuff" from TV producers. The secret of American Idol's success can be seen from the fact that it gives hope to every individual who ever exists.
It is one show that you don't have to be a rich person, or have an IQ of 150 to qualify. It is a contest that anyone can join. That means you have about 120 seconds to show more than 300 million people (America's populated accounted for) the kind of stuff you have in you.
We all know we can't sing as well as Josh Groban or even half as well as Barry Manilow, but many of us are not afraid to try. Just think of the career opportunity of coming onto television and practically make a fool of yourself in two minutes' flat.
On the way through the portal of dubious fame, you can dressed up like a clown, dance like a maniac and croak like a wounded hound. The worst that you can do is to be told: "That was horrendous. Your voice will be the death of you!"
And then you make your exit. If you are the type who revel in abject failure, just chalk that oneup as one stumbling block on your way up the clobbled path of career enhancement.
One of the reason why Taylor Hicks won last year's American Idol contest was because his persona was a mirror to many individuals' personal hope and wishes. Taylor wasn't that phenomenal a singer.
Yes, he could sing adequately to merit an applause of unimpressive proportion, but more importantly, his successful ascension to the American Idol's throne was akin to us the Ordinary Joes making it through to the CEO's office.
The majority of his supporters saw in Taylor an aspect of themselves that we would like to appreciate and exploit.
This year's contest is no different. The show was founded on these principles, a winning formula I must add. With this win-win situation, I guess American Idol will continue to grow in strength until such time when another show with a more impressive formula of arresting viewers' attention show up in our living rooms.
Meanwhile, we continue to allow ourselves to be fascinated and enthralled by the braver ones among us. In the process, there might be a handful of truly talented people being able to impress the most cynical among us.
We wish these people all the luck in the world. If there's one thing the world needs is hope and a undying fascination with the one-in-a-million chance of making it right to the top, against all odds.
It is a love affair that doesn't seem to go away.
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