On ‘Idol,’ telling it like it is
AND so the seven-stop, Season 6 audition tour of “American Idol” whimpered to a halt in San Antonio on Tuesday. (Actually, it’s not quite over; Wednesday night’s episode was a “Best of the Rest,” audition leftovers special.)
The audition tour is not for everyone; not every hardened “Idol” fan can sit through 10-some hours of deluded non-talents having their dreams ripped to shreds while judges struggle to contain their amusement.
But the auditions provide a space for a couple of things most of us so rarely encounter in our lives -- a (usually) respectful hearing followed by the undiluted truth. And this is what makes the potentially tedious tour compelling viewing. OK, that and the weirdos.
Just to underline the massive achievement of that respectful hearing part: After six seasons, these judges have sat through, likely, thousands of auditions. Still, the trio actually stops and listens to each contestant as he or she shuffles before the honorary Kelly Clarkson wall.
Even when contestants are in an astronaut costume or crawling on the floor like a jungle cat, the judges give them a chance to be heard (usually), and they’re open to the possibility that, hey, you never know.
Five years in, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are still listening.
And once they’ve heard the contestants, even more improbably, the judges give them the respect of an honest opinion; without whitewashing, they tell the singers what they think.
Anyone who has ever had a conversation with another human being can tell you, that is something that’s almost impossible to do.
Yet, without flinching (except for Abdul), the verdict is delivered. Whether it is, “You were born to be a pop star” or “You have a massive personality problem,” contestants don’t leave the room wondering anymore whether they have it or not.
On Tuesday night’s episode, a contestant sobbed as the results trickled in. After her performance, Jackson asked in a sympathetic but firm voice, “You want us to be honest with you, right?” When the contestant nodded, he laid it down, “It really wasn’t good.”
Not harsh, but there it was.
Then Cowell told the “small town girl”: “You are commercial, with a capital C.” She asked, nonsensically, “Is that a good thing?”
He nodded with conviction so pure, it could melt your heart. “Yes, it’s a very good thing.”
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Show Tracker is a new column that follows television series through their highs and lows.
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