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American Idol, Part IV: The Illusion Continues

Published Wednesday, August 04, 2004 by seanlmccarthy | E-mail this post

Hello, Cleveland! An estimated 15,000 wannabe singers showed up in Cleveland before dawn Tuesday to begin tryouts for the fourth season of American Idol. But what they don't know, and what the media will never tell you or them, is that American Idol is as much a talent contest as much as the "Defense of Marriage Act" is about defending the honor of marriage. Go ahead. Watch Entertainment Tonight this evening. They won't tell you the truth: American Idol is a mega-slick, mega-successful marketing machine.
Of the 15,000 who show up in each city, only a few will be chosen to sing before Simon, Randy and Paula -- the 21st Century Pep Squad.
How are those "lucky" few chosen? By TV producers.
It's all about casting.
Imagine 15,000 auditions, each taking at least a few minutes to get one person in and out of the door. Do the math. No one could withstand that kind of cattle call. So the only people to audition on-camera are not necessarily the best singers, but they are the most likely candidates to make for good TV, or to garner maximum viewer loyalty, which will translate later into record sales, concert tickets and advertising deals. And that's what American Idol is really about. Making money for 19 Entertainment, the company that owns the show.
So now you know. Hope I didn't burst your bubble.

Related AP story from Cleveland.