American Idol manages to incorporate war propaganda into premier

[Webster Green]

One of the contestants who got thru to Hollywood is a sailor on a carrier, so we got a nice dose of bullshit about being in the gulf "defending our freedom" blah, blah, blah.....

Endless propaganda on Fox. "24" is bad enough, now they're doing it on American Idol.

Faux needs to give it a fucking rest.

[Sanity Claws]

1. Boycott everything on Fox

I know The Simpson are on Fox and are anti-Bush but I won't watch them.

[Webster Green]

6. I turn the tube over to my roommate at night...

I watch CSpan and then KO, and Bill Maher when he's in season.

Thats about it.

[IntravenousDemilo]

8. That's about as batty as the concept of "zero tolerance". You have to look at cases individually.

It's not only "The Simpsons" that's anti-Bush, but also "The Family Guy". And "American Dad" parodizes right-wing jingoism. Sure, go ahead and boycott "24" if you (mistakenly) believe that it's nothing but freepaganda, but don't tar everyone with the same brush.

[Sanity Claws]

15. My view

I boycott everything on Fox because I don't want to contribute to their coffers in any way. If sponsors knew people boycotted Fox for political reasons, they would want to spend their money elsewhere. My opinion.

[L A Woman]

16. why would you do that?

doesn't it send a stronger message to WATCH the shows that are not propaganda and only boycott the ones that are?

This boycotting business is a bit tricky....you can boycott WalMart, for example, but at the end of the day you are hurting the workers (many Dems) and not hurting the executives at all.

[wtmusic]

66. In the short term, yes

but in the long term the company suffers and the workers find jobs with more socially-conscious employers like Costco.

[Touchdown]

67. Can't. The God Warrior is back on Friday.

I can't miss a train wreck like that.:evilgrin:

[rusty charly]

2. defending our freedom?

how, exactly?

[L A Woman]

21. as a veteran myself...

i don't automatically hate all veterans. And yes, they ARE defending your freedom (in general, not with regard to this stupid war). Believe me, if they didn't exist, you'd notice it. And it wouldn't be pleasant.

The ones on the show seem like quite nice kids.

[Webster Green]

27. Hope you don't think I hate all veterans..

They are not supporting my freedom by being in the gulf, and that is why I called it propaganda. Fine that the guy got thru to Hollywood, and that he's serving, but they didn't need to put that line of bullshit in.

I'm a Vietnam veteran BTW.:patriot:

[Freddie Stubbs]

39. Are you suggesting that some here 'automatically hate all veterans?'

:shrug:

[Little Wing]

52. There's plenty of them around

Keep reading

[wtmusic]

64. I keep reading, and I just can't see a one

although I'm sure I saw Sasquatch on another thread...

[qanda]

41. I agree with you

They did seem like nice kids and they really didn't seem to be promoting the war. Most people in America are so against the war right now that it might actually hurt their chances on American Idol to be associated with this war. BTW, neither one of them were all that great at singing.

[mountainvue]

50. It made for a nice recruiting ad. Join the service and

you could go on American Idol.

[Zhade]

75. Our rights and freedoms don't come from the military.

And it hasn't defended us from a legitimate threat since WWII.

Btw, before you spew more bullshit strawmen about 'hating the military': I'm from a long, long line of servicemen/women.

[cynatnite]

3. Honestly don't care...

We watch AI for fun and not for news.

[VenusRising]

4. I actually missed it tonight.

I wasn't feeling well and totally forgot it was on. I don't think the bad singers would have helped my upset stomach.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. they had the soldier a few seasons ago

actually, he was one of my favorites from that bunch.

[beyurslf]

7. I record it and fast forward the commercials. We also skipped Bush's

infomercial in the middle with the military guy. There was also a reservist who made it through.

[Patsy Stone]

9. Is this a serious post?

Or is this a SERIES!!!1111!!1 post?

[Webster Green]

13. SERIES!!!1111!!

I felt screwn:P

[Patsy Stone]

Simon is HUGH!!111!

:)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

17. Hugh? IS that YOU?

Man, that is series.

[sandnsea]

10. Yeah, it was a bit much

And the USS Reagan of all things. But it's his story and he's entitled to it. *sigh*

[wtmusic]

11. They're particularly cruel this year

Randy Jackson is openly laughing at people, Paula "Flatlining Career" Abdul continues to take her own insecurity out on contestants, and Simon is his usual sneering self. Jewel looks uncomfortable and uncomprehending, as might any sane individual.

[Webster Green]

19. No shit......I feel sorry for some of these poor souls...

What were they thinking, though?

[wtmusic]

26. Kids with a dream aren't thinking about anything

but their shot at stardom. But keerist, stomp them into the dirt on national TV? There's something very morbid about viewers who enjoy watching this kind of stuff. The show has not a grain of conscience.

[stevietheman]

35. Morbid? I don't recall any contestant dying from embarrassment. n/t

n/t

[wtmusic]

60. It's a matter of time before someone commits suicide

Their goal is to humiliate people on national TV. It will happen.

"Twisted" is a better word. Watching people suffer. Elevating one's self by finding fault in others.

[stevietheman]

68. As if the contestants don't know what they are getting into.

Please.

[wtmusic]

74. Of course they don't know what they're getting into

That's the point. They choose young people who have little talent, but have friends and family members who tell them how great they are. Then they destroy them on national TV.
Ya like watching that?

[stevietheman]

79. Yes, I love it! Am I a monster? Geez. n/t

n/t

[wtmusic]

80. Monster? naah.

Twisted? Maybe. ;-)

[Mike Daniels]

49. Given that some of these kids truly can't sing but seem to hold illusions that they can...

Perhaps cold, hard reality is what they need in order to come to terms.

Yeah, there are probably a good portion who audition knowing they suck and they're aiming for their 15 minutes. However, most people who appear are probably thinking they have a shot when in reality they don't have a hope in hell of making it as a major music star. While the rejection may not be as barbed as it is on AI I can't see them getting any different results if they were to go knocking on the doors of various studios.

Anyway, by this time in the show's history I think anyone who actually goes through the effort of auditioning for AI knows that they run the chance of being slammed on air by Boozy, Grumpy and Dopey.

[mountainvue]

51. Well, when the entertainment industry promotes people like

Britney Spears and Paris Hilton to stardom, why the hell wouldn't any of these kids think they have a shot? Talk about your cold hard dose or reality.

[wtmusic]

62. Not to mention the judges are has-beens anyway

who the f*ck are they to say? Simon told Jennifer Hudson she was "out of her league" -- and she just won a Golden Globe.

Truth is, Simon, you're out of her league.

[stevietheman]

69. For "has-beens", they are doing quite well _today_. n/t

n/t

[wtmusic]

73. They're complete musical has-beens who now make their living

off being condescending assholes, to the delight and prurient fascination of the same people who scan car accidents for gore as they drive by.

[sakabatou]

12. American Idol just sucks

I never watch it.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

14. This is all becoming more than a little...

ABSURD!!! :tinfoilhat:

[mmonk]

18. Can't wait until Rockstar returns.

Trumps AI for value and it's not so pop oriented.

[Beausoir]

20. Why would any thinking person EVER watch that show?

Jesus. Of all the great books in the world that can be read, why pollute and diminish your mind with that utter crap?

[cynatnite]

22. Because it's a few hours of mindless fun...

I can still read a good book or whatever. I get serious enough about a lot of things as it is and sometimes some mindless fun is in order for a few hours. To each his own.

[Patsy Stone]

25. Not here.

Here you must only watch what they tell you, when they tell you to watch it, and like it.

[Beausoir]

31. Nonsense. Nobody here is telling you what to watch. ENJOY watching FOX.

Enjoy it. To each his own. If you like to watch Fox, so be it.

[Patsy Stone]

37. No one is telling me what to watch

Except everyone who is telling me what not to watch.

[alcibiades_mystery]

45. You're free to watch whatever you want

And I'm free to think that you're a fucking idiot for watching it.

Cheers!

:-)

[Patsy Stone]

61. Cheers!

From one fucking idiot to another!

[qanda]

46. LOL

Exactly!

[Webster Green]

30. Heh!....I spend nearly the whole day and night on the computer...

The TeeVee is on in the background quite often though.....either that or really loud reggae music.:*

[MonkeyFunk]

23. How was it propaganda?

they do a little background on a lot of the contestants. Was there also pro-crack-baby propaganda?

The guy's a sailor - they noted it.

[Webster Green]

28. No....they noted that he was in the gulf "protecting our freedoms"..

That's the line that got to me.

That's bullshit propaganda.

[Elwood P Dowd]

24. Why do people watch worthless shit like American Idol?

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[msongs]

29. american idol is a threat to the sanctity of real music

all the finalists are processed, cleaned, manipulated, and drained of any emotional warmth, individual style, or content.

the primary qualifications of the finalists are volume and sterility.

and the screaming zombies of the audience, ugh. the "applause" sign is gonna blow some night.

but it makes bucks and that's the american way eh :-)

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[Webster Green]

33. That is a pretty accurate review..

The show is a fucking trainwreck for sure.

[WinkyDink]

65. One hopes your idea of "real music" would be Classical.

Because other than that, it's all the same, under the skin. Just some is jealous of not getting that same break.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

32. Do You Remember When?.....

There were actually complete shows with a plot?

You know, like Hill Street Blues. L.A. Law. Cheers. Seinfeld. Friends.

Now we're left with Crap like American Idol. Deal Or No Deal. The Bachelor. The Biggest Loser.

And non-stop political garbage, with only Keith Olbermann to stand as a voice of intelligence and reason. Even 60 Minutes has jumped the shark.

[Hippo_Tron]

36. House, Studio 60, The Office, Scrubs, Boston Legal, Law and Order

Just because reality TV exists now, doesn't mean it's the only thing on.

[Kurovski]

34. Why does American Idol hate America?

[Roxy66]

38. Wow....my 12 yr old looked over at me and said it was "un-cool"....

I was really disturbed by both the contestant and the panel. Using the uniform on the backs of those being killed over in Iraq to get fame...and the panel drooling over it made me sick.
I probably would be supportive of the girl if she would have gone on without the uniform and then mentioned her military history.

[izzybeans]

40. Well it is a show built on nationalism. War propaganda is just one flavor flowing

through that crap bag.

[MadHound]

42. Why do you even bother watching this crap?

Faux is just a right wing propaganda arm, serving the idiotic and brain dead sectors of our population. Of course it's going to serve up pro-war propaganda, that's its job.

Turn the channel, or better yet, turn your TV off and stop feeding the beast.

[Atman]

43. "Rome" just started up again on HBO

Then the other A-list programs start up again in April -- Entourage, Big Love. If it weren't for HBO, I'd likely have no television at all. Anymore, even "reality" shows don't reflect reality on television. Its either escapist pap, or war propaganda and brainwashing.

.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

44. Ridiculous Outrage In My Opinion. She Was Sincere, Sweet, And May God Bless Her And Her Husband.

It is NOT propaganda for our brave men and women in our military to state their pride in defending our country. They are more honorable and brave then many of us will ever be, and I for one am thankful to all of them for making the sacrifice to serve in our military. The purpose of the military is in fact to protect our nation and its freedom, so how on Earth can you get outraged at a soldier for saying it? It doesn't matter if we do or don't support the premise of the war in Iraq. What matters is that she had the courage and heart to enlist into the military with the honorable purpose of defending our nation, which does in fact still need a military as does need to have defense capabilities. Being stuck in the Iraq quagmire is irrelevant to this. Just because we don't agree with the war in Iraq, does that mean we should disband our military completely and leave ourselves vulnerable to any attack from any nation or any terrorists? It would be ludicrous to declare such. We need a military and we need brave and honorable men and women to choose that sacrifice. I myself would not choose to do so, but I honor the fuck out of those that do, for they are stronger and braver than I. And since we DO in fact need a military and the purpose of a military is in fact to defend the freedoms of a nation, then I completely fail to see why this was something to be outraged about.

I saw her last night. Know what my reaction was? It was "God bless her and her husband. They look like beautiful human beings and may God protect them". That was my reaction, in stark contrast to yours. She was a beautiful person with pure convictions and intent. Why someone would've been outraged afterwards is a bit perplexing to me.

God bless her.

[The Stranger]

47. Her being used for propaganda purposes does not dilute it as propaganda.

You can have your god bless whomever you please, I suppose, but the corporate oligopoly on media supporting the military industrial complex needs to be pointed out anywhere and everywere.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

48. Yes! Every Time One Of Our Troops Is Shown On TV It's Propaganda!!!11111

Give me a friggin break. Seriously.

[The Stranger]

70. Try to stay focused. The media piece produced clearly connotes propaganda.

Other instances of "troops shown on TV" will have to be considered in their context, whether propaganda or not.

[Atman]

55. Don't forget, she was just in the reserves...are reservists required to wear...

...the camo everywhere? Especially if they're not officially representing the Army?

It did come across as "product placement" in my mind.

.

[undeterred]

59. If she wears it in Hollywood

Well, I don't think it will work to get her through to the next session again.

[in_cog_ni_to]

63. It WAS 'product placement' and NO, they are not required to wear their camo everywhere.

I knew the minute I saw her she would be chosen to 'go to Hollywood' .... surprise! surprise!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

54. Same Applies To The Guy As Well.

I initially mistook the OP as referring to the female contestant. But my thoughts apply to the sailor as well. Just wanted to clarify.

[undeterred]

56. She was a dear person and totally sincere.

I hope she doesn't get sent to Iraq, and I hope she doesn't get bad news from Iraq about her husband.

[undeterred]

53. Should American Idol exclude military people?

I don't think so. Don't blame the military for the idiot commander in chief.

[Webster Green]

57. No...but don' t tell me they are in the gulf to "protect our freedoms"

I would have been OK with it had they said: He is serving aboard the carrier Ronald Reagan which is in the gulf trying to start World War III.

[undeterred]

58. I think thats what they need to believe to get through the night

Anyone who knew and believed the truth would be overboard in a minute.

[Parche]

71. American EYEDULL

That is one of the most overrated stupid shows out there

[RestoreGore]

72. WHY in God's name does anyone watch this crap?

Yeah, I know, it's America. The land where American Idol is more important than our Earth melting around us.

[LostinVA]

82. Because it's an entertaining show and we like it n/t

[DuaneBidoux]

76. Displays like that do not bother me if they are done tastefully

I as a boss however, and especially if my employees were in the public arena, would not allow it.

[NoGOPZone]

77. He wasn't much of a singer either.

Wonder if any gimmes will be handed out tonight.

[undeterred]

78. There was a teenager from Madison who said she was a crack baby

and that God had given her an incredible gift. She had a powerful voice and made it through to Hollywood.

Go Denise Jackson!

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/entertainment/index.php?ntid=115164&ntpid=1

[Sequoia]

81. Seattle Sets New `Idol' Benchmark

The "American Idol" auditions in Seattle, dubbed the "weirdest turnout in history" by host Ryan Seacrest, more than lived up to the billing.

"What the bloody hell was that?" judge Simon Cowell said on Wednesday's show after enduring a unique version of "Unchained Melody," adding, "It was almost non-human."

In fact, the two-day tryout for Fox's hit singing talent was a real zoo.

One big-eyed, failed hopeful was compared to a "bush baby," a jungle animal, by the caustic Cowell, who termed another contestant, a 6-foot-4 woman who passed singing muster, a "giraffe." Then there were the actual animals — a Chihuahua and a Pomeranian — brought along for the ride.


I thought he looked a bit like Peter Lorrie (Casablanca to name a movie). Simon is so mean.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2007/01/18/entertainment/e053243S09.DTL

[Skidmore]

83. What!?!!! They didn't have a nuke suicider bomberer terra attack segment on?

FOX is losing its MO.