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DONNA J. PLESH |
 Here's a promotional photo of two dozen finalists in Fox's 'American Idol' series, looking like a candid shot taken at a U.N. tour guides after work party. |
We check up on 'Idol'
and 'Amazing Race'
of TheColumnists.com
Readers of this space no doubt are aware that I am
a big fan of CBS’ “The Amazing Race.” And
no one was happier than me when the seventh edition premiered
March 1, barely a month after edition six ended.
That said, I decided it was time to take a look at another reality
show. So for the past few weeks I have been monitoring the most
popular reality show in America (according to the Nielsen ratings),
“American Idol” on Fox.
So, what conclusions have I drawn from checking out both shows?
How about “Idol” as a modern-day gladiator vs. the
lions--with the forum being a TV stage instead of the Coliseum
in Rome?
On stage, a group of mostly twentysomethings--along with a couple
of teens--who won tryouts around the country--have made it to
H O L LY W O O D for a chance to become the next American Idol.
And they thought the tryouts in the provinces were tough! In
Hollywood the male and female finalists get to sing their hearts
out in front of a studio audience and three judges. Then they
get to hear what the judges think about their performance. (Personally,
I think they would have had a better chance with the lions!)
The judges are record producer Randy Jackson, singer and sometime
“Entertainment Tonight” contributor Paula Abdul, and
British record company executive Simon Cowell. Jackson is usually
up front with the hopefuls, telling them they are good, bad,
or somewhere in between. Abdul frequently agrees with Jackson’s
comments, but, on the whole, she’s nicest to the contestants.
Simon Cowell is, well, Simon. He smirks, he looks bored, and
he’s usually scathing in his comments about the contestants’
performance, sometimes reducing them to near tears.
But, on a rare occasion, Simon can be complimentary. And, a couple
weeks back he seemed smitten by one of the more attractive female
contestants.
OK. So the judges have their say, but the final say on who goes
on to the next round is up to viewers who vote for contestants
by phone or text message. Show host--and Los Angeles radio personality--Ryan
Seacrest repeats the numbers over and over again, then over and
over again and again. These are the same numbers seen on the
screen. One wonders if Seacrest wakes up in the middle of the
night repeating those
numbers!
Then there is “The Amazing Race,” which pits 11 two-member
teams against each other in a race around the world with the
winners taking home $1 million. These contestants are real people
who could be your father, mother, brother, sister, or best friend.
A new wrinkle in this editon is that “Survivor” winner
Amber Brkich and her fiance Rob Mariano are one of the teams.
So far Rob and Amber don’t seem to be
winning any popularity contest among fellow contestants! And,
as of this writing, (March 9) they are in first place.
What makes this show work so well is that as the teams match
wits and wiles with against each other, many must also conquer
personal fears (of heights, bugs, yucky food, etc.). They have
to do this and still keep focused on their goal of winning as
they race around the globe performing tasks (llama herding, for
example) that can make or break their chances of winning.
The key to “Race” is teamwork. If teams want to win,
they win it together--even if that sometimes means screaming
and yelling in frustration at each other. At the end of each
week’s show, the team that comes in last is (usually) eliminated.
But even though they have lost, they almost all say the experience
was worth it because it has brought them closer to their partner.
So, which show are you watching? A show that pits real people
matching wits against other real people and the elements as they
race for a pot of gold? Or, a show that is a really a popularity
contest with some talented singers hoping against hope Americans
will pick up their phones and vote to keep them on the show and
in the forum for another week?
For me the choice is clear--it’s the wonderful and always entertaining “The Amazing Race.” And if you aren’t watching, tune in Tuesday nights and see what I mean.
©2005 by Donna J.
Plesh. The photo is courtesy of the Fox TV network. This column
first posted March 14, 2005.
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can comment on this column online. Please address your message
to either "The Editors" or Donna J. Plesh. To send
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