American Idol vs. Super Girl

坤哥

It all came abruptly that I happened to see the video clip of American Idol on my friend’s computer and then fell in love with it, especially the 7th season.  There are so many talented, lovable singers such as David Archuleta, Michael Johns, Brooke White and even artists with originality and creativity like David Cook.  I followed it all the way through and won’t miss it for anything.

In contrast, the similar domestic show Super Girl just can’t compare with American Idol.  Although Super Girl imitated American Idol, its overall quality lags far behind.

First of all, the panel of American Idol is extremely professional with sharp eyes.  Randy Jackson, a renowned music producer who has cooperated with many famous singing stars, discerns every note accurately without missing any incorrect pitches.  Paula Abdul, a brilliant singer and dancer, serving as a consoler for the contestants, always expresses her opinions implicitly yet with respect and encouragement towards the contestants.  Irreplaceable Simon Cowell, gives constructive advice every time without any biases yet with no mercy and indirectness either.  He is the truth-teller.  

However, the panel from Super Girl is not professional enough and not often tells the truth about some contestants. Sometimes the comment is so apparently wrong that even audience may suspect there is perhaps wire-pulling behind the stage.  We can see that some awful contestants, often off the pitch, can make it through all the way to the finale, which is unfair and unacceptable.

Besides, the messages of the shows are diametrically different.  In American Idol, positive attitudes are everywhere.  Even though some are bar tenders, some are baby-sitters; others may just pull through a major disease but you can never see the bitterness or misery on their faces.  They demonstrate optimism in their enjoyment of what they are doing.  You can see and feel the live air in the bar, the loveliness of the babies and the confidence after combating the disease.  

Yet, in Super Girl, the stage is filled up with tears and pity.  The producers and the contestants always trying to show you how many obstacles they’ve been through, how much misery they’ve suffered in real life and how pitiful their life is with only one parent or other misfortunes that everyone has confronted in their own life…All in all, they are appealing to audience’s sympathy, which probably will stimulate their willingness to support.  As a result, more and more messages are sent in.  Therefore, the contestants get high votes while the producers and organizers make a good fortune.

It is a win-win situation for both the contestants and the organizers but the audience are taken advantage of.  We are so easily fooled and touched by their “heartbroken” stories that we even forget it is supposed to be a singing competition instead of a story-telling one and we let loose our sensibility to distinguish and recognize their marketing strategies.  Consequently, we are trapped and the fairness or standards of the contest are jeopardized, making little sense.

But you may wonder since it lost so much good qualities during the process of introducing and imitating, why is it still so popular and sensational nationwide?  

For one thing, the producer is so smart to catch the message and learn from foreign shows directly.  It broke the original chain of the entertainment circles—mainland China imitating Hong Kong and Taiwan, Hong Kong and Taiwan imitating Japan and Korea, Japan and Korea imitating Europe and America—but the organizer from Hunan TV directly introduced the format from America, which is quite fresh and eye-catching for mainland audiences.  

For another, the form. corresponded the sentiment of today’s society—everyone desires “equal opportunities” and a channel for grassroots to climb up the corporate ladder all the way to the high society. In other words, the normal people can become superstars overnight through this bridge or platform.  

Anyway, the show is just a form. of entertainment and should not be taken seriously.  Just bear in mind not to be fooled by those tears and touching stories next time because they are just shrewd strategies specifically targeting you.