# Is American Idol a big fluke? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 27, 2002, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179 "2002-07-27T23:57:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TimTheEnchanter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@TimTheEnchanter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimTheEnchanter)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2002, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/1 "2002-07-27T23:57:46Z")
Ok, so I’ve been watching the show “American Idol” pretty much since it came on. The point is to pick one pop idol to become an ultimate superstar. I want to know how these people can guarantee fame? Even though they will get lots of publicity and recognition, it does not guarantee that the american public will like their music. What happens after the show? You know that the rest of the contestants, as well as the talented ones who got booted off the show will have just as good as a chance of making it big as the winner does. Imagine how many record producers are watching that show right now, just waiting to find their next superstar. I really like this show, I think it’s cool, but it could end up being very heartbreaking. What do you think? Would you ever participate in something like this? I think society has taken reality TV a little too far. And what is up with those judges!!?? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/2 "2002-07-28T01:20:17Z")
Yep, it’s the latest in a long string of shows that become popular and then get run into the ground. Remember a little show called “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?” and it’s subsequent, albeit lesser, clones: “The Weakest Link”, “Greed”, etc? ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/3 "2002-07-28T02:53:49Z")
There have been shows like this before, and more often than not, the “winners” merely disappear without a trace. Remember Sam Harris, who won big on Star Search in 1984, and released an abysmally bad cover version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”? Didn’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![kgriffey79](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@kgriffey79](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kgriffey79)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/4 "2002-07-28T07:46:01Z")
I watched the VERY first one, when all the really really bad people tried out and the english judge just fuckin ripped them new ones! It was hilarious! I didn’t bother to watch the next ones because I figured that they wouldn’t suck and he wouldn’t make me laugh so hard… ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/5 "2002-07-28T11:13:52Z")
If the UK version(s) is anything to go by; you will find that the winner and runners up all end up with record contracts. They will release a rash of appalling, unimaginative cover versions and a few mediocre mainstream pop singles that are all moderately successful. Then they will vanish. Of course this will not have prevented the record and TV companies making a healthy profit out of it all. Never over estimate the ability of the public to buy second rate, short-lived, disposable trash. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/6 "2002-07-29T01:03:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TimTheEnchanter \* > \*\*Ok, so I’ve been watching the show “American Idol” pretty much since it came on. The point is to pick one pop idol to become an ultimate superstar. > > I want to know how these people can guarantee fame? Even though they will get lots of publicity and recognition, it does not guarantee that the american public will like their music. > > What happens after the show? > \*\* It’s not a fluke, it’s a rip-off of **Three** other shows with the exact same premise: **Making the Band, Popstars** and **Bands on the Run** : and that’s only the most recent ones in the US. As for what happens after the show…when’s the last time you heard a peep about O-Town, Eden’s Crush or Flickerstick? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/7 "2002-07-29T12:23:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KGS \* > \*\*There have been shows like this before, and more often than not, the “winners” merely disappear without a trace. Remember Sam Harris, who won big on Star Search in 1984, and released an abysmally bad cover version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”? Didn’t think so. \*\* [Sam Harris Official Website](http://www.samharris.com/) [Onion AV Club: Sam Harris](http://www.theonionavclub.com/avclub3401/bonusfeature13401.html) ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-idol-a-big-fluke/121179/8 "2002-07-29T12:33:33Z")
The band that won the UK popstars, Hear’say have disappeared hopefully never to return. Their first single however was the fastest selling single of all time in the UK and I think only candle in the wind(Diana version) sold more. The five that didn’t get picked are now a band as well called liberty x and they are still doing quite well and may be around for a while. The UK Pop Idol Will Young is still selling well but I personally think he’s one of the most one-dimensional performers I have ever seen. His partner in mediocrity is Garret Gates who was the runner up. The two of them are very boring and have no edge to them whatsoever. No sticking power but in their short careers they are sure to make a lot of money for the record companies.