From the Inside

     When I had chose this topic I had no idea how in depth I would be looking into one of my favorite television shows. From looking at it’a iconic status since it’s inception to picking apart the show and it’s judges, contemplating their hero or celebrity and realizing it’s formulaic processes. It’s as though I feel a bit more behind the scenes than I felt before. All the topics I’ve had to write about pretty heavily fit into every topic that we’d covered. 

     Applying formula’s to American Idol is what I feel I learned most from. I didn’t really understand what a formula meant; usually I think math. Though when I sat back and watched a few movies for one of my assignments I was able to see that there are always a lot of commonalities that are the foundation of the movie itself. Though each movie usually was different in its own right.

     Like I said, it’s as though I feel more behind the scenes now. More able to see the foundation of the show; the inner workings. I can see why they changed a few of the judges for the 10th season and why they work the same way each year. However obviously their variable primarily is the talent on the show. One year they can be pretty heavy in their country based singers and the next they can have more of the indie crowd. American Idol is like a bag of Skittles. While the bag is always the same you never know exactly what’s going to be inside.

Formulaic Pop, A.I.

Everything in life has a pattern. The media has found a few tricks that seem to work rather well. To reach a targeted audience they have a simple formula for certain kinds of television shows for instance. American Idol is not any different. They have a very systematic way that the show is set up. You have several weeks of auditions; where we see the good, the bad, and the god awful. We then see those who succeeded and got their ticket to Hollywood, go there in a huge group and go through different rounds; your individual performance that leads to the group and another round or two of solo. From there the judges narrow it down to who makes it on television. After that it’s up to America’d vote. Through that process we see people grow and we decide to love or hate them; to see who has the potential to make it or who we think will.

     It’s taken me quite a bit more effort to understand the concept of a formula that pertains to pop culture but once I got it, it clicked. If you step back and look at certain movies, shows, songs, etc. you can see that there is a common foundation from which it came; a base storyline. From there an individual has the power to add variables (invention) to the control (convention). Regardless you can come to see a pattern and can possibly even predict what could be successful or could be at risk of failure. If you study it enough you could avoid the latter.

References

Browne, R.B. (2005). Profiles of Popular Culture. Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Press.

Hero or Celebrity, those behind American Idol

There is quite the fine line between being considered an actual hero or being a hero based on your celebrity status. American Idol borders that fine line when it comes to their judges. However we all have different standards that lead us to qualify as more than just a celebrity. Steven Tyler for example has battled through years of substance abuse and ups and downs with his band yet he is still alive and kicking; showing us that he’s a survivor and not done leaving his musical impression on the world. Jennifer Lopez also has been a hero to many young girls and giving them hopes and dreams to accomplish more in their life. She grew up pretty poor and now she’s a Hollywood “triple-threat” worth millions and adored by all. Though everyone may not agree with how I can view them as being a step above celebrity they can’t deny their overcoming adversity. 

     In my readings I had realized how easily these days the ways of celebrity can easily be confused with what actually makes someone a hero. From helping someone in a time of need or pushing through their obstacles to succeed, a true hero is born. However these days a reality television show where all the guys are chauvinistic and the girls hardly have any intelligence are what we consider a modern day “hero”. Who can really say that they can hold a conversation about Albert Einstein, Gandhi, or Mother Theresa with someone who is still growing up this day and age and have them know who you’re talking about or their contributions to our culture? 

An American Ritual?

     

     American Idol is a culture staple in America these days. It’s the chance to pursue a dream and a chance for us to watch young people pursue those dreams. However it is very ritualistic in nature. They go through the same rounds every year and every season. Only changing it up in a major way, once when they replaced Simon and Paula with Jennifer and Steven. Though even with that change in it’s judges, in the American Idol ritual, fans were not happy at first.

     It seems as though every year on American Idol, while the people are different, it’s like deja vu. You watch for the first several episodes, the good the bad and the ugly. You see people come in with actual talent, blowing the judges away. Then there are those with this diluted vision they are great and we take pleasure in their naivety and chuckle at their misfortune. We then move on to hollywood week where we see who makes it and who cracks under pressure. After different trials such as group round, they narrow it down again. From there it’s live and on the main stage and the number gets cut in half yet again. It’s solely up to America after that with one person leaving each week until the final two. It’s been the same scenario for 11 seasons.  

     With taking a step back and looking at some reasons why American Idol chooses to not shake things up every season I can see perfectly well why they wouldn’t. People deal with change on a daily basis. If they are a fan of the show and it just started, say last week, they know what to expect. There is a process to find the next American Idol and if they were to skip airing the tryouts for example, fans would not feel as they have for 11 seasons; they would no longer feel as much a part of that process. Our comfort in our rituals can be a blessing and a curse. 

Icon or Idol?

“American Idol” is a reality show giving America the opportunity to find the next big thing. However maintaining status, be it iconic or idealistic, is harder than one seems to think it is, especially these days. Many modern day icons we know of, such as Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson, have held this lasting captivation over us and the world. They each had their own special something that burned into our minds and continues to last through generations. 

     Both Marilyn and Michael reached us through media, such as television, though they worked towards their fame and they worked hard to maintain it. These days, however, with peoples need for immediate gratification and the decline in the record industry due to lack of record sales, executives were looking for the new and better way to reach the masses. The concept of “American Idol” just seemed to fit. To have judges who are experienced in the field of music narrow down the search to a select few and then hand the reigns to the audience; to let them choose their new idol. With that people can’t make as much of a genuine connection as they have with major icons in the past. Sure, every audience member has their favorite but fan loyalty is dwindling these days and eventually they become one of many who fall off their cloud and back to the real world with the rest of us.

     I, personally, see how a show such as “American Idol” can put a clear difference into what actually makes an icon versus the term coined on the show, “idol”. There’s that little something that stands out among the rest. From Marilyn Monroe and her three quarter length gloves and Michael Jackson and his moonwalk. Even something as small as that can make an icon, an icon.

Browne, R.B. (2005). Profiles of Popular Culture. Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Press.

Where For Art Thou Icons?

     Popular icons aren’t the same to all of us. We may all see the same thing, but that doesn’t guarantee that it means as much to us as it does to the person beside you. However, if one is able to look at what makes an icon, an icon they’ll be able to see the world in how it influences each of us, positively or negatively. My three icons are all something that mean something to me, for different reasons. The Beatles were a big part of my mothers childhood and with that, when she had me she instilled that fine wisdom of “Yesterday”. And even though Michael Jackson was already way popular by the time I was born I felt as though, even as an infant, that I had been moved towards this passion for music and it’s beautiful art form. With Family Guy, the cartoon, being my final icon choice leads me to something I see that influences many people close to me, and has for years. I, personally, have not been as engrossed or enthralled by the cartoon in general but I am able to see it’s strong impact on pop culture. 

The Beatles

     The Beatles formed in Liverpool, England in the 1960’s. They worked their way to stardom overseas and seemingly overnight they were a U.S. success. “The teenage population, swelled by the Baby Boom, helped make The Beatles a cultural phenomenon” (Pach, 2004, pg. 47). They spit out hit after hit and one platinum album after another. Being an extremely recognized musical icon, The Beatles are still as influential today as they were in the 60’s. Modern artists attribute their passion and musical know-how to such artists as The Beatles. Those artists these days cover their songs and dawn fashionable attire with their ever-famous logo, showing off a very momentous and prevalent icon to which we hold dear.

Pach, C. (2004). "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Stay": Using Popular Music to Teach About Dating and Youth Culture from Elvis to the Beatles. OAH Magazine Of History, 18(4), 44-47.

Michael Jackson

     The King of Pop was rightly named as such. Michael Jackson became a hurricane force in the music industry and in the public eye. It started with his father, Joe Jackson, building The Jackson 5 and leading them to Motown success. However it wasn’t without consequence. Michael’s father put a lot of pressure on all the children, especially Michael, in the pursuit of a “dream”. However, the dream was his initially. Though, with such a discipline to succeed Michael did just that and is easily recognizable, be it visibly or audibly, to this day. His music, along with television propelled his career to unbeatable heights and he became this immortal force versus a normal human being. He made grown men cry and women faint. His music as well as his skills on the stage inspired artists, and still do to this day. To watch his movie “This Is It”, in the beginning, you really see how much he affected people, even a totally different generation with his abilities and remarkable talent. Even though he has passed tragically we are still surrounded with his influence everyday.

Carr, F. W. (2010). Michael Jackson Motivated. Journal Of Pan African Studies, 3(7), 42-44.

Family Guy

     In competition with The Simpsons, Family Guy, debuting in 1999, was most certainly not a home run hit. Both shows being on FOX, and The Simpsons still drawing in viewers, Family Guy could barely hold it’s head above water and was pulled after a couple seasons. However, Family Guy, did not take it’s final breath. DVD sales sky rocketed and Family Guy reruns on Cartoon Network made Adult Swim a massive success. Fox rethought their decision and brought it back. It’s now 2012 and the show is still as rude, crude, and hilarious as ever. We recognize the characters, imitate them for giggles, if we can that is. As influential as The Simpsons were and still are, Family Guy has become a cult classic example of a pop icon.

Wheat, A. (2008). Family Guy. Entertainment Weekly, (1010/1011), 44-47.

Popular Culture, What is it you say?

     Popular culture is a modern day melting pot of everything that influences us. From music to television, magazines to commercials, we are bombarded on a daily basis with a mass amount of information that can play into our development as people. Having read up a little more on popular culture you start to realize just how much you are influenced by it. For instance, I’m currently watching T.V. while listening to Nine Inch Nails, notating my thoughts here for all to read. What makes me different from the guy who sits quietly in a library to work effectively?

     Comprehending the world we live in and how influential pop culture is within it is a constant task. Things change all the time and we must constantly adapt. Magazine ad’s from the 1950’s won’t sell as well now as they did then as that technology has grown and our minds eye needs more than what it used to. To grow and be successful you must realize this and grow with popular culture or risk falling behind the pack. I think that in relation to my own life and experiences, with wanting to own my own business in the future, I must learn to be aware of the elements of pop culture; to recognize the fads, embrace counter cultures, recognize what’s become part of the masses. 

     I chose the Apple brand computer to be my specific pop culture artifact as it has grown to such magnitudes that it’s seen throughout the world and is known for it’s breakthroughs in the technology realm. It’s ever growing and ever changing, in search of newer and better things. Ever since the first computer was introduced several decades ago our lives have changed. We have the capability to send mail in a matter of seconds, can chat live with someone on the other side of the world, search for an answer and find it with the click of a mouse. Apple sees that, and wants more, and won’t stop until they produce it.