American Idol…Really?

Okay, I’ll admit it.  I  too was sitting at rapt attention like my kids, in front of the big mind waster on Wednesday, May 25th, 2011.   It was what we had invested  weeks in and now it was time for a return on our investment.  Who would it be Scotty or Lauren?   Admittedly, they were both amazing talents, even though we were disappointed that our rocker was not “in it to win it.”   But alas, there he was…James Durbin performing in the finale.

Our excitement could barely be contained as we waded through our mandatory 1 hour and 52 minutes of porn, I mean promo material with the bribe of a winner being announced.   What an evening.  Had to clean up the popcorn when I came back and saw Jennifer “rousing the crowd”  with her many moves.  Had to make a dive for the remote and wipe  up a “spit take” when lady Gaga couldn’t control herself.   I didn’t know she and Jennifer did Vegas style shows.   Doesn’t Jennifer have two young children?    The male American Idol contestants surely felt out of their element as their female counterparts clamoured for “shedding the most apparel” title.   Scotty’s thoughts…”counter the nudity with even deeper voice, always gets the females.”    Is it my imagination, or has American Idol become more smutty?  I realize hollywood feels we all should be desensitized to sensuality and showing more skin,  after all it is freely available.   But is there any sense of responsibilty towards children and the values we are modeling.   Is it progressive or backwards?

Unfortunately,  the “women’s equal rights  movement” has taken quite a nose dive.   The message American Idol seems to be sending loud and clear….if you want to win or be successful as a female, you better  take your clothes off and move like a stripper.   After all, that’s what Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and many American Idol contestants do. Do we really want our daughters to be mini strippers in training?     Is this the message we want to send our own impressionable, young  daughters.   Do we really want our girls feeling their value in society is looks and partial nudity?

American Idol did not use to cater and pander.   They used to be a true family show.   They kept their guest appearance acts clean over all.  I’d love to be a fly on the wall at  auditions to be a guest act on American Idol now.   “Hey you, are you just going to wear the leather bikini, or can you stand on the stool with booty in air while playing the piano?”  “Bravo, you’re in!”  It appears they have become a sell-out to the highest bidder for the best ratings.   Whenever money is put above human worth…society goes backwards.

Yes, I believe parents should be the final authority.  However, if you are going to call yourself a family show…then do it and do it right.   If your going to be a judge that children and teens look up to….take your responsibility seriously and stop requiring censoring.   Steven Tyler is very likeable without always pushing the boundaries.   Jennifer’s beauty is established without doing scenes for public that should be kept between she and her husband.

I for one will practice my parental rights and not be viewing American Idol’s next season.  We used to enjoy it a great deal as a family.  I will not support a show that sends a harmful message to young women and girls.   It’s already a battle to raise a young woman in a culture where much of the media promotes females for looks.  They were created for more than looks and sensuality.   Do I make mistakes as a parent?  Absolutely!  Every day.  The difference…I own up to those mistakes and take responsibility.  Hollywood may continue to send harmful messages, but I have a responsibility and will not be a conduit for their greed.

I shall go clean my dishes with all this soap that has spilled out of my box.   Preachy and long-winded…yes!  Is this post judgemental?  I call it discernment and common sense.

As I scrub, I will also ponder how respectul and beautiful Lauren was.    I hope and pray she does not fall prey to the temptations to “sell out.”  How often do we see it happen?   How many of our young girl’s album covers and videos start to show a walk down the “bare it all”  path.  There is hope out there.  You go out and show them Lauren Alaina!   You are perfect just the way you are…proper clothing included.

Father’s day is coming this month.  I’ll leave you with a quote by Chris Rock.  “Father’s, our only job is to keep our daughters off the pole.”  Okay, so there’s just a little more to it than that.  As dad’s your job is immense.   You are such an influence in your daughter’s life .   Remember she will love like you do.  Teach her to love herself for who she is.

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