I Wonder Why It's Taking So Long?

I've had it up to my backteeth with Idol. Any Idol, but especially that 'homegrown' version of the same worldwide claptrap, Australian Idol.

Seriously folks, for a 'reality' T.V. show, the formula has become as boring and ordinary as any 'non-reality' show going around. From the very assumption that in Andrew G we have our own version of Ryan Seacrest is beyond laughable. Not that I mind the "G-Meister"; he's alright, not to mention, quite pretty.
I don't mind the judges either - they all know their way around the music biz. They all offer something to proceedings, to the 'hot, new Aussie talent'. All in all, they're not bad choices for a job such as that.

But check it - I reckon you could replay, oh let's say, Season 3 of Australian Idol and with just a bit of creative editing, most of Australia wouldn't twig until a good 2 thirds of the way through. My point is this; it's the same format, year in, year out. Just make a key change here and there, (musical director/co-host/judge) to 'keep it fresh!' and hey, apparently that gives channel 10 licence to keep serving up new versions of old leftovers.

Consider this - for all the 'Hot Young Talent', 'Fresh New Faces' & 'Voice Of A New Generation' they try to convince the viewing public that they're watching; why there's hardly a stayer amongst them! Even the winners seem to fade from view very quickly. Sure there's a few notable exceptions, but literally 1000's upon 1000's compete each year. The odds suggest there'd have to be a few MORE decent talented people than the ones deemed 'the best' by Idol's Powers That Be.

Is this how the Australian music industry has decided as a suitable way to foster Aussie musical talent? By discouraging entrants who play their own instruments or compose their own songs because they are too hard to shape and mold into what The Powers That Be consider suitable for the Bubble Gum, Throwaway Pop Music that ANY winner of Idol will be forced to generate until they can break free of the contractual obligations that they're forced into. OK, not FORCED so much as given the option of A)sign with us and we'll put out an album for you, or B)sign what amounts to a 'no-compete' clause, meaning you wait until no one can remember that you were on the show and then you can start at the bottom again. No free rides here. Don't think so? Where are all those 'Next Big Things' that were voted off weekly? Shit, what about some of the winners?

And to top it all off, they give the ultimate decision to the Australian Voting Public. Oh. My. God. As if.
Because that's what I'd do, for SO sure! I'd bring in a few industry 'experts' then ignore what they thought and let you decide. Fuck no.

So Channel 10 - if you are going to continue to ignore the opportunity to accumulate all that discarded talent for a weekly 'Young Talent Time' like show, shit I'll do it. I could be like, Johnny Young; except without the sweater vest. **wink, wink**