Guilty Pleasures

We all do it, and we all feel bad for doing it. We’re on our way to work, and see the flashing lights up ahead. Traffic slows, and we start cursing under our breaths. Then we start openly cussing out each and every person who is slowing down so they can get a 1.8 second glimpse at the accident that has now caused you to be late for work. You inch up slowly for the final half mile…and just as you reach the two cars sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck…you do it too. We all love the trainwreck.

I don’t understand why we do it, but there must be some part of the human psyche that loves watching other people’s misery. That is the only thing that explains it. It goes beyond just sheer curiosity – because we know what we’re going to see. We’ve seen it before, it turns out to be nothing special, and we forget about it right after we pass it by. But some part of us just loves it. I can’t explain what it could be, nor could anyone else I’d wager.

That’s the ONLY reason why American Idol exists in my not-so-humble opinion. Ok, perhaps there’s a small segment of the population that doesn’t tune into these first several weeks of the show and is really intent on seeing those who have the talent and can make a living in the music industry. However, I represent the vast, VAST majority who could care less for those who could sing, but would rather laugh our collective asses off at those fools who think they can sing, believe they can sing, know they can sing and show up for these first auditions.

Every time I see a clip or hear it on the radio, I let out an audible “WTF”. How can some people – most of the people – be so disillusioned to believe they have a gift to sing well when to every other human ear it’s blatantly obvious they can’t carry a tune in a paper bag. I don’t think I can sing…I don’t believe I can sing…I KNOW I can’t. Acknowledging that isn’t such a hard thing to do for me. I don’t lose any sleep over it. What I can’t understand is how some people can’t figure that out, and need someone on a nationally broadcast television show to tell you it. I guess that’s a question that will never be answered well - but I don't need it answered. I'll sit back on my couch and laugh at the people as they make fools of themselves in front of millions. Even I - knowing full well how pathetic it is - can't turn away from it 100% of the time.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and a videoclip…well, more. The proof is in the puddin’.