Wednesday, Indianapolis, Indiana

As the final weeks of the season wind down, millions of loyal viewers are anticipating who will be crowned this year’s American Idol. David Archuleta, David Cook & Syesha Marcado are the final three contestants. Each is a remarkable talent with millions of devoted fans. More than just a television talent contest, American Idol is a great soap opera that introduces us to colorful, remarkable young people.

In the history of television there are a few television shows that stand above the rest in terms of their popularity and status as a pop-culture icon. American Idol clearly stands with this elite group. Standing in the long tradition of talent programs like Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour in the 1950s through Ed McMahon’s Star Search in the 1980s, American Idol has clearly touched a nerve with young Americans who have an unquenchable desire to become famous celebrities. Each year over 100,000 people come out for auditions. Of these only 1000 get to compete in the later competitive rounds.

Part of the show’s appeal is that it is essentially two distinct programs. The first several weeks feature a select number of early contestants. While we get an early glimpse at some of the few who will make it into the late rounds, most of the entertainment value of the show is watching the hilarious, awful performances by so many auditioners who evidently have no clue that they are without singing talent. It makes us wonder where were the people who allegedly love these individuals who fail to inform them that while there are many things they can do in life, becoming a singing star is clearly not one of them. Dozens of these auditions are cringe worthy.

The three judges, each with their own unique style, give feedback to these delusional wannabes that they evidently failed to receive from their family and friends. In particular, Simon Cowell is the harsh, stern voice of authority in truth who, insensitive though he is, gives viewers a thrill because he says what many are actually thinking.

But as the weeks progress, the contestants who make it through demonstrate remarkable talent. And it is these last dozen weeks that constitute the second American Idol program. This is when viewers are treated to the next generation of pop stars, young singers with great pipes and cool styles. Season after season American Idol concludes not just by crowning one winner, but by introducing American music fans to the next great group of music stars. Seeing the acclaim and the fame and riches that come with making it to the final weeks, it is really no wonder that 10s of thousands of adolescence, forgetting that they don’t have the ability, step out with little more than their fantasies trained to become an idol.

In the first of seven initial auditions in the weeding out process of American Idol; over 10,000 hopefuls turned out at th e Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Many waited for hours for their turn, with witnesses saying that they were practicing or mouthing the words to their audition songs. This is yet another indicator that Americans are delusional when it comes to the prospect of performer fame. Let’s be honest, for viewers the delight of the program is every bit as much in the cringing humiliation of the losers in the early rounds as it is for the gifted finalists at the end of the contest. In these early rounds the contestants had - get this - 20 seconds to make their impression. If they didn’t come through in that nano second they were toast. But they are allowed to try again in another auditions city, This means that those rejected might actually buy a ticket out of their pocket, get on a plane and be confronted again with the rejection.

What’s Going On? For some participants it reveals their valid self-awareness of the talent they knew they had since they were young. It now finds a chance to be recognized. And mixed among these are those who are, in essence delusional about their gifts and capacity Sifting out one from another is the joy of the program. So American Idol’s appeal is the vacillation between the capable and the crazed. And this reflects the inner struggle each of us has within ourselves. Am I as grand as I fantasize or as phony as I fear?