American Idol is the Salvation of America!

I may be overstating it a tad but you read that correctly; Fox's American Idol is the salvation of America. Specifically, Simon Cowell.

Each season of this show has had its share of terrific singers (Carrie Underwood, for example) and its share of people who shouldn't ever be in front of a camera (this, the fifth, season's West Virginia cop singing, over and over again, "I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.") Yes, I admit; I watch the show. I don't particularly care about the outcome but I enjoy the show from time to time.

Ok, so here's why American Idol is the salvation of America...

For years, kids have been told by everyone around them "Oh, you're good!" or "You're terrific!" and "Everyone's a winner!" or "We have no losers; everybody gets a trophy!" This is done out of fear of hurting their feelings or damaging their self-esteem.

When everybody "wins" it takes the significance out of being a winner! It diminishes the accomplishments of those who have actually acheived something. It doesn't level the playing field, it levels (and destroys) the winners platform.

Think of this. If you worked your ass off at work right next to someone who simply went through the motions you would expect a larger raise or bonus than this other guy. But, if everybody gets the same bonus or raise what would that do to your motivation? It would drop through the floor! (At least mine would.)

Such is the same with these kids on American Idol. Several of them can sing. Many, many, many can not and should not. Not everybody should "go through to the next round". But since so many people around these kids have told them "You're terrific!" when they're anything but terrific their little bubble is burst wide open when Simon, Paula, and Randy tell them they're not "going to Hollywood" and they fly into a rage.

The camera follows auditionee out. Between tears, the auditionee says, "Those guys don't know what they're talking about! I'll show them! I don't need American Idol! I don't need Simon!" Etc., etc., etc.

(First off, if they don't "need" American Idol why the hell did they audition for the show!? If you're really that good, go get your own recording contract by sending demo tapes!)

Simon, Paula, and Randy's opinion are probably the first real and honest opinion they've ever heard and these kids' egos which have been built up by well-meaning but naive people can't handle any kind of rejection. It's horrible to watch and it just makes me mad. Mad at the parents, their friends, their families, etc.

I'm not blaming the kids who can't sing but think they can. I'm blaming their parents et. al. for telling them they can; for over-inflating these kids' egos to the point of bursting. I know these people think they're doing good by encouraging them to follow their dreams; by telling them you can be anything you want to be. But, some dreams take talent; and you either have it or not. If your dream is to be a singer and you're completely tone deaf (I've personally seen it happen) you're never going to be invited to Kennedy Center Honors for your hit single.

At some point, these parents et. al. need to tell these kids "Singing is not for you. Let's find something else." It shouldn't have to come from Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, nor Randy Jackson.

The kindest rejections these three give are "this competition isn't for you; you're not what we're looking for". It's not telling them they can't sing; just that they're not what the judges are looking for. I know it feels like a personal affront but if something's not right for you, there's not much that can be done about it. But since these egos are about to burst at the slightest dent in the bubble the poor kid doesn't hear "You're good but not right for us" he hears "You're horrible; please never sing again." And, again, it's not the kid's fault; if they had been taught appropriate self-confidence, they would walk away from this rejection actually feeling good about themselves and maybe even get steered in the right direction for their singing voice.

So, parents, stop telling your kids they're good or terrific at everything they do; it only sets them up for tremendous disappointment down the line. Talent can't be taught. Encourage your kids to do things they're actually good at. Both you and they will be much, much happier down the line.

American Idol is finally telling people they're not good at something. And that is why it's the salvation of America.

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