DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Last American Idol, First I Watched…
© NaimaLett.com/blog
© American Idol
The American Idol finale last night…
was the first episode of the embattled reality show that I watched all season.
Something about the “leaked” video footage of Nicki Minaj fighting with Mariah Carey last fall while taping the auditions had the opposite effect on me and millions of other viewers. FOX producers thought the cat fighting would make us flock to watch. Instead, it made me run for the hills! Literally.
The Plague
I avoided the show like the plague. Intentionally.
And I wasn’t the only one.
Ratings plummeted this year… which is a shame because based on the talent I witnessed last night with jazz singer Candice Glover, she deserved an audience. I’m sure fans of Kree Harrison, country-pop crooner, feel the same.
The Real Issue
Maybe if the producers had worked on “leaking” more footage of the talented singers, I would’ve been drawn in before last night… which was really out of some obligatory feeling to always be a part of the BIG happenings around town.
But, no, throughout the season, I kept reading in the trades about all the “controversy” Nicki was causing. I’m not a Minaj fan, and I didn’t understand why she was brought on to judge a singing competition. My time is so precious, thus, the show lost me.
Makeover
But word on these LaLa streets is that all 4 judges are being replaced and the show will get a makeover. We’ll see.
If I could get a message to the higher ups, it would be “focus on the talent and stop trying to sell us on the crazy antics of personality judges. Instead put judges in those seats who we trust and deserve to be there. Period.”
Idols
On a completely different note, I just have to say this. For the record, I like the concept of the show and have enjoyed several of the winners in the past, but for the 12 years the show has been on the air, I’ve always felt funny about the title, American Idol and/or Pop Idol.
Is it me? Does anybody else take issue that we are calling people idols?
I’m always reminded of the 10 commandments. (Exodus 20)
#1 You shall have no other gods before Me.
#2 You shall not make for yourself an idol… You shall not worship or serve them.
What part of “no idols” don’t we understand?
OK, there. I said it. Moving on!
Best wishes…
to Candice and Kree. May the best diva win tonight.
Sorry I won’t be able to do the 2 hour results show where they tell the winner in the last 3 minutes. LOL! But have at it, Fam.
Have at it,
Naima
Rev. Naima Lett, D.MIN, ABD
Author of coming release Confessions of a Hollywood Christian
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Well said, Naima. I think if you are a true person of faith words like ‘idol’ must have a negative vibe in your heart.
Focusing on the personality ‘shock, horrors’ instead of the real talent being presented has gone off the boil. There are too many real life horrors hitting at us through real life news stories daily now.
Christian faith free will allows us a lot of latitude in what we do & look at, but we are of an indwelling spirit, and that has it’s affect on what is acceptable.
Listening to someone giving fame a shot, out of tune is nothing to worry about, because maybe the next tryout will be a star. It’s simply entertainment.
Elvis retorted to banners calling him King, on stage one night was, “No. Jesus Christ is King. I am not”. Great role modeling for fame.
God bless.
Thanks so much Rex for your thoughts.
And thanks for that note about Elvis response about being called king. I hadn’t heard that one. Good to know.
Blessings to you as well.
Yes, the word “Idol” has always resonated terribly with me as well. However, when I have watched Christians take the stage on American Idol, it seems to me that they have been mindful about making the most of the opportunity to grow in craft and share faith rather than simply making a platform for them to be worshiped.
Let’s also keep in mind that it’s possible that the word “Idol” may not carry the same biblical meaning for others as it would carry for us. It’s a question of heart orientation, no? Not just word usage.
Consider the word “nigger” – some people use it as a term of endearment, some people see it only as it was originally intended to be used.
It just seems that words seem to carry different meanings for different people – which may not necessarily lead people astray…. or would it? If anything, it certainly causes conflict.
Hi Audra!
How are you, Lady?! Wonderful to hear from you.
You hit the nail on the head with the idea that words carry different meanings for different people. For me, calling folks ‘idol’ is a bit sketchy; but for others, it might not be the case.
And yes, you are right with the N-Word, though it’s hard for me to embrace it as a term of endearment. Men in my family in Georgia violently died during the Civil Rights movement as they were accosted and called that name and others. We have a generation that knows not the history of its parents and grandparents. You know?
I always appreciate the dialogue.
I pray that your wedding plans are coming along and that you’re enjoying every minute of your engagement. It’s such a beautiful time to cherish and enjoy!