Australian Idols Cut Down to Size
August 16th 2006 01:18
Okay, so I admit it. I have never watched an entire episode of Australian Idol. Is that why I thought Shannon Noll and Anthony Callea actually won the competition in 2003 and 2004, respectively?
Who is Kate DeAraugo? Who is Casey Donovan? Casey won in 2004 and I had to look her up to find out who she was. Is it that Australians rejected her shortly after her win because she isn’t what is considered to be the ideal weight for a pop star these days? Is it because we live in a predominantly racist Australia and we rejected her because of her Aboriginal roots? It is probably neither of these. It is more likely that it is quite simply a case of tall poppy syndrome, and we as Australians are famous for it. We love the Aussie Battler – insert Shannon Noll’s perfectly executed and timed story about his difficulties supporting a family and his singing career here. I won’t deny it, Shannon Noll sings like an angel even if his speaking voice sounds like a gravel truck with a broken carburetor. But Noll’s media monopoly is what won the hearts of the people if not the votes and it is what is selling his record right now. Speaking of his record, does everybody realise he called his album, “That’s what I’m talking about!” Well, at least if his voice doesn’t hold out he can always try his hand at comedy.
So Australian Idol is a victim of hypocrisy. But our tendency towards Tall Poppy Syndrome doesn’t cease at Australian Idol. It seems it is also an epidemic with all our Australian actors that have relocated to the United States in search of fame and fortune. We yo-yo between embracing them and denying them, loving them and hating them, and then Tom Cruise divorces them and we embrace them again.
Just what is it that makes the underdog so lovable? I still don’t know. But I know this, we all loved the Biggest Loser, but Australian Idol Losers is never gonna be a hit reality show on Australian television. Ah, the irony.
For more info on Australian Idol go to http://www.insideaustralianidol.com/
Who is Kate DeAraugo? Who is Casey Donovan? Casey won in 2004 and I had to look her up to find out who she was. Is it that Australians rejected her shortly after her win because she isn’t what is considered to be the ideal weight for a pop star these days? Is it because we live in a predominantly racist Australia and we rejected her because of her Aboriginal roots? It is probably neither of these. It is more likely that it is quite simply a case of tall poppy syndrome, and we as Australians are famous for it. We love the Aussie Battler – insert Shannon Noll’s perfectly executed and timed story about his difficulties supporting a family and his singing career here. I won’t deny it, Shannon Noll sings like an angel even if his speaking voice sounds like a gravel truck with a broken carburetor. But Noll’s media monopoly is what won the hearts of the people if not the votes and it is what is selling his record right now. Speaking of his record, does everybody realise he called his album, “That’s what I’m talking about!” Well, at least if his voice doesn’t hold out he can always try his hand at comedy.
So Australian Idol is a victim of hypocrisy. But our tendency towards Tall Poppy Syndrome doesn’t cease at Australian Idol. It seems it is also an epidemic with all our Australian actors that have relocated to the United States in search of fame and fortune. We yo-yo between embracing them and denying them, loving them and hating them, and then Tom Cruise divorces them and we embrace them again.
Just what is it that makes the underdog so lovable? I still don’t know. But I know this, we all loved the Biggest Loser, but Australian Idol Losers is never gonna be a hit reality show on Australian television. Ah, the irony.
For more info on Australian Idol go to http://www.insideaustralianidol.com/
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Tigachick
Can we not just be happy for people these days or has society become too narcissistic to be selfless?