Thursday, April 28, 2005
Grassroots Organization of the Day: Vote for the Worst
Fox is scrambling to maintain American Idol's clean-cut image as the reality hit has been rocked by scandal and fan outrage. The damage control is at maximum, but I say the network should call off its dogs and recognize good TV when they see it.
The first supposed blow to the program came earlier this week when ABC announced they would be airing an episode of newsmagazine Primetime Live that will contain "explosive" allegations of shenanigans on the set of Idol.
The combustible gossip is widely believed to center around Corey Clark, who was recently booted from the show for failing to disclose that he beat the tar out of his sister. Clark is now claiming that saccharine Idol judge Paula Abdul provided him with after-hours carnal delights and the promise of a recording career.
"Paula Abdul will not dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response," Abdul responded in response to statements made by Clark. "Mr. Clark is an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities."
Fox needs to shut up Abdul and her publicists. If Clark's allegations are true — or at least if people think they are true — American Idol will become an even more comprehensive representation of the entertainment industry.
Sure, you could sing your way to the top. Or you could sleep with the aging, lonely, yet mildly influential celebrity. Then again, maybe ego-stroking is your bag, so pick your poison: the show's self-imagined iconoclast, or the black guy who doesn't get any attention. The show's in its fourth season; it needs innovators like Corey Clark to keep the show fresh, to add a new dimension to the game. Think of the long term, and let the kid spread his lies. Do it for the viewers.
Then again, maybe the viewers can take care of themselves. A determined contingent of the Idol audience has earned my admiration by intervening to make a boring show better. They call themselves Vote for the Worst, and their mission is simple: to vote in a bloc for the most dreadful Idol contestant, and turn the exercise on its head. Democratic brilliance.
Many fans are blaming VFTW for this week's surprise ouster of Constantine Maroulis, a rocker who was apparently considered a favorite to win. Maroulis received the least votes, while mildly retarded competitor Scott Savol, VFTW's chosen standard-bearer, didn't even come close to elimination despite repeated criticism from the show's judges.
So perhaps I will tune in to (read: download a BitTorrent of) American Idol after all. It's the least I can do to support the men and women of VFTW, those brave crusaders who are improving network television one vote at a time.
Congratulations to Vote for the Worst. You are the Grassroots Organization of the Day.
