May 26, 2006 · Posted in: In the News
Filipinos love ‘American Idol’
“AMERICAN Idol” is, well, American. But Taylor Hicks, the top-rated show’s latest winner, dominates the front pages — and not just the inside or entertainment pages — of today’s Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star. Carrie Underwood, last year’s winner, was not accorded the same treatment by the Inquirer the day after she won. It is, perhaps, indicative of the show’s growing popularity in the Philippines that “Philippine Idol” will be debuting soon, despite the proliferation of singing contests here.
Meanwhile, on Inq7.net, where the Inquirer‘s stories are posted for online readers, three of the 10 most-read articles from May 14 to May 20, 2006, are related to “American Idol.” In fact, the number one article — about a contestant’s dissatisfaction with his ouster — had more readers than the story about the first Filipino to reach the summit of Mount Everest. It must also be noted that eight of the top 10 stories were showbiz-oriented ones. The remaining two stories were about the Mount Everest climbers.
11 Responses to Filipinos love ‘American Idol’
am
May 26th, 2006 at 11:02 pm
I have not seen this so called American idol TV program, but in my circle of friends, all talking about it. Why this popularity? There is Canadian, idol, Duch idol, British, idol, as the case maybe and many more. And here we will have the Filipino idol. It is as if the whole world stopped, like during the program “Big Brother”.
My friends told my about its candidness, its truthfullness in expression, its “naturalness” in its presentation, and the audiendes! Many present there were famous, singers and artists themselves who are even professional.
These seems to be the so-called “reality shows”. No frills, no scripts, nor formalities, at least as it presents themselves to be.
Perhaps peoples are tired of the old form of shows: scripted, timed, very formal and have an air of elegance which only the so-called educated class would appreciate. Now could be the time of spontanous, but truthful expression. Perhaps people are tired of some kind of old fashioned customs dominating or used to dominate show-biz. Here we have a new format, a new style, even the winner seems to be criticized and was prejudged not to win. But he did! He even won more votes than any president in the US.
Maybe it is like this age of blogs, instant communication, emails, texting, cell phones: spontaenous, sometimes too honest, and brutally frank. In blogs, one has this possibility to write what ever you think about certain things and you could have the freedom to write intellegently, or whatever, respecting the blogs of others. In the American idel, the second place winner, as my friends told me, did not feel in any way sad or feel degraded. Each respected one another and they, I could gather, become good friends.
This new way of “shows” reflects how people wants to relate to one another. Not in a fake, plastic way, but more in a genuine, truthful and authentic way. So in the one hand truthful but on the other hand respectful. Bloggers also need to learn to respect other’s blog as he would like to be respected. I think each one has the capacity to respect a mistaken blog with patience and gradually lead him to the objective truth which is beyond all of us. Let’s help one another to see the truth that could be hidden in each blog, rather than focus on our differences.
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May 27th, 2006 at 7:34 am
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scud_1975
May 27th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
I’d rather watch NBA Playoffs or UFC (hello Gracie?!) than AI.
baduy ang American Idol, mas magagaling pa rin sa kantahan ang mga pinoy.
stoxbnx3
May 27th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
i, myself, am a slave of this program. taylor was my bet, but i didn’t think the story would be published on the front page of our top newspapers. i don’t see the need for it.
primo
May 28th, 2006 at 12:06 pm
what do you expect from us being the ” lil brown brother” of uncle sam 😉
jr_lad
May 28th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
american idol front page ng inquirer? nakakaloko nga. kung ako subscriber kakansel ko na subscription ko.
Toro
May 28th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
Just like stoxbnx3, I follow AI because I love music and appreciate good singers like those 200 million others worldwide who followed the show. I do not denigrate myself by doing this nor do I consider myself a lil brown brother of anybody. Music gives meaning and color to one’s life. It is in appreciating good music that one finds peace and solace.
naykika
May 28th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Well, it was also in the front page of our biggest daily, the Toronto Star with miss Abdul in the Background. With the by-line “why middle american loves Taylor Hicks” and I don’t know what it means. Now, thereby I can say newpapers all over have the same “outlook”.
mikekcohen
May 28th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
The sad truth is that is what happens when mosto the world’s news organizations here also pull the stories from wire services like AP. Reuters, and AFP all the time.
You get one or two views of world news and that’s it!
But on another note- now that Taylor Hicks won – maybe I can start on my singing career? As record companies are now desperately hunting for new not too young not too old talents all of a sudden.
hehehehe!!!
Mike
edching908
May 31st, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Its easy to understand why entertainment news has become the main preoccupation of most people, Filipinos included. Its because of the growing helpless and callousness of our governments here and abroad towards its citizens.
The end result of which… minds of the citizenry had gone shallow, yung baga “bumubobo” na sila ng tuluyan.
I am greatly saddened when I see national newscasts on television emphasizing the trivial stuff more than the serious news that we need to know. Not that I’m not in favor of hearing or watching news about personal achievements like what the Filipino Everest climbers or the “American Idol” champion had done.
Sana lamang, there should be some sensitivity with the way news reports or newscasts are presented. Dahil kung hindi, we will only stagnate in terms of self-improvement, and just be content with “watching the stars fly by”.
Mike
June 12th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
William Tong: philippine idol
Philippin Idol has started – this is funny… and fun the guy onstage is actually full fledged web designer and flash editor I’ve work with..Pls Vote for him – he’s a great guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HooG6eV282Y