Casting Call for AI

Quote of the day:
“More people have faith in UFOs than in Bush’s presidency.” (Or in Congress, at this point.)
--Patt Morrison

San Diego is fortunate to be the site of the first auditions for the seventh season of "American Idol." Some 12,000 people with their guests have shown up at Qualcomm Stadium to take a stab at their dream. It's interesting how the show has different objectives depending on whether you are a contestant, a viewer or a producer.

It's just like radio call-in shows. People who call in think that the show is an opportunity for them to express their opinion. Listeners think the shows are about political or cultural points of view. Producers and hosts view the shows as entertainment, and the purpose of everything that is aired is to attract and hold an audience. The interests of callers are different from and secondary to the interests of the producers and hosts. They will choose issues and points of view to attract and hold the biggest audience possible.

Those who audition for "American Idol" think it is a chance to launch a music career. We who watch see it as a competition to see who is the "best" singer among the contestants. The producers see the show as entertainment, with the purpose of attracting and holding an audience.

Some producers of the show also anticipate a continued revenue stream, as some of the top contestants sign with Sony records to make CDs and perform on tour. Several contestants from past seasons continue to generate significant income for Simon Cowell and other show producers.

The dreams or aspirations of auditioners are way down the list of priorities for the show's staff, except later on when they make good material for entertainment. Also, the audience's choice of who is #1 or #2 or #5 matters little to the show's producers, who know that anyone in the top 12 or so may be generating significant revenue in years to come.