Restive State

I never got into "American Idol", or for that matter that Nashville-Idol show, or even back in the day, "Star Search." They are the spectacle of a nation thirsting for "entertainment." But I have to admit, I'm hooked on "America's Got Talent" that wonderful mash-up of the "Gong SHow" and "American Idol" in spite of the wonderful trainwreck it is.

I mean what were the producers smoking when they thought re-hashed this one up?
Lessee, let's get 3 "celebrity judges. David "I haven't worked since Baywatch, but Germans love me" Hasselhof, Brandy "A TV Camera hasn't been trained on me since 'Moesha' and I have only one name," and Piers "I wish I was Simon Cowell" Morgan. Then we'll parade all the freaks you see performing on many street corners in nearly every major metropolitan area in front of them. Sprinkle in some folks who think this is American Idol or Star Search who may actually have talent to make the show not look like so much of a set-up. Then, the stroke of brilliance: instead of a giant gong, we'll give each judge their own buzzer. Of course if the judges want though, even if the act gets "gonged", they can still pass on to the next round, if the judges vote them through. At least that way we can show favoritism to old people and young children and not look like total jerks.

And so it was created.

Tonight we had an 8 year-old stand-up comic, a dancing inflatable cow, a rappin' granny, a juggler who until playing with knives couldn't juggle, a gospel singer, a geriatric stripper and many more. To say that show will be a smash is a little early, but knowing our nation's love for the strange, odd, and those moments in life where you shake your head and go "why?", it's going to do well.

So for you viewing pleasure, the geriatric stripper:




'Till later...