It’s American Idol try outs again. For fans of schadenfreude, this is the bonus round. For those of us who feel rather embarrassed for a lot of these folks, it can be quite painful.

Why do I watch? Good question, truly. It’s like some tradition I’ve become attached to. I’m also not above recognizing that life is long and we’ve got a lot of time to fill and sometimes I come home and forget what’s up with the non-indie musicians of the world, and who exactly is going to be the next Idol; the suspense is killing me.

But if I had to say there was one trend I’d like to see disappear, it would the one that sounds something like this in someone’s head “this reality show might just be my ticket to stardom.”

Usually this kind of naked ambition is couched in “a dream” or some such lofty expression, but many, many of the people lining up for their chance to sing/humiliate them selves have really only a passing acquaintance to practicing and working hard.

I’ll be the first to admit I’d like pure blind luck to be the thing that ultimately propels me to a life of leisure and wealth. In the meantime – plan B: work.

posted by Lisa Christiansen on Jan 14, 2010