Markets Beat Politics

Since Dave quoted Chuck Klosterman's comments on Sanjaya Malakar and American Idol, I thought I'd throw in a link to Henry Jenkins' thorough commentary on the subject. The best line is an aside:

It is telling that the winner of American Idol often sells fewer records than the also rans, suggesting that to the bitter end, the public wants to exert its ability to cancel out whatever the judges tell us to do

Comments

Libertarian | April 12, 2007, 5:49pm | #

Critics HAVE to hold opinions contrary to popular opinion. If they did not, why would we need them?

Ken Shultz | April 12, 2007, 5:49pm | #

"Since Dave quoted Chuck Klosterman's comments on Sanjaya Malakar and American Idol, I thought I'd throw in a link to Henry Jenkins' thorough commentary on the subject."

Why encourage him? American Idol!? I've never seen the show, but I have seen it advertised--usually during a football game on Fox.

...but I love talkin' cuisine, and I just discovered good Indian food a few years ago. Now I don't know what American Idol has to do with Indian food, and I have to admit I've never tried the Sanjaya Malakar, but I really like that Tikka Masala.

NoStar | April 12, 2007, 6:11pm | #

The reason the American idol runners-up sell more records and have better careers is that the prize of winning includes being locked into a management/recording contract with Simon Cowell (who owns the show.)

The losers are free to accept competitive bids from management firms and recording companies.
It's just like it says in the Bible: The first shall be last.

Goldwater Conservative | April 12, 2007, 6:14pm | #

People still buy albums? Hell, I haven't bought a CD since 1999.

Buy albums? LMAO

Matt Tievsky | April 12, 2007, 6:15pm | #

Aren't the winners chosen by the public, not the judges?

Of course, that could still prove the point that markets beat out democratic decision-making. But NoStar's comment is illuminating.

jp | April 12, 2007, 6:22pm | #

Aren't the winners chosen by the public, not the judges?

Yes. The winner is chosen by the viewers who can text-message the fastest and are willing to spend 2 hours every Tuesday night doing so repeatedly. (I watch it so that I'll know what my wife is talking about.)

Mr. Blather | April 12, 2007, 7:07pm | #

It is telling that the winner of American Idol often sells fewer records than the also rans,

That was also true back in the days of StarSearch. Runner up comedian Sinbad became much more famous (for better and for worse) than the man who won. I can't even remember his name. I only remember that he did a Star Trek routine involving a rabbit puppet.

Paul | April 12, 2007, 7:21pm | #

What's American Idol?

Rhywun | April 12, 2007, 8:54pm | #

Buy albums? LMAO

I buy far more albums than singles, and I usually don't regret it. Off the Billboard charts, most bands will put a little effort into all their tracks.

Aren't the winners chosen by the public, not the judges?

That's the theory. I have my doubts, especially since they never release the results.

cultural snob | April 12, 2007, 9:49pm | #

Wow, Chuck Klosterman, American Idol, Arcade Fire, and Television Without Pity all referenced in one thread. It's like a horrifying compilation of things I detest.

Jonathan Hohensee | April 12, 2007, 10:41pm | #

You hate TWOP too? I can't fucking STAND that site. Jacob's pretentious-as-fuck recaps of Doctor Who makes me want to punch walls.
Just marvel how he can spend 30 pages writing about the gnosticism subtext of a tv show writen by an atheist.
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/articles/content/a11914/

stephen the goldberger | April 12, 2007, 11:38pm | #

wow, cultural snob and jonathan hohensee both appearing in one thread.

you can finish the rest.

jk love you guys

Jonathan Hohensee | April 13, 2007, 12:09am | #

I had no clue I posted here enough for people to even remember me.

Yeah, what? | April 13, 2007, 10:27am | #

Markets beat politics? You don't say.

Jonathan Hohensee | April 13, 2007, 11:01am | #

As revenge, the Geek Squad guy should destroy the mom's house with a space laser and a tub of popcorn.

Christopher Knight | April 13, 2007, 3:17pm | #

Jonathan Hohensee - nah - Dr. Hawathay got really pissed, but we blamed Lazlo - who just took off in his RV...