The Today Show, which Julie and I have faithfully tuned into for our morning-time news and entertainment since the inception of our marriage, and which I have had going in the background during the 20-30 or so minutes I am getting dressed and heading out of the door since I was in jr. high. It is a staple around the Stone household, though I hear my mother has defected towards a more ‘fair and balanced’ rendering of the top stories. I am praying for you, Mom.
Yesterday was a banner-day for those clever Today’rs, because they managed to both report a story about unfair criticism-for-the-sake-of-humor on the part of the judges on American Idol while themselves engaging in the selfsame activity. Let me just add that since the Meredith Vierra replaced Katie Couric there have, in my opinion, been many more of these type moments than the show previously contained. Also in my opinion, a little sarcasm only improves the news.
Back to yesterday. First there was the earth shaking news, “The American Idol Judges Are Rude and Demeaning to the Contestants This Year”, as if every other year they have welcomed them with hugs and kisses and patted them on the head for their effort. Is that not the appeal of the show? It is most assuredly the only reason Julie and I have ever stayed on the channel for more than 20 or 30 seconds while biding our time during the commercials of a Mavericks game. Apparently someone had not informed the news media of this mistreatment of young wannabes, because two Idol castoffs have, in a very Hung-ian manner, grabbed the spotlight for being emotionally scarred by their mistreatment. Not to be outdone by the likes of Jimmy Kimmel, Today thought it appropriately newsworthy to have these two losers (not making a commentary about them, merely calling them that which their definition demands) on for a 5 minute segment to bemoan their ill-treatment.
Let us stop the story here for a second. 5 minutes, really? Earthquakes in India, murders in Boston, potential cures for cancer; these received 20-30 second blurbs, but for some reason these freaks deserve several minutes to relay their terror and humiliation. The segment begins by shaming Idol with clips of the their worst entrants auditions, but they are not glorifying it; no, they are relaying the news. After indulging my sick curiosities in this manner, for I do so love mocking the delusional, debating all the while whether my friends and family are allowing me to harbor those same fantasies of talent or ability, they cut to the stars of the morning, one sitting like a slightly retarded Hawaiian-shirt clad Augustus Klum (fat kid on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and the other, fidgeting and squirming in his seat, looking like some sort of strung-out, possibly anorexic hobbit continually flashing ‘devil’s horns’ with his index and pinky fingers and sticking out his tongue. After several teases, each time showing the pair, an SNL sketch’s dream, they finally begin the interview.
Within 10 seconds of this train wreck it is apparent that these two are not there for expose on Idol; they are there so that Today might take their turn at kicking them in the crotch, all under the auspices of a serious news story. Genius! They extend this mess for what seems like an eternity, each answer filled with the most confusing, entertaining commentary that two people could muster. What is more, they actually uncover that Mr. Hawaii is, that’s right, legitimately mentally impaired. He has some version of autism and has competed several times in the Special Olympics, but that does not stop them from continuing to subtly jab him with his own idiocy. One long, uncomfortable pause and the re-asking of the same questions, allowing different answers made for wonderful theatre.
Way to go, Today, you cleverly stole American Idol’s best idea and somehow made it your own. I say that tomorrow you give an inside look into life in a trailer park; there are always quality interviews to be had there.
I found it on YouTube. Enjoy the show.
Yesterday was a banner-day for those clever Today’rs, because they managed to both report a story about unfair criticism-for-the-sake-of-humor on the part of the judges on American Idol while themselves engaging in the selfsame activity. Let me just add that since the Meredith Vierra replaced Katie Couric there have, in my opinion, been many more of these type moments than the show previously contained. Also in my opinion, a little sarcasm only improves the news.
Back to yesterday. First there was the earth shaking news, “The American Idol Judges Are Rude and Demeaning to the Contestants This Year”, as if every other year they have welcomed them with hugs and kisses and patted them on the head for their effort. Is that not the appeal of the show? It is most assuredly the only reason Julie and I have ever stayed on the channel for more than 20 or 30 seconds while biding our time during the commercials of a Mavericks game. Apparently someone had not informed the news media of this mistreatment of young wannabes, because two Idol castoffs have, in a very Hung-ian manner, grabbed the spotlight for being emotionally scarred by their mistreatment. Not to be outdone by the likes of Jimmy Kimmel, Today thought it appropriately newsworthy to have these two losers (not making a commentary about them, merely calling them that which their definition demands) on for a 5 minute segment to bemoan their ill-treatment.
Let us stop the story here for a second. 5 minutes, really? Earthquakes in India, murders in Boston, potential cures for cancer; these received 20-30 second blurbs, but for some reason these freaks deserve several minutes to relay their terror and humiliation. The segment begins by shaming Idol with clips of the their worst entrants auditions, but they are not glorifying it; no, they are relaying the news. After indulging my sick curiosities in this manner, for I do so love mocking the delusional, debating all the while whether my friends and family are allowing me to harbor those same fantasies of talent or ability, they cut to the stars of the morning, one sitting like a slightly retarded Hawaiian-shirt clad Augustus Klum (fat kid on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and the other, fidgeting and squirming in his seat, looking like some sort of strung-out, possibly anorexic hobbit continually flashing ‘devil’s horns’ with his index and pinky fingers and sticking out his tongue. After several teases, each time showing the pair, an SNL sketch’s dream, they finally begin the interview.
Within 10 seconds of this train wreck it is apparent that these two are not there for expose on Idol; they are there so that Today might take their turn at kicking them in the crotch, all under the auspices of a serious news story. Genius! They extend this mess for what seems like an eternity, each answer filled with the most confusing, entertaining commentary that two people could muster. What is more, they actually uncover that Mr. Hawaii is, that’s right, legitimately mentally impaired. He has some version of autism and has competed several times in the Special Olympics, but that does not stop them from continuing to subtly jab him with his own idiocy. One long, uncomfortable pause and the re-asking of the same questions, allowing different answers made for wonderful theatre.
Way to go, Today, you cleverly stole American Idol’s best idea and somehow made it your own. I say that tomorrow you give an inside look into life in a trailer park; there are always quality interviews to be had there.
I found it on YouTube. Enjoy the show.
Hi Mrs. Stone - that is a great comment on The Today Show. Would you please consider reposting it on The Today Show forum? Would love to have you participate on the forum with more comments like that.
Thank you.
http://www-todayshow.com/
http://www.todaytop.com/