Today, years later, the fans are different. No, not different people, but they behave differently.
The level of venom towards contestants who they do not favor has grown exponentially. They are full of a kind of righteous indignation when someone who "doesn't deserve to win" stays in longer than their favorite. It almost reminds me of old-timey racism, except it typically doesn't have anything to do with race (as far as I can tell).
They squeal with frantic glee when their picks get props from Randy or approval from Simon. They giggle like Japanese schoolgirls when their least favorite mess up a lyric or a note.
If that's not bad enough, they literally cry when their fave gets voted off.
Has Ryan Seacrest secretly hypnotized AI fans, causing them to lose their grip on reality? Do the fans get confused and think this show is real life, or worse yet, more real than real life?
How is it possible that fans of a karaoke variety show seem to literally HATE complete strangers on the T.V. set?
American Idol has turned a large portion of Americans into bastards. Of course, I know deep down that is not true. People need an excuse to be bastards; a safe and acceptable excuse. American Idol provides that outlet. It's OK to be a completely vile venomous jerk towards someone on the TV screen who "looks funny when they sing" or "is a brat, I can tell".
I hate American Idol.
