We Want Media

See, it bothers me that the most compelling thing about the Winter Olympics thus far has been an athletes' non-participation. The Olympics I remember from my childhood (Lillehammer was the first one I remember watching) were regal, grandiose sporting events where the world's premiere athletes competed to win the gold. Now, it just seems like a glorified World championships. For example, many hockey players (the NHL's current 'phenom' Sidney Crosby included) have opted to take the three week break in their season rather than go represent their countries in the Olympic games. See? Even the athletes don't care that much about the games. (That may be because they don't get paid but that's a different story.)

And of course American Idol beats out the Olympics, American Idol is live every night (not that I would know), while any tech-savvy person could just go to any sports website and see the results of a particular Olympic event before it's even televised.

You give me half naked people on the beach or teenagers making fools out of themselves in front of Simon Cowell or cat fighting on the runway and I'll take it over speed skating any day. People are comfortable and familiar with these reality shows. The Olympics come around once every four years. It may be unfortunate that Americans are more interested in faux competition, but I can't blame them.

I must admit, I agree with Adam. What are people going to be talking about tomorrow, that weird sport where this disk thing is pushed across the ice and all the team does is scream, and you don't even know how the scoring works, or who you think will make it to the next round in American Idol? What song you liked, who made a funny face, and how horrible Paula's hairdo was!

In the end, both the Olympics and American Idol are about fulfilling dreams. And while American Idol is, in fact, "staged," these are people that without the show would never have a chance at fame. Olympians don't really care or need me to watch, because the Olympics will never be cancelled, and my viewership doesn't determine what medal they get. But I'd like to think that in a small way, my watching American Idol keeps the show going, and gives those truly talented people a chance.