Film 301/314
Prof. Greene
10, October 09
Global Idol
We are all familiar with the “American Idol” where we watch people compete in a singing talent search in order to win the grand prize of a record deal. This successful franchise serves as a template for countries across the globe. Three shows will be presented. Ethiopian Idol which is a singing and general talent game show, where the contestants compete to become the next Ethiopian Idol. Ethiopian Idol is produced by ETV and broadcast in Ethiopia as well as online by JumpTV.com. Pinoy Idol, which just completed its first season, last year, is a new singing game show to the Philippines. It is produced by GMA and broadcast to the Philippines and online at iGMA.TV. The last show which can be seen as the first show is American Idol, the template for the idol shows, is going into its ninth season. It’s produced and broadcast in the United States by Fox broadcasting company. From these three shows using the same franchised structure we can see the homogeneity that is created; as well as, how it creates a sense of fragmentation among nations.
The homogeneity comes from how the show is presented and the engines used to motivate the viewer to participate in the show, because in the recent period audiences don’t just watch shows they watch real people on shows as they attempt to play a game or compete for a prize (Keane, Moran, p.155-169). The engine that Keane and Moran identify for the idol franchises is the engine of the viewer being able to vote would be pop-stars into the ranks of celebrity(Keane,. These similar structure and engines is what creates a sense of homogeneity.
These Idol shows while creating a sense of similarity among these countries also create a sense that the world is still fragmented, by making it a regional competition with regional judges and contestants. This is because the judges and contestants don’t have the same star value and recognition (Tay, Karen). One example can be seen comparing the star value of the winner of Ethiopian Idol to the winner of American Idol. Also the titles of these shows are named after the country that is holding the contest limiting those outside of citizenship of the country from competing. By limiting those outside of citizenship from competing the show creates a national identity for the winners and watchers of the show; however, this creation of national identity is what creates the sense of fragmentation.
So through using the same show structure there is some sort of homogeneity. The show is set up to help reinforce a national identity, which in turn fragments this homogeneity. This is shown by the shows difference in star power on the shows both from the judges and from the contestants.
Works Cited
Keane, Michael and Moran, Albert. “Television’s New Engines.”
Television and New Media.9.2 (2008): 155-169.
Tay, Karen. "IDOL vice." EBSCO. 17 May 2009. Web. 22 Oct. 2009.