American Idol - Please Watch

Greetings:

If you get the chance before tonight's class, please visit one (or both) of these sites, and watch clips from American Idol:

www.aoltv.com
www.idolonfox.com

Consider these questions:

1. What's the message in AI to the rest of us about fame? About singing?
2. What if you don't want to take this path to fame?
3. What does the show say about us - our fascination with fame, with this model of fame?
4. Do shows like AI signal that there are fewer "approved" paths to fame?
5. Is it fair to say that AI, besides being about fame, is all about the makeover? Is this a good thing?