We've all seen it, the first few funny and somewhat painful episodes of the new season of American Idol. People from all walks of life lined up for hours for the chance to audition in front of Paula, Randy, and Simon. When Ryan Seacrest asks them how they feel about their chances of getting on the show, 99% of them confidently proclaim that they will definitely, without a doubt, be the next American Idol.

We go on to watch them audition, and as soon as they open their mouth's we recoil in horror. Their singing is bad, no, worse than bad, it's annoying, strange, and just plain horrible. We continue to watch in amazement as they obliviously keep singing, somehow completely unaware that the judges are laughing hysterically. To make matters worse some of these American Idol wannabees dance more terribly than they sing.

So here's the big question? Why do these people think they have talent? They truly believe they can sing well and will make it on to the show. I just don't get it. Paula Abdul blames it on tone deafness, but that doesn't explain away the horrible dancing. As I watch these dreadful singers perform I can't help but wonder how these people can humiliate themselves on national television.

Are these people for real? Part of me hopes that American Idol is hiring actors to pretend to be horrible just to boost ratings. Or maybe Paula's right and it's tone deafness that's to blame. Perhaps these individuals have a distorted perception of reality. I wonder what they will think when they see the tape of themselves on the show. Would they see what everyone else sees? Or would they dance along to their performance? Perhaps they should do a follow up show, "What Ever Happened To The Wannabees." Or maybe we're better off just not knowing.

Learn more about this author, Anne Martin.
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