The reality of singing reality shows

It's not about talent. It's about popularity. Sad, but true.

Let's observe the most anticipated finale of one of these shows. It's tonight. Airing live for all Malaysian viewers. Voting or not. Let's just say if there were talents in this show, they have been successfully voted out. The most recent was a popular singer. Frankly, I honestly feel that talent shows that require the contestants to alter their lives dramatically should be limited to adults. No students should be allowed. It does not give out the right or desirable message to the masses. Take two of the finalists for tonight. One is sitting for a major exam come end of the year. Instead of diligently working towards it, all the energy is spent on singing.

No, there is nothing wrong with pursuing your dreams, but one has to observe the necessities of the action at the given moment. Yes, the prize offered is too tempting to be ignored, especially when you feel that you have the talent. I do understand that one does not have to be well educated to be able to sing well. One could end up being a millionaire even when one was a 2nd grader in SPM. No big, eh?

Let's talk about the organisers and sponsors for these reality shows. They are only concerned about moolah. They are collecting a lot from the SMSes that being sent in. Therefore, there is no concern at all about real talent being wasted for as long as the green papers keep on pouring in. How much can you really rely on voters support for talent? Five percent? Ten? The majority of the audience vote based on popularity. Based on cute antics. Based on appearances. I apologise for being so sceptic on Malaysians' voting but hey, everyone's entitled to their own opinion, right?

Ponder on this. The singer was criticised for not attending to some of the events and road shows. To the singer defences, it was because the singer had paying shows and events to attend and because it is the singer's periuk nasi. Which means, if the singer didn't go, the singer will fail to provide for the family. Fair enough. We understand that, do we? But look at the critics? As if that is not a matter of importance. Attending road shows to please the public is more vital than feeding the family. Come on! And this, are presumably the voting audience. No wonder the singer was "Outed". Because the singer failed to impress the public, make them happy.

These same presumably voters, voted for the two secondary school student who were absent from school for months just so they can join a singing competition in hope to win the big money. Not only that, their so called singing talent is anything to be desired of. At least not for me. Nothing special. Do you not see the ironic of this situation? Is this the state of Malaysians' mind at this juncture of new century? If this is a prove on how Malaysians think, then I shudder to think about Vision 2020 where we should be upholding "masyarakat berilmiah".

Malaysians are dreamers. They spend hundreds, probably thousands of ringgit to vote for their favourite contestants. They spend their hard-earned money, probably their parents' hard-earned money to vote in or out contestants of singing competitions. Please make a calculation. Just imagine, we have a handful of singing competitions every year, each with at least 10 contestants in the beginning and viewers can vote as many times as they want.

It's time for us to wake up. Reality shows are not exactly reality anymore. The initial objectives are not met. It's not about talent anymore. It's about popularity. So, if you think that a high quality entertainer can be borne through out a singing reality show, you would be mistaken. If you want high quality, let the learnt people decide, and do the judging. Because they will judge on the talent and ability. If they are not corrupt of course! Ha ha ha... I am sceptic yes. But the hypocrisy in today's reality is too much for me to swallow.

So, voting audience, go all out in spending tonight. Vote your hearts out.

Jade signing off for the weekend...