The "product" of idol shows

WARNING: SENSITIVE MATTERS DISCUSSED BELOW. PLEASE DON'T READ THIS POST IF IT OFFENDS YOU!!!

Over the years, I've seen so many talent shows, specifically singing competitions mushrooming all over the place not just in the world but also in Malaysia. To name a few, Akademi Fantasia which is now on its way to its 3rd season, and then there was Superstar, a brand new talent show in Mandarin, and of course the well-known idol show Malaysian Idol, whose ideas were basically the same as all the other "idol" shows around the world and if it continues this year it would be also on its way to the 3rd season.

It seems that all this reality tv series has become a hit that has permeated into every single broadcasting TV station in the world. It all started with Survivor, as far as I could REMEMBER was the origin of reality TV...and then BOOM...everybody started following it talent shows, competitions, job opportunities amongst the rich and the powerful, modelling, future husbands and wives. As you can see, its getting pretty saturated.

OK let's get back to the point. Now, as you know all those singing talent shows have the same objective and that is to choose the best among the group, as well as looking in terms of talent, voice, mass appeal, and of course make albums and become famous after their talent stint. If you were to look at Jacklyn Victor,( OK is this the correct spelling, well anyway it sounds the same)... I say she is extremely talented, gifted and well.. if I were to compare her to the likes of Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson, Rubben and the recent Carrie Underwood, she would give them a run for their money if not demolish most of them. Well popularity is not for everyone if not a great challenge. To rise to the occasion, one must work hard and yes if you are talking about the entertainment industry, hard work is one of the criteria. You might as well include great looks, style and a bit of luck may bring you further.

Having said that, of all the American Idols, only Kelly Clarkson has actually made an impression. I think to date she has already three albums at her disposal, most of them doing well and also earning her awards like in the recent Grammy Awards, Kelly picked up 2 awards, which is great. We MAY be able to consider Carrie Underwood in the future, but since her album is more on the country pop genre which does not really appeal to this generation of hip hop, rock and R&B, I think Kelly Clarkson fairs better. Let's look at our own side, our very own Jacklyn Victor. As i've said great voice, great talent, gifted and one more which I want to add.... musicality, but still she's not doing well locally. WHY?? Still not good enough?? I doubt that. I think the problem lies with our own music industry. By right an artist of her calibre could dish out a couple of albums and win at least some awards in the AIM or any known existing awards shows locally which I'm not really into...DUN ASK ME WHY

Could it be she had become too laid back after her success?I still dont't think that is the reason. Maybe our music industry is pretty screwed. So the easiest solution will be to leave this country and make it big overseas. Just like our chinese singers Z-Chen, Fish Leong, Penny Tai, Guang Liang all are doing very well in Taiwan. There must have considered the possibility of making it big locally before they decide on doing it elsewhere. So, it could be the local music industry does not have the means to allocate funds for them to promote themselves or they had no confidence in them making it big so why not use the funds for something else. No as you can see, those people that I've mentioned earlier are doing well locally and internationally, something to be proud of as Malaysians. In fact, there are not that many artists who can really make it big save for Siti Nurhaliza whose biggest international stint to date has to be her performance at the renowned and prestigious Royal Albert Hall, where only artists of a certain reputation are only allowed to perform there.

Then again, you might want to argue on our second Malaysian Idol, Daniel but his still rather fresh. So let's wait another two years to make a fair comparison. Jacklyn Victor has in fact had her own band and she regularly perfoms in clubs. It's pretty unfair for her to sit around and enjoy second class popularity when in fact she could have deserved better. So I just wish that some recording company overseas might just grab her and do justice for her. Than would be another loss for Malaysia, but isn't that what happens to talented and gifted people not just music but also scientists, lawyers, doctors and engineers.