I read in this week's 8days magazine that this season 2 of Singapore Idol would probably be the last because the general Singaporean population is made up of untalented, slovenly-looking fruitcakes and the only people who would actually join Singapore Idol would be those delusional teenagers with mounds of time and acres youth to throw away. Those of us who don't fall to into the category (read: talented and/or beautiful), are too "pragmatic" (read: money/power-hungry) to actually consider it as a viable career option. Then, there's the small minority that are good and actually join. They are those who already roll, maybe even swim, around in money or are desperate enough (i.e. no qualifications or having an identity crisis) to join.

Not in those exact words of course; this is Singapore.

Well, I'm not surprised in the least. I mean, I don't think there's a word out of line there. It's true isn't it? A good analysis in my opinion. The original Pop Idol (from UK) has stopped because the winners aren't doing well (Will who? Gareth who?). Heck, winners from American Idol arent doing fantastic either, except maybe Kelly Clarkson.

Ruben Studdard more or less disappeared (but you really wonder how he managed that with all that bulk); Fantasia's doing gospel, what she was originally doing except now she does it in concert hall in front of thousands of people for millions of dollars instead of a smally itty bitty church, a marked improvement no doubt but little room to gain fame internationally, especially in Asia; Carrie Underwood is also in that genre, though she's a wee bit more known but only probably because she's blonde and relatively thinner compared to the 63%-OBESE American society; Taylor Hicks.... How the hell tt guy won is beyond me: He has no looks, grey hair, weird spasms he tries to pass off as dance moves... Sounds to me like another Ruben Studdard repeat.

So if even such big music markets in the west can't do much for these people, what can Singapore do? Our English music industry is even sadder than theirs especially with how much faith Singaporeans place in their homegrown talents. Note that the word 'talent' used here is a very loose term, especially since you have to pay for the votes. So the only people who are actually willing enough to part with their (or their parents') hard earned money are pubescent girls who screech for gimmicks like Paul Twohill, who really isn't very good looking or a very good singer.

You don't even see the first Idol doing much but endorse 7-11 and do a few sets on Suria. I mean, is there any wonder why people scoff at Singapore Idol and see it as the butt of so many jokes? At least the Mandarin industry is more lucrative which is why Channel U can come up with Superband, Project Superstar and Campus Superstar.

So which good singer, young enough to be marketed, would forsake their education to go for such a shaky career? Those rich/idealistic/desperate/stupid/delusional enough to, of course. Even the current finalists, Jonathan and Hady, are just barely bordering their prime age to even be marketed. Their youth is limited. That's the media industry: it's cruel, heartless and fickle. The Singaporean media industry is worse: you can't even use scandals to your benefit.

I could be just cynical but I honestly doubt it. Singaporeans are pragmatic because of the government's policy of self-reliance. Until you can prove that the English music industry is straight-forward, predictable and easier to succeed in, talents will remain hidden underground, more willing to work 9-5 jobs in front of a computer than to risk putting the fate of their lives in the thumbs of screeching adolescent girls that would very likely abandon you the next time something more interesting comes along, rendering you just a passing novelty. Please look at Sylvester Sim, so many female fans who were willing to spend thousands on their SMS bill during SI1 but didn't continue their "unwavering" support after the competition. I rest my case.