"American Idol" Study

I just read a headline yesterday, stating a study found that the show "American Idol" brings families closer together. I didn't even read the article. That headline was enough for me.

How in the world can any television show truly bring a family closer together? Not only that, but why "American Idol?" Who came up with study. Was it to try and refute what the new satire "American Dreamz" is claiming? It is ironic when that study came out, isn't it? Just a day before "American Dreams" opened nationwide. About 1 in 2 critics (50%) like the film, by the way, but I have a feeling it'll do pretty well at the box office.

So, tell me, how does "American Idol" bring the family closer to one another? Are we just speaking in a literal sense, like they sit by each other during the show and that constitutes as being "closer" to one another? Because, if that's what they're claiming, then okay, they may have a point. But, food does that. Football does that. Movies do that. Church can do that. Concerts can do that. Heck, drinking and smoking can do that. So, I hope that's not what they were claiming, because just about anything and everything can bring people into the same proximity.

Allright, so check that off. So, was the study really suggesting that "American Idol" brings the family closer together in the sense of them getting to know, love, and respect one another more? If that's the case, then this is really hard for me to believe. Listening to Simon badger the witnesses, I mean, singers, I'm sure will bring a mother, father, and their two children closer to one another. That won't influence them at all, especially the younger ones. I'm sure by sitting in front of the television watching this show will make Al, Peggy, Bud, and Kelly all that much "closer" to one another. Give me a break. It may bring them closer in terms of proximity, but not actually "closer" to one another. Staring at a television next to some people, letting your brain cells rot in the process, and paying sole attention to that tube will not, in any way, shape, or form, bring a family closer to one another. Dismissed.