While listening to the radio the other day, I overheard an interview with Randy Jackson regarding his hit show, American Idol. As we all know, American Idol has been appearing on prime time network television for years (too many if you ask me). However as Randy was being questioned, he claimed that this season was different, this season would be called “the remix”. This is what immediately caught my attention. Rather than attempting to recreate episodes from the past Simon Cowell era, the producers have decided to create a new version. Here is what is different about Season 10’s ‘The Remix’:
New judges
Online auditions
More movement/stage presence by participants
Participants no longer singing outside of their genre, no ‘themed shows’
Coaching participants between performances
Can this ‘new version’ be truly considered a remix? Can producers call it a ‘remixed’ program even though it is merely enhancing certain aspects or adding what was not present in previous seasons? What do you think Lessig or Benjamin would say about this type of remix? What about other television shows that have been remade or altered?
I don't think Lessig would care too much for this use of the word remix. I think the major network saying the show is a remix is just an appeal to a particular audience. This remix will end up with the same "argument" or purpose that the previous version had - to attract viewership and advertisers. Therefore, I dont really see this as a remix in the way we have been discussing it in class. Yes there may be new elements and old elements put together, but the general goal will still be the same.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect example to illustrate how the term remix has been corrupted and drained of any true meaning. I feel like I have heard it applied to so many different things that it retains as much connotative value as the word "cute". What the hell is "cute" really?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like "remix" is this umbrella term that somehow authenticates minor differences between things or, as Steve Albini would say, "putting your name on someone else's work". To call this season of American Idol a remix of the last means nothing, in my opinion.
I agree with the idea that this new season of AI is not a remix as much as it is just altered due to trial and error. There is always something a little different every time they start a new season of this show, like the "save" feature in existence - where the judges can save one person per season if they feel they are deserving to stay and America doesn't. Or all of the new judges they always seem to be bringing on. This probably has to do with the fact that there have been so many seasons of this show now that they need a new feature to keep the concept fresh, and to fix the things from the previous season that the people didn't like or what didn't run quite as smoothly as the producers had hoped. It's not really remixing, it's just doing what it needs to in order to stay on the air...
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