American Idol Judges: On Insects, Projections and Life's Deep Secrets

3/14/04

By Diane Sprague

Our early experiences of this world can create some rather disquieting primal figures that inhabit our psyches throughout our lives. One such figure is the Judge. This stern image carries our projections of a cold, dark universe which demands we follow a series of impossible rules and that we present ourselves to others with an impeccable showing of how we jumped through the endless hoops to meet some indefinable, but inescapable requirements. Of course, that we please them is utter nonsense given the reality of human nature, but the image of the Judge remains a strong force and we never do well in turning our backs on the primal figures of our psyches. So what do we do with the figure of the Judge? We could project this image into the sky and form an organized means of following and worshiping it, but that's been done to death with dubious results. We could, instead, just play around with the image, observe, and explore it. Comic and ridiculous elements could be added just to make it safe and approachable. We can relax and observe what happens to others and weave the lessons we learn into our own lives if we so choose.

American Idol gives us that opportunity with its three judges. It really doesn't even matter who they place in those roles as long as one is particularly grumpy. As silly, bland, and staged as these three characters can be, the show makes it work. We immediately project our inner Judges upon them and watch as the eager, hopeful contestants open themselves up to what could be scathing insults, words of indifference, or praise. That the judges have a great deal of influence on the contestant's progress throughout the contest is without question. As much as we might dislike them, their presence is a central part of the show. The reaction of the contestants to the judges is the most interesting and telling part. I have observed some patterns they can follow and have noted what appears to work and what does not. If we look closely at these patterns, we might pick up some clues about how to deal with our own inner Judges. Of course, one could point out the absurdity of finding myths buried in a silly television contest, but that would involve missing the major facet of human existence. We are absurd, and once we see that and start having fun with it, everything starts to make more sense.

The first pattern is anger. The contestants return the insults or they loudly proclaim that the judges don't have a clue about the real talent that is before them. I always cringe a little when I see that. Now it's not that I don't think that each of the judges could use a good kick in the butt now and then, but it's readily apparent that the contestants only make themselves look weak, small, and helpless with their anger. It doesn't faze the judges a bit, and it shouldn't. Anger isn't strength. It's the extreme showing of our frailty and smallness.

The next pattern is even worse. This is when the contestants attempt to kiss up to the judges. I especially hate when a woman says how handsome she thinks Simon is. Lord in heaven, she should be shot on the spot. Judges are not handsome. Judges are not nice. Judges are not friends. To even attempt to play that game is the height of stupidity. Today they might smile, but tomorrow they will be ready to bite your head off. They need to be kept in their place, far away. That mistake should never be made, but it still is. Some people never learn.

Then there is the asking for advice routine. Of course, anyone watching the show for a few weeks quickly realizes the futility of that approach. These judges are as capable of giving coherent, sensible advice as a two year old. Sing better. They must have had years of musical training to come up with that one. There is no advice. Don't look for something that will never be there.

The most understandable reaction to the judges is to be hurt by their criticism. Of course, my heart goes out to them then. It does hurt and it can be devastating to be told that you don't have what it takes. We all fear that. I do admire the courage of anyone on the show because they all allow themselves to be exposed to this experience in front of millions. Many of us would choose to hide instead. This is what makes the judges so powerful.

Fortunately, there is one more pattern I noticed. These are the contestants who approach the judges with a quiet confidence. They don't argue. They take the criticisms with a sense of gentleness and peace and they bounce back from the criticisms with an unflinching determination to continue. Of course, Clay was my favorite contestant who followed this pattern. His gentleness and confidence captivated me from the beginning. I could see, right away, that this was and will always be the only way to approach the Judges.

This is an especially personal issue for me since my inner Judges have an unreasonable Sadam Hussein quality to them. I have tried all of these methods to deal with them. Nothing has worked except for the last method. It just involves letting go with no hiding, no anger, and no trying to please them. They only have power when we give it to them. Once we smile gently and realize that what was once a giant force was always just an illusion, we can discover that we can make our own rules, our own standards, and our own choices. The judges just shrink into little insects and we can laugh. Yes, we can see this in a silly television contest. We just need to pay attention.