Absolutely Pre-Fabulous

Absolutely Pre-Fabulous

Hey All,
I imagine there was a certain amount of inevitability that the tremendous success American Idol would spawn spin-offs. Today I came across a cringe-worthy article in which it was announced the producers of American Idol are currently developing a similar format program for music groups.

Granted, this concept is nothing new to mavens of popular culture, nor is it a cur of an idea successful at nothing but stillborn litters. The survivors of INXS landed themselves a suitable lead vocalist through the hit reality TV series Rock Star: INXS. And, frankly, I would not have discovered the Amazonian virtues of Storm Large had it not been for Rock Star: Supernova.

But many a critic in the world at large has much to say about the homogenized and soulless methodology of pitting artists against themselves in order to win a contest and attain instant "stardom." I've made public my opinions on the subject (you can cruise through the archives if you're curious).

But, for some reason, the notion of a rock group reality television program produced in the format of American Idol bothers me far less than Amercian Idol itself. Why? Perhaps because we have precedented network manufactured rock bands, and this tradition in American Popular Culture began a great many years before the majority of American Idol viewers were born-Hell, probably before many of their parents were born.

When four mop-haired young men from Liverpool hit North American shores a phenomena unlike any other exploded like a nuclear flare on the surface of the sun (actually, I've read research that coincides the peaks and valleys of sunspot activity with that of Beatlemania popularity-no lie, go check it out.) Record producers saw raw revenue slipping away and convinced NBC to back the construction a mop-haired quartet of their own. The Monkees first aired in 1966. They had hit records, a hit television series, and a film before their run was up. And critics didn't call them The Pre-Fab Four for nothing. All four members of the band were cast through auditions. Many of their songs were written and produced by unseen, and mayhap, more talented artists behind the scenes. But that didn't seem to offend the majority of their fans. The Monkees show ran for two seasons, won two Emmys, and found life in syndicated reruns for too, too many decades. But for all their pre-fabrication, the four members of the Monkees were actually very gifted artists in their own rights, and people of surprising integrity. Ultimately they would take control of their careers and demonstrate some genuine artistic skills and goals and prove the test of time against the fickle erosion of popular entertainment.

But does anyone recall the pathetic and undernourished half-sibling of the Monkees, The Kids from C.A.P.E.R?

No? Then count yourself among the blessed.

I do remember them, but, then again, I have the retention of a stainless steel bear-trap for things trivial and useless. Just ask my parents. I've shamed them countless times with my outbursts of hallow factoids.

Several folks formerly associated with The Monkees, like Excecutive Producer Don Kirshner, developed the Kids from C.A.P.E.R. in the late 1970s. Clearly the producers wanted to re-capture that lighting in a bottle...but they didn't even come close, which is why this god awful program has been nearly lost to the sands of time...but thank god for You Tube as now I can re-experience the same regurgitative cold chill I had when I first heard that awful theme song back in 1976.

My point is that network television can fabricate a musical group, and if fate allows, draw together some very talented people who bring a great deal of genuine joy to their audience. It can also beget monsters.

Good luck at auditions, everyone--Break Legs!!

More Later,
Coletrane


In case you were wondering, C.A.P.E.R stood for The Civilian Authority for the Protection of Everybody, Regardless.


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