The Idol Factory

Alan and I once tried out for American Idol.

I'll give you a minute to digest that.

[Whistling...checking watch...okay.]

It was actually kind of an interesting experience- being herded into Soldier Field with literally thousands of other deluded hopefuls and, probably, some actual undiscovered talent. Random groups of otherwise unrelated people would break out into television theme songs. And don't even get me started on Amethyst (I kid you not) who sat next to us insisting, for six full hours, on repeatedly rehearsing the first two lines of her warbled rendition of the classic jazz tune "At Last." Oy.

When you try out for American Idol- and you will, you know you've thought about it- you don't get to see Paula, Randy, and Simon right away. You have to pass through a few layers of producers and interns/lackeys first. Those who made it get a yellow sheet and move on to the next level. I remember jokingly saying, "Look Alan, if you get a Golden Ticket you can see the factory where the American Idols are made!"

Apparently there are those Israelis who feel the same way about their country's version of the show, "Kochav Nolad (A Star is Born)." Below is short animation which offers a refreshingly quirky take on the whole process. Enjoy!