The Parents Television Council thinks Fox’s “American Idol” is generally a source of good wholesome family entertainment, but says this year’s final episode went over the line.
The controversy involved the return of a contestant who “made it to Hollywood,” but not much farther — Katrina Darrell, otherwise known as “Bikini Girl.” She returned in her bikini, and then a little while later Idol judge Kara DioGuardi revealed that she too was wearing a bikini, under her dress.
See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFaaL3vABSw
PTC was also unhappy with the Black Eyed Peas performance of a song called “Boom Boom Pow.”
PTC President Tim Winter said, “Last night’s finale of American Idol demonstrated all the aspects that make television great — a months-long competition coming down to two finalists with a Cinderella story ending. Unfortunately, it also demonstrated what’s wrong with television when Fox decided that gratuitous shock value in front of a huge family audience is a good thing, rather than a bad thing. If Fox isn’t careful, they will alienate the family audience foundation upon which the success of Idol has been built.”
RBR/TVBR observation: OK, now, breathe easy. We watched the show – with our children – and did not find reason to believe that the sky was falling, polite society was crumbling or unruly Munchkins had taken over the FCC. Bathing suits. These PTC folks must go nuts when they’re at a public beach or swimming pool. But we don’t need them inflicting their phobias on the rest of us.
