My Idol Journey

In which we shall see: a brush with fame, fortune, and reality TV.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Today I got to be famous.

After my monthly stint as chaperone for the BHS drama department to see a performance at a local big-name theatre (scenario one: "It's Charisse! Huuuuuug!!!" "Me too!" etc...- I now know how the cream filling in a Twinkie feels) (scenario two: I didn't know that many students could fall asleep that quickly 10 minutes into a play - hint: this production was NOT a favorite) I stuck around to act as a judge for the school's yearly talent show, "Brighton Idol". Instead of picking random teachers (read: anyone willing to stick around for the evening) they decided that this year they wanted people who actually knew something about talent (not my phrasing, I swear). There was a dancer ("the first Brighton Idol!"), a musician ("he can rip 16 bars at 350" or somesuch), and me, there to represent "actors". I had a distinct feeling it was going to be fun.

To start off, the three hosts took turns introducing the judges, and after presenting actual credentials tossed in some completely ridiculous freebies - for example, I will evidently be the next Celebrity Guest Judge on American Idol, and I hold three blackbelts in Taekwondo. Good times. Then each performer did their thing, and we judges scored them (anonymously) and then gave them brief feedback. Overall it was an excellent show - there really was some fabulous talent, and the scripts the hosts were working off of were quite clever and entertaining. At one point I used a staged "bit" - I had arranged with another student that he would call me just as I began my comments. He did, and when the phone rang you could hear the gasps in the auditorium, particularly when I interrupted proceedings to take the call. "Hi," says I, "right, sure, he's right here, uh-huh, I'll tell him" - at which point I went back to the mike and told the performer that "Randy Jackson (a real judge for American Idol) is on the phone, and he wanted to say 'You got it dawg', and 'you're destined for fame'. That's all!" It got a good laugh, and the student thought it was pretty cool.

At intermission, though, two sweet little girls (freshmen?) came up to the table and breathlessly asked, "Do you really know Randy Jackson?!?" I (laughed in my mind and) gently informed them that it had been a joke. They evidently didn't get that "joke" meant "not real" because they then proceeded to assure me that they were each my biggest fan. Apparently, between my intro and the Randy Jackson "call" they became convinced that I actually WAS a judge on American Idol. That, or they were faaaar better actors than I would have given them credit for, and were playing a joke on their own. Heh.

The show went really well, the judges managed to keep their remarks to a minimum (even with my occasional "bits") and fun was had by all.

Maybe I should try reality TV as my next career move - I'm pretty sure I could get the student population of Brighton High School to vote for me!


Watch out for falling turtles (and guitar picks, and ratings),

Cyd (BHS Guest Judge)