On 'Idol', parents live their dreams through their kids' talents

wow, comments like this one directly above show that people like the word.........and number........... million.

I don't think life ever dictates "Sir. Ma'am. Step back. Sit down. You're too old for the spotlight. You're the audience now." That's dictated by our youth centered culture (which, I'm glad, isn't quite the same thing as life).

Entertainment buys into that same culture - it's aimed at youth, or at people who take as truth the idea that by 35 (at the latest) the adventure is over. When I watch stuff like that (and sometimes I do) I try to keep that in mind.

I'm not quite sure what you're actually saying about getting older - that for most of us, the choice is either glory or taking our seat in the audience? To me, growing out of wanting "glory" and learning to engage your life as it is is what mid-life (and beyond) is about. It's just that our culture revels in that youthful glory hunting and spurns anything that happens later.

I'm just not sure what you're actually saying about it.

Talk about cynical. Don't know where you are getting this from. All the parents in the audience (with the possible exception of Jeff Archuleta) look to be proud and excited for their children, not living through them. What are they supposed to do, sit like a statue with a poker face?

I agree with Steve that I am not sure what you are saying...are you criticizing older people who like watching Idol? Yes, I DO watch it because my 14 year old daughter does. She refers to it as "one of our bonding times" and I will embrace that any time she offers it.

Are you implying that because I am 50 I have nothing to look forward to but sitting on the sidelines with my crow's feet and jowls and watching younger people live out their dreams? Although working to put my children through school is helping them find their dreams, I feel I am still living mine. A career I love, friends, helping others, and learning new things daily all make me feel like I have much to look forward to in spite of the fact that I don't look as fabulous as I did at 20.

Are you criticizing television for shows that idolize youth and instant success or the culture we have that has created the market for such programming?

I think, overall, you just managed to sound like you were desperately seeking something new to disparage about a show you clearly dislike. Why not go after the parents since they must somehow be at fault for the fact that their kids are up there singing and keeping this show on the air? Guess it's good that it will soon be over and you can move on to a new topic.

ok, david archuleta all the way2 night! jobros r on 2nite 2 so dont 4get 2 watch!

Goog Morning, I am a huge fan of David Cock, I wanted win to win all the way.He can take any song and make song real, his vocals are great. I felt his success for him, he deserve to win. I felt like he was my brother.

Cock give us a great performance, he was pure in heart, I felt his feeling for sucess. He was surprise, he taught Architualet was the winner over him. He give up after Architualet got praise on Tuesday Night. But Amercia prove that he was the better singer. I was so happy , when he won.My family and I watch the Show every week. We are fans of David Cock, we knew he would have made it.He is mature and would be able to handle the media in a professional manner. My family and I screamed last evening when Cock was announced the winner. Architualet is not mature to handle the publicity that comes with the Title. Go live your dreams David Cock. You are goung to be a successful Star. My sister wish she can meet you. She declare you would be the winner when you sang the Lionel Richie song. God bless.

All through the season he sang beautifully. I enjoyed every song Cock sang. I wanted him to win,his personally was one that anyone could observe, sincere, kind and humble.
David Cock enjoy every moment of your success. I am happy,happy, happy. When cock sings he enjoys what he sing and that is great.Continue to sing beautifully.

omd, my david lost!!!!!!!!!! oh well, congrats to david cook nad i wish him the best and a happy and sucsessful career. as for archuleta, don't give up my baby! this is the start of a new begining! keep ur head held high and everything will be ok! love ya both!!!!!!

Also at the little league ball parks, soccer, football, Tae Kwan Do studios, beauty pageants, on and on and on. A bunch of losers raising future losers. Soon to be lacrosse fields blah, blah, blah, blah. Overweight ouit of shape parents forcing their no talent kids to do things they won't be doing 10 years from now or ever for that matter.

No responses. They all must be at the above mentioned activities. The defense rests!

They must be at McDonald's stuffing their faces because the games ran late.

the parents dont need to be living their kids drems, the kids can live their own and if the parents want to liva their live, then they should go get a decent job that they like thats similar to their kids'!!!!!!!!!