Kompetisi(II)

As a getaway from the weekly work routine, I find lying down on the carpet watching the TV meditative, especially in this nationwide fever of competitions, be it musical or beauty pageant.

You see, I've been strongly complained about the invasion of poor all-alike programmes of four themes: gossips, crimes, mystery, and dangdut. Well, some programmes might try to mix up two or three of the theme to bring up new themes, like spooktainment, crimetainment, and dangdutainment. We've been all brainwashed with those craps which add nothing to our cerebrum but more dead cells.

Today, at least my thirst for better programmes could be fulfilled. We're in the new big wave where people either organize competitions or participate in one, or, in alot of cases, ones. Isn't it amazing to see that probably half of Indonesians could sing while the other half deny that talent anywhere except in their solitude in the shower? It's a pity though that up to this day not a single competition provide the audition room with as high comfort level as the shower. I think more people would sign up and perform greatly because I believe indonesians sing as greatly as brazilians play soccer.

Not only great performance do we enjoy very much, but also the unbelievable scenes that take place in the auditions. I find it relaxing to laugh at participats who sing dangdut songs in Indonesian Idol audition and sing pop songs in KDI audition. Another thing to laught at is the situation where a contestant, despite his unbearable voice and choreography, strongly argued that he should make it to the big 50 round and cursing the judges on his way out from the audition room. Talking about strong determination. But on top of all, I really appreciate their courage to at least be there and try their best in those auditions. The rest of us, including myself, choose to sit down in front of the TV, judging their performance, pointing and giggling at their mistakes, and giving harsh comments, trying to pull a Simon Cowell.

Not only we can see their performance on-stage, we can also play stalkers and know everything about them off-stage from the reality shows. We just love reality show because people should easily get an Oscar for playing the role of being themselves. After watching the shows, we can conlude that the only miserable thing of the daily life as a contestant is pretending to eat or drink the sponsor products. I am so close to believing that overconsuming Mie Sedap is actually harmless to vocal chords.

However, more competitions mean more celebrity wanna-bes and more people whose life are new east targets of gossip tabloids. I'd like a suggest a new clause in AFI application form "Herewith I sacrifice my life in the altar of liberal press by the time I enter this competition". Apparently, who gets the highest vote today isn't ready to serve yet without the spice of romantic lives and trivial facts of the contestants. Once, I bought one of such tabloids and found all information you need even the one you never expect you might need about AFI finalists. I'd say even you don't have to be one of the finalist to make it in the tabloid. Just be one of their parents, neighbors, or friends, I bet gossip journalists will run after you.

The fever might redefine the way of thinking of the new generation. In our younger days, we dreamt of being engineers or doctors, and it was not very long time ago when children dreamt of being the president. Kids today either dream of being pop stars or models. This is the time when celebrities are whom children look up to. My childhood was when kids memorized capitals of Indonesian provinces and played hide-and-seek while kids today memorize the whole lyric of "Menuju Puncak" and practise the routine comprising of many impossible movements created by Ari Tulang. You know what, I was a little bit to skeptical about this AFI anthem thing but I have to admit it was a much better for kids to remember than Cucak Rowo. Surely "menuju puncak, impian di hati ..." was safer than "buntute sing akeh wulune, neng digoyang, ser, ser, aduk ena'e".

I had the honor to play the keyboard for Bona, an Indonesian Idol finalist, and Intan, an AFI 3 finalist. I'd say that they deserve to be in the big show because as you might know as well they both have great voices. Actually, their voices are not only just "great", but I lack the vocabulary to describe them precisely. Today I blame myself for not asking their autographs in advance.