Coincidentally...

the conclusion reached by news anchors, morning show hosts, reality show judges, etc. regarding the public's current love affair with Susan Boyle was a little pat.

Don't judge a book by it's cover?

Really?

Because, unlike the news anchors, morning show hosts, reality show judges, etc., the people at home probably know a Susan Boyle or are a Susan Boyle. Someone who has a talent or gift who was either sidelined by life's circumstances, velvet-roped out of feeling proud of one's own uniqueness or programmed to feel that dreams can come true if you dream small.

Last week, I listened to Thursday and Friday's episodes of CBS Early Show and learned several things. One, this Susan Boyle seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. Two, the morning anchors who were drooling over her were also giving backhanded compliments. Their sense of amazement over her lovely voice seemed a bit exaggerated, and quite frankly, insulting. Apparently, they never ran into a natural, authentic-looking person with a special gift in their daily doings. Three, Maggie Rodriquez and Julie Chen's attempts to 'relate' to Susan Boyle, as if either knew what it was like to live her life, were disingenuous. Fourth, Friday's segment involving the two non-Simon Cowell judges was a painful waste of time. Both personified why the reality show climate was ripe for the likes of Susan Boyle: narcissism and constant need to prove that they're more interesting, wittier, and astute enough to warrant the attention and money that they are getting -- they are not.

I remember when Simon Cowell introduced the ___ Got Talent franchise to America. He or another one of the producers claimed that this show was necessary because American Idol has an age cut-off and that they wanted to give a wider range of ages a chance to show off their talent. The fact that all three judges were surprised by Susan Boyle just illustrated that they never believed in their goal; they were hoping to find more of the cookie-cutter contestants that American Idol is known for.

My hope is that Susan Boyle will be successful, but also that she isn't disassembled and reassembled to fit into the show producers' concept of her; a Cinderella story. I also hope that Ms. Boyle's presence on the world stage continues to reveal how the high and mighty really feel about the invisible masses who support them via their viewership. The most disgusting example of this was Friday's Oprah episode. Oprah fucking Winfrey has been on my shitlist for many years now, but her behavior and attitude put my disdain for her over the top. Instead of commenting on Ms. Boyle's voice, Oprah chose to zero in on Ms. Boyle's hosiery and shoe choice. She also added that she will book Ms. Boyle on her show, which I guess, is supposed to make up for her and her panel's rampant display of superficiality and inability to enjoy something that is still pure, despite the approaching overexposure.

Good luck to you, Ms. Boyle.