American Idol

B1 – Intermediate

Reality TV or reality shows have been around for quite some time and it seems like they’re getting more popular.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

American Idol is a reality TV program broadcast in the US and over one hundred countries around the world. It debuted in the summer of 2002, and has become one of the most popular programs on air. It has ranked as the number one show for five seasons in a row. On the program, contestants sing before three judges to be the best singer in the country. The winner usually goes on to win large record contracts.

Although very successful, there has been some controversy too. For example, Sir Elton John called the show “racist” after African American contestants scored poorly. The show also has total control of the careers of each year’s winners, a fact which may or may not be favorable to the contestants.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you watch shows such as American Idol or other reality TV programs?
2. What are some of your preferences when watching TV shows?
3. What has been the impact of airing reality shows?

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22 replies on “American Idol”

1. Do you watch shows such as American Idol or other reality TV programs? I used to watch some programs like this when I was younger like “Operación Triunfo” or The Voice but now I have lost the interest on them because they are always veru similar.
2. What are some of your preferences when watching TV shows? I don’t see this kind of shows because I prefer watching series on online platforms.
3. What has been the impact of airing reality shows? Some of them have been very popular and some the contestant became very popular and they started very successful careers. However I thing that the emergence of digital platforms like Netflix has done that peope watch less this type of shows.

You did very well in practicing your writing to improve your skills.

Here are a few changes you can make to revise this sentence:

I used to watch some programs like this when I was younger like “Operación Triunfo” or The Voice but now I have lost the interest on them because they are always veru similar.

I used to watch some programs like “Operación Triunfo” or The Voice when I was younger, but now, I have lost the interest in them because they are always the same.

Until your next entry!

1. Do you watch shows such as American Idol or other reality TV programs?
We had one similar program in Spain called Operacion triunfo.
I don’t watch TV so often, but I remember that I watched this program during the first weeks.
2. What are some of your preferences when watching TV shows?
As I said before I don’t watch so much TV during my free time so if I have to choose one TV show program, I would choose one fun and entertainment.
3. What has been the impact of airing reality shows?
Very bad impact like trashy TV programs

You can answer the questions in a good way. Just try to be a little more expressive and elaborate so there will be more details in your responses.

Here is a sentence you can still improve:

Very bad impact like trashy TV programs

I think that their impact is very bad. They are like trash TV programs.

Keep going with your writing practice.

1. Do you watch shows such as American Idol or other reality TV programs?
No, I don’t like these kinds of shows.
2. What are some of your preferences when watching TV shows?
When I watch TV I prefer to watch the news and some documentaries or programs like “How do it”?
3. What has been the impact of airing reality shows?
This type of programs has reduced the quality of television programs, but it is also true that the audience has increased.

Appreciate your efforts in practicing your writing in a very consistent way. Great job!

Here is how this sentence can be revised:
Look at the capitalization and proper punctuation.

When I watch TV I prefer to watch the news and some documentaries or programs like “How do it”?

When I watch TV, I prefer to watch the news and some documentaries or programs like “How Do They Do It?”.

Keep writing!

1 .-Yes, sometimes i watch programs like the Voice or American/Britain’s Got Talent.
2.- I prefer watch TV series than shows TV.
3.- For some contestants are positive, they have the posibility to earn money or something similar, and for the viewers is a kind of entertaiment

It is great to see you are interested in practicing your writing. Keep it up! Remember to try to elaborate on your answers as much as possible.

Here is how you can improve the following sentences:

Yes, sometimes i watch programs like the Voice or American/Britain’s Got Talent.

Yes, I sometimes watch programs like The Voice and American/Britain’s Got Talent.

I prefer watch TV series than shows TV.

I prefer watching TV series than TV shows.

For some contestants are positive, they have the posibility to earn money or something similar, and for the viewers is a kind of entertaiment

For some contestants, it is positive. They have the possibility to earn more money or something similar, and For the viewers, it is a kind of entertainment for them.

Note the proper spelling of the words: entertainment and possibility.

Looking forward to more entries from you!

1. Now I don´t haver any time for watching TV, but many years ago I liked some reality shows.
2. I prefered music´s TV shows like “Operacion Triunfo”.
3. I think that these programs were the beginning of the “telebasura”.

Good work practicing your writing. Remember to be as elaborate as possible so you may be able to express your ideas better.

Here are some revisions you can make in the following sentences:

Now I don´t haver any time for watching TV, but many years ago I liked some reality shows.

Now, I don´t have any time to watch TV, but many years ago, I liked some reality shows.

I prefered music´s TV shows like “Operacion Triunfo”.

I preferred musical TV shows like “Operacion Triunfo”.

I think that these programs were the beginning of the “telebasura”.

I think that these programs were the beginning of the trash TV.

Enjoy writing!

1.- Years ago I did it , when this kind of shows enjoyed me , but actually I’m not a fan of them.
2.- My preferences are , Firstly , News , History channels , Scientifics and Sports.
3.- I understand that the main impact was giving the opportunity to some one to show a skilled and do what others are not able to.

Your efforts in practicing your writing is commendable.

Here is a sentence you can revise:

Years ago I did it , when this kind of shows enjoyed me , but actually I’m not a fan of them.

Years ago, when I enjoyed this kind of shows, I did watch them, but I’m not a fan of them anymore now.

Continue doing this exercise to improve further.

1. No. Reality shows don’t help me much
2. I’m not a TV shows consumer but I prefer singing contest
3. Regarding participants it could be a benefict as they are more popular specially through social media, I think for the public the impact is not very useful.

It is so good to have you on the Phoneenglish blog! Welcome! Practice being as expressive in your writing as you can through this exercise.

See how this sentence can be revised:

Regarding participants it could be a benefict as they are more popular specially through social media, I think for the public the impact is not very useful.

For the contestants, it could be very beneficial for them as they become more popular especially on social media. However, I think that for the public, it is not very useful for them.

Enjoy your writing practice here. Cheers to more future entries from you!

1. No. Reality shows don’t bring me anything
2. Music or sports programs
3.I believe that for the public they have a negative impact.

Good work writing your responses to your lesson’s discussion questions. It would be better if you elaborate on your answers so you may be able to express your thoughts more.

Here is how you can revise this sentence.

No. Reality shows don’t bring me anything

No, I don’t watch reality shows because they don’t bring anything to my life.

Keep going with your writing practice.

1. Yes, I have watched American Idiol and the different versions available in Spain but I rather the kids version of this kind of shows is funnier, hearth feeling and the kids have a lot of talent.

2. I like watching thriller movies and sometimes depending on the mood I can watch reality shows if there is not a LOT of drama on it.

3. TV and streaming industry make a lot of money from reality shows. I don’t think people participating in this kind of shows get to see a lot of the benefits . I think is the opposite because they are exposed to social media and constant criticism.

It’s great that you continue to practicing your writing skills. Keep at it!

Take a look at how you can better write this one response of yours:

Yes, I have watched American Idiol and the different versions available in Spain but I rather the kids version of this kind of shows is funnier, hearth feeling and the kids have a lot of talent.

Yes, I have watched American Idol and the different versions available in Spain, but I prefer the kids’ version of this kind of shows because it is more fun to watch, heartwarming, and the kids are very talented.

Keep going so you may see more and more progress.

1. Do you watch shows such as American Idol or other reality TV programs?
I don’t usually like to watch this kind of TV shows. It’s true that in these TV programs are born young singer, for example, that become at great professional.

2. What are some of your preferences when watching TV shows?
As I said earlier, I’m not a TV shows consumer, I prefer watching first a good film or TV series or a documental even, the few times I have watched a TV shows, it’s been usually related to physical trial or singers shows.

3. What has been the impact of airing reality shows?
The first time I watched a reality show was at least 20 years ago with the first edition of Big Brother. This kind of shows were born as a society reflection, after that, other similar shows were born and lately, in my opinion, the message that it usually transmit is “you could be rich without working and without effort” and this is a wrong message towards our teenagers.

Job well done. Thanks for your responses.

See how this sentence can be made a bit better with the correct word order.

It’s true that in these TV programs are born young singer, for example, that become at great professional.

It’s true that in these TV programs, young singers are born and eventually become great professional artists.

Until your next entry!

We hear you. Thanks for your response. Feel free to answer the discussion questions too.

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