Susan Boyle

What is the deal with the media and Susan Boyle? A contestant on the British reality show "Britain's Got Talent", she is now being dubbed an "unlikely heroine". Apparently shocking the audience, this grey-haired, round woman who claimed she had never been kissed sang a pleasant version of "I Dreamed a Dream".

Now, I understand that people were not necessarily expecting greatness from a woman who barely had enough stage presence to catch the attention of a captive audience, I am frustrated at the grand, superficial reaction of the media. Skill, talent and musicianship do not go hand in hand with society's portrayal of beauty.

I suppose the other thing that frustrates me is the fact that on two other occasions of which I am aware, there were similar situations on this very television show. The first being Paul Potts and the second being Andrew Johnston. Paul Potts first displayed a timid mobile phone salesman with crooked teeth, only to later reveal a marvelous operatic version of "Nessun Dorma".



Andrew Johnston, a meek 13-year old boy who had to be told to put the microphone to his mouth and then told of being bullied and later sang a tear-jerking rendition of "Pie Jesu".



I'm not sure what is more disturbing; the fact that these people existing continues to be such a shock to people or the fact that this show may in fact be looking for people to fit this bill, only to exploit them later.