I'm watching Good Morning America and they were doing little tests on people on the street. They put up pictures of presidential hopefuls and pictures of American Idol contestants. Out of like 10 people, a mix of older and younger people, only 1 guy knew all the presidential hopeful names! All the others, including a few parents, knew ALL the American Idol contestants and NONE of the presidential hopefuls. Then the parents of this girl were cheering her on when she knew ALL The American Idol contestants and NONE of the hopefuls?? What kind of message is this sending to kids in this country? What kind of priorities are these parents putting on their children??

It makes me so sad to see families who know more about some ridiculous TV show than a national race for presidency that can determine their own futures. Yet people have the nerve to complain about things happening in the country when they don't even have a clue?:no

To be honest...I only know the name Phil Stacey from AI because he is from Jax...I know a few presidential candidates, but not all of them.

Yea but these people didnt even know ONE of them! I mean, someone didn't even recognize Obama or Giuliani!

That's pathetic!

It's because a lot people these days do not take the responsibility of informing themselves. They don't watch news programs, read the newspaper or news magazines. It's like the Jay Walking on Leno. The basic stuff these people don't know is amazing and scary considering many are college students and other professed educated professionals.

I don't know every single presidential candidate, there are SO many of them this election! That being said, I don't know all the people on AI by name either. So I guess I'm balanced!

It might be because I'm a politics and law student, but it makes me absolutely sick. In some of my classes, people don't even know the senators of our state. :no

I havent watched AI this Season. I dont know why but it hasnt drawn me in, I feel like there was better things? I know some of the hopefulls but not all! but I agree it is sad!

I would be the one who doesn't know ANY american idol names..but I only know a few presidiental hopeful's

Admittedly, I don't know all the candidates, but I know the names and faces of the front runners.

Admittedly, I don't know all the candidates, but I know the names and faces of the front runners.

Same here. Its hard to tell who is actually running so far, besides those that are out in front.

And screw AI :pukey

:no

I know quite a few presidential candidates, but by no means all of them. But I can honestly say I cannot name one American Idol person other than that first chick Kelly something. I've never caught on with that craze. And people wonder why our government is screwed up now. We put more emphasis on pop culture now than anything else..

I watch the Today show every morning here and they spend a good 20 minutes covering the election and candidate fund raising so I'm familiar with most of the candidates. That being said... even though we watch AI each week (fast forwarding, LOL!) I don't remember all their names based on their faces sometimes! HAHA!!!

The American public does need to be more informed though!!

It means that reality TV is much worse than I previously thought. Ugh, at least sci fi tries to infuse some true science into the shows.