Susan Boyle : A story of our times

The story of Susan Boyle is a story of our times, enacted in an era where the appetite for anything and everything in an instant appears to be insatiable, and that includes the entertainment business. No greater example of this is displayed through the medium of programmes such as the X-Factor, Pop Idol and Britain's Got Talent, all of which have had the money-making potential of the formula translated into US versions for screening in the States. 

What, you might well argue, is the harm in it? After all, the producers make a mint of money, including vast sums that will ultimately be made from various recording deals; the contestants have an opportunity --- often billed as a 'once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity' --- to perform their act in front of millions of people; the public are entertained for a few hours over the course of the contest; the TV Companies increase their advertising revenue during the run of a programme which attracts millions of viewers (no mean feat in these cash-strapped days), and so what, if anything, is there to complain about.

I guess that the answer lies in seeing the disappointment on the faces of the younger contestants, many of whom are reduced to tears, when they discover that the hype that has carried them to the curtain-call is not real, and that soon enough the curtain will fall on their hopes and dreams, leaving them bruised at the least, and often scarred by the experience. Just look at the tearful tantrum of Holly Steele last week when her nerves caused her to crumble in front of the camera. It may have been considered a kindness to let her perform again, but was it really so? Surely, if a contestant is unable to get through the audition then they'll hardly be able to get through what comes after should they go on to win the competition. It would be kinder to spot the weaknesses early on and not let them get to the point that this little girl arrived at. She is, of course just one example, but there are many more.

In the case of Susan Boyle, what we have seen over the past few weeks is a typical moder-day version of someone being thrown to the lions. When she first appeared the looks that were on the judge's faces said what they were thinking. 'Here', they implied, 'is someone with no chance at all of getting anywhere'. How her appearance fooled them once she opened her mouth and started to sing. But was it really as good as it was made out to be, judging it from a professional standard, or did the sympathy vote kick in to a degree. Then there has been the amazing media coverage, not only here in the UK but around the world. Susan Boyle was quickly given the sobriquet of 'The Hairy Angel', and her every breath was monitored by the media. We learned much about her yet never even got close to knowing her. She made great publicity for the show and the producers, yet little thought was really given to how she might be coping with the unprecedented media attention. Repeatedly she was told that she couldn't fail to win, that there was no-one to touch her, and I'm certain that she was led to believe that it was simply a matter of turning up for the final and being told that she was the winner.

I, for one, was certainly not fooled by her act of bravado on Saturday when she commented that the best people won. No. I'm certain that she felt that the best person had come second! Now it is rumoured that the stress of it all has finally got to her and made her ill.

Will the producers and the various individuals and companies that have made money from her or that stand to make money from her, care. It's doubtful. Susan Boyle's life will never be quite the same again, no matter what the outcome. Yes, no doubt she'll have a lot of money in the bank, but that will only buy her things, it won't bring her happiness. 

I'm sure that whatever happens for her and to her in the future, there will be many moments when she'll quietly sit and contemplate the whole saga, and often conclude that she would actually be better off if it had never happened. Often the security of oblivion is better than the gladiatorial arena.