I like summer TV.
I know, I know, shocker to be sure. But there's just something about the light, fun, mindless shows of summer that make me giggle and give my brain a much needed break. Wipeout is a good one. I want to be a contestant so bad. If they ever do a siblings show, my brother and I are IN! My other one is America's Got Talent.
AGT (for those in the know) is good summer fun. I love the variety of acts; the weird, wonderful people who show up in droves ready to demonstrate their "talent." So when my wife and I got the chance to go to a live taping in Florida this week, we couldn't say no. It was awesome. No spoilers here, but get ready for another fun summer season for sure.
If you're not familar with the show, it's a bunch of variety acts competing for a chance at a million dollar contract and a show in Las Vegas. There are 3 celebrity judges and the 4th judge- the audience. It's facinating, because the audience is really encouraged to participate and get rowdy about thier opinions. People yell stuff out and the judeges respond. And the crowd really does seem to influcence the voting. It's very cool to see it without the editing; or the commercials.
But on the way home, I started thinking about the 3 kinds of acts you see on AGT. You can categorize them fairly simply and there are lessons you can learn from each.
AGT Audition Type 1- Genuine Talent.
I will say, there are some serious contenders coming this year. And it's exciting to think that mabye we saw the next million dollar act before anyone else. But what's neat about genuine talent is how quickly the whole audience recognizes it. Almost immediately the whole crowd would cheer and chant "Vegas, Vegas!" That's what's great about genuine talent. It stands on it's own and everyone, even a room of amateur judges, knows it when we see it. And what's inspiring is how these performers are always so passionate. They cry when they get "yes" votes. This isn't some pie in the sky dream- this is the payoff for a lifetime of deditcation. And it shows.
AGT Audition Type 2- The Joke.
There are some peole who come just to make a joke of it. We saw several at our taping. And the thing about it was, it wasn't funny- it was just annoying. See, it's one thing to be disruptive or saterical with a point. But these performers weren't poignant, they were just grating. Mockery for mockery's sake is not satire and the audience quickly felt the insult and turned on the audition. You can't make your audience the joke and expect them to laugh. They won't, I've seen it. They feel taken advantage of as their time is wasted. It's not pretty.
AGT Audition Type 3- The Sheltered Moderate.
These are the hardest to watch. The sisters who sound great in the kitchen, the dog all your friends love, the hairdresser with charisma. People with more courage than talent who haven't taken the time to really practice or prepare. I'ts not really thier dream, it's a fun idea that when a few people said "do it" they listened. But they didn't get enough trusted opinions to know it wasn't real. On the one hand, they are brave because they are putting it out there. On the other hand, they are foolish because they didn't have an honest perspective that would have saved them harsh criticism.
And thinking about all this made me wonder- if you're a entrepreneur heading to market, which one are you? Because you won't have the benefit of a room full of honest strangers giving you immediate feedback. You'll more likely sink a lot of money into marketing hoping to learn which one of these you are.
If you're business is the real deal, people will notice and cheer.
If you're being disruptive to a market just to take advantage of it, people will boo you off the stage.
But what if you're a moderately talented idea that needs a little more time and refinement before you can wow the world? Have you asked enough trusted friends for honest opinions? Have you tired it out in a way that makes you confident? Is it a dream you're passionate about or just an idea you like? You better know- because the audience will. And that 4th judge is the one that really matters.
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