I want a loser

I did indeed watch the last 15 minutes of the American Idol finale, and as I had long hoped, Alabama's finest took home the title. I felt bad watching Ruben literally sweat it out in the final moments, but hopefully that $1 million recording contract can buy him some "205" sweat towels. But the thing that really struck me was that Simon Cowell announced that runner-up Clay Aiken had also signed to RCA and that the two finalists would be releasing their albums on the same day. So we're left to wonder- what exactly did Ruben win? Sure he gets a few more Good Morning America appearances than Clay, but after the post-show hype dies down, the two men will get exactly the same start to their music careers. Wouldn't it be better if there were a greater punishment for the losing contestants? Like if you don't win, you're banned from recording for two years. Or you're forced to be the American Idol's backup singer. I don't like this "everybody's a winner" mentality. Reality shows should be about 15 minutes of fame for one person, 15 seconds of shame for everyone else.