Global entertainment and local celebration: Appropriations of the Idols TV programme in Dutch festivity culture

Stijn Reijnders*, Gerard Rooijakkers, Liesbet Van Zoonen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
63 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The entertainment show Idols has been without doubt one of the most popular TV programmes internationally in recent years. In the wake of this talent quest, local 'Idols parties' were organized throughout the Netherlands in 2003 and 2004. At schools, cafes, camping sites and clubrooms, parties were staged with names such as 'Idols Night' or 'Gay Idols'. This article examines the meaning of these shows and what the phenomenon ultimately tells us about the relationship between television culture and popular culture. To this end, we attended eight Idols parties, conducting ethnographic fieldwork. We can conclude that the Idols parties are inspired to a great extent by the popular TV format, but at the same time the ritual character of the TV model is diluted to make room for a process of appropriation. The objective of each Idols party is to celebrate the group identity of their association, school or club.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131-148
Number of pages18
JournalEuropean Journal of Cultural Studies
Volume9
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2006

Research programs

  • ESHCC A&CS

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