《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词3500》Unit56:“美国偶像”怎么了?

　　Unit 56
What's Wrong with American Idol¹?
American Idol is no doubt one of the most popular TV shows of recent years, drawing millions of viewers. But the show is misleading about what it takes to succeed as a musical artist in the modern world as it has created five myths.
Myth 1Industry talent scouts² actively³ look for singers and musicians to develop.
Viewers believe that there are people out there searching for talent they can mold into the next big pop star. That's an Old World view that simply doesn't reflect reality these days. Instead, they look for artists who are already developing themselves, attracting fans and selling CDs on their own.
Myth 2Most ambitious musicians lack talent and are struggling and starving.
The American Idol auditions⁴, in particular, create this myth. A huge amount of quality music is produced outside the mainstream⁵. Many amazing musicians have decided⁶ they're happier selling 10,000 CDs on their own and making a hundred thousand dollars, than selling a million CDs and being broke on a major label. That's the reality of today's music business.
Myth 3You need the approval of industry insiders to make it in music.
Another wrong belief is that getting an industry big shot's approval will make or break your career. If you wait for someone to give you the green light to create and perform music, you may wait a long time. Artists should use their inner belief and the response they get from fans to fuel their progress.
Myth 4Signing a major recording⁷ contract is the ultimate sign of success.
There are countless⁸ stories of bands that got signed and never went anywhere, or bands that had record deals and ended up falling far short of their expectations. The smartest musicians understand that there are other things that give them greater control over their careers, and they aren't afraid to put their all into making it happen. Artists who realize success does not happen when you get signed to a major label are the ones who will make it in this industry.
Myth 5Without widespread nationwide exposure you're doomed⁹ to failure.
Most musicians would love to get the massive TV exposure that American Idol finalists receive. But nationwide media report is not a requirement for ultimate success in music. There are thousands of lesser-known artists who actively write, record and perform great music. And, contrary to popular belief, many of them make decent money, have large armies of devoted¹⁰ fans and are quietly, but steadily¹¹, building careers.
It's misleading for artists to think they need the massive exposure and approval of music industry honchos as in American Idol in order to succeed. The musicians with the best chance of success take their careers into their own hands, promote themselves and create their own lucky breaks.

1 idol   

n.偶像，红人，宠儿

参考例句：

• As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子，他是父母的宠儿。
• Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。

2 scouts   

侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员

参考例句：

• to join the Scouts 参加童子军
• The scouts paired off and began to patrol the area. 巡逻人员两个一组，然后开始巡逻这个地区。

3 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

4 auditions   

n.（对拟做演员、歌手、乐师等人的）试听，试音( audition的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Find modeling auditions, casting calls& acting auditions, all in one place. 找一个立体感试听，铸造呼叫和表演试听一体的地方。 来自互联网
• We are now about to start auditions to find a touring guitarist. 我们现在准备找一个新的吉他手。 来自互联网

5 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

8 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

9 doomed   

命定的

参考例句：

• The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
• A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。

10 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

11 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。