Author and radio host Michael Kuyucu examines how Pop Idol and similar music talent programs attempt to exploit and manipulate their audiences, arguing that so-called reality television is not so much a reality. These programs, which claim to create stars in the music world, often leave the winners languishing in obscurity, struggling to achieve the fame they were promised. There are winners in these programs, but they may not be the people you expect.

Beyond the stage and the cameras, there is a darker truth that needs to be brought to light.

The producers and television companies both knew that music talent shows are not more than nothing for Turkey. But they didn’t stop and just went on. Because it was their business to exploit the feelings of the audience, use television as a popular culture tool and earn money. The producers knew what it means to be a pop idol candidate in talent shows but candidates didn’t know it in the beginning. After years both the candidates and the audience understand that a talent show broadcasted in any of mainstream media can’t create a music star!

This Book gives the historical development of the pop idol and other music talent shows produced and broadcasted in the Turkish television industry. It gives facts and figures about the relation between television industry and pop idol / music talent shows in the side of the popular culture. Illustrate the effects of pop idol and music talent shows to Turkish society and entertainment industry.

• The book explores the music talent shows broadcasted in the Turkish television history and how did music talent shows exploited the audience.
• A dramatic history of traditional media’s exploitation the audience and  the uprising of the audience
• More than 20 talent shows in 11 years and  “zero” music stars.
• The audience said “no” to mainstream media’s exploitation and didn’t accept any one as a music star. Now everyone knows that television cannot create a music star with the use of these talent shows.

A critical approach to Turkish television broadcasting industry:

• Television and popular culture
• Television criticism
• History of Turkish television in terms of ‘music’ and ‘competitions’ from 1970s till 2014.
• The development of pop idol and other music talent shows from 2003 till 2014.
• Do these programs create music stars of just sleeps the society? Ideas of the music industry experts and television audience.
• How did these programs attract the interest of the audience and how did the audience upraised to these programs