FOX
When it comes to American Idol, even losers can become the Next Big Thing (William Hung, anyone?). Grab the spotlight with a schtick that makes us double over laughing, and you just might find yourself earning instant immortality.
Take, for example, 63-year-old “General” Larry Platt of Atlanta. Based on the gut-busting viral video of his Idol audition (and a few subsequent send-ups), a fashion pet peeve that clearly resonates nationwide now has a rallying cry in Platt's catchy lyrics: “Pants on the ground! Pants on the ground! Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!”
As we all know, Platt's rap-lament refers to the baggy-saggy pants trend so widespread, a whole generation of upper-middle class suburban skateboarders have sauntered their way through high school with their “pants on the ground,” in an apparent tribute to hip-hop role models.
Despite side-splitting laughs from gleeful guest judge Mary J. Blige, Idol taskmaster Simon Cowell rejected Platt for being more than three decades too old to qualify for competition. But he let the guy down easy, musing, "I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit." He added, "I don't think this is gonna be the last we hear about you. I have a feeling about you, Larry."
As usual, Cowell was right. The original audition clip has scored millions of hits on YouTube. And almost immediately after Platt's Idol appearance, his ditty became available as a ringtone. Meanwhile, Late Night's spoof-happy Jimmy Fallon channeled Neil Young to sing a folk version of "Pants on the Ground."
What inspired Platt's contagious rap? The self-described “civil rights activist” (who, as a young man, was photographed with Martin Luther King, Jr.) says he was spurred into action after observing a young father whose jeans were hanging below his waist. "He had his underwear showing,” Platt told reporters. “He was being disrespectful, so I wanted to embarrass him ... After all this work I did with Dr. King, walking around with your pants on the ground? They're going to have to get them up. I'm sorry."
Plus: Does Idol Exploit the Socially Awkward?
Do you think low-hanging pants look ridiculous? Chime in below!
