THE RISE AND DECLINE OF "AMERICAN IDOL"
April 20th 2010 07:55
Link: thejukeboxhero.com
It literally came out of nowhere, this jazzy new television show, full of pomp and sparkling lights and the swagger of a big ballsy bull, a musical spectacle like the American viewing public had rarely seen, not even with former popular shows like "Star Search" or "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour" or "The Midnight Special". It was flashy and fun and contained all the essential elements of good pop culture entertainment: Passion and heartache. Thrill of victory and agony of defeat. The pathos of a rags-to-riches story. It was irresistible viewing for all age groups and all tastes in music, drawing us all to it like a moth to a dancing flame.
"American Idol" was the brain-child of English TV and record producer, Simon Fuller, who once managed The "Spice Girls". Created as a spin-off from Britain's "Pop Idol", the Americanized version arrived in the United States in June 2002, at the time American viewing audiences were clinging desperately to the ever-shifting landscape of Reality TV, having claws hooked into the new format's "Wild West" mentality of in-your-face political incorrectness. The show's format was bold and fresh, but really quite simple when it came down to it: To discover the best unknown singer in the country through a series of nationwide performances in which audience participation determined the ultimate champion.. Various selected sites throughout the States served as venues for try-outs and were jam-packed with thousands upon thousands of young, dreamy-eyed auditioners hoping to land a spot on the show as images of fame and fortune danced in their heads.
Before any attainment of glory, or the first buck was shelled out, though, contestants had to endure weeks of their singing skills being put to a grueling test--- assessed, analyzed, and repeatedly critiqued by a panel of three hard to please judges, chief among them an acerbic tee-shirt wearing Brit by the name of Simon Cowell, a meany we hadn't seen the likes of on the tube since the days of Archie Bunker. But American audiences quickly dicovered that Cowell was even nastier than Archie in many ways because Simon enjoyed bar-be-queing the delicate shanks of tender young contestant meat. Cowell went where no man or woman had gone before on national TV, slicing and dicing the young, shell-shocked contestants with harsh and cutting critiques that made some viewers cringe in open-mouth astonishment while others danced jigs and slapped palms in delight. Suddenly, with "American Idol", we had a snazzy TV singing contest that incorporated the humilation factor into the mix. Not surprisingly, the American public lapped it up. Nothing Jerry Springer had to offer could match the noxious bombast espoused by the world's newest and most obnoxious villain, the Snidely-Whiplash of TV Land.
"What the bloody hell was that?"
"Idol" exploded into the collective consciousness of America, making it an instant hit and propelling it quickly to the top of the Neilson ratings where it only grew in popularity like a honey bun on the "Roseanne" set. With its array of fresh-faced singers , some with outstanding singing skills while others couldn't carry a note, famed recording artists who appeared in the role of "mentors", quirky personalities galore, the fraternal concept of fan voting, all blended together with just the right dash of occasional gossip juicy enough to make The View and TMZ envious, the enigma of Idol skyrocketed. Along the way, thanks to "Idol", we have witnessed the rise of musicians like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, and Season 8 gay-glam phenom, Adam Lambert, among many other fine singers. Eight seasons of "American Idol" have come and gone with the show staying at the very top of the ratings, making each new season a much-anticipated viewing extravaganza.
But, as Bob Dylan once reminded us, the times they are a changin' and for various reasons viewer opinion is clearly changing about "Idol", too. Testament to that is for the first time in years, "Idol" lost its number one ranking to the hip, high-stepping " Dancing With The Stars" just last week. In the strange world of Reality TV programming, "American Idol" has been bested by Kate Gosselin. With the news of Crusty Cowell departing at the end of this season to bring his beloved "XFactor" to America, fans of "Idol" are growing increasingly nervous about its fate while the regular collection of Doomsayers are smugly proclaiming its demise.
What has happened to "American Idol"? Why is it losing its viewers?
Everyone seems to have an opinion, and listed below are a brief sampling of the reasons people are citing most:
THE STINKY CONTESTANT SYNDROME
Alot of negative fan talk concerns the so-called lack of good singing talent on this season's show. They drone on and on about how unappealing this season's cast is, how they lack the star quality of past seasons which, for some reason, is now adversely affecting their own Idol viewing experience. Most fans saying this, interestingly enough, are those who are the biggest fans of last season's runner-up, Adam Lambert, the glitzy King of Oversing, who is now frolicking in the crotches of his backup singers as a recording professional. No question about it, Lambert was probably the most unique contestant ever to appear on Idol and enormously talented with a huge, pulsing fan base, but his fans just can't seem to deal with the post-partum blues created in the wake of Adam's departure from "Idol". Eleven months have passed since Lambert last competed on the show, but his fans still carry on as if they actually expect his silhoutted leather-and-lace figure to emerge from the smokey haze on the Idol stage and sweep them into a state of ectasy with some of his trademark high-pitched vocal theatrics. Fortunately, some of these foggy visions are beginning to fade and "crystallize" into a better sense of reality as some of the Season 9 contestants like frontrunner Crystal Bowersox, Casey James, Lee DeWyze, Michael Lynche, and Lambert's female counterpart, Siobhan Magnus, have stepped forward to display some prolific singing and performing power of their own, causing fans to slowly but surely modify their opinion as to the quality level of this season's cast.
The reality is, the cast of Season 9 contestants, as a whole, are every bit the equal of most other "American Idol" in vocal proficiency and in musical skill, and, for my money, superior to the cast of Season 8.
THE MENTORS ARE A BORE
In every past season, Idol has regularly attracted some of the greatest recording artists of all time to serve in the role of mentor, lending their sage advice to the contestants and at the same time injecting a big dose of star power into the show, thereby raising the ratings even more. The list is long and impressive: Stevie Wonder, Jon BonJovi. Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Smokey Robinson, etc. Even Elvis got in on the act and hologramed himself onto the Idol stage to perform a duet with Celine Dion in 2007. This season, though, the mentors have been far less legendary: In fact, they've been pretty disappointing: Miley Cyrus, Usher, Adam Lambert. Yep, that's it. Not exactly the stuff singing legends are made of. Even for a theme night as potentially spectacular as the Lennon-McCartney songbook this season, Idol producers barely managed to persuade Sir Paul to make a taped cameo appearance in which he uttered some half-hearted encouragement to the contestants.
Idol mentors have been an integral part of the show since its inception, and have added much to the overall quality of the show, so one can't help but notice the glaring absence of superstar performers wanting to take up the mentoring slack this season, and wonder about the reasons for the trend. Some say the venerable icons of the idustry now consider "Idol" so blasse they want no association with the show. Others feel "Idol's" target audience now is only with a 30 and under demographic, and the producers simply seek the kind of mentors who will appeal to that age group exclusively. If that is true, it is a huge mistake in judgment on the part of the "Idol" franchise because there is no substitute for the raw appeal and credibility of seasoned superstar performers who have years of staggering success in the music business while giving fans everywhere immense listening enjoyment.
"American Idol" would be wise to ramp up its mentor recruitment to include some of the old legends of the past, whose music is still great in the present.
JUDGING INCOMPETENCE ABOUNDS
Most people who have watched "American Idol" regularly through the years will quickly agree with this claim. I certainly do. And, in light of this season's mishmash of confusing, conflicting, windy bluster, it's getting harder and harder to take.
Somewhere along the line, "Idol" producers got the Big Idea that adding a fourth judge to the panel of windbags would improve the quality, if not the entertainment value, of the show. The result of this piece of convoluted thinking was the hiring Kara DioGuardi, a good-looking songwriter with a number of hits to her credit. Kara took up a spot on the panel next to Paula Adbul, the sugary sweet Ditsy Diva of the panel, who would later disappear from the show because of contractural differences. Kara, who right away proved to be opinionated herself, and even quite capable in the beginning, settled unobtrusively in her chair at first, usually giving deference to the more veteran blowhards on the panel, even though at times she could launch into a head-shaking, finger-waving tirade that would turn the windbags into a genuine hurricane gale force. . Now with four judges, rather than the original three, the long-winded spiels grew even more obtuse and often ran into contestant singing time, once nudging out a portion of Adam Lambert's closing opus. After Paula left the show, Idol, sticking resolutely to the four judge concept, brought in Ellen Degeneres for Season 9, much to the skepticism of fans who wondered how a comedienne with no experience in the industry could articulate legitimate critiques. Degeneres, however, has surprised many people with her fair and objective assessments sometimes sprinkled with wry humor---the Voice of the Common Person she calls it---but DioGuardi has gone off the deep end with regard to her judging performance. She has attempted to portray herself as a sort of sex kitten, slobbering all over contestants and especially Simon Cowell, in a desperate, poorly conceived attempt to reprise the role that the departed Paula played so well in years past. But, it is Kara's endless array of confusing conflicting comments that have both contestants and fans alike staring at her with open-mouthed bewilderment while searching their minds for a sensical meaning of her remarks, which are actually beyond comprehension.
Nevertheless, , despite Kara's intransigent buffoonery , it is Simon who is the main reason the show is tanking. Formerly full of spit and vinegar, often mischievously giving host Ryan Seacrest the middle finger while the show is in progress, Simon has now lost his edge. Knowing that he is bringing "The XFactor" to America in 2011, you can actually see the boredom in his eyes along with the dollar signs. Although he is still blunt, he no longer spews forth the venom in the same amounts for which previously defined the reign of the Crusty One. Simon is no longer slinging the razor at the contestants. It is as if the snorting bull has castrated itself.
With Simon leaving and Kara still on the panel, there is a huge problem afloat at Idol. The key to Idol's prosperity, indeed its very existence, will be twofold: The need to find a suitable replacement for Simon is paramount. We already know the search is on, even now, and all sorts of names have been proposed. Tommy Motolo. David Foster. Gene Simmons. Howard Stern!! But, as they say in New York, "Forgetaboutit"!!! . If Idol is truly looking for a replacement that will help the show to retain its former appeal and entertainment value, all it has to do is look across the Pond to ex-Beatle, Ringo Starr. Cool as the underside of the pillow, clever and dry-witted with lots more experience in the music business than Cowell, the humorous Ringo would be an ideal compliment to Ellen and Randy on the judging panel.
Ringo As Simon's Replacement: It Don't Come Easy
Next on the agenda, "Idol" needs to get rid of useless Kara and return to the old three judge format which worked perfectly in the beginning. The geniuses at "Idol" went against the grain of the well-established common sense that says "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it." If "Idol" has the perspacacity to go back to the three judge panel with Randy, Ellen and the charismatic Ringo holding down the fort, instant credibility will return to the show, and the ratings would once again shoot through the roof.
AMERICAN IDOL HAS SIMPLY BECOME STALE
More than anything, fans are turning away from "American Idol" for no other reason than because of simple human nature--- We Americans have a tendency to become bored with anything that doesn't have new bells and buzzers, and "Idol" has failed to recognize this time-tested truism.
"Idol" is losing viewers over time because there is no advancement or improvement in the show's formula for choosing and showcasing talent. The increasing boredom with the predictable direction of the show has caught up with the production staff, and the dwindling ratings are proof positive of that deficiency. The formula for Idol begins with the auditions, which feature the fabulous and the freaks. It is repeated every single year, and viewers are tiring of it.
Fans Are Going To Sleep On "Idol"
It is no longer thrilling to witness the absurd clown acts, the bickering, the tantrums, and the sleaziness of those people who should have never showed up for an audition in the first place, much less allowed to perform on camera. It is that tiresome process after nine years of production that has eroded our patience and left us in a state of gnawing disappointment. The Idol formula also includes those dreary and annoying backstories, where certain contestants are featured over others who are just as deserving of such favor. Why are they featured even before they've done anything to deserve our attention, much less the empathy that comes with viewing them? We just want to hear people sing, and sing well, that's all. The formula also includes rejecting much better singers for those who meet fake standards. It is clear that Simon calls the shots, and his shots are predictable. Cowell is a maven of pop music, and pop music only. He is not predisposed toward rockers, metal, country, R&B, or anything remotely resembling Christian Contemporary, so, fine singers in other genres outside of pop will typically be rejected in favor of those with pop leanings. Cowell is predictable in his rude and thoughtless disrespect for any contestant who does not meet his Marketing Plan, meaning mainstream pop. Simon wouldn't recognize a true rock artist if Steven Tyler strode before him and began to belt out "Love In An Elevator".
With Cowell leaving and a possible replacement like Gene Simmons, or better yet, Ringo Starr, waiting in the wings to be seated, the staleness factor incorporated into "Idol's" format at this time will be ameliorated, and "Idol" will have a legitimate chance to return to its old former glory as a wonderfully entertaining television program.
I agree with those who opine that "American Idol" is afloat in dangerous waters with the refusal of the show to reinvent itself according to the expectations of its fans, and what with "The XFactor" soon to be breathing down its neck. However, I adamantly disagree with the legion of Doomsayers who clammor that the show is beyond repair, and will sink within a year or two once Cowell finally abandons ship. The contestants are there, and will always be there. If "Idol" is smart, and truly wants to stay afloat, even thrive again, it will make restore the original three judge format and put at the helm of the panel a new captain, one named Ringo Starr.
Mac Daddy Digs Ringo As Judge, Too
.
| 189 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
