Jan 26 2009
Has American Idol become Stale?
To me it has……
I’ve pretty much been an avid watcher of American Idol since the days of Kelly Clarkson, but little by little as each season has passed, I’ve become a bit disenchanted with the show. It just seems that they are rehashing the same things year after year without bringing anything new to the plate. Now, at least they have tried by bringing in the new judge Kara, but there just isn’t enough substance in her to pick up the pace (I do like her though).
Also added to the staleness is the judges and their attitudes. Where once Paula used to be the encouraging and sympathetic one, she’s now throwing out overtly rude comments without a hint of humor. For example, a southern wanna be Idol (see pic below) told the judges to “Be Careful” as he was walking out of the room on a recent episode. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve heard many southern folks say that while leaving. It just as common as saying, “Have a Great Day”. Yet Paula immediately became defensive, telling him that he should never say that to anyone and that it sounds like a threat. Get serious…….it was almost enough to make me puke.
Then there is Randy. He doesn’t add much but an occasional laugh and a “Whatz up Dawg”…nothing else there. Simon, who has been my main inspiration for watching the show is just saying the same lines over and over, and getting more arrogant by the minute. If I had a dime for every time Simon tells someone that they are the worst singer he has ever heard, then I would probably be as rich as he is.
Yet I still watch though. I think maybe it’s because I truly do enjoy seeing the talent that comes from the show. I can’t say that I have ever bought any of the contestant’s singles or albums, but I do enjoy watching true talent perform and finally get the chance to show what they got to millions. So because of that, I will probably put up with the rude judges and the obnoxious marketing of Coca Cola and Ford. Who knows, maybe the next John Lennon will emerge from this show, and then maybe I can redeem myself for watching it so much.
The addition of Kara as the fourth judge poses an interesting question; how will having yet another opinionator on board affect the running time of each AI episode? They can’t really add more minutes to every show…and they can’t really afford to take screen time from the banter between Ryan and Simon or, Lord forbid, the actual competition/judges’ comments!
As for the show’s running its course, I agree. It is trying to reboot itself but I think it’s getting a bit stale and not like it used to be way back in the days of Justin and Kelly.