AMERICAN IDOL

AMERICAN IDOL used to be one of my favorite shows. I say used to be not because I don't still watch it every week and look forward to seeing how my favorite singers are doing, but rather, because it has almost become a characeture of its former self. On top of that the show seems to be taking itself much to seriously. Take for example, the new format they have on elimination night where they invite fans to email questions, which they than allow them to ask the contestants themselves via the phone. This type of thing is nothing more than filler for an episode that should really only last about 15 minutes. I don't mind the packages they do each week where they try and get the audience to believe the contestants are responding naturally to pre-planned questions, but this question and answer session is honestly pandering to the lowest common denominator of the fan based.

Apparently I'm not the only person who feels this way because I just heard that the ratings are slipping for the first time since the show aired, and the producers are considering a change to the format. That being said, the changes I'm hearing about will only serve to push even more fans away. One of the ideas on the table is to get rid of the audition episodes, which is the only part a lot of my friends even watch. However, they are also giving their audience questionnaires asking them if they think there is too much bantering among the judges and if they want to see more of host, Ryan Seacrest, or less. If anybody watched last night's episode I'd say this is a no-brainer.


In what can be considered just the latest in a long line of bazar outbursts by judge, Paula Abdul, the audience was left to wonder, yet again, what the heck she brings to the table, other than awkward moments that are discussed ad nauseum by late night TV and morning talk shows. Last night was the first episode that the contestants sang two songs each, and the judges were supposed to give their critiques after the second round, however, once the first round was over, the contestants were lined up so that the judges could give a quick synopsis of how they felt they did and what they needed to do to improve their second song. Paula either got to see something the rest of us didn't, or she exposed the fact that her comments are written for her because she proceeded to critique one contestants on both songs. Now remember, none of the contestants had even sung their second song yet.

While this type of gaffaw is a form of perverse entertainment to some people, I found it very uncomfortable to watch. Even still, I am already emotionally invested so I most definitly will continue to watch, but if David Cook doesn't win the whole thing, I may just get as crazy as Paula seems to be.