American Idol Lowers Eligibility to Age to 15

Is this the “big change” that Ryan tweeted about? Pft. Going from 16 to 15 is seriously stupid. I could name a laundry list of things to change about the show, but this would not make the cut. And anyways, I don’t see how one measly year will make much of a difference – if they changed it to 12, or something like that, that would be a big deal. 16 to 15, not so much.

Sweet merciful crap. We *have* had great young’uns. Allison, Archie, Jordin, Lisa Tucker, Paris, and so on. But, mostly, they’re just not ready for this, in my opinion. Even great as all of the above are, I think that all of them — well, maybe not Allison and David, but even there I’m not sure — are just too unformed. …. So many of those young “stars” that they may be modeling this on are wholly industry-manufactured stars, if you ask me. But I suppose that may be what they might want. Like, maybe they think that the problem they have is that they can’t *mold* the older ones enough to make them into today’s typical “star.” …. Sweet merciful crap.

Double uuugggh. Wrong direction, IMHO. I think they need to increase the age to 18, not lower it. I’ve always felt the youngest ones are not really ready and could use more time getting experience – in both performance and life. This does harbor a change to cater the show to a younger audience, something I had suspected they were considering. Oh well. I could use some of my time back anyways.

This is so dumb. They are clearly doing this to try and find the next Bieber before she/he can be discovered on YouTube or something. But it is still beyond stupid because 99% of the kids that young aren’t anywhere near ready to be professional touring musicians.
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They really should have RAISED the min. age limit to 18… oh, and raised the upper age limit as well, to 30 (or even make no upper age limit)

i guess they’re looking for a us version of the fetus lol

i agree that i dont think a lot of kids that age are ready for it.

I personally like age 16, but I’m not against age 15 either. And lowering of the age limit is not a shocker. I think they want raw talent – young talented singers that they can mold after the show is over.

The judges talk a lot about “knowing who you are as an artist”, but I think behind the scenes everyone wants that only to a certain point. They still want there to be some space for growth and learning after the show.

Also: In the past three seasons, Idol discovered a lot of HAC artists: David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox, Casey James.
They also found a few TOP 40/HAC artists: David Archuleta, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta.

HAC field is getting crowded (artists mentioned above + Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry). 19 and Sony labels more pop singers and also singers that could do well on Rhythmic radio. So far, only Jordin Sparks had some success there. I think they don’t want another white guy with guitar winner next year – they want someone completely different. With Simon and Rickey Minor leaving, I think there are some big changes on the horizon.

The problem is you can not expect 15 and 16 year olds to play instruments and rearrange songs very well. I don’t know, maybe the producers decided to get the show back to basics?

We *have* had great young’uns. Allison, Archie, Jordin, Lisa Tucker, Paris, and so on. But, mostly, they’re just not ready for this, in my opinion. Even great as all of the above are, I think that all of them — well, maybe not Allison and David, but even there I’m not sure — are just too unformed. …. So many of those young “stars” that they may be modeling this on are wholly industry-manufactured stars, if you ask me. But I suppose that may be what they might want. Like, maybe they think that the problem they have is that they can’t *mold* the older ones enough to make them into today’s typical “star.”

Exactly. Actually, that’s what this show was originally about.

I can’t blame them for wanting to appeal to the younger demo. Say what you want about Bieber- and we all have, lol- but the kid is a goldmine.

The one thing they are definitely going to go for if they do this- LOOKS. Paris, Lisa, and the rest of the young kids that have been on in the past didn’t have the Bieber looks- and I would put Archie in there because the kid is just not the hearthrob type. He’s sweet, he’s got a great voice, but he is pretty much asexual, lol.

Please don’t kill me Archie fans- I didn’t mean it as a diss.

Exactly. Actually, that’s what this show was originally about.

Yeah, I think you’re right. In a way, they may be going back to their intended roots.

The *problem* with that, though, is that AI, unlike Disney and the other people who actually have managed to mold teen stars, spend a *lot* of effort and money to do it. Whereas the young things that come off of Idol have generally got the quickie-just-use-the-stable-of-our-usual-writers-don’t-put-too-many-bucks-in-it-yet-hope-for-the-big-return method they’ve used for everybody else. If you really want to manufacture a major *star,* it takes a lot a lot a lot of corporate effort — because the kid’s adorableness all by itself ain’t gonna do it.

In addition, of course, there’s the little matter of the current tv-watching demographic — It skews much older across the board, not just on AI, and so the voters may be less likely to choose somebody who can be manufactured for the demographic they want.

The oddity here is that it is the COMPLETE opposite to what they should do. 18 years old would make a perfect lower limit. I honestly believe that they are trying to avoid (very) young talent to start out at the X-Factor.

This is so dumb. They are clearly doing this to try and find the next Bieber before she/he can be discovered on YouTube or something. But it is still beyond stupid because 99% of the kids that young aren’t anywhere near ready to be professional touring musicians.
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They really should have RAISED the min. age limit to 18… oh, and raised the upper age limit as well, to 30 (or even make no upper age limit)

A million yesses to this!!
They lowered the limit to 14 on the X Factor, and brought it back to 16..

The *problem* with that, though, is that AI, unlike Disney and the other people who actually have managed to mold teen stars, spend a *lot* of effort and money to do it. Whereas the young things that come off of Idol have generally got the quickie-just-use-the-stable-of-our-usual-writers-don’t-put-too-many-bucks-in-it-yet-hope-for-the-big-return method they’ve used for everybody else. If you really want to manufacture a major *star,* it takes a lot a lot a lot of corporate effort — because the kid’s adorableness all by itself ain’t gonna do it.

That’s another problem. Once the show is over, they send the kids on tour and those that get signed have to release their albums in November. Then they promote their albums. After that, they usually send them on the road to tour for a year. Then a new season of Idol starts and Idols from the previous season fade from public consciousness. Until their next albums …
That’s a big problem. They need to find a way to keep Idols from previous seasons in the spotlight (on the radio, on TV and in other media). Adam is lucky because even a new haircut gets him press, but the others need help.

that was my first thought too…since X factor allows older folks to compete, this is a move to start differentiating those two shows…

Agree with you 100 percent, MJ. Idol is always about going for the lowest common denominator because, in the end, it’s a televsion show trying to sell advertising dollars. It’s too bad.

Some cable network (Sundance? AMC? Bravo?) needs to take the Idol concept and develop a show for serious musicians. Idol gets further and further away from the music each season, and this is just the latest example. What a farce it’s turning into.

they’re flailing and obviously grasping at straws to right their sinking ship. not sure how effective lowering the competition age to 15 is going to be… if they have the talent, have the ability to endure the physical and psychological demands and pressures of the show, their age doesn’t bother me in the least. talent is talent is talent, at any age, but idol has much deeper fundamental problems than this… this move feels very superficial, and until tptb address the deeper issues that have derailed their ratings train, it’s gonna just be more of the same. have my popcorn ready for what looks to be an entertaining summer watching tptb flail around for some solutions, lol….

UGH..

ugh. hate this. Idol still is about catapulting normal people with exceptional voices to stardom. Clearly normal 16 year olds don’t have the personality to make it in the real world. If there emerges some exceptional child with star power like Miley, Biebs, Britney, JT, etc. they clearly have other options how to make it, like Disney. I’ve said countless times that Allison should have waited 4 years and we’d see completely different person. I’m not dissing her, but she didn’t grow into her person yet and it’s not working for her as a 17/18 year old. I can see her being a huge star, but once she really grows up. And Jordin – again great voice, big hits – no star power and she tanked on second album. Archie did also well, but nowhere near the child stars from disney and who knows if he turns into big star or not and if he will it will be again in adulthood, not at 16. So, no, i’m totally against it, it’s not working so far and if someone’s that good they can always go the traditional way. Idol was about people that experienced doors of record executives being slammed infront of their faces, because they’re not original enough, charismatic enough, cute enough, skinny enough to be huge popstars. About people that had not a chance to gain a record contract any other way. Or does someone think that people like Adam, Cook, Daughtry, Kris had any chance to be signed the traditional way to a major label contract? because i don’t.

this is a move to start differentiating those two shows…

Iexpect this is so, but I don’t much like it. They are trying to pull back the tween demographic, which suggests to me they will not change the voting methodology. If they don’t change the power voting, a lot of Idol fans may switch to other shows, anyway. This is not a move that inclines me to tune in next year; in fact, it inclines me to tune out. While there are superbly talented young performers, I frankly appreciate older musicians who have put in more time and pain. They have earned the break.

What is the reason no one has done a show where bands/singers can compete with original music? Does it open them up for copyright problems if it comes to light that their original song is close to a song already on the radio?

I know AGT last year let this one group- i think they were brothers who played the violins or something, use original music but the difference is there were no vocals involved. I always wondered if that was the reason.

This is a horrid idea. I’ve been advocating for them to move the age up to at least 18 for years. American Idol is going to go too far in pandering to their coveted demographic and lose the base of their audience. They already lost me from the results show because of the execrable acts they put on last season. If they end up with a bunch of teeny-boppers as contestants, I’m out completely.

It is not just about talent. There has to be some maturity in their voice and in their being to make them worth watching.

The one thing they are definitely going to go for if they do this- LOOKS. Paris, Lisa, and the rest of the young kids that have been on in the past didn’t have the Bieber looks- and I would put Archie in there because the kid is just not the hearthrob type. He’s sweet, he’s got a great voice, but he is pretty much asexual, lol.

The “Bieber looks”? That kid is about as asexual as they come. All his posturing, excuse me, dancing, looks like a kindergartener prancing around. My sons’ middle school friends are more manly than that kid. The only people interested in ogling Justin Bieber are tween girls and pedophiles. Yuck. Let’s just have pre-teens audition for Idol if that’s what they’re looking for!

And the whole “artists they can mold” thing? Doesn’t that sound more like X-Factor? FOX really needs to sort out the differences between the shows; otherwise, they’re both going to end up terrible.

oh and if this is a way how to expand the fanbase, it’s the most idiotic way i could think of. How will this help if they still will have to sing Sinatra/Elvis/Beatles and other songs at least 30 year old? Give them decent current songs to sing and the young viewers will watch it. Katy Perry is turning 26 this year Gaga is 24, Kesha 23, pink is almost 30, JT is 30, Eminem is 30+, Kanye is 30+, Jay-Z is 40 and they have legions of teenage fans. They don’t have to have 15 year old contestants to appeal to young demo, if they have great 25 year olds singing current songs, kids will support them too.

What a seriously stupid idea! This isn’t a childrens’ talent competition. I already hate the jurging that goes all “For your age, blah blah..” People want to hear good singing, not kids that sing well for their age.

So, they are after a new Fetus, and the tweens are those who vote in the show, but still… If age limit is lowered, in all fairness, it should also be extended to 30. But than it would start to look suspiciously like X-Factor.

I think it’s a horrible idea. I am thinking about it from the standpoint of the kids. Just not ready. Even the good ones like Archie and Alli would have benefited from a few years seasoning. It’s not that I don’t expect great stuff from them in the future, I honestly think they will eventually break big, it’s just that they would have both had a better chance of winning if they had been out there in the real world finding out who they are.

I understand where they are coming from, they want a Miley or Beiber, but the problem with that is every time they try to manufacture a specific type winner it bites them in in the ass. They wind up with the same type singer for the past three years. Not good for the show, imho, or the brand. This too will backfire, well unless the entire top 24 are kids. I just don’t think I could suffer through a year of Aaron’s and Katie’s. Yikes.

American Idol Lowers Eligibility to Age to 15

I have two thoughts:

1) The producers are idiots.

2) The show has some 15 year old plant they want to foist on us. Get ready for an extended chorus of “I can’t believe you’re just 15!” from Randy.

Seriously, when this show eats up kids much older than this, I’m not sure I’m ready to watch a 15 year old be ripped to shreds by the judges. That’s not entertainment.

The “Bieber looks”? That kid is about as asexual as they come. All his posturing, excuse me, dancing, looks like a kindergartener prancing around. My sons’ middle school friends are more manly than that kid. The only people interested in ogling Justin Bieber are tween girls and pedophiles. Yuck. Let’s just have pre-teens audition for Idol if that’s what they’re looking for!

^^^^^^This! Emphatically.

ew. Bad idea AI. Now we are going to have to listen to Randy go “you’re only 15?? Like I said doesn’t matter how old you are…”blah blah blah…Not a good idea. Agree with everything in MJs original blog post.

Disney nurtures their child stars for years. Bieber is a phenom but he has also be nurtured pretty carefully by Usher. AI is not about nurturing. Ugh. Just…ew.

And the whole “artists they can mold” thing? Doesn’t that sound more like X-Factor? FOX really needs to sort out the differences between the shows; otherwise they’re both going to end up terrible.

Idol and X Factor are very similar. They both look for young (!!!), charismatic great singers with mainstream (!!!) appeal to turn into pop stars.

no killing going on up in here studio 57, lol… i think david was put into that teen idol/ heartthrob box solely because of his age, and his natural appeal to those younger viewers and fans. he has resisted the efforts and attempts to be put into that category, has stated this on numerous occasions, because i think he understands that to be labeled as such tends to lead to a short shelf life as an artist, and can hamper the ability to be taken seriously if one chooses to go down that road. disney was one of the labels that was hot on his trail from reports during his idol tenure, they wanted him in the worst way, but he resisted signing with them. if he had, no doubt with their money and power, he would have sold a gazillion records, been splashed all over the media, but at what cost in the long run… we used to think they still have the hots for him, especially when he stated it was they who approached him to tour w/lovato last year. i’m so glad he didn’t go that route… it was evident to me, and now to many others, that he was always and has always been much more than the boilerplate ”teen” singer, although too many people in the idolverse and the media were quick to try and write him off professionally on account of his youth… i like where he’s at professionally, where he wants to go and grow artistically, and the way he is pacing himself in his career. in the long run, i believe it is the wiser and more effective approach. talent endures, everything else fades….

I’ve always thought the minimum age should be 18. The year they raised the maximum age to 29, I thought they were moving in the right direction. I’ve also always thought they should have a companion show in the off season called ‘Teen Idol’ or ‘Junior American Idol’ for say the 13 to 17 age range.

What it seems to me is they are really trying to become ‘Disney Idol’ due to that corporate sponsorship. They’re trying to ditch the over 40 audience and lure in the young and impressionable who will buy anything (or get their doting parents to) because they saw it on TV. I’m expecting a McDonald’s Happy Meal tie-in as well.

Personally, I worry about kids being thrust into the limelight and brutality of the entertainment industry. Very few child stars make it through to productive adulthood emotionally unphazed and the majority crash and burn in a very bad way.

This is dangerous.
There is a reason why child-labor laws exists; there is a reason why children under 16 are not allowed to drive, vote, smoke, etc…; and there is a reason for statutory rape laws. There are certain things children should not be allowed to do.
True, there has been many “star” kids in the past, but for every “star” kid who turn out “alright,” there are a bunch who end up really messed up.

Katy Perry is turning 26 this year Gaga is 24, Kesha 23, pink is almost 30, JT is 30, Eminem is 30+, Kanye is 30+, Jay-Z is 40 and they have legions of teenage fans. They don’t have to have 15 year olds contestants to appeal to young demo, if they have great 25 year olds singing current songs, kids will support them too.

Yeah, but Justin Timberlake didn’t start his career at the age of 30, did he?
Adam auditioned when he was 26, he was 27 while on the show and he is 28 now. He is trying to be a pop singer. And many say he is already too old for this.
So, how do you expect someone to audition 30 years old, be 31 while on the show… X Factor doesn’t have an upper age limit, but I’m not sure that contestants over 30 make it to the live shows.

I’ve also always thought they should have a companion show in the off season called ‘Teen Idol’ or ‘Junior American Idol’ for say the 13 to 17 age range.

They did that, and it was pretty skeevy, and awfully bad. Google Idol Juniors. I think that’s what it was called. One of the finalists came back and auditioned for idol a couple of years ago. It was an epic fail.

Maybe Disney will send over a bunch of kids they’ve been “grooming” on their kids shows to audition for Idol? Then the AI/WDC partnership would be complete.

UGH!!!!!!!!! I agree 100% with you, MJ. I think the bottom age limit should be 18 as well. As much as I adore young Aaron Kelly, for example, I said all season that if he had waited a couple of years, he probably could have been a strong contender for the title.

Not the kind of change I was hoping for at all. WTG, Idol!! *rolling eyes*

This is dangerous.
There is a reason why child-labor laws exists; there is a reason why children under 16 are not allowed to drive, vote, smoke, etc…; and there is a reason for statutory rape laws. There are certain things children should not be allowed to do.
True, there has been many “star” kids in the past, but for every “star” kid who turn out “alright,” there are a bunch who end up really messed up.

I agree. Sure, there are a few teen artists that make it and stay in it for the long haul, but the problem with many of them is there audience is really young and that audience grows and matures (outgrows them), while the label expects you (the star) not to…causing many teen “stars” to rise FAST and FALL even faster. This could be a reason why some of them end up “really messed up”.

I’m not sure I’m ready to watch a 15 year old be ripped to shreds by the judges. That’s not entertainment.

What I’m more afraid of is that the kids won’t get “ripped apart”, but that the show goes with the route of “nice judging”, like in kids talent competitions. Especially now that Simon is gone. If they’ll have four judges who all will judge like Ellen because you can’t make kids cry in live broadcast, this show will be toast.

I’ve also always thought they should have a companion show in the off season called ‘Teen Idol’ or ‘Junior American Idol’ for say the 13 to 17 age range.

They did that, and it was pretty skeevy, and awfully bad. Google Idol Juniors.

Well, to be fair, though, the contestants on this show were in the 9 to 13 range, rather than 13 to 17. I don’t know that they’d do the teens any better, but all the contestants on American Junior were 13 or younger, I’m pretty sure. I know that kids in the “winning” group — which was top 5, I believe — were as young as 10….

So that’s a *really* different kind of show.

Bad move. 15 is too darn young to handle this thing. So is 16 and 17.

ITA with MJ on this one. Who cares about competing with some other show. This is no answer. What they should do, is increase the eligibility age from 18-30!

Now, there would be the answer.

Stupid idea, great going Idol producers! Don’t have to go far, just look at season 9 Katie and Aaron, good voices and great potential, but poor Katie literally died (well, got voted off), trying to find “herself” with the great guidance from Simon and the company, and poor Aaron had to think of his mom while singing a love song…UHG indeed…

What I’m more afraid of is that the kids won’t get “ripped apart”, but that the show goes with the route of “nice judging”, like in kids talent competitions.

Yes, that wouldn’t work. They need some criticism on the show. All Ellen all the time won’t work.

But, given how this show has worked the plant angle before is they put in a plant and then add some foils. Then, they proceed to rip the foils to pieces to make the plant look better. See, this is the 15 year old you should vote for, not the other one. This is the 15 year old that embodies all the things that you hate about 15 year old singers and this is the exception you should vote for.

Yeah, but Justin Timberlake didn’t start his career at the age of 30, did he?
Adam auditioned when he was 26, he was 27 while on the show and he is 28 now. He is trying to be a pop singer. And many say he is already too old for this.

Well ok, but JT was a Disney child and he has now fans that were newborns and didn’t really care about pop music when he was starting. It’s just when you’re good you’re good. 30-year olds can attract young fans, 25-year olds definitely can. Katy Perry said her core fanbase when she put first album out was 14 year old girls (she was 10 years older than them at that time).
I don’t know about Adam, it is yet to be seen i guess. I think it’s better for guys than girls and Adam hit the public when he was 27 – so it’s not that bad. Also there are quite a lot of male artists having hits on pop radio after hitting 30 (right now – Usher, Eminem, Buble, Iglesias, Jay-Z, Ne-yo, Diddy’s single is climbing… there’s quite a few… Kanye’s coming with new album). The girls seem to have it much more difficult – Christina is failing, Alicia didn’t have a pop hit this era, Shakira didn’t do so well. It’ll be interesting since Britney is coming closer 30, maybe she’ll break the mold, maybe Pink but there’s not many females having pop hits after 30. It’s definitely more rare than by males.

But, given how this show has worked the plant angle before is they put in a plant and then add some foils. Then, they proceed to rip the foils to pieces to make the plant look better. See, this is the 15 year old you should vote for, not the other one. This is the 15 year old that embodies all the things that you hate about 15 year old singers and this is the exception you should vote for.

I think this is exactly what will happen, and it makes me want to vomit into my cereal bowl.

And unless they simultaneously start spending massive amounts of money to clear current songs that the younger demographic wants to hear, it is going to blow up in their faces…again. It may well end up doing that anyway.

Well ok, but JT was a Disney child and he has now fans that were newborns and didn’t really care about pop music when he was starting. It’s just when you’re good you’re good. 30-year olds can attract young fans, 25-year olds definitely can. Katy Perry said her core fanbase when she put fist album out was 14 year old girls (she was 10 years older than them at that time).
I don’t know about Adam, it is yet to be seen i guess. I think it’s better for guys than girls and Adam hit the public when he was 27 – so it’s not that bad. Also there are quite a lot of male artists having hits on pop radio after hitting 30 (right now – Usher, Eminem, Buble, Iglesias, Jay-Z, Ne-yo, Diddy’s single is climbing… there’s quite a few… Kanye’s coming with new album). The girls seem to have it much more difficult – Christina is failing, Alicia didn’t have a pop hit this era, Shakira didn’t do so well. It’ll be interesting since Britney is coming closer 30, maybe she’ll break the mold, maybe Pink but there’s not many females having pop hits after 30. It’s definitely more rare than by males.

Yeah, but these male artists started their careers years ago. It doesn’t matter how they started, they are established now. Age and looks matter in the world of pop music. I don’t think 19 wants 30 years old winners and I doubt they would extend the age limit to 30. I can’t blame them – business is business.
And I agree that it’s easier for the guys. Still, it’s better to start sooner than later.

Katy Perry is releasing her second album this summer. She was what, 23, 24 when she released her first album.

Judee:
oh and if this is a way how to expand the fanbase, it’s the most idiotic way i could think of. How will this help if they still will have to sing Sinatra/Elvis/Beatles and other songs at least 30 year old? Give them decent current songs to sing and the young viewers will watch it.

So, if this is confirmed, TPTB really are as dumb as a box of rocks. Everything everyone said – and this is actually first on the Leader Board. They think having a cast containing Infants Terrible’ will automatically lower the average age of their audience – which I highly doubt – but if the songs they have to chose from are twice their age, or more – and they don’t have the experience or maturity to do anything to change them – there will just be more – ‘sing younger, have fun’ nonsense from the judges’ collective consciousness. Not useful. if ever it was.

Of course they can hand them a pre-arranged version – but it’s not going to make the sentiments any more believable coming out of the mouths of children with zero life experience. If they want to maintain the illusion of ‘molding’ talent – (hah) it’s going to take more than the contradictory squawking and useless comments the judges waste everyone’s time with. Meanwhile – the audience with the money is disaffected.

Where’s the corollary – the announcement that TPTB are opening their checkbook to acquire the rights to current songs, and more than just a handful of them? Wait for it – when the Theme Weeks are announced.

Geebus – they really are clueless, If this is true – and not a back channel trial balloon…which wouldn’t surprise me either.

And the whole “artists they can mold” thing? Doesn’t that sound more like X-Factor?

Yeah, exactly. X-Factor actually pairs you with someone for some one on one guidance… it would seem that format would be better for teens.

The one thing they are definitely going to go for if they do this- LOOKS. Paris, Lisa, and the rest of the young kids that have been on in the past didn’t have the Bieber looks

Lisa Tucker was very pretty. Archie, Katie Stevens, Teflon Tim, etc… all good looking kids. So I don’t know if looks have been the problem with teens of the past.

I am not against young contestants per se. Talent can come in any age, its just that if they are going to ask for young contestants then they need to shift the focus away from demanding song rearrangement and fully formed artistic viewpoints of the competitors. I think there is more of a chance of finding a younger person who knows their voice reasonably well than all the other stuff.

Honestly I think this is Idol doing their usual jumping on a trend 12 years too late. By the time they find, sign and sell their teen dream, whose to say that market won’t be saturated? Every label in the country is currently trying to cook up their own Beiber as we speak.

Here in Brazil we have a version of American Idol called “Idolos”, we already have 4 seasons, and now on season 5 for the first time they allowed kids with 16 to audition, and i have to admit, is so much better than the 4 previous years, the talent from the kids is awesome, and i expect this to be the best season so far. I think, now we are going to have kids with 15, the judges will not going to search the next disney star, they will be looking for kids with maturity and talent, and i’m not worried about it.

Ugh.
It should be 18 or a high school diploma. Let them be ready to deal with the business full time.

Do not want. I hate how it has become OK to subject under 18s to this level of scrutiny and if they’re under that age then I don’t care if they and their parents have signed up for it.

Not excited about how this’ll affect the show either.

I really wanted them to raise the age to 18.

I am not against young contestants per se. Talent can come in any age, its just that if they are going to ask for young contestants then they need to shift the focus away from demanding song rearrangement and fully formed artistic viewpoints of the competitors. I think there is more of a chance of finding a younger person who knows their voice reasonably well than all the other stuff.

This. I hope the producers tell the judges to stop demanding song rearrangements. Then I could see this work.

18 is the perfect minimum age. That would mean no parents or guardians around to interfere during the competition (remember Papa Archuleta?) and then have to take along on the summer tour. I’ve always suspected TPTB at AI are mainly shallow thinkers. Now I’m sure of it!

I am not against young contestants per se. Talent can come in any age, its just that if they are going to ask for young contestants then they need to shift the focus away from demanding song rearrangement and fully formed artistic viewpoints of the competitors. I think there is more of a chance of finding a younger person who knows their voice reasonably well than all the other stuff.

Honestly I think this is Idol doing their usual jumping on a trend 12 years too late. By the time they find, sign and sell their teen dream, whose to say that market won’t be saturated?

so much word here tinawina that i have no others to add, except well said…

Yuck, I wanted the limit *raised* to 18, not lowered even more. Ugh, Idol, really?

I am thinking about it from the standpoint of the kids.

Too bad the producers don’t do the same. If they did, the minimum age would be at least 18. This decision leaves a nasty taste. I’m with most others here – the vast majority of even the most talented of kids is not ready at this age. By ready, I mean ready to handle the craziness of stardom and touring, the life experience to know themselves, at least having gone through some self-discovery. The kids who have appeared on Idol, without exception, seem to be missing an important quality in their singing – the knowing of the ups and downs of being an adult out in the world. Otherwise, the kids experience is limited to school, family, movies, and other music – and while that might relate to kids of around the same age, it has little relevance to anyone else.

Did the producers even read the suggestions made on their board or was that simply a PR move to make it look like they were listening? Just yuck.

Personally I think its a mistake to lower the age limit. I too think it should be raised to 18. (or at least that the contestant will be turning 18 within the calendar year of the Idol season they are trying out) I don’t think a good portion of the contestants under 18 are emotionally ready for what is required after the show is over to be able to sustain their careers or get one to make a living on. . Some of my favs David A, Diana D, Allison, Jordin, though I love all of them, would have benefited from completing school (without distraction of a career) and getting a better foundation before getting involved in this process. IMHO

But, given how this show has worked the plant angle before is they put in a plant and then add some foils. Then, they proceed to rip the foils to pieces to make the plant look better. See, this is the 15 year old you should vote for, not the other one. This is the 15 year old that embodies all the things that you hate about 15 year old singers and this is the exception you should vote for.

Yep, I’d say that’s a pretty good description of what we’re about to see. Yuch.

(Yuch also to the idea that Bieber’s fetus look is sexy. But, of course, if you’re nine it definitely may be.)

IMHO, AI is on a streak in terms of bad decision-making. Contrast that to SYTYCD, which has started to include professional dancers who need a break towards fame. The audience hunger for excellence has grown over the years. Plus, a lot of good teen singers are signing up too soon and leaving the show early in the game because they’re not ready.

If Adam Lambert is anything to go by – and yes, I know he’s not top-of-the-heap famous yet – age is not an obstacle to becoming a successful recording artist.

Thanks gg! **hugs**

I think kids get a bad rap on this show. Yes some of them crash but lots of them don’t. And plenty of adults don’t do well under pressure either. Lets look at someone like the aforementioned Lisa Tucker. She didn’t win, she underperformed a bit, but she’s not damaged from the experience. I think she’s more typical than anything. And how much different was her run that Didi Benami’s? I think Lisa could have benefited from another year or two but then again, Jordin didn’t need it did she? You just never know.

I agree with those who say that fresher song choices would attract younger viewers more than this would. And maybe wiping the judge panel and adding a hipper judge.

They think having a cast containing Infants Terrible’ will automatically lower the average age of their audience – which I highly doubt – but if the songs they have to chose from are twice their age, or more – and they don’t have the experience or maturity to do anything to change them – there will just be more – ’sing younger, have fun’ nonsense from the judges’ collective consciousness.

Well, since their whole rationale for everything seems to be — Make the most money by spending the least money — it’s clear that the “song choice” isn’t going to change any time soon. It would take much more cash and *effort,* including, you know, *thought,* for them to get suitable contemporary songs cleared for the show. And thus they simply won’t do it, I’m guessing.

Really, the whole reason they want the 15-year-old is doubly money, possibly. The big pot of money they imagine their pet kid can make plus perhaps the money they imagine they might save if they didn’t have to do the annoying and distasteful work of marketing these annoying, different pre-formed artists that keep winning the show. With the kid, I’m sure they see the “grooming” as less expensive, since they’ll just have to shove him or her into the slot *they’ve* pre-selected as being the potentially most lucrative for them, causing 19 much less trouble than I’m sure they feel they’re experiencing with the older contestants they’ve been having to deal with.

Of course, none of this is going to work. They really are idiots.

This. I hope the producers tell the judges to stop demanding song rearrangements. Then I could see this work.

Yeah, do that – and lower the expectations for ability with instruments, as well? Just go straight Kareoke? But it’s not just the Producers who want ‘artistry’ – the audience has been trained to expect it – and to compare – and if all that is removed – where do they get their ‘Idol Moment’s’ – that they were so bitterly missing last season, will they have to mold (read ‘fake’) those too?

18 is the perfect minimum age. That would mean no parents or guardians around to interfere during the competition (remember Papa Archuleta?) and then have to take along on the summer tour.

who’s to say he was ‘interfering’… from another standpoint, he could have also just been a parent not shy or vocal about looking out for the interests of his minor son, on a show we all know now to be full of manipulation, shenanigans and deliberate shading of things in the media and on the show to manipulate the audience into buying whatever storyline they are selling… truth and facts be darned, or the impact or effect it may have on the contestants, as long as tptb build and sell the storyline, who cares, right… his dad is not perfect, i am not an apologist for him, but if his ‘interference’ as many like to see it prevented the powers that be from running roughshod over david, prevented them from forcing him to go down a route he didn’t feel suited for him professionally [disney], prevented them from jerking him around needlessly, then hats off to him. a vigilant parent in this business has to be a bit of an a-hole to keep the sharks and users at bay, and if that was his intention, as david himself has stated that it was, then he has done a good job.

David Archuleta Opens Up About Fame [david's own words]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZhpdzsrec4

UGH is right. If this is a harbinger of the kind of changes that are in store for American Idol, I’m not optimistic.

Is this the message American Idol’s PTB took from the survey results, or do they still delude themselves that the show will be more relevant and sell more product if it appeals to youths who are more likely to steal make unauthorized downloads than to adults with disposable income who actually buy it? American Idol will never start appealing to the younger demo unless:

1) They stop making the contestants sing songs that have been done to death and fit on the easy listening radio stations; songs that are 20, 30, 40, 50 years old (not that I mind older “classic” songs, just sayin’), and

2) They start buying the rights to the kind of music teens and tweens like to listen to.

3) If they want more boys and teen males, they need more rockers with guitars, not less.

My focus group of 14/15 year old girls (my daughter and her friends) can’t stand Justin Bieber and his ilk or even Taylor Swift and they’ve grown out of the Jo Bros. The pop music they like is James Morrison, Eric Hutchison, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, hip hop in general and yes Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Daughtry as well as older stuff that they hear us listening to… classic rock! We had a family party this weekend and I was really impressed by how well versed the teens were in classic rock tunes. My daughter’s boyfriend and his buddies brought their guitars and were noodling around on guitars to Jimmi Hendix and Led Zeppelin. Some of the stuff that is popular with that demographic can’t be done on prime time TV without making it “lame” as my daughter would say.

It’s too bad the American Idol PTB and the Disney PTB don’t do a joint venture experiment with a show geared towards the Disney demographic featuring 14-18 year old pop singers, tied into the Disney American Idol experience. Make it a summer show and if it succeeds, then keep it for that demo. American Idol could then raise the audition age to 18 and geared towards a multi-generational audience. I’ll bet the rating don’t change much and the there will be just as many teens watching then as now.

seriously i’m sooo ready to move on X-factor. The last 2 seasons of idol were terrible, they just lucked out that season 8 was strong contestant-wise.
mateja – i think we mostly agree. it’s better to start at 20 than 30 (if the person is ready at 20!), but they’re moving the limit to 15, not 20.
Anyway, i’m pissed that idol has so many problems producer-centered and the first thing we know they’re changing is – lowering the contestants age limit. awesome!
I don’t even like Nigel Lythgoe, but good god i miss him on idol (or someone else with brain)

Talent is talent, no matter the age. I just don’t want Kara telling some 15yo that they needed another year or two when they get voted off in the semi-finals. There have been teens that are capable of doing Idol, and I’m sure there are more. But, they have to be ready, like Diana Degarmo, Paris Bennett, Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta and Allison Iraheta. All had years of performance training before they embarked on Idol.

So next season I’ll be looking for that 15yo Zack Efron clone who sings like Justin Beiber. Its about the only way we won’t get another WGWG winning again.

Is this the message American Idol’s PTB took from the survey results,

Good question. In Internet and convergence-culture scholarship, American Idol seems to be often referred to as a very major example of a tv show that exploits social networking and fan culture to shape the show itself. But when you see decisions like this, it makes me wonder whether they’re actually using that supposed feedback loop from the public or whether they’re just blundering about blindly, ignoring what the audience says.

Yeah, do that – and lower the expectations for ability with instruments, as well? Just go straight Kareoke? But it’s not just the Producers who want ‘artistry’ – the audience has been trained to expect it – and to compare – and if all that is removed – where do they get their ‘Idol Moment’s’ – that they were so bitterly missing last season, will they have to mold (read ‘fake’) those too?

Its not that they have to remove rearranging, just not criticize contestants who don’t do them. You can “make a song your own” with just your voice, and/or by slight changes to tempo, etc… the type of thing the Idol band can guide a greener contestant through.

And there are plenty of teens who play instruments. But again, there should be a mix of people who do and people who don’t.

I like rearrangements, its just that this year that’s all they wanted. They need to get more balance on the issue. We can have both IMO.

STUPID. They should have raised the age limit to 18, and at least brought the upper limit to 30 in parallel. I guess they are so desperate for tweens that they couldn’t see the great benefits of increasing the age.

Sorry to disappoint those kids but they would seriously benefit by waiting. The last two seasons have seen a lot of 16 and 17 year olds on the stage, and except for Allison, they all crashed and burned.

It’s too bad the American Idol PTB and the Disney PTB don’t do a joint venture experiment with a show geared towards the Disney demographic featuring 14-18 year old pop singers, tied into the Disney American Idol experience. Make it a summer show and if it succeeds, then keep it for that demo. American Idol could then raise the audition age to 18 and geared towards a multi-generational audience. I’ll bet the rating don’t change much and the there will be just as many teens watching then as now.

Would that draw ratings? American Juniors was an epic flop…

Bad idea. You won’t get really seasoned excellent performers at that rate. We need more like season 8 and someone like Adam Lambert who spurs his commrads on to greater heights. Season 8 was the best year ever and it isn’t likely to be eclipsed. They need a new game plan. Something completely different with brand new judges. Or just wrap it up and get ready for X Facor.

Well, if this is true Idol has already made the decision and we will be in for another round of stage parents, behind the scenes historonics (sp), kids who fail to get their high school diplomas, and all the other negatives that surround under age contestants.

Of course there are always the young ems that can handle the stress and are mature enough (or behaviorally mature enough) to deal with the situations. But for every Diane or Allison or Jordin or Archie there are thousands of kids who don’t have a clue about life at 15…and success at that age (no matter how brief) can scar them for a very long time.

So I do hope the “voting” public is more responsible than the AI team and use their powers wisely. But with the rise of texting and phones among tweens and teens I think next season may be a very bumpy one. Oh well, I think it will be AIs last anyway.

So, how do you expect someone to audition 30 years old, be 31 while on the show… X Factor doesn’t have an upper age limit, but I’m not sure that contestants over 30 make it to the live shows.

There has been 1 winner, 1 second and 1 third who were over 30 from memory – and many more finalists. None were very successful mind you. Certainly, in recent seasons, there has been less of them. Maybe the X -factor audience has got younger on average over the years – or at least has attracted more younger viewers in.

IMO, green contestants have no business in the AI meat grinder – it chews them up and spits them out – If they don’t know how to adapt a song to their own style with phrasing, and tone, etc – then Bandzilla has to guide them, as you say. If Bandzilla is guiding them – what are we seeing of who they are as an artist, as opposed to a person who already knows who they are as a performer, or at the very least, who they have been working to be?

The rearrangement thing – I saw the definitive explanation – and it’s exactly what was missing – the contestant has to find something in the lyrics so the audience will believe the words coming out of their mouths. That also takes a little life experience, more than good acting skills…IMO, of course.

I think they should lower it even further, say 12 or 13. The main requirement should be the psych evaluation to tell whether they are mature enough to handle the pressures. Whether or not a young teen should participate in American Idol is not a decision I feel any of us should be making. It is a decision best left in the hands of the teens themselves and their parents. The psych evals for reality shows in the US exist for a reason (Britian should take note) and they appear to do their jobs pretty well. As long as a pre-evaluation is done of both the teen and their show guardian along with periodic checkups then teen participation should be embraced.

That said, as someone else pointed out, the emphasis on the show toward song rearrangement and originality pretty much destines the teens for failure on the show as it is highly unlikely they would have the background knowledge to do these things in addition to sing.

idol don’t care about their current viewing audience!! [insert kanye west voice] lol… it’s about the benjamins that can be had for them, the 19 corporation… always has been, and they have shown they will go to any length or means necessary to keep the money train rolling – even at the expense of some really talented singers over the years they have just thrown away. no offense or disrespect, but anyone still clinging to the illusion that we’ve actually been watching a bonafide singing competition needs a serious wake up call. i loved idol from the beginning, bought into their bs for a lot of years, until it just became so obvious that none of what they had sold me on about this show was ‘real’… i don’t regret getting to see and hear some doggone awesome singers on that show, and off of it over the years, but i no longer believe them, or buy into the schtick that was so easily bought into until very recently. my eyes have opened, and i can’t go back to wishing or willing this show into being something it never was… it may just find a way to be as entertaining as it used to be, but it won’t ever have the same spark or magic for me… once the illusions about the show were shattered, the spark and magic and ‘must see tv’ feeling i had about it, the ones that set it apart and made me buy into their premise shattered too… it was fun while it lasted, lol… unless they have the guts to really face the problems the show has, on a much deeper level than this lowering of the competitive age, it’s not gonna work.

This really bums me out – I’m auditioning this year and if they’re lowering the age limit to 15, then how can someone like me (mid 20′s) hope that I’m what TPB are looking for? Nevermind what America may think of course.

Also this brings up the issue of paying the contestants (after the season) for their time on the show – I know that Child Labor Laws are something the early Harry Potter movies had to deal with. How on earth are TPB going to deal with that between Ford Shoots, iTunes recordings, interviews, command attendance parties, and the actual live shows?

Would that draw ratings? American Juniors was an epic flop…

To be fair, though, American Juniors was 10 to 13 year olds.

I don’t know that they could make a go of an actual teen show, either. But AJ was not a teen show but a child show. That’s quite different.

American Idol is supposed to be entertainment. It’s a Reality Show about a Talent Show – and there’s a script to follow – and their disconnect is they’ve been picking a frequently mediocre cast, writing a lousy script – running the sound and music content and production on the cheap – and some people are no longer entertained.

When viewers have time to look at the ‘man behind the curtain’ instead of being entertained – things need to change. TPTB do seem to know at least that much. However, I saw a few posters asking about that survey – I think this was likely posted a few weeks ago – but – here it is again.

Monday, May 17, 2010 – 20:34
Pam08:
It turns out TPTB at AI don’t give a flying fig about that viewer poll asking our opinions and such.

….Fox execs on the phone with the press Monday morning were completely taken aback when one reporter asked if they’d taken into account the viewer poll that was put on the Idol Web site asking you to weigh in on each of the judges, whether you like having four judges instead of three, what do you think of the Judges Save gag they started last year and so on.
Turns out, they had no idea what the reporter was talking about except one, who said they had not put the poll up. So which is worse, not asking viewers what they think is right and wrong with the show in a poll – or putting up a poll to ask you questions and then ignoring your answers? We were assured they’ve done a lot of focus group testing, however, and do take that into consideration. Thanks for nothing.

Just so you know.

~

Would that draw ratings? American Juniors was an epic flop…

I think success depends on Disney taking an important role in the process. It has a knack for making top-selling recording artists out of its TV personalities…for better or worse: High School Musical, Hannah Montana –> Miley Cyrus, Camp Rock, the Jo Bros, Demi Lovato, etc. The difference between Disney and American Juniors is (as someone else said above) investment in the contestants, also age (old enough to deal with the rigors of the schedule but young enough to appeal to the 7-17 year old range and parents/grandparents of 7-17 year olds).

I think the Idol format attempts to build the Idols as brands on the cheap, but it seems that what works for the younger demographic might be a tie-in to something else that is relevant in the pop culture. Maybe they could have a real camp-like reality show where the contestants take acting, singing and instrumental lessons and learn how to do the whole pop culture thing. Show the behind the scenes stuff of the kids navigating the recording studio, etc., sort of an Idol Summer Camp or whatever. Those who are voted off still get a nice visit in Walt Disney World (or Disneyland) while they stay there and learn some new things. The winner gets a 19/Sony record deal and/or Disney TV show tie-in.

Simon Cowell lowered the age limit on The X-Factor in the UK to 14 and had to raise it back to 16 the following year.

If you want to know the reason why, google Emily Nakanda aka Lady Shiverz.

This is a massive mistake by the AI producers.

That said, as someone else pointed out, the emphasis on the show toward song rearrangement and originality pretty much destines the teens for failure on the show as it is highly unlikely they would have the background knowledge to do these things in addition to sing.

Allison placed 4th in S8, S8 being the season that most heavily focused on rearrangement of any season at all. So I don’t buy that quite.

I don’t personally think arrangement issues are that much of an issue, but presuming they are, I’d imagine it’d be difficult to reverse. The audience basically expects now some arrangements to make the contestants seem more musically consistent, and the show has been so influenced by notions of genre and musicianship that any group that suddenly didn’t do it at all would be the new “worst finalists ever!!!!”, and we’d see the viewership disappear even faster.

That said, I don’t think pushing the show forward doesn’t mean pushing the contestant age mean backwards. First of all, do we even know that contestants who are 15 have a better chance of enticing a teen audience than those a few years older? If anything, I could see it simply annoying the current base, which is not exactly dominated by teenagers or tweens anyway. So I don’t understand this move; I also don’t understand if any how it could have come out of that survey, because I don’t remember asking at all if the contestants were too old. Unless they’ve mistaken song age with contestant age, in which case… *sigh*

I like the contestants that aren’t green, that have put their years in of work in the music business and just need a shot. I don’t want to watch another year of terrified contestants who don’t have a clue who they are as artists. If Idol turns into a bunch of 15 year olds, it’s going to be real tempting to just turn it off. I haven’t missed a season yet, but it could happen!

So which is worse, not asking viewers what they think is right and wrong with the show in a poll – or putting up a poll to ask you questions and then ignoring your answers?

Unbelievable AND unsurprising. Lots and lots of hubris … TPTB ask the questions only to say they have and provide a platform for their own answers.

As someone who dislikes the idea of thrusting young kids into the limelight under any circumstances–I hate the idea. Give the kids a few years to mature, then let them try out.

In theory, MJ, I totally agree. But in a world where Bieber, Lovato and Jonas, Cyrus are the biggest money earners… it was bound to happen…. The real problem is not what happens to these kids (although that is a problem), but what it means for the development and production of real and honest music.

When viewers have time to look at the ‘man behind the curtain’ instead of being entertained – things need to change. TPTB do seem to know at least that much. However, I saw a few posters asking about that survey – I think this was likely posted a few weeks ago – but – here it is again.

Monday, May 17, 2010 – 20:34
Pam08:
It turns out TPTB at AI don’t give a flying fig about that viewer poll asking our opinions and such.

The Washington Post TV Column – May 12, 2010

….Fox execs on the phone with the press Monday morning were completely taken aback when one reporter asked if they’d taken into account the viewer poll that was put on the Idol Web site asking you

Well, so much for the idea of a truly participatory fan culture! If that *does* turn out to be the new mode of culture in the 21st century, I guess 19/Disney/Fox just aren’t going to get it!

I think the Idol format attempts to build the Idols as brands on the cheap, but it seems that what works for the younger demographic might be a tie-in to something else that is relevant in the pop culture. Maybe they could have a real camp-like reality show where the contestants take acting, singing and instrumental lessons and learn how to do the whole pop culture thing. Show the behind the scenes stuff of the kids navigating the recording studio, etc., sort of an Idol Summer Camp or whatever. Those who are voted off still get a nice visit in Walt Disney World (or Disneyland) while they stay there and learn some new things. The winner gets a 19/Sony record deal and/or Disney TV show tie-in.

Nice idea, but I smell costs, legal liability, etc. So … fat chance! lol

Ugh. Now Randy can remind us each week that a contestant is “just 15.” Boo to this. Boo to stage parents. Boo to corporate greed.

I think when the age is as low as 15, you’re likely to get some pretty immature kids, and why should artists almost 30 years old have to deal with hanging out with kids, on a daily basis? I’m more for the age of contestants being 18 to 28.

Well, so much for the idea of a truly participatory fan culture!

Wait, I think it was pointed out at the time that Fox execs wouldn’t have had access to that poll. Just Idol producers. Makes sense.

Why don’t they just call it American Pop Princess and be done with the facade that they want anything different.

I guess S10 they’ll be looking for a Justin Bieber clone.
Expect S10 to be full of little boys who are going gangsta. Ugh.

This isn’t a change I expected. It seems so obvious that the young contestants are not ready–no matter how mature they seem. Life experience means so much in performing, writing, arranging,etc. Another problem is that if you make someone a star at 12-18, they never have the life experiences that make for good music.

The disney idea sounds very good to me. If we need more Miley’s, JoBros, Biebers, etc, this seems a good way to go.

I guess S10 they’ll be looking for a Justin Bieber clone.
Expect S10 to be full of little boys who are going gangsta. Ugh.

On the bright side, I won’t have to worry about recording and fast-forwarding through most of AI next year. I can just skip it entirely.

Agree with MJ. Bad move on AI’s part. There are many great singers out there in the age group of 12 – 17, but voices are still changing and maturing so they don’t have full control of their sound. In addition, many young singers are not ready on an emotional level. The judges tell these kids so many times that they need a few more years experience to develop their vocals and style.

There are a handful of singers that start out in the business at an early age (Michael J. 10, Stevie W – 13, Judy G – 16, Britney, Christina, Justin T – 15) and are successful adult artists. However, this is the exception rather than the norm.

The AI juniors really never went anywhere. The most popular winner is Lucy Hale, but she is successful as an actress. A non-winner, Jordan McCoy has recently been signed by Diddy to Bad Boy records and her song “Rockstar” was played on “The Hills” and “AI,” but was she ready at 12, apparently not.

I do think they are trying to bring in the younger audience as well as compete with X-Factor (no age limit), but they need to have more current tracks available to the contestants. If Glee can use current tracks, why not AI?

I recall that Adam said if this opportunity had presented itself to him 10 years ago, he would not have been ready to handle it so it would be sad for a really talented young singer to lose an opportunity because they were too young when it was presented to them. Only time will tell.

I guess in the day and age of Bieber this was inevitable. This change would have made more sense though back before the show began allowing song re-arrangment because now “originality” and “artistry” is the big thing on American Idol and most 15 year olds (and 16, and 17, and even 18 year olds) don’t have the confidence or experience to mess with songs intelligently.

Yes it’s true that AI has lucked out and can point to people like Diana, Jordin, Lisa, David, successfully navigating the entertainment industry without becoming train wrecks in their personal lives, but that’s because those kids had protective factors, be it solid parents, or a depth of maturity and commitment most kids don’t have. I think this change is just begging for trouble down the road.

All I can say is a big fat UGH.

I totally agree. The new season isn’t looking too good with Simon leaving & now this. But I have to admit that I’ll still watch, trainwreck or not.

I don’t think that AI is the vehicle through which to find a Miley Cyrus or Justin Beiber. Both of them would be out of the competition early because of lack of range, pitch, confidence, creativity, etc. Teen-fabs are created by adult tv-music-film professionals, not the teen and not the teen’s Mom and Dad. Frankly, the contestants that have done well at age 16/17 on AI have been extraordinarily talented singers. In a way, I think that AI can hurt the marketability of very young performers because AI shows the person generally as they are, and teen-fabs gain popularity based on their marketed image.

Yes it’s true that AI has lucked out and can point to people like Diana, Jordin, Lisa, David, successfully navigating the entertainment industry without becoming train wrecks in their personal lives, but that’s because those kids had protective factors, be it solid parents, or a depth of maturity and commitment most kids don’t have. I think this change is just begging for trouble down the road.

Not if they only let in kids that seem to have the stuff it takes to handle it. I mean, have they really had any young person that crashed and burned after Idol? John Stevens got creamed on that show – massive backlash – and he came out fine. I can think of a few that slipped in – maybe Danny Noriega, or Jasmin Trias – who seemed like the pressure was too much for them or the maturity level was lacking. For the most part though, they were well adjusted. Kevin Covias, even Sanjaya – all solid kids emotionally.

Now artistically is a different story, I agree. I think they have had a lot of kids that could have benefited from a couple more years seasoning. But they have also had over 18-ers that didn’t know their voices or limitations well, so I don’t know.

I think a grounded 15 year old that has been singing for years could do well. I wouldn’t mind that kid at all. I just think stuff like rearranging songs and having a specific genre is not as likely to be present in someone that young, so they have to be open to having that kind of contestant ALONG WITH the more experienced musicians. They need to get critiqued with that reality in mind, IMO.

Allison placed 4th in S8, S8 being the season that most heavily focused on rearrangement of any season at all. So I don’t buy that quite.

I think Danny Gokey placing 3rd is a much better example of what you’re getting at since he didn’t do a single thing to rearrange anything or even attempted to play an instrument and still placed higher than her.

I always thought the limit should be 18, and after reading David Archuletta’s book, I REALLY believe the limit should be 18. Doing school every day is too much added stress to the contestants, plus the maturity is just not there yet. I think this is a bad idea.

they can lower the minimum age and add bells and whistles until the cows come home, but a 10 year old show is NOT EVER going to attract younger viewers. It just doesn’t happen. The younger viewers have moved on to youtube, other internet sites, cable channels etc. They are not going to come flooding back to idol just because there is a cute 15 year old. Not happening. terrible terrible terrible terrible idea…..

they have to be open to having that kind of contestant ALONG WITH the more experienced musicians. They need to get critiqued with that reality in mind, IMO.

This is the fundamental problem. It is not that 15-year-olds cannot possibly be equipped to handle competing in a singing competition. It is that the production priorities and judging sensibilities of this singing competition don’t give these young contestants what they need to develop or to convince me that I will be interested in their albums after the season is over. Sure, those things could be changed, but I don’t have any confidence that they will be.

In order to avoid another WGWG winner in his mid-twenties, I have heard that TPTB intend to have a top 24 filled only with boys under the age of 17 and women. All of the women over the age of 18 will have hot bodies and perform naked.

I think Danny Gokey placing 3rd is a much better example of what you’re getting at since he didn’t do a single thing to rearrange anything or even attempted to play an instrument and still placed higher than her.

Well… that’s a way of thinking about it. But I invoked Allison specifically because she did do a much better job matching those expectations in the S8 world. She had a very clear artistic identity at least relative to the show, picked material that highlighted that, and rearranged songs as she needed to. So I wouldn’t assume that no teenager could ever navigate the terrain of the show that so heavily predicated artistic identity, because she did so in the season that most heavily asked for it.

Then again, in the wide span of teenage contestants, she’s an exception. I can’t think of another obvious teenage contestant with such a clearly entrenched genre that wasn’t essentially an off-shoot of Star Search singing. Aaron Kelly, arguably, but the country vibe he more claimed didn’t really quite come to on the show.

The issue isn’t the fact of course that there there isn’t talent at this age. For me the issue is that kids this age don’t get the opportunity to be kids. If we are talking about those 17 and older then I don’t have an issue with it but when you are talking about those younger than 16, then that is where the problem comes in. You are talking about kids who miss out on being young and having fun with friends and missing out on their high school experience which is some of the most important years of their lives.

Well… that’s a way of thinking about it. But I invoked Allison specifically because she did do a much better job matching those expectations in the S8 world. She had a very clear artistic identity at least relative to the show, picked material that highlighted that, and rearranged songs as she needed to. So I wouldn’t assume that no teenager could ever navigate the terrain of the show that so heavily predicated artistic identity, because she did so in the season that most heavily asked for it.

I misunderstood you then, sorry. I thought you were saying that teens who didn’t rearrange songs, etc, still had a chance of doing well hah…otherwise, I agree with you.

I have two thoughts:

1) The producers are idiots.

2) The show has some 15 year old plant they want to foist on us. Get ready for an extended chorus of “I can’t believe you’re just 15!” from Randy.

That is basically what one of the morning DJs on my local station here in San Francisco said today. They basically said that one of the producers must have a ringer who’s 15 or will have just turned 15 when the auditions start. (They had also speculated at the beginning of S9, when the show went back to the regular Top 24 format, that the Top 13 format from S8 was to ensure people that the producers liked (i.e., Adam) would make it onto the show.) Hilarious how everyone is now an AI grassy knoller.

Pam:
06/21/2010 at 1:36 pm

The issue isn’t the fact of course that there there isn’t talent at this age. For me the issue is that kids this age don’t get the opportunity to be kids. If we are talking about those 17 and older then I don’t have an issue with it but when you are talking about those younger than 16, then that is where the problem comes in. You are talking about kids who miss out on being young and having fun with friends and missing out on their high school experience which is some of the most important years of their lives.

What makes you think they’re going to be any more of a normal kid if they aren’t on the show? The type of kids that will try out AND make it onto the show are ones that are driven. Their whole life likely already revolves around music. It’s really no different than a kid that is passionate about a sport and works out and practices and makes better and better teams and maybe, finally gets good enough for the Olympics. The difference is that music doesn’t have have the same kind amateur outlets with any kind of visibility. This show could be one step on their way to their own Olympics.

Assume they get to the top 10 and are then voted off the show. The experience they take away from it is invaluable and isn’t something readily available via other venues. They’ve had the chance to work with professional musicians. To see how the recording studio experience works. To make a music video. All of these things are priceless to a beginning singer/performer. If nothing else they get the opportunity to decide if this is really what they want to do. Why should they be denied the opportunity because you (or anyone) feels they should live their life a different way?

Season 8 was the best year ever and it isn’t likely to be eclipsed.

Yeah, well mileage definitely varies on what the “best year ever” was. S8 was hardly my favorite.

What the show needs to do is either load up the top 24 with a bunch of pre-qualified “ringers” and let them really go at each other with absolutely no favoritism extended to any one contestant OR just put through the most talented contestants representative of a variety of pre-selected genres.

The latter will require the “screeners” in the early rounds to actually *know* what good singing is and to not cast a bunch of ridiculous “characters” for the show. They need to stop missing the Amber Rileys and Hillary Scotts!

What the show needs to do is either load up the top 24 with a bunch of pre-qualified “ringers” and let them really go at each other with absolutely no favoritism or manipulation extended to any one contestant, OR just put through the most talented contestants representaive of a variety of pre-selected genres. The latter will require the screeners in the early rounds to actually *know* what good singing is and to not cast a bunch of ridiculous “characters” for the show.

Oh, I see. You think this is a *music* show! … lol

But the clue about what it *really* is is in the title: American *Idol.* …. Now that’s *definitely* money!

Ai already produced that show for the young kids…I forgot the name, but it lasted one season. Why don’t they just resurrect that show? Or just change the title to X Factor (or AGT) so that Anybody can audition?

this is another nail in the coffin for AI, the young kids are not going to watch any more for 15 year olds than for 16 years olds. Really there is no difference. young viewers vote for CUTE, regardless of age. Johnny Depp has a huge teenage following, and he ain’t 15! In conclusion: the AI producers are idiots, or have been bribed by the X-factor producers – :mrgreen:

Nice idea, but I smell costs, legal liability, etc. So … fat chance! lol

How’s it any different than casting 15 year olds on American Idol? These kids will still have school requirements (unless it’s during summer vacation) and will still need a parent or guardian present. The way it is now has those same risks. It could be done with shared costs between Fremantle and Disney. I’m not really advocating this but if they must cast teens because they believe it’s where the money is, I think they are making a mistake casting younger kids on American Idol where they are competing against adults who are more seasoned.

Casting cute 16 year old Aaron, 17 year old Katie, 19 year olds Tim and Alex did not net a teenage winner this season. Jordin and Archie were 17 in their seasons. How old was Diana DeGarmo? Any chance 1 year younger will pay off? I doubt it.

Changing the age downward isn’t going to make a difference in how many younger people tune in to watch and vote, I don’t think – unless, as some speculate, they already have a ringer in mind and think this will make it possible for him/her to draw some of the Bieber-loving tweens… but how many 11 year olds have unlimited texting packages and are allowed to stay up late on a school night to powervote for their favorite 15 year old.

I wish they would have left the age limit the way it was 16-28. I think 15 is a bit too young to be trying out for this show. But I am okay with the 16-28 rule one reason because it’s been around for a while and I am used to it. And there are some talented/mature teenagers out there.

I wish they would have left thing the way they were, and not lowered it to 15. The age requirment wasn’t something that needed to be changed, IMO.

All of the women over the age of 18 will have hot bodies and perform naked.

Perfect!!!! A ratings bonanza!!

I am suspicious that there is already some ringer 15 year old, but I don’t really see the big deal. It is one year, they aren’t taking on 12 year olds. Alex Lambert is 19 and he is by far the most immature contestant I have ever seen on the show. Blake Lewis was 25 and was lightyears more immature than Jordin. There have been a lot of under 18 successes. Whose to say if Archie waited until he was 22 or Allison was 25 they would have done better. Allison seems to have a very flippant attitude that I think was only saved because of her age so people gave her more slack, so I think youth isn’t always a disadvantage. Also, raising the limit to 30 is a HORRIBLE idea. 28 already feels a bit old.

Ai already produced that show for the young kids…I forgot the name, but it lasted one season. Why don’t they just resurrect that show?

Everybody keeps talking about that, but it was *10-to-13 year olds*, not the 14-18 year old teen crowd. It wasn’t the same kind of show at all, and no 15 year olds, for example, would have been included on it.

How’s it any different than casting 15 year olds on American Idol? These kids will still have school requirements (unless it’s during summer vacation) and will still need a parent or guardian present.

Okay, you’re probably right about the liability — although somehow it sounds scarier to me if you have *all* younger kids. …

But I was thinking that you were talking about a kind of training camp for them in music — and surely that would be more of an investment than what they do now, wouldn’t it? I mean, they’d be trying to *help* them and seriously coach them and such — and if they didn’t, the participants and their stage parents might raise a fuss — whereas now all they do is order them to sing Sinatra songs and film Ford commercials while apparently not working with them much at all. That sounds like it would cost at least a little more money, to me. And it seems to me that they’re always and everywhere about *shaving* costs, rather than the opposite, is all.

Oh, Dear God.
15?
Seriously?

These guys are very scared of Simon’s new show.
Be afraid, be very afraid!

Stupid move on AI’s part. If this is one of the changes they are going for I can’t wait to see others. Nigle Lithgoe must be laughing his knickers off.

this is another act of desperation.

I can picture the tour bus now for Season 10. So we have a half dozen 15 year olds (whose voices haven’t dropped or whose boobs haven’t come in) associating on a day to day basis with six 28 year olds who are pretty experienced in the ways of the world. And then we have 6 bitchy chaperones who are considered old foggies by the 28 year olds. That will be one interesting social experience for everyone concerned.

No, just no. I thought the age should have been raised a few years back to 18. 15 is way too young. At age 18 they have a couple more years of experience and are able to go on tour by themselves with no chaperone.

18-28 – who needs tutors and chaperones in the mix?

I think 16 was fine for the three MJ mentioned because of their great talent and maturity, but for most kids that age and even many older than that, the pressure is way too much! I am totally against pushing kids too young into pressure situations. I can’t remember what age Miley was when she really started performing, but in most cases, if they are pushed too young, they will eventually crash and burn (Brittany Spears). I am not sure of Alison’s background or Jordan’s, but I know that although David Archuleta did star search at 12, he was not doing a lot of outside performances beyond that before Idol, so I think he will be fine. I do think the advantage of getting mature and talented individuals, such as those three, is that by they time they get through Idol, record their albums, get a tour or two under their belt, and really get going, years have gone by. I can’t believe that David is already 19 1/2 years old.

On the other hand, the tutors and chaperones are a painful thing. I do think it is a major disadantage for those who have to do 3 hours of school every day, because everyone else is working so much more time on their songs. 15— bad idea!

My two cents for what its’ worth: 18 to 25

They had also speculated at the beginning of S9, when the show went back to the regular Top 24 format, that the Top 13 format from S8 was to ensure people that the producers liked (i.e., Adam) would make it onto the show.) Hilarious how everyone is now an AI grassy knoller.

Well I think the things that happened in Season 8 and 9 gave a ton of people reason to jump on te Grassy Knoll if they weren’t already – including Adam coming in second despite the media blitz he had around him even while on the show and Lee winning despite most people thinking that Crystal clearly outsang him on the finale night.

In terms of teens being on Idol some of them have been very well adjusted – Allison, Archie, Jordin, Katie, Aaron, Sanjaya all seemed like well-adjusted kids who handled criticism rather well. But along with some of these well adjusted kids came some difficult stage parents, Archie’s Dad, Diana DeGarmo’s mom both come to mind. There were also rumors last year that one of the reasons they judged Mishavonna Henson so harshly during her semi and didn’t even consider her for the Wild Card is because of her mom (this is all just rumor but since they had seen her mom in action during Hollywood week for both seasons 7 and 8 maybe there is something to is.)

Also, as we’ve heard from the teen contestants, they just have more going on then there older competitiors because of school. While a 24 year old contestant might have even 10 minutes to sit and destress, a 16 year old contestant might be stressing about algebra homework or a chemistry test and doesn’t have that 10 minutes to him/herself.

If they would raise the age to 18, there is no longer the need for a chaperone so the stage-parents are no longer an issue. By the time most people are 18 they are also done with high school and are more prepared for the “real” world. And of course once they are done with high school there is no worries about Algebra or Chemistry or anything of the sort.

I am not sure of Alison’s background or Jordan’s, but I know that although David Archuleta did star search at 12,he was not doing a lot of outside performances beyond that before Idol, so I think he will be fine.

Allison won a bilingual Telemundo singing competition when she was 14 and did a lot of performing at clubs and fairs with an oldies band called Ferrari and friends, Ferrari being her performance coach for a while until she started Idol. She also had a band with some guy friends and she also did the School of Pop Summer camp when she was 15. She definitely knew what she wanted and probably had a somewhat clear idea of what Idol would be like too.

As Charles Barclay says in those Taco Bell commercials, “that’s Turrible”! Ugh. I’ve been saying for years raise the minimum age to 21 so that people have had some real life experience, but TPTB decide to go the other way? Whatever.

PRMari:
06/21/2010 at 7:29 pm
She definitely knew what she wanted and probably had a somewhat clear idea of what Idol would be like too.

It was said by more than one person associated with Season 8 that Allison handled the pressure of the show better than any other contestant. She explained she felt that, since she was so young, it wasn’t a make or break situation for her.

This is not to imply that all 15 or 16 year olds handle the pressure the same way. IMO, most would not. I think in general it’s a bad idea, but it seemed to work out for Allison.

I think the key to this change in rules is how the judges handle it. If it is used very sparingly and simply opens up the possibility of allowing a truly exceptional 15 year old to compete – then fine. But if it opens up the flood gates for a bunch of wannabee Biebers, then blech.

There has been a lot of talk about next year being a make it or break it year. There may be some fear by teenagers that if they wait 2 or 3 years to audition they may lose the opportunity. So, I expect a lot of young ones to audition; but, again, I hope the judges are very conservative in their choices.

Note to PRMari (and Rub, etc.) – a couple of us have still been posting on the last Allison-specific thread.

Just logged on to see the headlines and I couldn’t believe it when I read this. Have to go back through the thread and read everyone else’s opinion but I really feel this is a grave mistake. I think one of the main problems with season 9 was that the singers they had on the show didn’t really know who they were or what type of artist they wanted to be. I thought that 16 was too young to be on a show like this with all the pressure and attention. So to actually lower the age is just so wrong to me. To subject a 15 year old to such scrutiny and expect them to know who they are, what they want to become as an artist and have the backbone and confidence to make their own choices is just nuts. And then to, in essence, throw them to the wolves of the media and public opinion is just too much.

If I had a 15 year old who wanted to try out for this show, I’d flat out say “No”. The artists I like to listen to are ones who’ve been around for a little while, have an understanding of the various great past artists and genres and actually have something to communicate to their audience. This is just so wrong in my opinion. Unless, of course, they’re expecting the contestants to wear mouse ears and dance around with purple dinosaurs.

I’ve thought for a long time that they should raise the minimum age limit not lower it. blech…

In an early season, 2 or 3, Simon grew tired of poor showings by a 16 yo contestant and openly suggested during judge’s feedback that maybe the minimum age should be raised to 18. X-Factor UK apparently experimented with 14+ for two years but is back to 16+. I personally don’t want to see younger contestants and wouldn’t mind raising it to 18 but I’m not in the desired demographics.

I think this is a mistake, and agree that instead they should have raised it to 18. I think it’s very rare that a 16 year old is ready to do what the show has evolved to, most don’t know themselves well enough as an artist.

The other thing is the past couple of years, I’ve noticed that the judges have let a couple of 16 or 17 year old contestants into the top 24, then, told them in the semifinals that they should have waited a couple of years, that their voices needed more time to mature. I know they told this to Jasmine Murray. Why not tell them this before the top 24, so they could compete again? If some need more time even at 16, what do they expect to happen at 15, especially when compeating with 28 year olds that have been singing for over 10 years?

I agree with others that have said that it would be better to have a version for teenagers, like 13-17. Then have AI being 18-30, or maybe have 18-25, then another show for 26-35.

I do think that part of the problem that many contestants, especially some of the younger contestants, is that the music they are asked to choose from is too old, and that they are too unfamiliar with the music to know what to choose. Most contestants that have done well knew about a wide variety of music.

I like the direction that AI has gone with the singer songwriters, even though last year was kind of weak, I still like this direction and wish this would continue, even to go in the direction of them being allowed to do original music on the show. I think that this comes with experience that a 15 or 16 year old doesn’t have.

Others have mentioned the child labor laws, I wonder also how they will get around this, because this would apply more to 15 year olds. That, and they will still be required to go to school, even if they win.

And in the land of fan wars there is unanimity.

Twitter was abuzz with loud “NOOOOOOOO’s” about this child labor law violation waiting to happen. (And the OK Magazine article of the required tutors on set “Idol School, you’re there!”) And then some amused amazement at how 99% of all AI-adjacent parties agreed: This is not good.

Feels little bit Demo Desperado, IMHO. Possibly some Fox suggestion. Fox could care less about the quality of the winner. They’ve already had a season of quality ridicule. But they care a lot about the premium they’ve been getting from advertisers.

They need some buzz next year. Something happening. Two years in a row of criminally boring will not work with Madison Avenue.

It’s a whole lot easier, alas, to find crazy negligent parents than actual singing talent. Note Justin Bieber’s mom thinking posting You Tube videos pimping her 15 year old son to agents was a fine thing to do.

If you watched the Much Music awards last night, you would have been aware there wasn’t much music. Other than Adam. There was a lot of sound with beats. And screaming tweens. Who – YAY! – love Adam Lambert. But, again, it’s a whole lot easier to find a “look” to have lip synch content then find an astonishing talent like Adam.

Unlikely they’re gonna lower the age without casting some kids.
So couple of children with good looks will create some power vote frenzy. The AI demo stops skewing too low and too old. And here’s hoping those kids add the tour bonus to their future therapy fund.

And also hoping Simon has a whole lotta serious talent from the no upper age range who make this child exploitation move fold in failure.

From an artistic point of view, Allison is the only teen that ever inspired me to vote.

I don’t like lowering the age. Usually, the younger ones have no idea who they are as an artist, even if they are talented. Perhaps TPTB like that, so they can mold them into what they want.

As for Lisa Tucker, she had a gig on Zooey 101 for a bit. Paris Bennett really has been one of the least successful of S5, as far as I can tell. I’m not saying she doesn’t have talent, but perhaps not the drive?

As for Diana, I didn’t watch her season, but she’s worked hard since then to establish herself on Broadway, etc.

The crash and burn was probably Jessica Sierra from S4. I think she was 18 or 19, but am not quite sure.

Artistically, I would prefer older contestants. However, I’m not sure age is a factor. A well-grounded person is a well-grounded person.

My opinion is they are trying to compete with Disney. Maybe they don’t care about singing talent anymore. Maybe they just want what’s hot and that’s the Justin Bieber’s of the world.

A well-grounded person is a well-grounded person.

.
True but how many well-grounded great 15 yr old singers are there out there? Do you trust these producers to find that one or two?

True but how many well-grounded great 15 yr old singers are there out there? Do you trust these producers to find that one or two?

Not necessarily, and I don’t think they care either. I don’t like this either. Mostly because I don’t think a really, really talented 15 year old has much to offer musically except a good voice. There could be some that break the mold, but I’d rather see the age raised to 33 or something.

pj:
06/21/2010 at 10:52 pm
I don’t like this either. Mostly because I don’t think a really, really talented 15 year old has much to offer musically except a good voice.

I agree with that sentiment – it’s why I can’t get into Archie at all. I feel like he and many other “Pangeant-y” Kings/Queens like Katie Stevens just sing certain songs because they *think* it’s what they should be singing… in reality it’s what grandmas/conservative music lovers listen to on AM Lite radio. I never expect to hear Archie on my radio stations – great voice, but not a part of my modern pop-rock-R&B-dance iTunes library at all.

You know, a chapter in Archie’s book talks about how difficult it was for him being on AI and squeezing in 3 hrs/ day of studying besides. He found it hard to concentrate in class because his thoughts were on the day ahead, then he’d be yanked out of class to rehearse. When the others got to take breaks, he couldn’t. He could never take any time off. In addition, after the judges’ praise from “Imagine”, he felt the pressure to keep outdoing himself in each performance. David was extremely disciplined and driven for his age, with a very clear sense of who he was and what he wanted. If it was that hard for him, gosh…All I can say is these young kids better want this more than anything, and have the mental toughness and maturity to handle what comes during after the show, and not let the industry shape their identities.

I agree with that sentiment – it’s why I can’t get into Archie at all. I feel like he and many other “Pangeant-y” Kings/Queens like Katie Stevens just sing certain songs because they *think* it’s what they should be singing… in reality it’s what grandmas/conservative music lovers listen to on AM Lite radio. I never expect to hear Archie on my radio stations – great voice, but not a part of my modern pop-rock-R&B-dance iTunes library at all.

OK, no offense. But you obviously haven’t tried to listen to David’s music, have you? LOL. There was nothing “grandma/conservative/lite radio” about his debut album. It was pop music geared toward the teens, and “Crush” was quite the CHR hit…He recently introduced two songs he’s been working on, which have a similar vibe to The Script. We’re expecting CD #2 to have R&B/soul songs as well. Since David is doing much more songwriting for this CD, it will include more of his personality, his thoughts, his style preferences~ just…more of David himself! Sure, he’s still developing as an artist. That happens when you’re young. But he mostly certainly isn’t singing anything because he feels it’s what someone else expects. He very much has his own ideas of where he’s heading as an artist and what he wants listeners to hear. And it’s sooo much more fun to go on the journey with a developing artist than to already know what each song will be like.

BLECH. (Read that in giant, bolded, underlined text.)

@ArchieDoll – it’s not about production values or whether or not he’s releasing material that has a sound similar to The Script. Sometimes you just don’t like the way that someone sings. I gave up understanding why anyone likes the sound of Andrew Garcia’s voice, because to me it’s just grating and lacking any emotion. Alex Lambert’s singing style sounds whiny to me. Similarly, I think that Archie’s voice and the way he sings belongs on AM Lite radio. That’s my opinion.

I really like the idea of a younger winner of Idol. 20 and under would be great. A teen winner would be even better. A lot of today’s biggest pop stars started very young (Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Usher, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus). The problem I see with the rule change is that it has little chance of producing a younger winner, and certainly not a winner under 18. With the demo currently dominating Idol viewership (middle age women), I think a 15, 16 or 17 year old have as much a chance of winning as a woman — which is no chance. They just can’t generate the lust factor with viewers — which is a good thing! So, the rule will change but my bet is that next year’s winner will again be a 25-27 year old white male singing “rock” and playing a guitar. NOTHING will change unless the voting system changes or the demo of AI changes. I’m not holding my breath.

So Kara will comment to more contestants how they can not sing that song because they haven’t experienced whatever it is.

I think that TPTB wants more tweens in the audience. Their concern is lowering the age of the audience. JMO.

Sometimes you just don’t like the way that someone sings. I gave up understanding why anyone likes the sound of Andrew Garcia’s voice, because to me it’s just grating and lacking any emotion. Alex Lambert’s singing style sounds whiny to me. Similarly, I think that Archie’s voice and the way he sings belongs on AM Lite radio. That’s my opinion.

i know exactly how you feel, about sometimes just not liking the way an artist sings, or their inability to hit the sweet spot in your ears. i can’t warm to several s8 or s9 singers for that very reason, and that reason alone – they do nothing for me musically, vocally, visually, artistically. i am really kinda indifferent toward most of the s8 and s9 finalists, to the point of not having anything good nor bad to say or think about their music or prospects… i wish them all well, but they have pretty much become afterthoughts to me…i do like the post idol releases of allison, kris, and danny… i found something in them all that appealed to different aspects of my musical tastes… their cd’s sounded fresh, not overly derivative or dated or reminiscent of eras gone by… allison’s cd appealed the most – sorry kris and danny, lolololol… ya’ll still my boyz though…she has the best post idol release and for me, is more musically intriguing over the long term… she is a little ahead of her true time to shine, she’s young, and raw, and with the right guidance/direction and promotion, she will get there. she needs a larger audience/fanbase for her efforts… having an audience that buys your material, and a dedicated fanbase behind you is more important than ever in these bad music times… if radio doesn’t warm to an artist, they can still stay relevant and reap great benefits financially by having an audience that supports them touring, and in other endeavors. i don’t care what format i hear any fave on – as long as their music is getting heard, it’s all good… don’t care if they’re considered top 40 kings, hac princes, ac darlings, urban dukes, etc – just play the music, lol…

gg- totally agree. Tough times in music. Good luck to whoever can get a fanbase to buy your stuff and go to your concerts.

Thanks gg! One of the reasons there’s a whole “genre” concept in music – and not just one music artist per genre ever – is because our taste in music is as diverse as we human beings are! :D

Following up on LK10′s point – I think it’s funny how different genres on the whole have different priorities. Rock bands/artists generally care more about concert attendance than radio play. Techno/electronica/dance care more about club play than radio air play. A trend I’m noticing in the hip-hop/R&B area is value on who’s willing to collaborate with you. Just an interesting point on diversity.

With that said, taking it back to the main topic lol, I think that’s my biggest issue with the lowering age limit to 15. In modern American society, people of that age generally have not had enough Life Experiences to make them fully formed adults. I don’t know about you guys, but at 15 I was still waist-deep in Teenage Angst and resisting my parents just because I could. I plan to try out for AI this year and thanks to the years of experience after the age of 15, I think I have a lot to offer AI in terms of a “character” on the show AND in musical taste. At 15, chances are good your life still revolves around school, not music. Granted they may have a ringer ready to go, but if I make it on the show I will totally give MJ a heads-up about said ringer >_> <_< hehe.

A way to attract the younger demographic is have hot singers,like Tim.