Comments on: Some Thoughts on the Big Changes Ahead for American Idol http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm American Idol - I Love This Cheesy Show Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Grammie Kari http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174778 Grammie Kari Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:59:14 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174778 I have watched the show from the beginning and I am not in favor of the 36 contestant format. Thanks, MJ for this thread. <blockquote>...they were tired of seeing the contestants sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“oldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  music. </blockquote> Honestly, I don't believe for a minute that this is the reason the ratings went down. Singing "old" music is a challenge for the contestants to reinterpret the lyrics and music. David Cook did such a good job. My favorite "old" music song on the show was "Stand By Me". Outstanding. <strong> Motown 50 </strong>is an opportunity to take a song and make it your own. I know I am in the minority here, and I do respect your opinions. Please understand, I don't mind the newer songs, as I am a music fan. <em>What AI did wrong was to introduce the themes much too early in the competition.</em> Also, "old" people are not likely to be posting on Forums. LOL! You would be surprised how many Grandparents enjoy the show with their grandchildren. Honestly, I don't want them to get rid of those horrendous/old mentors. Often, Barry Manilow was cited as the best mentor, which is why he was on the show twice. The younger mentors NEED to provide insight for the contestants. <blockquote>Pimping and Chosen Ones aside, I feel that Idol loses viewers when it loses interest in pleasing the viewers.</blockquote> Getting rid of the manipulation and scripted moments is the NUMBER ONE thing AI can do to improve the show. I have watched the show from the beginning and I am not in favor of the 36 contestant format. Thanks, MJ for this thread.

…they were tired of seeing the contestants sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“oldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  music.

Honestly, I don’t believe for a minute that this is the reason the ratings went down. Singing “old” music is a challenge for the contestants to reinterpret the lyrics and music. David Cook did such a good job. My favorite “old” music song on the show was “Stand By Me”. Outstanding. Motown 50 is an opportunity to take a song and make it your own. I know I am in the minority here, and I do respect your opinions. Please understand, I don’t mind the newer songs, as I am a music fan. What AI did wrong was to introduce the themes much too early in the competition.

Also, “old” people are not likely to be posting on Forums. LOL! You would be surprised how many Grandparents enjoy the show with their grandchildren. Honestly, I don’t want them to get rid of those horrendous/old mentors. Often, Barry Manilow was cited as the best mentor, which is why he was on the show twice. The younger mentors NEED to provide insight for the contestants.

Pimping and Chosen Ones aside, I feel that Idol loses viewers when it loses interest in pleasing the viewers.

Getting rid of the manipulation and scripted moments is the NUMBER ONE thing AI can do to improve the show.

]]> By: IdolFanatic http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174415 IdolFanatic Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:30:58 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174415 <blockquote>But, I agree with most of you, in that the songs sung during Season 7 were too old (i.e., boring), resulting in the large drop of viewers by Top 9.</blockquote> Yes, this definitely did NOT help ratings at all. Many of the kids really started struggling with these restrictive old-timey, one-artist themes and who can blame them. We can't expect miracles when they're given so little time to begin with to get stuff together and then given such crappy songs to choose from. But unfortunately, when you're given this set of circumstances and you fail to pull the rabbit out of your hat, you then have to get slammed by the judges in front of millions of people and then criticized by everyone in America who watches for basically not being a miracle worker.

But, I agree with most of you, in that the songs sung during Season 7 were too old (i.e., boring), resulting in the large drop of viewers by Top 9.

Yes, this definitely did NOT help ratings at all. Many of the kids really started struggling with these restrictive old-timey, one-artist themes and who can blame them. We can’t expect miracles when they’re given so little time to begin with to get stuff together and then given such crappy songs to choose from. But unfortunately, when you’re given this set of circumstances and you fail to pull the rabbit out of your hat, you then have to get slammed by the judges in front of millions of people and then criticized by everyone in America who watches for basically not being a miracle worker.

]]> By: PokeSmot http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174392 PokeSmot Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:01:46 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174392 My .02 cents in regards to how well David Cook would have done with the new format of only top 3 of 3 groups of 12 progressing to the semi's (and using the assumption that the hamsters have freedom of song choice), I believe D.C. would have still won this season of Idol. Imagine hearing D.C. tear into CREEP (edited version of course), Man In The Box, Hunger Strike, or any GnR, NIN song in the semi's; he would have been labeled TCO, along with Archie, from the get go (<em>that's my theory, and I'm sticking to it</em>). But then again, what the hell do I know about Idol? Not a whole lot, seeing as the Finale was the only episode I watched in real time. Whereupon, I was totally impressed by the quality of the performances of all the hamsters, and went back and watched a few episodes on Daily Motion. But, I agree with most of you, in that the songs sung during Season 7 were too old (i.e., boring), resulting in the large drop of viewers by Top 9. If AI can have an age limit on the contestants, then they can also have an age limit on the songs sung; nothing older than 29 years, unless specifically requested by the hamster singing it. Gosh (tm Archie), I'm beginning to get excited and kind of antsy about watching my first full season of Idol from the very beginning.....and, I'm also looking forward to matching wits and picks with everyone in MJ's Idol Office Pool...hurry up and get here, January/February. ------------------------------ Peace Out & POKE SMOT :smoke_tb: My .02 cents in regards to how well David Cook would have done with the new format of only top 3 of 3 groups of 12 progressing to the semi’s (and using the assumption that the hamsters have freedom of song choice), I believe D.C. would have still won this season of Idol.

Imagine hearing D.C. tear into CREEP (edited version of course), Man In The Box, Hunger Strike, or any GnR, NIN song in the semi’s; he would have been labeled TCO, along with Archie, from the get go (that’s my theory, and I’m sticking to it).

But then again, what the hell do I know about Idol? Not a whole lot, seeing as the Finale was the only episode I watched in real time. Whereupon, I was totally impressed by the quality of the performances of all the hamsters, and went back and watched a few episodes on Daily Motion. But, I agree with most of you, in that the songs sung during Season 7 were too old (i.e., boring), resulting in the large drop of viewers by Top 9. If AI can have an age limit on the contestants, then they can also have an age limit on the songs sung; nothing older than 29 years, unless specifically requested by the hamster singing it.

Gosh (tm Archie), I’m beginning to get excited and kind of antsy about watching my first full season of Idol from the very beginning…..and, I’m also looking forward to matching wits and picks with everyone in MJ’s Idol Office Pool…hurry up and get here, January/February.

——————————
Peace Out & POKE SMOT :smoke_tb:

]]> By: gingerly http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174357 gingerly Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:31:22 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174357 Hopefully, they're working on their songs already. They will indeed have to jump out of the gate quickly. Hopefully, they’re working on their songs already. They will indeed have to jump out of the gate quickly.

]]> By: IdolFanatic http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174294 IdolFanatic Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:24:19 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174294 Well they better learn to make one hell of an impression first time out because that may be all they have. It will be the same way as it was before they changed it in Season 4. I guess I don't have really have that big of an issue with it. I can see why they are doing it. Higher stakes creates more drama and therefore more interesting TV. I understand the David Cook references, but no one knows for sure what would've happened had he only been given one shot to impress. Or perhaps he would've been a wildcard selection had he not made the first cut. And having a more open selection of music for semifinals will help too. I think that alone is what held a lot of the kids back in the beginning. Well they better learn to make one hell of an impression first time out because that may be all they have. It will be the same way as it was before they changed it in Season 4. I guess I don’t have really have that big of an issue with it. I can see why they are doing it. Higher stakes creates more drama and therefore more interesting TV. I understand the David Cook references, but no one knows for sure what would’ve happened had he only been given one shot to impress. Or perhaps he would’ve been a wildcard selection had he not made the first cut. And having a more open selection of music for semifinals will help too. I think that alone is what held a lot of the kids back in the beginning.

]]> By: sylvanaire http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174283 sylvanaire Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:51:52 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174283 The problem I have with the new format is that only the top 3, is it? will progress each week in the semi finals. I haven't had a chance to get to know any of the kids in the early rounds well enough to power vote for ANYONE. I didn't start to vote for David Cook until Little Sparrow week. He just consistently won me over week after week until I felt compelled to pick up the phone and vote. Dial Idol showed that he was in the back of the pack for the first few weeks, and so in this new format, wouldn't have made it through to top 12. How can they expect us to know enough about these kids' potential so early in the competition to make an informed judgment on who to advance? I think that idea is just all kinds of wrong. Perhaps this is a way tptb think they can force us to start voting early because the stakes are raised so high initially. Yes, the stakes are higher in the semis but I still don't know any of them well enough to care. It just seems a very back asswards way to run things, not that anyone is asking me. Heh. The problem I have with the new format is that only the top 3, is it? will progress each week in the semi finals. I haven’t had a chance to get to know any of the kids in the early rounds well enough to power vote for ANYONE. I didn’t start to vote for David Cook until Little Sparrow week. He just consistently won me over week after week until I felt compelled to pick up the phone and vote. Dial Idol showed that he was in the back of the pack for the first few weeks, and so in this new format, wouldn’t have made it through to top 12.

How can they expect us to know enough about these kids’ potential so early in the competition to make an informed judgment on who to advance? I think that idea is just all kinds of wrong. Perhaps this is a way tptb think they can force us to start voting early because the stakes are raised so high initially. Yes, the stakes are higher in the semis but I still don’t know any of them well enough to care. It just seems a very back asswards way to run things, not that anyone is asking me. Heh.

]]> By: IdolFanatic http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174262 IdolFanatic Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:32:50 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174262 <blockquote>The producers should back off these contestants. Give them more freedom with song choice, or pick themes that give them more freedom. Granted, I know this is limited by rights and all. Allow these contestants to sing the music they really love. Who wants to see the same songs performed year after year? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m tired of watching contestants trying to hit some bullseye of performance and style that doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even fit who they are or who they would be if they released music on a label. </blockquote> <blockquote>Let these kids be who they are and sing what they want to sing and play the instruments they want to play. I would feel much better about the show if the public actually got to see a better representation of their respective musical talents and the type of singers/musicians they actually hope to be POST Idol.</blockquote> Both of these statements I agree with. Like I said above, there are not too many contestants who can make the themes work for them as well as Cook did. And that doesn't mean they're any less talented. It really depends on what type of singer they are and how much experience they have with song arrangements. We cannot hold them all to the same standard of re-arranging songs to fit a certain style just because the reigning Idol did it so successfully. They could run the risk of ruining the integrity of the song then too if they tried. Think Eight Days A Week - BLECH! It's like they're damned if they do, damned if they don't unless they are one hell of a songwriter and composer. I realize that giving them too much freedom can backfire, but I would err on the side of more freedom than one-artist theme restrictions and stuff like that. No more Broadway, no more Neal Diamond. Motown is fine. Billy Joel would be fun again. But something more modern too would be nice from time to time.

The producers should back off these contestants. Give them more freedom with song choice, or pick themes that give them more freedom. Granted, I know this is limited by rights and all. Allow these contestants to sing the music they really love. Who wants to see the same songs performed year after year? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m tired of watching contestants trying to hit some bullseye of performance and style that doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even fit who they are or who they would be if they released music on a label.

Let these kids be who they are and sing what they want to sing and play the instruments they want to play. I would feel much better about the show if the public actually got to see a better representation of their respective musical talents and the type of singers/musicians they actually hope to be POST Idol.

Both of these statements I agree with. Like I said above, there are not too many contestants who can make the themes work for them as well as Cook did. And that doesn’t mean they’re any less talented. It really depends on what type of singer they are and how much experience they have with song arrangements. We cannot hold them all to the same standard of re-arranging songs to fit a certain style just because the reigning Idol did it so successfully. They could run the risk of ruining the integrity of the song then too if they tried. Think Eight Days A Week – BLECH! It’s like they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t unless they are one hell of a songwriter and composer.

I realize that giving them too much freedom can backfire, but I would err on the side of more freedom than one-artist theme restrictions and stuff like that. No more Broadway, no more Neal Diamond. Motown is fine. Billy Joel would be fun again. But something more modern too would be nice from time to time.

]]> By: IdolFanatic http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-2/#comment-174247 IdolFanatic Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:01:24 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174247 <blockquote>As much as we complain about jaded teen celebrities, when we are presented with a teen with real talent and a humble personality, we donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know how to react.</blockquote> Ain't that the truth! There's always somethin to bitch about. <blockquote>I contribute initial success to S8 to Archuleta moreso- heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s on the radio, thats the big thing. </blockquote> Well he and Cook are both on the radio a lot. This is the first time that both of the Top 2 are having a lot of success, and Idol wants to and should milk it for all its worth. I hope to see them both back performing sometime during Season 8 and at the Finale.

As much as we complain about jaded teen celebrities, when we are presented with a teen with real talent and a humble personality, we donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know how to react.

Ain’t that the truth! There’s always somethin to bitch about.

I contribute initial success to S8 to Archuleta moreso- heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s on the radio, thats the big thing.

Well he and Cook are both on the radio a lot. This is the first time that both of the Top 2 are having a lot of success, and Idol wants to and should milk it for all its worth. I hope to see them both back performing sometime during Season 8 and at the Finale.

]]> By: houstonrufus http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-174246 houstonrufus Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:56:33 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174246 One other thought as a footnote to my previous post: stop trying to create TV characters. Let these kids be who they are and sing what they want to sing and play the instruments they want to play. I would feel much better about the show if the public actually got to see a better representation of their respective musical talents and the type of singers/musicians they actually hope to be POST Idol. One other thought as a footnote to my previous post: stop trying to create TV characters. Let these kids be who they are and sing what they want to sing and play the instruments they want to play. I would feel much better about the show if the public actually got to see a better representation of their respective musical talents and the type of singers/musicians they actually hope to be POST Idol.

]]> By: IdolFanatic http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-174240 IdolFanatic Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:43:21 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174240 <blockquote>I will never forget that top4 results nights when Syesha, Jason and Archuleta couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really answer a simple question and seemed like 3 dumb people, it was fun, but it kinda gave a wrong image of who they are. Maybe if the general audience sees more of them, they will not stop watching it middle seasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦</blockquote> Oh really? I thought it was only Archie who could not form a sentence and looked dumb on camera.... JUST KIDDING! :) That's my snarkiness coming out in regard to the comments that many made about him but completely disregarded that same behavior in other contestants or passed it off as simply charming. I don't care about fake drama, but as you suggested, some insight to their personalities would be nice like we saw on the behind-the-scenes footage of the Ford shoots from AI Extra. People loved that! Seeing them more relaxed and just being themselves, joking around and stuff would be great.

I will never forget that top4 results nights when Syesha, Jason and Archuleta couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really answer a simple question and seemed like 3 dumb people, it was fun, but it kinda gave a wrong image of who they are. Maybe if the general audience sees more of them, they will not stop watching it middle seasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Oh really? I thought it was only Archie who could not form a sentence and looked dumb on camera….

JUST KIDDING! :) That’s my snarkiness coming out in regard to the comments that many made about him but completely disregarded that same behavior in other contestants or passed it off as simply charming.

I don’t care about fake drama, but as you suggested, some insight to their personalities would be nice like we saw on the behind-the-scenes footage of the Ford shoots from AI Extra. People loved that! Seeing them more relaxed and just being themselves, joking around and stuff would be great.

]]> By: leome http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-174223 leome Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:54:59 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174223 Well, if people got bored by top 9, now they will get bored by top7/8 if the contestants keep singings old songs, if it becomes obvious by top 10 who are going to be the final 2, if we really don't see much about the contestants other than the singing... To me what they're doing is not that big of a change, to be honest. After top 12 everything goes back to normal. They could show more behind the scenes. If they want personality show us who they are, because many contestants are too nervous on wednesdays to even formulate a sentence. I will never forget that top4 results nights when Seysha, Jason and Archuleta culdn't really answer a simple question and seemed like 3 dumb people, it was fun, but it kinda gave a wrong image of who they are. Maybe if the general audience sees more of them, they will not stop watching it middle season... Well, if people got bored by top 9, now they will get bored by top7/8 if the contestants keep singings old songs, if it becomes obvious by top 10 who are going to be the final 2, if we really don’t see much about the contestants other than the singing… To me what they’re doing is not that big of a change, to be honest. After top 12 everything goes back to normal.
They could show more behind the scenes. If they want personality show us who they are, because many contestants are too nervous on wednesdays to even formulate a sentence. I will never forget that top4 results nights when Seysha, Jason and Archuleta culdn’t really answer a simple question and seemed like 3 dumb people, it was fun, but it kinda gave a wrong image of who they are. Maybe if the general audience sees more of them, they will not stop watching it middle season…

]]> By: tinawina http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-174188 tinawina Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:57:04 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174188 Well who are we kidding? LOL. We'll watch because we always do. But if it becomes like past seasons where the majority of kids are just not ready for this I'll tune out in the middle and pop up towards the end. Seriously though, Idol could shed 20% of it viewers and still be the top rated show. I am really ready to see the new judge though. She seems like she'll be a kick. Anyone who pisses Simon off should be fun to watch. Well who are we kidding? LOL. We’ll watch because we always do. But if it becomes like past seasons where the majority of kids are just not ready for this I’ll tune out in the middle and pop up towards the end. Seriously though, Idol could shed 20% of it viewers and still be the top rated show.

I am really ready to see the new judge though. She seems like she’ll be a kick. Anyone who pisses Simon off should be fun to watch.

]]> By: Duke http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-174179 Duke Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:24:38 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174179 They really should let people who are die hard fans of the show give their input because i agree 100% with you MJ, and i have felt like these changes that need to be made (such as getting rid of those horrendous/old mentors and focus more on the kids) were so obvious that they HAVE to impanelment them in the future- but i guess not. Die hard idol fans know what needs to be done, but unfortunately, there are ego driven producers who refuse to just take a step back and realize what the fans want. oh well. I contribute initial success to S8 to Archuleta moreso- he's on the radio, thats the big thing. People who mention the last season of idol to me who never really watched the show ALWAYS say "that archuleta kid has a great voice and i love his song, i cant believe he came from idol"...but ya, this season is deff gunna be very very different from past seasons and i think i could drastically help idol if the format succeeds. They really should let people who are die hard fans of the show give their input because i agree 100% with you MJ, and i have felt like these changes that need to be made (such as getting rid of those horrendous/old mentors and focus more on the kids) were so obvious that they HAVE to impanelment them in the future- but i guess not. Die hard idol fans know what needs to be done, but unfortunately, there are ego driven producers who refuse to just take a step back and realize what the fans want. oh well.

I contribute initial success to S8 to Archuleta moreso- he’s on the radio, thats the big thing. People who mention the last season of idol to me who never really watched the show ALWAYS say “that archuleta kid has a great voice and i love his song, i cant believe he came from idol”…but ya, this season is deff gunna be very very different from past seasons and i think i could drastically help idol if the format succeeds.

]]> By: KathyH http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-174170 KathyH Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:53:48 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174170 I don't plan to watch anymore, so take this opinion for what it is. I have been a faithful viewer since season 3 and I've been more and less involved with the show depending on my attachment to the various contestants. For me, the show lost its oomph as soon as I figured out exactly how hard the judges/producers were trying to get me to vote the way they wanted me to vote. Call me naive, but before this season I still believed the voting public WAS deciding, at least to some degree. (I don't doubt that they count the votes. But I also believe now that they manipulate opinions with a heavy hand.) Unless they can 'fix' that problem, they've lost me. But as houstonrufus says, Idol still dominates the ratings. I think a large part of their problem is that people just don't sit and watch television as much. It's too easy to get instant gratification on the Internet. I know my teenage kids watch TV once in a blue moon. They get all the news and entertainment they need through sharing with friends on blogs and chats. Funny, though, the Internet is involved with the larger part of my problem with Idol: I got very invested in David Archuleta this season, and I fought those kids for computer time so I could keep up with news. I was honestly sickened by some of the media and public treatment of a kid who is genuinely sweet. As much as we complain about jaded teen celebrities, when we are presented with a teen with real talent and a humble personality, we don't know how to react. I don’t plan to watch anymore, so take this opinion for what it is. I have been a faithful viewer since season 3 and I’ve been more and less involved with the show depending on my attachment to the various contestants.

For me, the show lost its oomph as soon as I figured out exactly how hard the judges/producers were trying to get me to vote the way they wanted me to vote. Call me naive, but before this season I still believed the voting public WAS deciding, at least to some degree. (I don’t doubt that they count the votes. But I also believe now that they manipulate opinions with a heavy hand.) Unless they can ‘fix’ that problem, they’ve lost me.

But as houstonrufus says, Idol still dominates the ratings. I think a large part of their problem is that people just don’t sit and watch television as much. It’s too easy to get instant gratification on the Internet. I know my teenage kids watch TV once in a blue moon. They get all the news and entertainment they need through sharing with friends on blogs and chats.

Funny, though, the Internet is involved with the larger part of my problem with Idol: I got very invested in David Archuleta this season, and I fought those kids for computer time so I could keep up with news. I was honestly sickened by some of the media and public treatment of a kid who is genuinely sweet. As much as we complain about jaded teen celebrities, when we are presented with a teen with real talent and a humble personality, we don’t know how to react.

]]> By: GwendolynD http://www.mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm/comment-page-1/#comment-174156 GwendolynD Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:30:07 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/some-thoughts-on-the-big-changes-ahead-for-american-idol.htm#comment-174156 Totally agree, FolkFan. Part of the appeal were their off-screen personalities. Totally agree, FolkFan. Part of the appeal were their off-screen personalities.

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