New American Idol producers, Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about freshening up American Idol as it enters it’s 13th season. The ratings are down, but is the once mighty competitive reality show out?
Jesse and Even namecheck their favorite Idols. Their favorites either went on to become big stars (Carrie Underwood) or are innovators (David Cook and Adam Lambert)
Ignjatovic: It’s probably Adam Lambert for me. I just love how he would re-imagine or recreate the songs and take the music to a different place. It goes without saying that he’s a very talented performer and vocalist and such a likable guy. His work with the Idol team to stage different looking performances, that connected with me. I remember I couldn’t stop talking about him that season.
Prager: I was excited when Carrie Underwood won. I just knew they found a star at that point. And when David Cook came out and recreated [“Billie Jean”] by Michael Jackson — that was sick. That excites me. Adam Lambert is obviously an amazing example of that, too — where they find their identity and show it and take cover songs that show what they’re going to be as an artist. When you get those moments, it’s fantastic.
The duo vow not to change what’s right about Idol:
Evan Prager: The format they created in trying to find and make superstars — the way the judges are used and then leaving it to America [to decide the winner] — and the track record for having actually successful recording artists. That speaks for itself.
Ignjatovic: Also I think the show has heart on a very real, organic level. It doesn’t feel like it’s for the sake of the cameras. It still seems that it’s about the contestants and that journey of being plucked out of a small town and becoming a superstar by the end. That still resonates.
It’s the contestants, stupid
Ignjatovic: Checking yourself that you’re not coming in and trying to change everything for the sake of making changes. It’s still such a strong viable format — it’s the original. It’s more about playing your position and knowing your role. Maybe some areas can be reinvented or reimagined, but the show works.
Prager: Everyone [who works on Idol] loves and believes in this show. A lot of people have been here since day one. There’s no question that it’s about making sure the best product is getting out there and that [means having] the best contestants. They are the stars of the show and that’s very much a unified effort here.
I love that they believe the contestants are the stars of the show. That’s the strength of American Idol. Here’s hoping the new gang, that also includes Swedish Idol producer Per Blankens and FOX Sports guy, David Hill and at least stop the ratings hemorrhage and right the ship that went so off course last season.
