Feb 27 2009
Review of American Idol Season 8
I have been a fan of American Idol since the end of season one and have watched it ever since. With that said, I have to say that this season has been somewhat of a letdown to me. There have been changes made to the show that are not that good in my opinion. Here are my reasons why I feel that American Idol has been a letdown so far:
The new judge
Kara DioGuardi is the new fourth judge this season. I have heard of some of the songs that she wrote for other artists. She’s written for past American Idol contestants as well. She was also a judge on the short-lived show “The One” that I watched. I’m not sure if I’m alone here, but I don’t like her as the fourth judge. I don’t think she fits in with the other three judges at all. There’s no chemistry with her added to the panel. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell had chemistry with each other and they fit well together. Randy was the “hip” one, Paula’s the “crazy” one, and Simon’s the “mean” one. Where does Kara fit?
Also, she is really mean to the contestants that she clearly doesn’t like. Fans of American Idol know that Simon is a mean judge, but we’re all used to his rude comments. The show is based on his comments. In fact, the contestants are even waiting to find out what HE thinks of their performances. I know Kara thinks that she’s being constructive with her comments, but she is just being mean. I think American Idol is just fine with three judges. I know she was brought in because of Paula’s meltdowns, but she doesn’t seem as loopy this season so Kara wasn’t really necessary. Also, she is taking away the time that should be spent on the contestants.
They cut auditions
The best part of AI are the auditions in my opinion. Half the fun is seeing the bad auditions. For some reason, the audition episodes were cut. I don’t understand why unless they wanted to start the Hollywood episodes faster. Since the episodes were cut, a lot of the contestants looked like strangers when they went to Hollywood. The majority of the Top 36 were a bunch of strangers. Did the producers only want us to remember the contestants they plan on pushing to win? I can only remember a few of the contestants from their auditions.
The lack of talented singers
This year, the judges let people through to Hollywood who weren’t really that good in my opinion. They were too busy trying to give contestants second chances instead of sending them away when they knew they weren’t that good. Did having a fourth judge contribute to that? There was a contestant named “Norman” who made it to Hollywood, but he couldn’t sing. They only let him through because the judges thought he was entertaining. He also had to beg them until they changed their minds. This guy even made it to the Top 36 when better singers (Jamar Rogers) was cut from it.
The new format for Top 12
The producers have decided to split the contestants up into three groups of 12 to narrow the Top 36 down to the Top 12. They are choosing the three highest vote getters from each group to make the Top 12 and they are having a wild card night too to get the last three contestants in the Top 12. I don’t like this idea at all. This has the potential of causing a lack of diversity in the Top 12. It’s no coincidence that there are NO minorities in the Top 12 so far. I’m not trying to use the race card or start a race war, but the show has had some minorities in the Top 12 before, but now there’s a chance that none of them can make it with this new format. They used to get rid of the people with the least amount of votes, not put the highest vote getters through to the Top 12.
I am not against changes being made to the show, but the changes should be beneficial to the show. I don’t think these changes will help the show at all. I think they will hurt the show. It looks like I may not be sticking around to watch the show this season. I am not really a fan of any of the people that America sent to the Top 12 so far. I still have a couple of people left that I’m rooting for and if they don’t make it, I’m out.
I don’t like Kara and I think she needs cut. She wastes time that could be better spent on contestants.
I think I am one of the few people that does not watch this. My mom is an addict though. She is always trying to explain the show to me.
I felt the audition was boring and stopped watching it but i did watch the past seasons where there a lot of good talents.
It’s good that Kara DioGuardi has written songs for other artists, this means that she has experience with working for professionals. Also that she has written for past American Idol contestants as well will really mean that she knows what she is doing. It is a shame that there is no chemistry with her added to the panel. I can understand what you mean because when Sharon Osbourne left The X Factor and Cheryl Cole came in although I liked her I thought there was not the same chemistry. I didn’t think that it worked. Maybe Kara will fit in later as she comes into her own. Maybe she has not had a chance yet, but then saying that I have never seen her so I wouldn’t know. I think you can tell quite quickly if the chemistry is right or not.
All credit to you this blog is fantastic. You work so hard on it and it really pays off. Every time I read it I learn something new and I love your style of writing. Keep it up!
I keep trying to watch this, and each time I have managed to catch it I love it! I am going to try to watch it more. I just keep forgetting! I have 2 weeks of LOST and Medium recorded that I still haven’t watched! Maybe this weekend….. hmmmmm
Kristy
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I only watch snippets of American idol. It is a great opportunity for unknowns with talent to become known
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Its a storehouse of talent no doubt…In India we have Indian Idol with the same concept.
http://healthnbeauty.today.com/
This is one of the shows that I want to watch, but somehow manage to miss them most of the time! Great review!
I don’t like the new grouping system this year. It seems so unfair to all the other contestants because they don’t even et a second chance to prove themselves if they mess up the 1st time.