Who to Blame? The 5 Biggest Culprits in American Idol's Worst Season
Even if Crystal Bowersox ranks among American Idol's finest talents (and I believe she does), something's rotten in the state of Seacrest this year. Last season, Idol rejuvenated itself with a blend of personalities -- from subtle craftsman Kris Allen to sparkle sorcerer Adam Lambert. This season's Idol cast is dogged by a number of distracting elements -- and worst, the Idol-consuming populace is confused over the true culprits in this fiasco. Thus, we're ranking the five biggest contributors to Idol's weakest year. Hopefully number one will start to garner the skewering it deserves. Daggers ready!
5. The Kara/Simon Sideshow
This unfortunate non-drama subsided in recent weeks, but the memory burns on: Kara DioGuardi, who gives arguably the best criticisms most nights, confused herself for the star of the show and wasted our time caressing Simon's shoulders and gnawing his chest. At season's start, DioGuardi mentioned to the press that she felt obligated to revive some of Paula Abdul's shtick, which included contestant sympathy and an unpredictability factor. Well, that explains her flagrant attempt to stir up a saucy, buddy-buddy relationship with Simon, but it doesn't justify why she thought it should be so time-consuming.
4. Contestant Nervousness
No one should be crucified for showing nerves on a national stage, at least to start. But if these contestants are serious about pop idol status, shouldn't this platform be more empowering than discouraging? Lee DeWyze's worried warble, Aaron Kelly's prenatal shakes, Casey James' cautious bleat, and Alex Lambert's post-vomit trembles were eye- and ear-sores all season long. It made them seem like unwilling combatants, the least telegenic quality an Idol contestant can have.
3. The Themes/Song Selection
By this time in Idol's run, we need cooler themes. These months of outdated ideas ("Inspirational Week," anyone? "Frank Sinatra Week"? "Elvis Week"?) have transformed the talent pool into a mushy, urgency-deprived karaoke machine. Some of the burden is on the contestants themselves, who don't need to choose "I Believe I Can Fly" or "When You Believe" but labor our tolerance anyway. Still, the quantity of available goodness is seriously limited, and I can only think of a handful of times where the singers mined gems -- aside from Rolling Stones week, the competition's best moment.
2. Ellen DeGeneres
Let's put it bluntly: Ellen DeGeneres could not have been any worse this season. She was scarcely funny. She almost always agreed with and watered down Randy's "points." She couldn't authoritatively stand behind a negative criticism. Worst of all, she never justified her position on the panel, resembling a specter of the TV icon we once knew. Reviewing her comments from throughout the season, she said a version of the phrase, "You know I'm a fan" or "You know I think you're great" to nearly every contestant. You'd think a new presence infiltrating Idol's long-established panel would do more to substantiate her gig than pander to contestants.
1. The Voters
Surprise! You did this to yourselves! As much as we can lay into the judges' inconsistency, Ryan Seacrest's unhinged showmanship, or a cast of wheezing wannabes, the main problem with season nine is horrible home-viewer voting. There's a reason we were promised a year of standout female talents at season's start: Your Top 5 should've been Crystal Bowersox, Siobhan Magnus, Didi Benami, Lilly Scott and Katelyn Epperly. Lee DeWyze's (GrizzLee Bore) tuneless whimper-growls, Casey James' unassuming coffeehouse appeal, and Michael Lynche's Cool Whip commercial "soul" should've deserted Hollywood weeks ago.
We've witnessed so much sympathy voting this year -- from Tim Urban's continued survival to a grim use of the Judges' Save, all on behalf of the lagging male talent pool. Siobhan and Didi -- discernible personalities who not only had great voices but utilized them singularly -- gave one "off" performance apiece. Lilly Scott and Katelyn Epperly were voted out after some of their best efforts. When you reinspect the oeuvre of the four remaining guys, you find plenty more misses than hits.
While viewers can claim that Idol's personnel shifts have added a layer of annoyance to the show, they can't claim they didn't design this strangely uninteresting turnout themselves.
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Comments
I watch Idol every year and will continue to watch. I have to disagree with this writer. I picked Lee from the beginning and he is the best and will sell the most cds. He is a now singer. Chrystal is good but she locked into the past. Appearance and song choices. I also have found from talking to friends that men prefer Chrystal and women prefer Lee or Casey. Go figure. The thing is who votes? I know I do. A lot of my friends have favorites but never vote. That is why it is so unpredictable.
The problem with Am. Idol????? Too many screamy 12 to 15 something girls who are totally clueless about anything except where their unchallenged hormones drive them. Give these giggly screamies one call, text or whatever and let those of more discerning tastes and musicality make the decision. Unless the voting process is changed Idol is headed for a massive nosedive into the tank called non-entity. Look at the winners of the last few years.... ummmmm does anyone remember them? I don't think so.
If Crystal doesn't take it this year the show is done like a torched dinner. Lee drones on and on, and I, who enjoy everything from hard rock to opera, would not listen to him on a radio clip let alone go to his concert or buy his CD. He does not have it. Now Crystal is someone who can draw a crowd. Even if she doesn't win she can count on me and anyone with an ear to buy her music.
Paula is gone and Ellen sucks!!! Idol was over last season.
Next season..(if there is a next season) they should make the change that Voters choose who should go home, not their favorites! Currently, votes get scattered between who the Tweens have crushes on, and it doesn't come down to the best signers. However, if people are VOTING OFF someone, it would be more clear cut, and at least the worst of the group would be headed home! Also, it would revamp the show with a new spark of life.
How did Ellen ever become a judge ? I never knew her to be in the music industry !! Help me out here ????
I literally agree with everything you've said.
I too firmly believe that Crystal is one of the finest talents the show has ever had.
I'm also surprised that very few bloggers/reporters have called out Ellen's sheer awfulness as a judge and the fact that she has been so offensively unfunny.
Lastly, I've been saying since top 12 that the only appropriate Top 5 would have been Crystal, Lilly, Siobhan, Didi, and Katelyn. That would have been arguably the best Top 5 of all time, rivaling Season 8. However, shit did not go down that way. Freaking Aaron Kelly, Lee Dewyze, and Casey James made the Top 5. At least Michael Lynche consistently sang in tune.
Many insightful comments here, but I think the original article missed the mark on a few points. In order:
5. I think Ryan Seacrest was an annoying sideshow all by himself, that overshadowed anything else that may have been going on.
4. Most of the contestants did not seem to have that intangible quality that qualifies real stars to take ownership of the stage and capture the audience. Out of their league, in over their heads, who wouldn't be scared. Blame the selection process.
3. Pretty much agree on the themes. And given the opportunity -- Beatles, for example -- this cast made incredibly poor choices.
2. Ellen's great... doing comedy. As an Idol judge, she's out of her element and appeared uncomfortable all season. I agree with most of the comments about her parroting Randy, and the little comedy she contributed seemed out of place and awkward.
1. The voters usually get it right in the end. Even if Tim survived much too long, he was doomed from the start. While Didi's early demise surprised me, Siobhan had become way too annoying to last and -- given this cast -- Crystal and Lee were destined to be the final two.
American Idol should be entertaining; this season, I was seldom entertained. It will be interesting to see whether Idol can survive another season. Much will have to improve to regain its momentum.
Louis,
Dude, you need to get off your pulpit. If someone paid you to write this article, not only should you be fired but the one who paid you should be also.
I have never liked Ellen before I saw her on AI. And, she had me and all my friends in stitches the whole season.
Just because you have an opinion of the performers, and that your opinion differs from popular opinion, doesn't mean that we are all wrong, probably quite the contrary. Honestly, Didi couldn't sing her way out of a paper bag. The two people that I thought were the best singers made it to final 2. I really don't care which of the two win, because they both deserve recording contracts. In fact, they should consider being a duo. That duet they did was the best song of the whole season IMO. The problem with Siobhan is that once she got that scream in there, she refused to leave it behind and It's obvious that the music she was singing on the show isn't the type of music she prefers to sing.
I have to agree with you however, the themes were a little weak.
My wife and I have enjoyed the program for years. This year the talent appeared weak. But the judges were weaker. Ellen offered nothing. Randy was fine. Kara tried to take over the show. Who is she anyway? I think she contributed to the departure of Paula, who we really enjoyed. And Simon? If he leaves, so do we. Ryan, fix your hair style. You're not a teen any more.
If they ever limit callers to one vote the show will improve dramatically. I predict that Lee will win for the same reason David Cook topped David Archuletta after Cook turned in a terrible performance the night of the showdown. Cook comes from a much larger metropolitan area (Kansas City). Lee is from Chicago and Crystal is from Toledo. Chicago, the largest of the two, will put Lee over the top no matter how strong or weak his performance is. You heard it here first. And I'm pulling for Crystal.
Don't like Ellen (never really saw how she could be a music critic). DioGuardi became Paula sans the drug induced stupidity (so what was Kara's excuse?). Randy and Simon keep it real and perhaps Simon is a bit vitriolic, he is telling it like it is and many newcomers in the business will get a much ruder awakening if they think they can wow these guys easily.
I think they should consider giving this show a 5 year hiatus and coming back with better judges. Simon is the show and with him gone next year, it will never be the same or good.
This is the first year I have NOT watched idol, I know soo many think people think Ellen is funny, she just irritates me.. Kara, so, so...I Like Simon. Randy whatever...Paula to me, was vacant on some nights, but amusing...
Take it for what it is, a SHOW. Why do you have to bag on everything. Let it be, enjoy it or shut the duck up!!!
I agree with much of what you said, especially about Ellen; I think she did add some comic relief but she did pander a bit and had no real criticism to make. It is the worst season ever and I may not watch again. I don't believe it's entirely the voters' fault though. Remember we don't get to vote until after the ridiculous group sings and all the backstage drama that takes way too much air time. So I believe the fault lies with the judges - during the auditions held in different cities. Voters weren't left with much to pick; Crystal sounds amazing because she has no competition. Lee has improved but there were others who sounded better from the beginning. I agree Lilly Scott was cut off too soon; she should be in the finals with Crystal.
Hey! Ken Thurston Ignorance must be blissful for you huh! You enjoy that! Why don’t you stick to the topic and take your racial slurs and stick it!
Stupid!
Hey! Ken Thurston Ignorance must be blissful for you huh! You enjoy that! Why don’t you stick to the topic and take your racial slurs and stick it!
Not meeting Paula's demands was the number 1 factor. With Simon leaving after this season, it's all down hill.
Hello Everyone
I'm from Philadelphia I been watching American Idol since the first show.
I'm sorry to say but I was not jumping out of my seat this year. What happened to the show .
They were good times watching then their were worst times. I hope next season will be better.
So sorry again.
I agree Adam was not for everyone, but he must have some talent for American Idol to bring him back as a mentor instead of Kris Allen.
I agree. As much as I think Simon has more insight into his critiques (usually), he apparently wants someone who is different looking. So he pushes people without talent toward stardom.
Amen.
Great points made here....... but will the producers of AI listen to the people who watch it? Probably not. They think they know what WE really want and will cram it down our throats. What is happening to these "Suits" in high places who supposedly already know what we would like to watch? Great shows are being cancelled because, for the first 3 or 4 weeks, only 4 million people watch. Shows need at least a full 13 week run to get people interested. NBC is the worst of all...... One example, I have been reading on these blogs for 3-4 years about how most people did not like Conan OBrien and said they would not watch the Tonight Show when he took over. Did NBC listen? NO.
I have watched AI since it started and have been to many of their concerts. My opinion?
1) Get rid of Ellen (I like her show, but she doesnt belong at AI) 2) Make it a one vote per phone number voting process (Does the producers think that if you only let these teeny boppers vote 1 time, they will lose fans? On the contrary, I would vote then, because my vote would count. I dont vote now because I am not going to sit there and vote a hundred times for 2 hours)
3) Change the themes.... open them up a little more. Just like someone suggested, not Andrew Lloyd Webber, but Broadway night, not Frank Sinatra, but songs of the 40's/50's, not Elvis, but songs of 50's 60's. Different ranges would still be there, but more selections.
4) Let them sing more, maybe 1/2 minute more on each song, thats why I watch.
You're pathetic.
All of you who profess to be such experts don't know crap. You say Lee can't carry a tune? that is a stupid thing to say. Lee has a great voice and whether he wins or not he will become bigtime. Crystal is very good, I like her, but she needs to come up with a diffreent type of music, evolve, or I am afraid she amy have 1 big album, and then fade away.Lee deserves to win. They don't always get it right, especialy the year they voted out Daughtry with like 4 or 5 weeks to go, or the year they voted off Jennifer Hudson, They sure got it right with Carrie Underwood though. For those of you who don't think Simon knows what he's talking about, he has made hundreds of millions recognizing talent. Like the year of Carrie eh predicted she would sell more albums than any Idol ever, and he was right. Carrie is just getting started. Wait until she decides to sing more crossover music. I don't like Ellen at all, and when Simon leaves, the shows ratings will drop like a rock. The voting system should be only one vote per number, phone or text, and they have to do a better job of picking which artists songs they are going to perform. They need to drop Elvis, and Sinatra, or the rat pack, and keep things more current. One final note. For as much as everyone complains about the show, and promise never to watch it again, it stays # 1. If all of the people who swore they would never watch it again, really didn't, it would have been cancelled!
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