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 These months of outdated ideas ("Inspirational Week," anyone?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
Serve rotten sour grapes to the detractors of american idol.
The show is still number one in ratings even though the numbers are
down. Just like the world's economic trend, it is suffering from a dip in viewership but emcee Ryan Seacrest carries the show smoothly with his deft presentation. He earns his keep with his seemingly extemporaneous announcements.I have yet to see him falter. I do miss
Paula but we have to admire the 24 contestants who survived the audition and the elimination .
Now we are down to two- The judges' votes do not matter. Only the viewers' votes
count so if you don't vote you will join the sour grapes that eventually morph into the naysayers that try to pull American Idol down.
Thanks to American Idol for nine years of great programming. I will miss Simon Cowell when he leaves. He is the EFHutton of the show. When he speaks, everybody listens.
This show has dwindled down in popularity, now Simon is leaving. Why are they going to even try to keep it going? Paula at least made it entertaining to watch her when the contestants sucked. Right now not one of the judges is even trying to make things get better. All seem to be assuming it doesn't matter. Even if it means absolutly everything to those contestants. If they don't find better talent in the cities they scoured, then maybe they shoulf have gone to more cities. This year no one had money to travel to the auditions, and so you didn't see the variety and great contestants at the auditions. Article is right, the show does too many themed weeks. I would rather hear things the contestants pick at themselves, or even write and get help arranging themselves. It tells more about the direction they will go. A contestant that sings Sinatra great, doesn't mean they can sing rock at all. The country singers almost always suck at singing anything but country. Rock singers sing country badly, etc. How about either canceling this show or start over with all new judges who are fresh and unpredictable. Someone like Simon to hate, someone who really does know the music business, and a singer who has made it big. This who the hell are these people judges or picking a comedian is a recipe for disaster. Simon has over done this type of show and its time to find something fresh.
Hey Adam Lambert was good at his venue. And he has gone on to make a career of this, album etc. HAve you heard Kris anywhere?????? That is why he came back to help mentor not Kris.
To Louis Virtel. Who made you a judge of music? For you to say the Didi Benami should be in final, is inconceivably incomprehensible. She sings totally off key...ALL THE TIME. You'd better get your ears checked.
With so many unhappy fans of Idol, maybe the networks will ruin t.v. entirely & come up with American Rap Crap, or American Hip Hop Slop.
What's this world coming to? Everybody sounds like they belong with the politicians who can't & don't come up with sane solutions.
Its so obvious that this contest is rigged. Yes, I agree with others who said that Lee got the pimp spot. final 3--Casey got songs that did not suit his voice, Crystal got songs that were not really her style and Lee got all the bells and whistles along with back up singers and special lighting. What I dont understand is that some great singers with enormous potential got the boot early. Mike can outsing every male singer in the contest, Siobhan was unique and special with a remarkable voice and very current. What is it with this show. If it wasn't for Adam Lambert last year--last year would have been mediocre too. Out of all the amazing talent in this huge country-is this the best they can come up with? Oh and the judges make me sick. they give contradictory advice week after week, repeat it until it is confusing and redundant.
well everyone i think alot of what goes on is from the home voters, to many young girls vote with their eyes & their hearts & not their ears ,that is the only thing that can explain last years out-come. I agree about the pushing the girls out this year but DIDI come on that sound is all over the radio, time for something new . & Lee has the raspy feel of THE BOSS himself but no stage perence at all . so now what, the little girls are going to vote him in anyway because he is the last guy standing. they should find a way to moniter the home viewers age before accepcting a vote.but then that would be to much like BIG BROTHER looking in ha!ha! HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL
I agree with most of your comment. I have watched every year, not this year. They are too old, have children and look like bums. The only one with any appeal to the young crowd, would be Casey. They are too old for American Idol. Randy, Ellen add nothing to the show. They look bored. I think AI is done, cooked, finished. Only one has bad it Carrie Underwood. Remember who buys the music, get modern or go away.
Sorry my opinion
I wasn't sure if Kara was trying to get as far away from Ellen as possible or if she was trying to get into bed with Simon. I love Ellen, but yes all she did was agree with Randy, she really wasn't the right choice for this show.
Bland music and too many years of same. The novelty is finally wearing thin.
The judges made a huge mistake by being sooo self involved and biased, they picked
their favorites from day one and their influence carried over to an audience that
seem to be very immature.Crystal is no where near the "best singer" that would have
been Soiban, and most all their celebrity mentors clearly said that. Her voice was
much like a young Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion, when she left that whole
competition fell flat and was soooo boring it was like just get it over already!!
Now that Simon is leaving their goes the wow factor of this show,and Kara is the
most stupid judge the have at least Ellen has some sincere emotions she is just
too insecure to speak her own mind and agrees too much with Randy.Bring Paula back
get rid of Kara and make it a singing competition again.
I agree with you 100%, no more theme nights. Sing their own music styles. You never know what you will discover. Why sing Sinatra if that is not your style. Dress your style and sing your style. The public will decide what they like and will buy.
Get mod or go away.
just my opinion
Louis... you hit it on the nail on the head with a sledge hammer when you put the blame on the voters.
I couldn't have said it better. The voting was a joke.
I have skeptism that the tally is legit, but besides that inate cynisym, something has to be done about the multiple texts from the "text junky generation" that has poluted what was once a novel idea (although not original)interaction with the audience.
The likes of Urban, Big Mike, while Didi and Siobhan were voted off absolutely ruined the season!
Your insight as usual was right on!
Ellen?? Have you been watching the show???? She's the BEST PART about this season. I agree with most everything else especially the themed weeks that throw back to genres that aren't neutral... However, Elen was 10x better than Paula ever was. Genuinely funny and she knew her limits.
Lee is a nice guy but He is too nervous and shy to go out a promote his music, unless he is faking and is really outgoing. He needs to lose weight and get some stage presence. Nice guys have a difficult time in the entertainment music. Anyone seen Ruben, David Cook, Kris Allen. Big mouth Taylor Hicks. They hav sucess story, Carrie. It takes work, lots of hard work. Most do not put in the time to make it. You can name lot of the top 3 of each season, they had the exposure but did not take advantage.
I agree Bowersock just wants to go home. She left a couple weeks ago but Ryan convinced her to stay.
I have seen you post this same posting as the first post on every American Idol article that I have seen on the web.
You have embedded a bloodhound virus for all those unsuspecting people who have clicked on your link.
The people who host this sight should banish your postings forever.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
HERE IS YOUR PROBLEM; You hired DioGuardi to replace Paula Abdul,which never in this Lifetime,she could do. This was the beginning of the End. DioGuardi is repulsive to watch the way she is all over Simon,and the excessive flirtation,always with the contestants..Then you went and hired Ellen Degeneres, which she does not know anything, repeats same thing over most of time, Why would you ever think,she would or could be a music critic? Ryan Seacrest,I do not know why he is acting the way he is this year,Seems to think he is so much and more.I do know that if and when Simon leaves this show it will be finished..Wish you would have keep three judges only Simon,Paula,and Randy.. But since you diden't,not only I but maney others have and will not be watching.These are the reasons for your problems....
wow...are we watching the same show.......i agree with some of your points EXCEPT...your final 5......you seriously think LEE doesnt belong there.....im in shock....i didnt think there could be anyone out there so tone deaf, not to love his voice....i've totally lost respect for you....
I personally think that Paula leaving was her own fault. It made me sick to watch her and Simon acting like teenagers. Paula was on something most of the time and I did not watch the show to see how drunk she could get.
I like Kara but she seems to not be able to act her age either at times. KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FEET TO YOURSELF!
Also...maybe people are tired of having homosexuality thrown in their face! What does Ellen know about music? And...to have Adam as a mentor? Give me a break! Ellen felt so uncomfortable at times; you could see it in her face. She knows about as much as I know about music and that isn't much.
Let's not forget Ryan...he acted like an idiot most of the season! Is he on drugs?
Maybe if idol gets back to morals things might improve for them.I would never let my child watch Idol now...
They have GOT to revamp the voting process. Until they restrict texting teenage girls to 5 or fewer texts, we are constantly going to be subjected to the saving the "cute boys" and tossing out females with legit talent.
Lee is peaking? That's like me saying "I can't play the piano, but I hope to peak at not being able to play the piano in time for the Van Clyburn competition. Lee screams every high note and goes flat somewhere in every song. He's being pimped because Simon wants to sink idol in favor of x-factor next year. Oh, and why have we had little white boys - David, Chris and probably Lee three years in a row? Guys don't vote, and girls don't vote for girls. Duh!!
This definitely was not the best season. I don't think there were to many break out performances this season.
I have to agree that Simon's heart wasn't in it this year. I always thought Simon gave the best feedback but this year he was a little lame. I haven't liked Kara from the beginning and they should bring Paula back. I also don't think we need 4 judges but thought Ellen did an alright job. She was funny most of the time.
How come it was alright for Adam to scream in almost every performance last year and not alright for Siobhan this year. I was glad Kris won last year. I think Adam is a great performer and probably does a great show but if I am listening on the radio I would rather hear Kris.
I am not sure why Casey even made it to the top 3. he didn't belong there.
Idol needs to get back to basics. Contestants shouldn't be allowed to play guitar/piano etc. every week. It is a singing competition. Lets hear them sing. Theme weeks aren't bad but we need to change them up a bit. I like having the mentors however I didn't think Adam Lambert deserved to be a mentor. As for voting, we need to vote off whoever had the worst performance. Yes I have my favorites but if I vote it is for the best singer of the night. I think the judges have to have some say in who goes home. Elimination can't be left up to the public anymore. The true talent doesn't always get to stay. Tim and Casey where in the competition was to long.
I do think Mike deserved the save.
Wow...I enjoyed this season. I realize we aren't all going to agree on who should have been kicked off and who should have stayed. No more than will we all agree on what type music we enjoy listening to. Come on people; what a boring world it would be if we did.
You hit on most of what's wrong with this season. The biggest problems are the absence of Paula, and the addition of Ellen. With Paula gone, so is the cast that defined the show, as well as all the romance, drama, and fun, especially between Simon and Paula. The chemistry between those two was one of the biggest things that made AI a phenomenon more than just a TV show. Now, save for a little bit of pawing between Simon and Kara, which just isn't the same, the judges pretty much just critique the contestants, and that's it. As for Ellen, she's a wonderful talk show host, but as a judge, she's just horrendous. She adds absolutely nothing, says nothing of value, and her attempts at humor fall flat and are often in poor taste. She doesn't even look happy or comfortable, like she's wondering as well what on earth she's doing there. Then, there's the impending departure of Simon, which cast a pall over the whole season. For Fox to even THINK about continuing the show without him is the most severe case of denial on record. Simon IS the show, and if they think some lame replacement is going to adequately fill his GINORMOUS shoes, they're completely delusional. Viewers are going to tune out in droves next season, if they watch at all. Finally, the issue of what was supposed to be a girls' season falling almost completely apart. Yes, the Top 5 should have been Crystal, Siobhan, Didi, Lilly, and Katelyn, but those obnoxious young girls who vote with their hormones had other ideas. If Lee wins this, this season will really end on a low note. Something needs to be done about the voting to control these girls' voting habits. But it really doesn't matter; once Simon leaves, the show is as good as cancelled.
This show should be taken off the air. It's gone on for too long and it's stupid.
I think the worst part of Idol this season, had been Kara's being very obviously homophobic. She would always make sure a distance was kept between her and Ellen. (IMO I also think it was the true reasons behind her over zealousness of climbing all over Simon.) It was even getting pretty sickening on how Kara would put her hand up to her face, sheilding herself from even looking at Ellen. Things finally started to mellow out, and Kara stopped the obviousness of everything. What happened? Did the producers have to get onto her about her behavior? Also,Kara was all drooly over Casey James. Many believe that because she was putting him out there, and making way too big a deal of him way too early in the game, made him, much too sure of himself, and hurt his own chances of the win.
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