Overrated: American Idol going flat
Filed under: Extracurriculars
American Idol is like a rash on the body of American pop culture that no ointment can cure.
I mean, are we supposed to believe that David Cooke Cook was the best undiscovered singer in the country? No offense to the Cookies, as the devoted fans of the one-time bartender call themselves, but he was among my least favorite idols. I thought Carly Smithson had more talent, Amanda Overmyer had more spunk and Brooke White was more likable. Aussie hunk Michael Johns was my early pick to win the competition, but some weeks he seemed to just phone it in. David Archuleta always seemed like he was about to cry and Jason Castro was so laid back that he could be a La-Z-Boy recliner.
The American people are getting tired of the Fox reality TV show as well. Ratings fell during Season seven in two key demographics, women 18 to 34 and kids 2 to 11, according to the The Los Angeles Times. "That's a bad sign, because children and young adults are generally the first to bail on a show that's getting crow's feet," the newspaper said.
Don't miss the rest of our series on Overrated people, places and things!
Idol has gotten staler than a day-old bagel.
Every season there is more of the same. There are sweet virginal types with no real talent (Kevin Covais), sexy types with no talent (Antonella Barbra), rockers (Bo Bice), wildcards (Sanjaya Malakar) and vapid blondes (Kristy Lee Cook). People with real talent such as Melinda Dolittle and Jennifer Hudson stand little chance of prevailing.
Even with the addition of fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, ratings for the show will continue to decline unless the producers decide that they want to put on a singing competition instead of carefully orchestrated reality show. I will be tuning in to find out if they have learned their lesson.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-11-2008 @ 9:14AM
Andrea said...
Yes ratings have declined....by a extreme small percentage....if Americans are sick of it why are they still tuning in each week and making it America's most watched television show year after year? Have you actually researched about this show?
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 10:24AM
stu said...
obviously they did their research, and went beyond what the Fox network is telling it's viewers. Don't get so defensive about a t.v. show. Just because it's still #1 doesn't mean the ratings haven't fallen off significantly, and in general, trends don't lie, and if kids jumping ship is indeed a sign of a failing show, (and it is if you pay attention to nielsons), then American Idol is in fact in trouble. I can't blame it though. America tends to put talentless schmucks like Rhianna or Lil Wayne on the tops of the billboards, it's no wonder Sanjia made it so far along. WE AS A SOCIETY HAVE NO SENSE OF TASTE WHEN IT COMES TO MUSIC.
9-11-2008 @ 10:03AM
MW said...
American idol and Crocs are boring and useless.
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 4:51PM
TERRI said...
Stu is a real winner. Riannah is a very talented singer. I don't know who he's listening to but he has no taste in music. As far as American Idol goes did you all hear how many votes came in this year how could you say the show is not popular you are not paying attention. Just Idol gives back alone has the show on the map. Did you see how many big stars back it. It gets better every year that they have done it. So please people I'll say it again pay attention.
9-11-2008 @ 10:46AM
judy said...
Yes you are right about melinda doolittle. she was the very very best! Politics my friend politics! So many that I know were disappointed when she din't win and what about Elliot? He was fabulous als0. Oh well.
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 11:50AM
Dang, king of the Chinese hillbillies said...
The demos mentioned in the article are definitely canaries in the coal mine of TV ratings. Just as important is that one of them is THE key radio demo. I don't know but suspect the show's producers own the lion's share of the publishing on any project released by the top ten finalists, or at least the winner-CHA-CHINNNGG!
I like the show for its entertainment value but agree with most of the comments about the singers. Having said that I must also point out that they're trying to make great TV, not great music, and Idol is certainly great TV. It's also very clever marketing tied to an industry that profits based on the popularity of its artists, not so much their skill level. Idol is a clever survey platform as much as it is anything else, where the audience tells the producers whose record they'll buy the most copies of, and whom they'd like to hear on the radio. All the producers have to do is give it to them when it's all over.
Kara DioGuardi is a wonderful writer but we are basically invisible to the public unless we're also artists. I think she'll be a great addition to the show but her presence there won't be a draw until viewers hear what she has to say. I'm afraid she's boarding a sinking ship.
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 4:00PM
Ginger said...
David Cook is an all-around, Class A performer and I'm happy he won American Idol. His voice and guitar playing are first-rate. I didn't watch Idol until the second to last show, and the minute I watched David Cook, it was so obvious that he could be a star! The finale clinched it! Go, David, Go!!!!!
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 12:59PM
Sick & Tired of it All said...
Did you all know that American Idol is prejudice against disabled people? Yeah, they just shove them aside to the "losers' hallway". Did you guys ever notice the people who actually make it to Hollywood walk down the "winners' hallway " and go down stairs? .... Just something for everyone to think about while they are watching next season.
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 5:22PM
Steph said...
I don't appreciate what Stu said. I like Rhianna, Lil wayne, Cold play, Fall out boy and such. Just becuase you don't like the artist or the song doesn't mean that there talent less. I think Rhianna has a great voice and does well in her Genre. And Lil wayne has talent in his Genre too. Just becuase your favorite artist doesn't make the top 100 doesn't mean any thing. You have to give credit where credit is do. The billboards are popularity contests and there just popular.
Reply
9-12-2008 @ 8:35AM
Francois said...
the contraction for they are - they're
credit 'do' is 'due'
9-13-2008 @ 9:24AM
stu said...
LOL< thanks for proving my point little lady. (My point being that americans, and yes, I am one so don't get you knickers in a twist, have no taste in music). You like Rhianna? You think she is talented? Not just a p.o.a. created by Jay-Z to make money? What is it about her that you appreciate so much you feel the need to defend her against a pretty innocuous statement? Is it her brilliant songwriting? (Under my umbrella ella ella a a a?). Is it the way she dances? (Destroying classic forms of Balet by pretending to be able to dance point?) Her amazing voice? (that is filtered thru machines to the point where, even though she doesn't lip sync, she can't ever do a live show without singing over a track?) Your right. I should lay off her.
So what about Lil Wayne? Why do you like him so much? Because he is single handedly destroying what the pioneers of rap set out to do? Because he objectifies women with songs about fellatio (lollipop)? Because he sings thru filters, (you don't think he really sounds like that do you?). What is it? Is it the horrid stereo types he reaffirms with his gold teeth and absolutely atrocious, (and horribly done) tattoos?
You are what's wrong with this country. You are why actual bands with actual talent go unheard.
Go do the superman at your jr. prom loser.
9-11-2008 @ 11:49PM
Sandra said...
I am still stuck here wondering how the 2-4 year old kids calls and votes?? That was a blanket statement if I ever saw one. :(((
Reply
9-13-2008 @ 12:50PM
stu said...
they aren't saying they call in and vote. That has nothing to do with American Idol's failing ratings
9-12-2008 @ 6:48PM
Julie said...
I agree that AI is losing steam. My opinion is that, like most everything in American culture, it is the victim of overexpsure and hypermarketing. I understand that everyone wants to make a buck, but AI has become more about Coca Cola, Ford, and AT&T than the people who are on it. The performances are just an afterthought anymore.
Stu, I've got your back on the state of music in America. Contrary to what another poster said, Billboard charts are not a popularity contest. They're a marketing contest. Newsflash to all the Top 40 fans out there - there are thousands of artists who put acts like Rhihana and Lil Wayne to shame. Just because MTV and Ryan Seacrest say it's be best doesn't mean its true. You don't even have to look outside your favorite genre to find better music - just dig a little deeper. You'll be glad you did, and you'll actually be putting money into the pocket of the actual musician, not the fickle, greedy, manipulative record execs.
Just my $.02.
Reply
9-12-2008 @ 11:10PM
Idol will NEVER get old!!! said...
Speak for yourself!!!! I am one of MANY who haven't lost once of love for American Idol!!!!! I can't wait another second for Season 8!!!! And David Cook was definitely the right choice to win Season 7. He's talented, he's professional, he's good-looking, he has incredible showmanship, and he's a total class act. I tear up whenever I hear him sing "Time of My Life". American Idol is about the American DREAM, and as long as there are talented, undiscovered singers looking for a break, and fans to cheer them on, American Idol will never become stale.
Reply
9-13-2008 @ 12:07AM
Cindy Morrow said...
It is true that some of the winners of American Idol are not the
best singers, however it is a total package. David Cook fit all the requirements to be an American Idol. People liked him, he was current, and he also did a good job singing. Melinda Doolittle was a great singer, howver no large appeal to the American Idol personification. Her audience appeal was very limitied.
Reply
9-13-2008 @ 4:48AM
rjkaczmarek said...
AI has reached a point that the majority of viewers have a love/hate feeling toward the show. Every year it's the same old senario with the judges...Randy (yo-yo), Paula (blitzed out of her mind) and Simon (too truthful for his own good). This year they're going to try and mix it up by adding a new judge...yahoo! The contestants...although the faces change (most of them anyway), it's the same old, same old we as an audience are made to endure during the audition weeks. Sure some of them are funny, but do we really need as many weeks as they run? Personally I watched less and less of AI this past year and probably season 8 as someone pointed out, will probably be passed over even more. It's just not entertaining as much as it use to be...and for me that's the whole purpose of watching any show...entertainment...right Simon?
Reply
9-19-2008 @ 11:30AM
stu said...
To Terri,
You admit you don't know what music I listen to, but you'll still say I have no taste in music? Your a fool and thanks for proving it.
Reply
9-14-2008 @ 12:18PM
WildKAT said...
As some of the more insightful posters have stated, American Idol is a love/hate type reaction for some people. For myself, the show has many fun moments and many more flaws. It would be a welcome thing, to me, if the judging was objective and worthwhile. Admittedly, there are a few wannabes on the show that merit the end game, but it is entertainment, not really a talent contest. Last season's relentless pimping of David Archuleta by the judges was transparent to all and so unfair. Frankly, I was surprised when David Cook won, because the deck was stacked against him. He was trashed by all three judges on the finale sing off. I am so glad America made them eat Sh*t and face the pimping that they did as wrong, wrong, wrong. The show is stale now. The weeks of horrorific singing auditions is not something I would watch for one nanosecond. The show does need revamping with, hopefully, FAIR judging and NO pimping, NO swaybots and HONEST voting.
Reply
9-14-2008 @ 6:48PM
Cheryl said...
American Idol: On A More Even Note
American Idol is not just about singing it is also the about finding that “it” factor.
I need to correct you on the spelling of David Cooke it is David Cook. The fact that he pulled so many votes should tell you something. He has a wide fan base not just here but all over the world. He may not have the best voice in the world, but he has a great voice and I enjoy his type of music and it is the genre I listen to the most. As far as David Archuleta, he was not my pick for Idol, not my style of music but he does have an amazing voice. He did appear to be on the edge of tears but I’m sure he was pretty overwhelmed to be on that stage in front of millions of people. Something most people couldn’t do and especially at his age.
I enjoyed the music of Carly Smithson, loved Michael John’s style and humor. Syesha Mercado had a great voice a lot of spunk. I have to say that this year the top ten had a lot more talent and we seen a lot of different personalities. Some years America has got it right look at the talent of Carrie Underwood. I agree not always the best voice wins but when it is up to America to decide anything can happen.
American Idol is a reality show about a singing competition. It is not guaranteed success. What it does is provide a platform to allow talented singers their chance to be discovered. Yes even some of those people without any singing talent are given their 15 seconds of fame which provides some entertainment value. It gives people a chance to fulfill their dreams.
Kudos to the top ten of this years Idol may you go on and do what you enjoy. Good luck to you all. And if you couldn’t tell already, yes I was one of those overwhelming
54 plus million votes give or take a few hundred thousand for David Cook. David Cook has "it" all
Reply