RSS
Home
American Idol missing the mark
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
I will readily admit that people change. Our sensibilities change, our outlook on life changes, our bodies change, but I was surprised with this year's American Idol changes.
I have been a faithful American Idol (www.americanidol.com) viewer from the beginning. Sure, I had a feeling that some of the contestants were suffering from arrested development, but there were talented singers on that show. Kelly Clarkson (www.kellyclarkson.com), Fantasia Barrino (www.fantasiabarrinoofficial.com), Carrie Underwood (www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com) and David Cook (www.davidcookofficial.com) being, in my opinion, the most talented.
Around November I would start to look forward to January so I could get my A.I back. This year was no different. I knew that a new judge was added and, frankly, I agree with Paula Abdul, yet I also disagree. I don't see a reason for the new judge, Kara DioGuardia, to be added to the panel. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But at the same time, Kara doesn't annoy me, she has some useful things to say, and she isn't trying to take over and hog the spotlight.
Unfortunately, I don't get to see as much of Simon Cowell as I would like because his time, as well as Randy Jackson's and Paula Abdul's time, has shrunk to make room for Kara. I admire Kara's courage because she must have known that her addition to the panel would not be welcomed by everyone. Still, this is not my problem with American Idol this year.
My problem is - as difficult as it is for me to say - my problem is I don't like most of the contestants.
Tatiana Del Toro has, up to this point, acted like a ding bat. She has giggled for extra long stretches of time, rambled incoherently, cried for no reason, and screamed as if screaming were an afterthought instead of a reaction. She is a good singer, but I don't know if I can stand her personality.
That Norman Gentle or Nick Mitchel or whatever his name is, goes from joke to genuine. I'm tired of the Victor/Victoria treatment.
Other contestants, when being interviewed, act as if it is their first day with their brand new mouth. It's almost as if they have no verbal skills at all. So many times I want to yell “just talk why don't you!!!” but many of them don't seem to be able to stammer through one sentence without putting their foot in their mouth. Nerves aside, their speaking skills are at the toddler level.
I used to hear Simon, Randy and Paula say 'This is a singing contest' but this year, unlike years previous, they are allowing actors, not singers, to go through to Hollywood and beyond, along with people who sing wonderfully well in the shower only. I'm telling you, if they allowed old people on that show, I'd sing circles around 88 percent of them!
Then you find reasons to watch. This year's reasons are Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert and 16 year old Allison Iraheta, along with some others. They're good. I don't like them because of their personal stories, I like them because they can sing and entertain.
So everyone, tell me, is it me or is it American Idol? How do you feel about season 8? Am I just a different person now? Have I just changed and maybe can no longer appreciate a television show like American Idol, or do you feel the same as I? Leave me some comments and let me know.
