Northside sophomore Emma Magrady said she didn’t like “American Idol” last season because songwriter Kara DioGuardi joined as a judge. This season, when Paula Abdul didn’t return and was replaced as a judge by Ellen DeGeneres, Magrady stopped watching all together. “When Paula quit, I decided that it wasn’t worth watching it anymore,” Magrady said. “She balanced out the show.”
The search for the next “American Idol” is back for its ninth season, and many students have mixed feelings about whether the talent search that made singers such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood famous is still relevant, despite its attempts to shake things up with new locations, new contestants and new judges.
Meanwhile, snarky judge Simon Cowell has announced that he won’t be back next season, leaving some to wonder whether the singing contest can maintain its popularity.
Already, Jessica Clark, a senior at Neuqua Valley, said she’s not as interested in “Idol” as last season.
“As the seasons progress, it seems to be more about ratings and finding people that are funny to audition and less about talent and good voices,” said Clark, who auditioned for this season but said judges seemed to prefer “weird auditions.”
“It’s become more of a popularity contest,” she said. Still, “Idol” is popular. According to the Hollywood Reporter, 30 million people watched last month’s season premiere. The Fox network said “Idol’s” Tuesday and Wednesday broadcasts are the top two TV shows among teens and that it kept 97 percent of last year’s teen audience this season.
However, NBC’s Olympics coverage beat “Idol” on Feb. 17, according to Reuters, the first time in six years that “Idol” wasn’t the most-watched show in its time slot.
Over the years, “Idol’s” audience has also gotten older. Nielsen ratings show that during Season 7, 12-17 year-olds made up just 7 percent of “Idol’s” audience. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the median age of viewers was 32 the first season while last season, it was 44. “American Idol definitely targets a wide audience from kids all the way to grandparents,” said Andy Dehnart, a TV writer for msnbc.com who has a reality TV blog, Reality Blurred. “I think (the fact that they allow teens to audition is) a pretty clear indication that they value those people not only as viewers, but also as contestants.”
Even though Dehnart thought the show was getting old, he said it managed to pick up last season.
“They had some really good contestants,” Dehnart said. “The judges also seemed to be less bored than usual, thanks to the addition of Kara DioGuardi, who I think caused them all to step up their game a little bit.”
Taylor Lang, a sophomore at Trinity, isn’t a fan of all the ways “Idol” has changed. She said the auditions have gotten better and funnier since she started watching in Season 1, but added that DeGeneres isn’t a suitable replacement for Abdul.
“I miss Paula,” Lang said. “She made the show. She was so bubbly and upbeat and just sweet to the contestants. No offense against Ellen, but I don’t think she has much to say in the music industry.” Even with new judges at the table, many people are still watching. Rob Owen, TV editor for the Pittsburg Post-Gazette, credits “Idol’s” ratings to Fox’s decision to air it just once a year.
“If they had tried to air it twice a year like ABC does with ‘Dancing with the Stars’ or CBS does with ‘Survivor,’ I think it would’ve worn out,” Owen said. “We get enough of a break from it every year that people are excited to have it back.”
Owen also thinks “Idol’s” premise of turning everyday people into stars has given the show a long lifespan.
“It’s an appealing concept that clearly has staying power,” he said. On the other hand, Owen said Cowell’s show “The X Factor,” which is set to air in the U.S. next year, is “Idol’s” biggest threat. “X Factor’s” British version allows anyone older than 16—including groups—to audition. “X Factor” has no age limit while “Idol” does not accept contestants older than 28. “X Factor” judges mentor contestants, and 12 acts compete for viewer’s votes, according to people.com. When Cowell leaves to focus on “X Factor,” finding a replacement may be a challenge.
“There’s a danger in getting (a replacement) too similar to Simon,” Owen said. “But they at least need to have some of the attitude Simon brings to the show. You can’t have a full panel of nice people.” Actor Jamie Foxx and radio shock-jock Howard Stern are rumored to be on the list of people to replace Cowell. Stern even confirmed on his Sirius satellite radio show that Fox had approached him. He also said Fox would have to pay him “a ton of dough.”
“There’s not a better job on the planet than judging that ... karaoke contest,” Stern said, according to mtv.com. “If I do say so myself, I can’t imagine anyone else but me replacing (Cowell.) I mean, how else are they going to make that show work?”
Dan Brooks, a junior at Fenwick, said hiring Stern would be a good move.
“The show is losing its appeal,” Brooks said. “I think they just need to replace the judges. Howard Stern would be a good replacement. He has the shock value appeal ... and a lot of edge like Simon.” Meanwhile, Dehnart of Reality Blurred said “Idol’s” future really depends on the contestants.
“Sometimes we have Taylor Hicks, and sometimes we have Adam Lambert,” Denhart said. “When the top 24 start performing, that’s when you see people decide if the season’s going to be interesting.”
