Who thinks American Idol is really nothing more than an overblown personality contest?

Question

I believe this is a fact so far the only real person with any REAL talent from this steaming pile of predigested treacle is Kelly Clarkson.In my humble opinion Simon needs to be given the William Wallace Treatment. Neither of the last two winners can sing if you want me to be honest with you. I think the only reason Taylor Hicks and Carrie Underwood won was because the show is rigged for people like them to. Sorry if I hurt any feelings but I'm about tired of all these stupid so reality shows pushing out good dramas,Sci Fi and adventures series out.

Answer 1

it's the most horrible show known to man. I can't even stomach watching it for a minute to get a laugh....b/c it's so not funny.

they're all pathetic, untalented losers

Answer 2

Hmmm ... I've watched the show for the last three seasons and I have to say that I definitely agree some contestants are "pimped" more than others. To me (and most likely to everyone else who kept close tabs on the program), Fantasia Barrino and Carrie Underwood were clearly chosen by the producers as the front-runners from the time of their audition. Their back stories were given the most attention - Fantasia being a single mother from the South, Carrie being the beautiful farmgirl-next-door - and no matter what they said or did, the judges gave them relentless praise. Based upon just these two seasons, I can completely see why someone would think the show was rigged.

Season five, however, started with seemingly no front-runner(s). A few contestants were spotlighted during the auditions, but none to the extent of, say, Carrie. But once the semi-finals kicked off, the "pimping" began. Throughout the semi-finals and well into the top twelve, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler were given almost unanimous praise every single week without fail. Taylor Hicks, on the other hand, got dissed on a regular basis. Simon Cowell even asked him if he was drunk after his performance of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love."

Additionally, on the April 25th show, whose theme was Greatest Love Songs and featured guest coaches Andrea Bocelli and David Foster, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe forced contestant Taylor Hicks to change his song a day before air time (and the same day as the dress rehearsal). Hicks' chosen song was "Try a Little Tenderness," but Lythgoe, in a radio interview, claimed the song was more appropriate for a Blues Brothers week and was not a song that Andrea Bocelli would sing. Hicks changed his song at the last minute to "Just Once" (James Ingram) and appeared very uncomfortable on stage. Hicks fans were distressed, feeling that a) Hicks' original choice of song was very appropriate to the theme; b) The producers changed the song at the last minute even though they must have known Hicks' choice the previous week as they must obtain clearance for all songs; c) Lythgoe's statement that it was not a song Andrea Bocelli would sing was dubious, as other song choices that were approved were songs sung by Bryan Adams ("Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman," sung by Chris Daughtry) and Donny Hathaway ("A Song for You," sung by Elliott Yamin). (This paragraph courtesy of Wikipedia.org)

So basically what I get out of all that is, yes, the producers usually have someone in mind to win from the beginning, or at least by the end of the first week of the semifinals. But does it always work out their way? After "the chosen one" Chris Daughtry's fourth place exit this year and Taylor Hicks' come-from-behind win, I'd say the program isn't quite as rigged as Simon might like it to be.

Answer 3

Absolutely.
Although having said that, it has been a platform for new up & coming artists as you've mentioned Kelly Clarkson, while William Hung... well, was just a novelty act, really.
Carrie Underwood may have the vocal chops but she pretty much has a "wooden" like stage presence. As for Taylor, he offered something unique, more of a Michael McDonald for this generation.
About the pre-fixed results scandal, that exists everywhere even the world cup! It still doesn't help the fact that there're many people out there who're just waiting for that big break, which explains the appeal of these talent contests.
How else could you explain it's success? It's been running on what... 5 seasons, now?!

Answer 4

I agree that the reality tv thing is starting to wear thin. I never liked them that much to begin with. As far as the talent of the singers on American Idol, you get what America votes for. Most people vote based on who they find most entertaining. Talent is sometimes secondary to this. Simon is just being Simon and that means blunt in his assessments. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. That is all I have to say.

Answer 5

*raises hand*

The only truly successful Idol was the original winner, Kelly. Back then, the show was fresh and new.

After 5 seasons, it's turned into a complete and utter JOKE!

Answer 6

Ya its been getting worse and worse the last few seasons... Taylor Hicks only won because he's a gray-haired freak and he can't really sing that good at all...

Answer 7

Aen't they all. Not only that they seem to folow patterns ...boy girl black white blah blah blah

Answer 8

def. agree with you there, the one who should have one got kicked off , i dont remember his name but he made it to the top 4. My mom was more in to it than me

Answer 9

YOUR RIGHT. THAT'S ALL IT IS.