So word is that this next season of Idol will be Simon’s last so he can concentrate on bringing the British hit television show X Factor to the states. Like all we need is another talent/reality show… I dunno. I guess that’s fine and all but I don’t think the American version will be as good as the British one anyway. What makes the British version so good are the guys who are the show’s “Ryan Seacrests” and Simon is way nicer on that show. I was cool with Paula leaving Idol but with Simon gone, it really won’t be the same. He’s the only one on there that gives any kind of real criticism that matters. Sure Fox will try to find a suitable replacement but we all know how that usually turns out. If he’s to go after this season, then let this be the last one for everyone. We can find something else to do with our Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Last night was the premiere of American Idol. I nearly forgot to say anything about it and here I was counting down for the past few months! Sheesh! Well, let’s see… There’s not much that can be said about these audition episodes. The episodes pretty much are the same year in and year out. You have the good, the bad and the UGLY. Some of these folks are down right scary but that’s the point right? We know that they are purposely let through for viewership sake but I think that after 8 years, the audience is thinking we’ve been there done that. I am almost wondering if they need to figure out a way to incorporate audience participation earlier on. Maybe the viewing public should decide among the Hollywood attendees who should go on. Maybe an internet vote that accounts for 25% of the decision or something. I dunno. It’s also getting a little obvious who the stand outs are by the back stories that accompany them. See, we now know that those who have to do the stupid happy dance are going to get through because if they make the top 24/12 then that footage is used to show how silly and awkward they are. Also, I am not so keen on them gathering up the folks that supposedly sing the same song – especially those who we see earlier in the show singing something different. So it’s obvious this is staged and well, that’s just boring.So, who among the Phoenix folks stood out? None of them. They apparently put a lot of them through to the Hollywood round but we didn’t get to hear that many of them. Of the ones that we did hear from, the blind guy was pretty good and the kid from Taylorsville, UT was good. Sorry I just don’t remember names this early on and I’m just not going to write this stuff down! Now, the most memorable moment of last night’s episode was the annoying bikini girl. Yes, she knows how to play the game. She has a schtick and it worked. I was fully expecting and hoping that her singing voice would suck. It didn’t. But it wasn’t great either. Her attitude was horrendous and as my mother would say, “She is a slut.” And that’s a direct quote. Her act will wear thin very quick unless she does an about face and gets serious. Frankly, I just thought she was a slut, too. Mom’s right.As for the new judge Cara What’s Her Name….um… I dunno. She’s ok. Actually, her feedback was good. It’s way better than Randy’s. I thought it was kinda funny how defensive she got and how she had to sing to prove that she was better at a song than the Bikini Girl…I am not sure why she would do that. She seems talented enough. I wonder if she has esteem issues? I dunno. Early on having her here is no different than in the past when they have had guest celebrity judges during the auditions (remember, Jewel and Celine?). I think when we get into the meat of the show in a couple months, then we can make an assessment as to how she contributes. So far, I am just feeling kinda myeh about her.So tonight is the Kansas City auditions. I am expecting much of the same stuff. So, we’ll see how it goes.
