Does ‘American Idol’ Need “Fixing”?

As you’ve no doubt seen in various headlines and media reviews throughout the past few months, American Idol viewership decreased this season. This has caused media outlets all over the world to decry that the great ship is taking on water. Numbers don’t lie, but they may not necessarily tell the complete story.

On average, the ratings for American Idol are down about 10% from last year. While 10% is a significant number, one would also have to look at the real numbers, as well. Ten percent from 27 million is still over 23-24 million a week. If Moonlight or Jericho had been bringing in those kinds of viewers, they wouldn’t have been cancelled. Indeed, they’d have been lauded as new smash successes! So it’s a little difficult to believe there should the widespread hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing that some seem to imply.

Thus, American Idol’s producers strongly deny that they are in any sort of crisis mode. Rightly so. It was only a couple of seasons ago that these same producers were loftily proclaiming that the numbers would have to level out at some point. And, let’s be honest, there are other factors that need to be addressed regarding American Idol’s numbers.

First, let’s not forget about the writer’s strike. With American Idol being a reality show, basically, the strike did not directly affect production. But while the writers were protesting, the other shows around Idol halted production, which meant no new episodes, which meant endless reruns, which meant many viewers just switched off. And they didn’t immediately switch their TV sets back on when the strike ended.

This is not a new thing. Back when baseball endured its strike, interest in the sport waned, and even when they came back… the fans weren’t so quick to return. It took years to get back on course. And, while Idol’s numbers are down… so are everyone else’s, across the board. Those folks who found other things to do while the reruns were running are still doing those other things! Will they ever return? Sure… eventually.

But, as mentioned above… 10% is a significant number.

Simon Cowell has hinted that there are probably changes in store. How much change is unclear right now, but word is American Idol has been issuing surveys to get viewer opinions on everything with regards to the show… from production values to the host and judges! Simon has also been quoted as saying he would like to see “everything blown up,” meaning he would like sweeping changes, from the way the auditions are held to his fellow judges.

The question is how much change Fox is willing to risk.

Is Simon right? Does everything need to be blown up? Let’s play producer for a moment and see what could use some spritzing up:

AUDITIONS: You can count mine among the voices that say the bad audition shows are just too numerous. The first six weeks of Idol seems to be basically wasted time. While these shows are generally humorous, the joke gets old by about episode four. As for the process, I don’t really know what else can be done. Vote For The Worst says their reason for existing is because some really talented singers get sent home, after being told they weren’t “right for the show.”

But that is real life, isn’t it? Just because you are good singer doesn’t necessarily mean you get a record deal. There is marketing involved, how do they package you, does the label have someone similar to you already, are you interesting or unique? All subjective answers. How anybody can really judge the fairness of something subjective is like asking how many innocent inmates are incarcerated. All of them, of course.

In any artistic endeavor, there are those who will love what you do and those who won’t. It’s just how it goes. While some of us loved Fantasia on the top three results show (myself included), there were just as many who didn’t get it. That’s the nature of art.

The only way I can think of to change the audition process is to try to take some subjectivity out of it. Like, qualifying rounds – before Idol rolls into town, let the city take 100 guaranteed contestants to Randy, Paula, and Simon. Those who don’t make the 100 are free to stand in line again and hopefully impress the producers or whoever is in those first tents. So now it’s not one and done.

TALENT: In the interest of fairness, I think Idol needs to make it very clear what they are looking for. Do they want someone current and youthful, or do they want any singing talent, any genre to take a shot? Idol should decide and stick to it. If they don’t want crooners, they should say so. If they don’t want R&B divas, they should say so. This would hopefully bring about more constructive criticisms. Hopefully… But I’ll have more on the judges later.

There were plenty of complaints that this year’s group of contestants weren’t so exciting. I would charge the public to decide what they want, once and for all! Do you want Sanjaya or don’t you? You can’t have it both ways. Some e-mailers have said the people were so cautious that they became bland. Simon has said similar things. But as much as we want to turn these real people into television caricatures that we can dismiss once they have left our screens, these are contestants who truly want a career in the music business. And that means they are going to do their best not to offend anybody. What is the best way to do that? Keep your yap shut! Speak when spoken to and smile for the camera. That may translate as bland, but how can you blame them?

The talent level this season was exceptional. The top 24 was diverse and compelling. Not a single member that I could not envision in the top 12 with a little luck. In some cases, they probably wouldn’t get much further than that, but I have no complaints about the talent found this year.