Comments on: It’s time for producers to fix ‘American Idol,’ and here’s how

By: Destiny Edwards

Destiny Edwards — Thu, 06 May 2010 10:54:17 +0000

Ellen is also very lucky to have a sweet and beautiful girlfriend like Portia De Rossi .’

By: IdolLurker

IdolLurker — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:33:37 +0000

Adam Lambert will always rule Idol…there will never be another…period.

By: Leigh-Ann

Leigh-Ann — Wed, 05 May 2010 10:17:08 +0000

Another suggestion — let the contestants sing full-length version of songs! The studio tracks from this season have been, in many cases, far superior to the live performances, and I think it’s partially because the songs aren’t chopped up. It allows the song to build naturally rather than having harsh and abrupt transitions. I find Idol an incredible bore with all the “amusing” banter and guest artist filler. Just let the contestants sing, and when it comes to results’ night, get it over with quickly.

My other suggestion is perhaps the most important one: one phone, one vote. Or at minimum, one phone, one vote per contestant (that would allow someone to support two or three favorites). The emphasis on power voting and texting is ridiculous, and totally skews the results. The person who only has time to place one vote should have as much say in the results as the person who has time to place 1000 votes. I think lots of viewers don’t bother voting anymore, because they feel their vote will have no impact.

By: Mehmeh

Mehmeh — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:18:57 +0000

Here’s how they can get ratings:
1) INCREASE THE AGE LIMIT TO 30 YEARS OLD.
2) Fire Kara
3) Make the result show only 30 minutes
4) SHOW THE VOTING NUMBERS. There’s no way Siobhan got the lowest. Also, let JUDGES CHOOSE WHO IN THE BOTTOM 2 will go home, regardless of the voting outcome.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:57:43 +0000

I agree about most of the points made here, as well as at USAToday.com. And I think the major problems all intertwine with each other, which makes it even more complicated to fix.

1. The Judges & Host have such big egos… they think they are the ones people tune in to see. Therefore they ramble on with their critiques, stage fake fights (Ryan & Simon!), make long-winded “jokes”, etc. I would love to see each judge be responsible for a certain aspect of the overall performance. (Ellen = stage presence, Kara = voice, Randy = recordability and Simon = marketablity) And if the producers were able to reign them and the cocky Ryan in, maybe they’d be able to finish on time.

2. Finding Talent is more focused on Finding Entertainment (good & bad). I’ve heard stories about great singers not being seen by the judges in audition rounds just because they don’t have a background story the show can promote, but we get plenty of no-talent wannabes that get seen by the judges just to make the laughable clips. And when it gets down to the Top 24, it’s more about filling set roles that the producer/judges want to have each season, instead of picking the absolute best talent. And even if you don’t believe that, the judges give these contestants such conflicting criticism each week that it breaks some of the best down, whether they admit it or not. (See Siobhan)

3. I think they should adopted the DWTS scoring system, in which judges AND America’s votes are pooled, it will lessen some very frustrating runs of less-than great contestants.

By: Joes Place

Joes Place — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:34:38 +0000

I agree that Adam was a complete entertainer, but also thought David Cook and Taylor Hicks connected with the audience in the same way.

By: Twilight

Twilight — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:26:40 +0000

Adam was (and is) exceptional in Idol’s history, both here and in the UK, where I remember the very first Pop Idol being aired. His years of stage experience, in tandem with a natural talent, good looks, sense of style and super voice are a package hard to replicate.

I think we’ll have to set our sights lower from now on and see Idol more as a training ground, and opportunity to polish and refine new talent rather than as a shop window for those who already have polish and experience but require some promotion.

Real, natural entertainers and showmen, like Adam, come along infrequently – only a few in each generation.

You’re right about the timing of the show – seems very amateurish to run over, it’s not like a sports event where nothing can be pre-planned.

More time allocated to listening to the contestants sing, rather than investigating their backgrounds would be an improvement too.