Friday, July 30, 2010

Early Audience Insurance

For a show that is getting remarkably long in the tooth, it is obvious that American Idol has to generate some buzz. When it first debuted, the idiocy of the proles who apparently thought they had talent was entertaining. Then the actual competition with the paring away of the hopefuls down to the final twelve, followed by the weekly drama of the eliminations made for great TV. Watching the contests develop into polished stage personalities was a joy.

Then the pattern began to bore. How many exotic idiots in ludicrous costumes and absurd performances can you tolerate? How much soap opera drama can you absorb during the selection rounds? How many guest star mentors does it take to satiate? How much internecine squabbling of the judges panel will make you suspicious that it is staged? How many ways can Seacrist dangle the results?

And, how many ultimate winners that simply fizzle when faced with the demand of delivering sustained star performance until you get disillusioned.

Now the ninth, or is it tenth, year looms. We've survived the loss of Paula Abdul, and actually didn't miss her. We've tolerated the cloying saccharine sweetness of Kara DioGuardi. And we actually found Ellen DeGeneres to be insightful, self-effacing and truly funny for a season.

We've known that Simon Cowell was leaving, but what evil comes next?

Cataclysmic Shakeup of Big Booty and Burned Out Rock Legend

If all of that is more than surmise, then the first couple of weeks will generate a lot of Idol interest. Can it be sustained after the initial curiosity? I'm not sure.

DioGuardi out. Cowell gone. DeGeneres departed. J-Lo? Steven Tyler? At least we can depend on Randy...Yo, Dog! Keepin' it real!

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