Questions to ponder as we get ready for American Idol
January 7, 2010 by cloften
Filed under General Insanity, Silliness and Rants
We are getting ready for Season 9. (Wow, season 9). As we get ready here are some things we need to be thinking about:
1) Will we miss Paula Abdul?
Of course, she was fun to make fun of. People enjoyed speculating as to if and why she seemed, well “off” on certain nights. Her banter with Simon was at some points fun and some points contrived and annoying. I wouldn’t say she added anything in the insightful commentary arena, so we’ll see if we miss her.
2) Will Ellen DeGeneres be a positive addition?
There is no doubt that she is funny. There was a time when everything was political with her and she stopped being fun. We seemed to have moved past that. Will she try too hard in the commentary? Will she not want to be funny but “helpful” and lose who she is? Will she just be funny and be somewhat pointless? Can she find a good balance? I’m optimistic.
3) Will Idol make any subtle or not so subtle rule changes to make sure their favorite wins?
The overwhelming support from a small area (here in Arkansas) took Kris Allen to a huge victory. Any fans of the show would know that the producers and judges were not happy about this. What will they do, if anything, to try and prevent that? Will they relentlessly shove someone(s) down our throat? Will they make sure that someone with local appeal and charm never gets to be voted on? Or is there no conspiracy at all and Idol just loves cashing checks and they don’t care who wins?
4) (ongoing debate question) What percentage of the bad singers know they are bad singers and just want to get on TV?
I think most do know. Heidi says most do not. We will be discussing this here in detail over the first couple of weeks. Clearly, the ones who dress up are just trying to get on TV. What about the rest?
5) Is it possible that without the local rooting interest that Cloften will still be as “into Idol” as he was last year?
I can answer this for you. Yes. We were into Idol all the way back to the Clay/Reuben debate back in 2003. We were major Rueben supporters. Last year was not new for us/me. It was just the first time I had such a public forum to expose it. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, just wait. Follow me on Twitter or FB and sit back and watch.
Thoughts?
BONUS
6) Will Simon be “mailing it in” this year? If he is really out, does he even care any more? He gets paid the same 36 million if it’s successful or not. He doesn’t care about next year. If he does mail it in, wouldn’t that make him meaner and care less and therefore even more funny? Is it possible that X Factor could be bigger than Idol in 3 years? Is all of this a gimmick like the first seven Brett Favre retirements? Are they just generating more hype for the most hyped show in television history? I’m going with the publicity/conspiracy theory.
why didn’t you provide your own answer on #3 like you did on the rest?
Initially my intent was not to answer the questions, just ask them. However, someone who would have a blog and name it after themselves clearly has ego problems and likes to give his opinion. As far as #3 goes, my question at the end is rhetorical. There may be some people on the record producing side of 19 Productions that really care about who wins, but it has recently been shown (see Daughtry) that you only need to advance so far to get the springboard you need to fame. I think the AI people are cashing checks and enjoying all the controversy (I imagine Simon Cowell lighting his cigars with $100 bills and laughing).
I agree with Heidi – Most do not know that they can’t sing. “But Mama said I had the voice of an angel.”
Yay!! It’s AI time – I’m so ready.
And thrilled you’ll be updating like you were last year – your family kept us rolling. We’ve been fans from the very first show. Ridiculous fans. We’ll be watching, laughing, and commenting right along with you.
Do they know? I don’t know, but I worry about that every time I tell my young children that whatever they’re doing is marvelous (when it’s SO obviously not) I seriously think,”Am I creating those crazies we see the first few weeks?”
Oh, and I’m optimistic about Ellen too.
1. No way never.
2. Who cares as long as she dances??
3. Yes. It’s how they roll.
4. 97%
5. We can only hope.
Anytime Chris gives me grief for tuning in to Idol (then proceeds to watch the whole thing right along with me), I can always use the trump card of “Well, Charlie likes it.”