Why Has Idol Lost Its Flavor?

I know ratings are an important indicator of a show’s success, but so is water cooler buzz. Water cooler buzz over the last few weeks indicates people are not so keen on American Idol anymore. I know I’m not. If I was going to miss an episode during past seasons, I would definitely tape it. Now, I don’t. I ask my kids how everyone performed. You might say I don’t tape it because you can go online to view performances. I have not once looked up a performance from this season online. I’ve watched Idol since season one and I am finally ready to give it up. (Maybe…)
Why has it lost its flavor? My thoughts:

1. Four judges! It did not work last year (too long, too much pontificating). We do not need 4 people telling us “two” opinions. Was the performance good or bad? The reason three works is the tiebreaker. If two people disagree, you have a third to break the tie. The even number of four does not work here. (If you knew me, you’d know I’m a big fan of even numbers. So much so, you might call me superstitious. My TV volume is never set to an odd number and I pump my gas so the dollars spent equals an even number. Too much information about my neurosis?)

2. I miss Paula. (Did I just say that out loud?) I’m sorry I do. She was entertaining. I watched Idol 80% for the performances and 20% for Paula’s craziness. Admit it, even if you didn’t know you watched Idol for Paula, you miss her, don’t you? It is like the old saying “you don’t know what you had until it is gone.”

3. Substitute Paula does not work. Although I am one of the few that thinks Kara is sometimes the only one who gives constructive criticism (whether I agree with it or not…) I despise her attempts to be crazy with Simon. It is like the producers said, “Okay, Kara and Simon can you try to flirt with each other and create sort of what Paula and Simon had, but a little different?” STOP THE MADNESS! It is not working. It is nauseating and obviously contrived!

4. I don’t think Ellen is contributing to the loss of flavor—but I don't think she is adding value to the show. Again, the four judge panel approach is not working. In the beginning Ellen was able to be constructive, but now she is filling in for nice Paula. If she doesn’t want to say anything bad, she quickly turns it over to Kara. I think my expectations were too high for Ellen. I don’t think she is adding what the producers thought she would add.

5. Top 24. I don’t think the judges picked the “right” Top 24. I love the talent this year, but there is something missing. I haven’t put my finger on it yet. It is not lack of talent or lack of vocal diversity but it something. It just does not captivate like it used to. Some Adam crazed fans say it is because since they can never replicate Adam—Idol will never be the same anymore. I certainly do not subscribe to that! (Most of you know—I wasn’t a huge Adam fan.) I do agree last year, people did tune in to see what he might do or look like next. However, the show was successful for many years prior to Adam.

6. Simon is phoning in his comments this season. He knows it is his last year. He is different. Simon was always too harsh, but he was often on the mark. This year he is just innocuous. I think they are doomed next year without him. My best advice to the producers would be to find a smart, witty no-name to replace Simon. Do not try to fill his shoes with a big name. He was unknown to Americans prior to Idol. Do that again. (Try at least)

7. We are sick of the commercials and the length of the show. When you are down to 8 contestants, the show does not have to be 2 hours long. I get it. It is a business. You can sell 2 hours worth of commercial time, so why not? Why, because you are losing us!!!

8. Since I can’t end on “7” I need to think of an 8th reason. Oh, probably the one that frustrates me the most. Inconsistent judges comments!!! Ugh!! One week, the artist doesn’t make the song his/her own-- the next week the same artist changed the song too much. One week the artist sings to slow, the next week they sing too fast. I find that to be the most annoying part of the show. “Tim, why do you smile when we are criticizing you?” Perhaps because he is polite!! Who cares why he smiles? All you need to worry about as a judge is if he takes your criticism and uses it next week. Stop focusing on the inane!!! The judges are truly the reason why I’ve decided not to follow faithfully this year

Okay, I’m done. Yes, it comes down to the judges. Love to hear your thoughts!