I have seen a lot of criticism surrounding this year's group of finalists on American Idol across the blogosphere. I guess I just don't feel the same way as those complaining. Is it as great as my favorite Season 7 or the just as great Season 8? Not by a long shot, and that is likely part of the problem. Those seasons are where Idol really peaked with the introduction of instruments being allowed and more artistic performances. Since then, the show has been on a downhill slide. As big as the show has been, the newness has long since worn off as with any show that has a long standing. Then there's also the fact that the major networks have been overrun with new singing shows in the past few years. I think much of Idol's core audience has transitioned over to shows like The Voice for something similar but also a little different. I have never been able to get into The Voice personally. I guess I am and always will be an Idol loyalist. I can't let it go til they take it off the air. Either way though, no show has been able to turn out the stars in the music world that Idol has even in recent years like Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips. Going back, the list could get pretty long! It still continues to blow the other shows away in that regard.
I think one of the best things about this season is the judging panel. The addition of the nearly always astute and hilariously entertaining Harry Connick Jr. has really brought the judging to a much higher level overall unlike last year's mess. Keith Urban was a great start last year, but he often was overshadowed in the Nicki Minage/Mariah Carey drama. Now having Harry to play off of, he has really stepped up his game. Same goes for Jennifer Lopez who made a re-appearance this season after taking last season off. She typically has been not much better than Paula Abdul, but she really has become quite good at giving really good constructive critiques to the contestants lately. It's nice to finally have a truly smart and funny panel, not just a bunch of goofs who spew out one cliche after another. I think though that it is too little, too late. If only they'd done this much sooner! But it does bring Season 13 up a notch in its own way. It's also nice to see the uber talented Sesaon 8 finalist Allison Iraheta singing backup in the band!
Regardless of anything new they try, I think we all know this show is on its way out very soon. I have already heard rumblings that next season will likely be the last and it will only be a truncated version of the show we have come to know, going to 1 night a week and only an hour long. That will be interestingly strange. They've already done something similar to Dancing With The Stars by bringing it down to 1 night a week with the results at the end of each show on Monday nights. However, DWTS still remains 2 hours and has some pizazz to it still. Speaking of which, I will post my overall thoughts on that show next week.
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