Latest 'Idol' lacks pop - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 05-03-2005, 11:19 AM

I agree with this article 100%. When Anwar got voted off I stopped caring. I still like Bo and Vonzell and think Carrie's going to win, it's not a must watch like in the past.

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Latest 'Idol' lacks pop
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005

If you go to the Fox "American Idol" Web site right now, the poll of the moment asks the question, "What do you think about Constantine being voted off?"
It provides five choices: 1) injustice, 2) fair, 3) shocking, 4) exactly right, and 5) America let me down.

It overlooked one, the one I would have chosen:

6) I couldn't care less.

In its fourth season, "American Idol" remains a ratings powerhouse - so formidable that rival ABC is trying to ride its wave by airing a controversy-seeking "Fallen Idols" edition of "Primetime Live" tomorrow night.

The real controversy about the show this year, though, may turn out to be how unworthy its finalists are of receiving the "Idol" crown.

We're down to the Final Five in this fourth season of "American Idol" - and for the first time in the history of this normally addictive series, I'm not waiting eagerly to see whether the most talented finalist will amass enough votes to be crowned the winner. That's because, this year, there's not a single contestant left worthy of receiving anything resembling pop-idol status.

The first year, when this Americanized version of Britain's "Pop Idol" show and acerbic judge Simon Cowell were equally fresh to our shores, there was the satisfying drama of watching Kelly Clarkson - neither the thinnest nor the most charismatic finalist - make it to the end by the strength of her vocals alone.

The second season, in 2003, brought us the down-to-the-wire showdown between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Both camps were fervent, and their vocal styles very different. Again, neither singer could be called a heartthrob, and though Studdard won, Aiken has forged his own post-"Idol" career.

Last season, there was, at the midway point, what remains the standout vocal performance of any "Idol" season: Fantasia Barrino singing "Summertime," and making that standard wholly her own. She not only won the competition, but also won the right to one-name diva status.

Before this year's "American Idol" started, Fox executive Gail Berman was predicting a drop in the ratings. Instead, the show actually has increased in popularity, grabbed an even stronger hold with younger audiences, and helped float all boats, making a hit of "House" and rescuing what looked to be, until "Idol" returned in January, a dismal Fox season.

Unfortunately, most of the performances and performers this year are not worthy of the loyal viewership they're attracting.

Just as the Top 12 were announced this time, one of them, Mario Vasquez, walked away, surrendering his seat at the table to formerly ousted Nikko Smith. And by the time last week's vote ousted the play-to-the-camera Constantine Maroulis, there wasn't much megawatt talent left on the stage.

The previous two weeks' eliminated victims, Anwar Robinson and especially Nadia Turner, should still be competing. Instead, what we have left is one solid rocker (Bo Bice, 29), one country singer (Carrie Underwood, 21), two crooners (Anthony Fedorov, 19, and Scott Savol, 28), and a wanna-be diva (Vonzell Solomon, 21).

Whoever wins among this quintet will become the weakest link to date in an otherwise strong chain of "Idol" winners.

Savol may still be here only because judge Cowell told him to pack his bags - voters could be getting protective, and casting more votes for whichever contestant seems most vulnerable.

Or, though I'm only kidding here, it could be that the rival networks have banded together to weaken the formidable "Idol" show the only way they can: by casting millions of votes for the least deserving singers.

No, the networks aren't really doing that; they're not smart enough. But America seems to be dumb enough to do it, at least the portion of America that loves to participate in phone voting.

So far, the result has been an "Idol" season so dull that the most excitement generated all year has when someone at the program got a few of the voting numbers wrong.

Getting it wrong, this year, seems to be the overall theme.

EmoJoe · 05-03-2005, 02:52 PM

Personally I like this season.

David · 05-03-2005, 05:17 PM

Uhh I do agree with some aspects.

But honestly, this season, though more talented than last year's, just isn't as exciting to keep track of. There's something about rooting for an underdog that makes you interested. And on top of that, I don't really like a whole lot of people this year, compared to last year -- where each of them would have been giving atleast a C from me. And also, the themes are a little too basic and they don't seem Idol-ish. Oh well.

EmoJoe · 05-03-2005, 05:24 PM

Maybe since i didnt seem too much of Season 3, i dont know much about previous seasons, but i dont think this season is as bad as everyone said it was

Than again, next season some people might change their minds, i mean i know a lot of people who thought season 3 was horrible last year but now they love season 3 and hate season 4 (no one here, mostly people in my school)

David · 05-03-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maroon5'd

Maybe since i didnt seem too much of Season 3, i dont know much about previous seasons, but i dont think this season is as bad as everyone said it was

Than again, next season some people might change their minds, i mean i know a lot of people who thought season 3 was horrible last year but now they love season 3 and hate season 4 (no one here, mostly people in my school)

Yeah, a lot of people on IDF, who did nothing but complain about last season, ended up loving it this season.

I mean, I don't hate this season, I don't dislike it either, I still love it, but I'm not as hooked as I was last year.

EmoJoe · 05-03-2005, 05:36 PM

The themes do stink this season though. What happened to themes like movie night, or big band night? Im glad their not doing people themes, though.

EmoJoe · 05-03-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Yeah, a lot of people on IDF, who did nothing but complain about last season, ended up loving it this season.

Yeah kids at my school last season were like "OMG WTF IS UP WITH THIS SEASON? THIS IS SUCH A BAD SEASON! I HATE IT! I HOPE ITS THE LAST SEASON! ITS A JOKE!!!! I DONT THINK IM GONNA WATCH IT ANYMORE CAUSE THIS SEASON IS SO CRAPPY!"
EVERYONE IS HORRIBLE!" but now they love last seasona nd hate this season.

David · 05-03-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maroon5'd

Yeah kids at my school last season were like "OMG WTF IS UP WITH THIS SEASON? THIS IS SUCH A BAD SEASON! I HATE IT! I HOPE ITS THE LAST SEASON! ITS A JOKE!!!! I DONT THINK IM GONNA WATCH IT ANYMORE CAUSE THIS SEASON IS SO CRAPPY!"
EVERYONE IS HORRIBLE!" but now they love last seasona nd hate this season.

Yeah, people's standards can get too high. I mean, we're not gonna find a Kelly Clarkson every year. Just can't happen.

David · 05-03-2005, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maroon5'd

The themes do stink this season though. What happened to themes like movie night, or big band night? Im glad their not doing people themes, though.

Yeah. "Songs from the year you were born"!? "2000-2005"? I miss the motown, movie, soul, big band stuff.

EmoJoe · 05-03-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Yeah. "Songs from the year you were born"!? "2000-2005"? I miss the motown, movie, soul, big band stuff.

Yeah me too. I mean billboard #1 was good, 70s dance was good, musical night was alright, but everything else was just bad. The decade themes werent horrible but not very interesting.

Cactus Jack · 05-03-2005, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Yeah. "Songs from the year you were born"!? "2000-2005"? I miss the motown, movie, soul, big band stuff.

I like those themes though its good to have a variety, I mean when youve done the same thing for 3 seasons youd need a variety othert han Motown, Soul, big band and movie.

The only ones I can see doing motown are, no one is in this year's group ok myabe Nikko, Nadia and Anwar, but the rest nahh oh and Vonzell I mean I like this season, jhad different themes, and yeah I cnat picture anyone this season doing big band? Carrie doing Bg Band is like The Beatles doing rap, it just wopuldnt work!

Karen* · 05-03-2005, 10:14 PM

I'm getting more into American Idol now than I ever did before. I don't think this season is as crappy as that article makes it sound.

05-03-2005, 11:19 AM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Latest 'Idol' lacks pop I agree with this article 100%. When Anwar got voted off I stopped caring. I still like Bo and Vonzell and think Carrie's going to win, it's not a must watch like in the past. New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com Latest 'Idol' lacks pop Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005 If you go to the Fox "American Idol" Web site right now, the poll of the moment asks the question, "What do you think about Constantine being voted off?" It provides five choices: 1) injustice, 2) fair, 3) shocking, 4) exactly right, and 5) America let me down. It overlooked one, the one I would have chosen: 6) I couldn't care less. In its fourth season, "American Idol" remains a ratings powerhouse - so formidable that rival ABC is trying to ride its wave by airing a controversy-seeking "Fallen Idols" edition of "Primetime Live" tomorrow night. The real controversy about the show this year, though, may turn out to be how unworthy its finalists are of receiving the "Idol" crown. We're down to the Final Five in this fourth season of "American Idol" - and for the first time in the history of this normally addictive series, I'm not waiting eagerly to see whether the most talented finalist will amass enough votes to be crowned the winner. That's because, this year, there's not a single contestant left worthy of receiving anything resembling pop-idol status. The first year, when this Americanized version of Britain's "Pop Idol" show and acerbic judge Simon Cowell were equally fresh to our shores, there was the satisfying drama of watching Kelly Clarkson - neither the thinnest nor the most charismatic finalist - make it to the end by the strength of her vocals alone. The second season, in 2003, brought us the down-to-the-wire showdown between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Both camps were fervent, and their vocal styles very different. Again, neither singer could be called a heartthrob, and though Studdard won, Aiken has forged his own post-"Idol" career. Last season, there was, at the midway point, what remains the standout vocal performance of any "Idol" season: Fantasia Barrino singing "Summertime," and making that standard wholly her own. She not only won the competition, but also won the right to one-name diva status. Before this year's "American Idol" started, Fox executive Gail Berman was predicting a drop in the ratings. Instead, the show actually has increased in popularity, grabbed an even stronger hold with younger audiences, and helped float all boats, making a hit of "House" and rescuing what looked to be, until "Idol" returned in January, a dismal Fox season. Unfortunately, most of the performances and performers this year are not worthy of the loyal viewership they're attracting. Just as the Top 12 were announced this time, one of them, Mario Vasquez, walked away, surrendering his seat at the table to formerly ousted Nikko Smith. And by the time last week's vote ousted the play-to-the-camera Constantine Maroulis, there wasn't much megawatt talent left on the stage. The previous two weeks' eliminated victims, Anwar Robinson and especially Nadia Turner, should still be competing. Instead, what we have left is one solid rocker (Bo Bice, 29), one country singer (Carrie Underwood, 21), two crooners (Anthony Fedorov, 19, and Scott Savol, 28), and a wanna-be diva (Vonzell Solomon, 21). Whoever wins among this quintet will become the weakest link to date in an otherwise strong chain of "Idol" winners. Savol may still be here only because judge Cowell told him to pack his bags - voters could be getting protective, and casting more votes for whichever contestant seems most vulnerable. Or, though I'm only kidding here, it could be that the rival networks have banded together to weaken the formidable "Idol" show the only way they can: by casting millions of votes for the least deserving singers. No, the networks aren't really doing that; they're not smart enough. But America seems to be dumb enough to do it, at least the portion of America that loves to participate in phone voting. So far, the result has been an "Idol" season so dull that the most excitement generated all year has when someone at the program got a few of the voting numbers wrong. Getting it wrong, this year, seems to be the overall theme.
	__________________ .

05-03-2005, 02:52 PM	#2
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Personally I like this season.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

05-03-2005, 05:17 PM	#3
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	Uhh I do agree with some aspects. But honestly, this season, though more talented than last year's, just isn't as exciting to keep track of. There's something about rooting for an underdog that makes you interested. And on top of that, I don't really like a whole lot of people this year, compared to last year -- where each of them would have been giving atleast a C from me. And also, the themes are a little too basic and they don't seem Idol-ish. Oh well.
	__________________ v. 39 - katharine and chris elliott, you rock.

05-03-2005, 10:14 PM	#12
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	I'm getting more into American Idol now than I ever did before. I don't think this season is as crappy as that article makes it sound.
	__________________ karen on \| twitter \| tumblr

05-03-2005, 05:24 PM	#4
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Maybe since i didnt seem too much of Season 3, i dont know much about previous seasons, but i dont think this season is as bad as everyone said it was Than again, next season some people might change their minds, i mean i know a lot of people who thought season 3 was horrible last year but now they love season 3 and hate season 4 (no one here, mostly people in my school)

05-03-2005, 05:36 PM	#6
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	The themes do stink this season though. What happened to themes like movie night, or big band night? Im glad their not doing people themes, though.