Change is afoot at ‘American Idol’ 5 reasons why this may or may not be the best season
We can all agree to disagree on “American Idol” and pretty much always have over the past six seasons.
Some editions have been grand, some less so. Which was which? That was strictly a matter of opinion and the maddening and unpredictable hobgoblin known as “taste.”
Then, something happened last year. It started quietly enough — maybe a sort of revulsion at the early contestant rounds, which featured a tsunami of false notes and bad hair. Then, there was Sanjaya, who became a national joke. Melinda Doolittle, the finest singer in “Idol” history, was prematurely ejected. Ratings slid slightly, teens abandoned the show by the millions, the summer tours were sparsely attended and potential buyers remain allergic to winner Jordin Sparks’ self-named CD.
In other words, there was no disagreement whatsoever on the sixth season: It stunk.
That’s why change is afoot at “Idol.” As the world’s most popular TV show started its seventh season last week on Fox, we offer five reasons why this could be the best one. Then, five reasons why seven could be its unlucky number:
Falling ‘Idol?’ Show’s debut is down from 07
When is 33 million a low number? When it’s the viewership for “American Idol,” the show’s lowest opening number ever.
The show, in which hopeful singers compete in what’s essentially a glitzy karaoke contest to land a recording contract, has been a TV powerhouse since its 2002 debut. Until last week, its growth showed no signs of abating.
Tuesday night, it abated. “Idol’s” season opener had always landed a viewership larger than the previous year’s debut, but Tuesday night’s Season 7 kickoff scored 33.2 million viewers, a drop of about 10 percent from last year’s season premiere.
Fil-Am is new William Hung
MANILA, Philippines - Pimp wizard. Modern-day Liberace. The new William Hung. Worldwide superstar.
Minutes after the airing of the “American Idol” audition of 44-year-old Renaldo Lapuz, the Internet was abuzz with comments, alternately loving and livid, posted by fans.
With his feathered hat, quilted blazer and silver cape, Lapuz, dubbed “Pinoy” by bloggers, charmed the three judges—Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and his idol Simon Cowell—with his original composition “We’re Brothers Forever.”
‘Idol’s Connecticut Star (Wars)
The big star from Connecticut this year on “American Idol” may well be Christina Tolisano, 24, a self styled dork, who wore Princess Leia puffs on her hair and a Star Wars belt as she sang her way into bad audition history with a long segment on the season premiere.
The first televised candidate from Enfield, Connecticut, wasn’t even the first Princess Leia on the show (a tubby guy who had his chest hair waxed at Paula’s request was first). Still, Christina Tolisano didn’t talk up her hometown much.
“I want out of my hometown because there’s nothing to offer there unless I become a corrections officer, which has been a possibility,” she said.
Seven stars face the “Country” challenge on reality show
The idea of bringing together strange bedfellows to entertain the masses is as old as “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Gong Show.”
More recently, the concept has been effectively demonstrated by ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” among a never-ending string of reality shows.
The latest mashup is CMT’s “Gone Country,” which brings together ’80s R&B star Bobby Brown, former “American Idol” contestant Diana DeGarmo, Latin artist Julio Iglesias Jr., “Brady Bunch” principal Maureen McCormick, R&B artist Sisqo, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider and singer/TV personality Carnie Wilson in a contest that nets the winner a country single release.
Kellie Pickler, country at heart
Kellie Pickler says the way she lives her life and the kind of music she wants to make are the same – open and honest. Sometimes she gets burned by it, such as when she went on the “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” show on Fox and ran into a question about the city of Budapest.
The ensuing YouTube video with her lines “Hungary, is that a country?” and “I thought Europe was a country?” has drawn over 3 million views.
“It kind of rubs me the wrong way,” the 21-year-old said recently in a phone interview with The News. “It kind of pissed me off that people made such a big deal about that.
“I was there to win money for my charities and I won 50 grand for my charities. I was there for a good cause, and none of that was publicized. …
Sharp tunes, powerful voices carry Rent at PPAC
The show broke new ground when it appeared on Broadway a dozen years ago, taking on issues of gay sex, drug abuse and the specter of AIDS. Its basic message of living for today has struck a chord with legions of fans.
It’s sort of like Friends on crack, a show about a band of starving artists eking out a living amid hardship.
And this touring company is terrific, a real ensemble effort. But several voices stood out, including Heinz Winckler, who plays the part of songwriter Roger Davis, lover of the fetching Mimi Marquez.
The other big talent is Anwar Robinson, the show’s Tom Collins, the gay philosophy professor who is infected with AIDS and falls for the cross-dressing street drummer Angel. Fans of television’s American Idol will recall him as the music teacher from New Jersey who, thanks to his classical training, made it to the finals of season four.
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Being Filipino, I admit that as soon as I saw the preview of his audition that first night and heard that distinct Filipino accent, I was prepared to be embarrassed by this, but, somehow, I just ended up laughing my a$$ off. I thought his segment was a little too long, but that part with the haloed Simon was just priceless. And like so many others, I got caught by the dang LSS and now keep singing to my dogs, “I am your brother…your best friend forever…” LOL
Some of my favorite youtube covers/remixes of Renaldo’s ode to brotherhood:
Acoustic/Reggae
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg5J6×0Qv8w
R&B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISKnHUkfNhA
Punk
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8tte0j5s_aw
Dumbledore is our brother (I was LMAOing at this one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDck9O8ApA4
Heh. ;)
I juat wstched some youtubes of Pickler on 5th grader. Bless her heart.
Here’s what made Renaldo Lapuz appealing — POSITIVISM instead of NEGATIVISM.
No bitterness, hatred, anger or foul mouthed tirade…. just being grateful to be on the show — THAT’s IT.
That’s the same trait that made guys like William Hung and Sherman Pore memorable. They were just there to take off the drabness from the viewer’s lives.
But that’s why we watch TV in the first place — TO BE ENTERTAINED. These guys met the criteria. That’s why they became hits. ‘NUFF SAID.
EDIT TO ADD : It would be great TV if they actually asked an accomplished singer ( or even the entire cast of finalists ) to sing Renaldo’s song in the finale ( just a fun idea in the mould of asking David Hasselhoff to bond with those two guys in season 4).
I’m serious folks, with some tweaking and imagination, you can actually make WE’RE BROTHERS FOREVER sound like a legitimate song. Think of the possibilities ( think of Tiny Tim, Al Yankovitch and Ray Stevens ). It ain’t really that bad.
Here’s a link to an interview Blake did with Z100 earlier in the week. He talks about the Page Six story…it’s kind of hard to understand what he says, but it sounds like his friends’ roommate is the one that called the cops? Heh.
I don’t get the fuss about Renaldo.
RE: I don’t get the fuss about Renaldo.
IF all you’re looking for are the best singers, you’ll never get the fuss. One Youtube site alone has over 350,000 hits (in 3 days ).
I agree with you LBB…. someone may actually record that Brother song. The people at work that did watch idol were talking about it so much that the people that didn’t watch it went to youtube to see it. People were singing that song all day… hilarious! Plus the Renaldo guy’s attitude was truly heartwarming.
Simon said he had a horrible feeling that WE’RE BROTHERS FOREVER is going to be a hit.
I have a horrible feeling of wishing he was right :)
I really, really hope Renaldo has a good lawyer and gets signed up with one of the music publishing agencies soon. He should be collecting royalties not to mention protect himself against the inevitable use of his song by others. He won’t get rich but I would think he could see a nice little chunk of change. The Youtube covers already show that you can clean it up a bit with a good singer and make something pretty hummable.
With so many plants (i.e. contestants who were previously signed) expected this season, I hope at least some of you will find the sense in voting for the worst this time around.
It’s time to stick a really long pole up Nigel’s arse.
Am I the only one who is excited to see Diana DeGarmo on this Gone Country thing? IMO, next to Lisa Leuschner, Diana is the most overlooked and abused contestant in AI’s history. I know that she has had a lot of very good success on Broadway, but glad to see her back on tv.
You’re not alone, t2. I liked Diana on AI and am happy she’ll be back.
Just listened to the Blake interview. Just as I suspected, he doesn’t have a place in LA. The fact that his friend’s roommate called the cops and Page Six? Guess all is not as it seems. *shrugs*
Don’t get the Renaldo love, either. I guess I wanted to see Jason Castro and I blame him for stealing an actual contender’s screen time. He’s over the age limit and lives in Vegas. I just find it a waste of time. At least William Hung was within the age limit, so they could somewhat justify it. Why have an age limit if you’re just going to break your own rules when it suits you for “good” tv?
ETA: Go Packers!
There have been a few already this year over the age limit. I don’t get it either. That fake stalker guy and the no sex guy were over age too. Waste of time.
pj, my friend, shouldn’t we be blaming the AI producers who put the poor guy on for too long? ;) I agree it’s pretty silly to have put these people on the show who are over the age limit in the first place, but since it was done, anyway, I guess I just decided to get laughs where I could. ;) And, oh, I did love Sherman Pore last year. That one was certainly not a waste of time for me. :)
Yeah, Purps, it’s the producer’s fault. You’re absolutely right. I guess I just didn’t find it as funny as everyone else. To his credit, Renaldo seems like a really good, positive egg.
Packers lost to New England..The game stunk The Pakers played terrible and forgot to show up the second half! Oh well thier a young team I am sure more then half will be in nigels young age catagorie excpet for Donnold Driver and Bret but they both can kick his butt.
Go New England!! Great now I have to live through the idols on the Superbow ,aka miss teen idol Jordan Paula ,forget the coffee, Adule and Ryan , wussy compared to Tom Brady Secrest..A crap I feel bad,Darn Packers got my hopes up..
Ir was not the fault of the Pakers who could not move the ball or stupid penalties it must be idols for jinxing them with thier three people on the superbowl…
Idolrelated—Shermen was good on the show…
Actually the Packers lost to the New York Giants - darn it!!!! So now it’s the Giants versus the Patriots…. sigh…. no pony in this race for me. I’ll cheer for the Patriots I think!
I’ve got to pull for my homie, Eli!
Opps my big mistake I knew it was New York..maybe just thinking ahead to the SuperBowl.I do not know who to route for .
We have a mixed marriage - I’m for New England, my husband’s for the Giants. Going to be a fun Super Bowl!
Go Giants!!!