Randy, Paula and Simon will be back for another season of Idol, according to Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly. Also, the audition phase of the competition will be tweaked. From OK Magazine (of all places!)
“That felt like a healthy thing to do in terms of the setup of the show, getting through all the audition phases that people still love,” he explained. “But now, everyone knows the format… They say, ‘let’s get to the legitimate competition.’ I think you will see some fine tuning.”
Oh, hell yeah! I’ve come to really loathe the audition phase of the competition. The novelty of watching bad singers wore off a long time ago…
There’s more…
Also, as previously reported, Idol will go “to more half-hour results shows,” Reilly confirmed.
That’s great. The trick is sticking to that promise. I don’t think TPTB will be able to resist the temptation to squeeze as many ad dollars out of the franchise as possible, particuarly if FOX is having a poor year otherwise.
Here’s the best news:
And with the success of last season’s introduction of instruments into the Idol mix, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says it’s a recipe he’s happy with. “We are going to keep the idea of being able to play instruments,” he said. “I really like that. I’d like to see a really good singer/instrumentalist.”
I love what the instrumentalists have brought to American Idol. For me, musicians are often the most compelling performers.
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Great news! Hopefully, the contestants will get to audition with instruments also, but that might just be too big a change for Nigel and Co, heh. ;)
Lovin’ the return of the singer/instrumentalist.
I’m open to new ideas, but not so sure I’d want them to auditon with instuments. Just think they need to get through on vocals first.
I know I’m in the minority here, but I don’t mind an hour results show if done correctly. Quantity WITH quality.
More behind the scenes footage and getting to know the contestants. Less audience questions, babbling judges, and pimping of other artists (unless it’s a former idol).
I totally agree. The stuff they show on Idol Extra, for example, would be highly entertaining “filler” for a results show. And maybe some of the group performances like what Canadian Idol had in its first results show.
Good news all around.
I love all those changes and the stuff they are keeping.
For once the producers make a right choice.
Maybe after 7 seasons they are finally learning.
I agree primeminister, this was a great addition to the show, but AFTER their audition. Group performances and commercials have always been my favorite, but then again I am not your typical AI fan.
OK, no one has said it OR maybe no one feels it… but Randy needs to get his act together. Let the contestant know what they can do to improve. Skip some of the slang. And please quit talking to Paula while the contestant is performing!
I was not a fan of the instruments this year because I felt that the skills displayed were rudimentary, at best. The instruments seemed more useful as props or security blankets for Idol contestants uncomfortable in the spotlight or moving around during performances. I think phrases like “singer/songwriter vibe” should be stricken from the judges repertoire of comments because they mean absolutely nothing in the context of a karaoke reality television show.
Past contestants, such as winner Taylor Hicks and runner up Bo Bice, proved that even songwriter/musicians that clearly would be much more comfortable with an instrument in hand can do well and even grow in new directions when forced to use the voice as their lone instrument and fill a large stage. To me, American Idol was sold as a pop superstar creation vehicle and nobody, but nobody in last years cast displayed facilities with an instrument that approached what I consider “superstar” quality.
The primary problem with one-hour results shows is the poor quality of the filler used to pad it out. Much like a chimichunga with too much rice and not enough carne. For example, that Q&A this year really was so poorly thought out and of such substandard quality content-wise that perhaps throttling back to 30 minutes for a while seems a wise move.
Auditions are primarily useful for two reasons:
1) Those early shows are among the most highest rated in the run each year and a huge moneymaker for the network. Fox serves up two weeks of very highly rated and cheap to produce canned footage, sometimes up to 4 hours per week, starring what are largely unpaid extras, clowns for our collective “amusement”.
2) It allows the producers to start to create the emotional ties in the audience to the cast members who they will be culled for the next years Top 24 and, ultimately, the touring Top 10 for Idols Live. It reinforces the public’s belief (or suspension of disbelief) that they have sifted through a mountain of chaff for two handfuls of glimmering kernels of wheat.
Yay for continuing with allowing the instruments….I loved that they did that on season 7 because it exposed us to something new with the likes of Brooke and Jason. Brooke performing “Let It Be”, slamming away at the piano is one of the most powerful moments on American Idol for me. Ever. So I really appreciated that they allowed instruments this year otherwise that would not have happened.
Now kill the damned theme weeks and let the kids sing something from the last decade please………
They could learn a lesson from Nashville Star when it comes to the judges interaction with the contestants.
Randy wouldn’t know “Pitchy” if it bit him on his pompous ass….Pauler needs to learn something besides the walrus clap and the ass kissing……Simon needs to listen to more than his only 3 CD collection and LEARN American music….
QUALIFIED guest judges who aren’t afraid to kick someone’s ass would be of great benefit.
AMEN!
I do appreciate Simon’s critiques, mainly cause their brief.
Randy & Paula’s ongoing, incoherent coversations kill me.
(& not in a good way)
First, please cut way down the auditions and the miscreants who they give 5 minutes of fame.
Second, please cover more of Hollywood week.
Third, it is nice to know more up close and personal stuff about the idols.
Fourth, yes keep the instruments
Fifth, get rid of the “mosh pit” swayers. it really really is both silly and distracting.
Sixth, (this one will never happen) stop Randy from using “yo yo yo” “dog” “sing the phone book” and “pitchy”
CRB:
“I was not a fan of the instruments this year because I felt that the skills displayed were rudimentary, at best. The instruments seemed more useful as props or security blankets for Idol contestants uncomfortable in the spotlight or moving around during performances. I think phrases like “singer/songwriter vibe” should be stricken from the judges repertoire of comments because they mean absolutely nothing in the context of a karaoke reality television show.”
Very well written and I couldn’t agree more. It’s odd to me that more people
can’t grasp that. A prime example of this is Brooke White.
The judges love to remind the audience that American Idol is a “singing competition”, usually when they’re trying to manipulate the voting public. The original show was called “Pop Idol” not “Singer Idol”, and I think being a compelling performer has many facets.
I don’t think it’s necessary for an artist to be a virtuoso on an instrument to make it part of their performance, or persona. Folks who play instruments tend to be well rounded artists, and are often songwriters, rather than just singers. That kind of multi-dimensional talent produces some great contestants.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that 4 of the Top 5 this year played instruments at one time or another during the competition.
CRB=
He’s so smart and fancy with his words isn’t he?? 
Love Him!!!
Anyway as far as I go, I didn’t mind the instruments, but I loved Brooke White and Jason Castro, so to each their own I guess!!
Great points CRB.
Although, the guitar didn’t constrict David Cook. IMO, Cook is a student of the Dave Grohl school of rock. He can own the stage, be Mr. Nice and still rock.
AI’s auditions & formula still works.
I think AI’s problem is they try to duplicate the idols that are successful after the show (find another Jennifer Hudson, Carrie, Daughtry). When someone like Jason Castro comes along, they don’t know what to do with him, cause he doesn’t fit their preconceived mold.
I was more impressed with Jason (& I’m not talking about his looks), than any other contestant.
Jason’s voice & performance always captivated an audience, even though he doesn’t belt or own the stage.
The contestants just have to be careful that their intruments don’t become their security blankets.
Oh, and the mosh pit sucks!
CRB:
We have to cut the contestants some slack too. It is perceived as a singing competition and you can’t really go into an extended guitar solo or get all piano virtuoso on everyone within the 90 seconds the contestants are alloted to show their stuff. So I think it’s quite possible that a number of the contestants were more proficient on their instruments than they showed on the show just because of the time constraints.
Don’t forget that the contestants that choose to play instruments have more to learn for their performance. Not only do they have to master the vocals, but the instrumental part as well. The way Brooke White described it, it seemed like a lot more work for a contestant. That’s why I don’t buy the whole “crutch” and “security blanket” deal.
Changes I’d love to see:
* Longer songs by Top 3 week. No more hideously rushed performances.
* At least once, show the singers in their own comfortable venue. Maybe a coffee shop for somebody like Jason or Brooke, a club for somebody like MJ, etc. Broadway for somebody like Syesha. No, really.
* Some rest for the kids.
* Put the kibosh on the mosh.
* A couple of mentors under the age of 112.
* A couple of theme weeks featuring songs from this century.
I’d vote for getting rid of Paula and Randy, but dammit, if it weren’t for them we might not have had Cook. Pauler was consistently right about Cook. I hate defending those two judges, but when Simon is wrong, he is dangerously wrong, sometimes.
I would love for them to get rid of the “mosh” as well. Besides being incredibly fake, it’s distracting.
As for the instruments, I’m glad they’re keeping them. I think it allows for a more diverse group of contestants and ultimately a better show.
Michael Orland commented on their use in a chat here. The whole interview (although Jason-centric) is interesting, and provides a bit of insight into how the process works. He says that the contestants who play instruments tend to be more proactive in developing their ideas about how they want to arrange the songs before they sit down to rehearse.
Interesting, and it just makes sense that they’d want to fiddle around (pun intended) with the tunes.
I do agree most on the audition shows - while I like seeing good auditions, we seldom see them anymore - they waste too much time on bad auditions and sob stories, and we had to deal with them for 4 weeks! I have come to loathe that part as well…I’m not interested in seeing the next William Hung by any means.
I don’t even watch the auditions anymore, so cutting them would be a plus. More Hollywood, less dumb Randy would be nice. I really enjoyed the great group numbers during season 2, and if the new crop could harmonize like them I’d like group numbers in the results show. Otherwise cut out the questions and performers that have nothing to do with AI.
Past contestants, such as winner Taylor Hicks and runner up Bo Bice, proved that even songwriter/musicians that clearly would be much more comfortable with an instrument in hand can do well and even grow in new directions when forced to use the voice as their lone instrument and fill a large stage.
I think Taylor even mentioned this as a positive for him as a singer. I do believe that the instrument addition can really help some performers. Having said that I think Taylor would have kicked *ss with a harmonica.
I’d like to see less of the bad auditions. Don’t think they should be allowed to play instruments at auditions, they should be judged on their voice, singing ability at that point.
Less group singing on results night. The commercials are fun.
I think Hollywood week should be expanded. I loved the seasons when they used hollywood week to let us get to know the contestants. I know they edited and tweaked it, but at least it was something. It was entertaining in a way that the bad auditions are not. I have had it with the insane people auditioning. Enough.
Agree the mosh pit must die. The rigid themes must die. Spend some of this money and let us hear songs from this century. Lay off the heavy pimping and depimping it’s obvious and a serious turn off. Let the chips fall where they may and let the viewers decide.
I’d love less bad auditions, more Hollywood week. I agree with those who say that the ones who play instruments bring a greater diversity to the show. I’m unconcerned as to their instrumental skills, other than they don’t mess up, because that’s not what they are there for. For those who love bad/funny auditions, they can have a special. That way, those of us who dislike them, don’t even have to watch.
Unless I missed it, the mosh pit wasn’t mentioned. Please, in the name of everything that is holy, get rid of the obnoxious thing!
I love the addition of the instruments. And, agree with everyone else, get rid of the most pit. I also like something about Canadian Idol. They move the elimination night very quickly,and, the contestants don’t have to sing their swan song. It’s humiliating enough to be eliminated without having to choke on the song that got them the boot. (so to speak) Could Simon pay attention to the contestants? Would that be too much to ask? Agree that Randy needs a new vocabulary, and, Paula is just Paula. I’d trade her for Sass of CI in a hearbeat.
Yay, for more of Hollywood week. They used to show those, then cut them out. Slim down the bad auditions and give us something to look forward to.
What about Ryan? Will Ryan still be there? Who can fill his shoes?
Someone said it before, but I wouldn’t mind a 1 hour results show if there was more to it (Heck, I wouldn’t mind an episode of AI every day of the week, for that matter). I absolutely loved when CI did mini-group numbers…it was perfect, good music, no silly dance moves, and groupings of people who could sing together. We see how the contestants work with others and it’s a less pressure-filled situation for them. Then America could have more information to make a better decision when voting next week.
Also, longer songs would be lovely. Cut out the stupid “my most embarrassing fashion moment” packages and give them 1 more minute to sing. Please.
I loved the addition of the instruments and would be very disappointed to see it go away. As far as it being a crutch, my thought is this: I wish that the judges would give more constructive criticism about a host of things: (1) vocals, including not only hitting the notes, but the vocal choices of adding runs or not, using a glory note, etc.
(2) emotional connection to the lyrics;
(3) arrangement (whether chosen or created);
(4) choice of song;
(5) variety of songs over the season and (with multiple song nights) in a given night—singing the same basic song over and over or some variety;
(6) whether the contestant is creating a defined sound or is too much of a chameleon;
(7) choreography/moves during the music—showing good stage presence/does it make sense for the particular song/is it changed up or too repetitious from week to week; and
(8) if an instrument was used, how was it used? As real instrumental accompaniment? As a prop (which could be fine, depending on how it was used and how often it was used that way)? Was it played well? Did it add to the actual performance?
Also, the phrase “You can sing the phone book” should be verboten.
“Auditions are primarily useful for two reasons”
Your number 1 reason is useful for the Network - to air footage that is canned and less expensive - NOT to the viewing public who is getting a bit tired of all of that. A little here and there maybe but they just became too much. Your number 2 reason, that it gave the public a looksee into the Idol that you liked, not really, Jason, number 1 example, and for me I pretty much skipped over the audition shows and just wanted that to hurry up and be over to get to the “real” show. Now more footage of Hollywood week, that would give you some more insight into each contestant.
The instruments are a part that I really love and am so glad that they are continuing with them. Each Idol who used an instrument last year played well, no Jimi Hendrix but they went well with each singers style. Not all have to jump and dance around the stage to entertain me, that is why Jason and Brooke went so far and the Davids. Of the top 5, 4 played instruments so it certainly did not hold them back now did it?
Yes, please more up to date Theme shows if they really have to keep those in but I hope that we can see the Idols singing songs from the genre that they love to give us many more “moments” on the
show.
I would like the show to be 2 hours each night if it was filled with the Idols and more Idols and not the three stooges and their personal life, not the dum question section, I look forward to this show all year and hate it when it ends. So, more is better only if they could give us more singing and interaction with the Idols - then it would be ok to me
“* At least once, show the singers in their own comfortable venue. Maybe a coffee shop for somebody like Jason or Brooke, a club for somebody like MJ, etc. Broadway for somebody like Syesha. No, really”
spritley I just saw this and LOVE this idea!
OK, my two cents:
* Show less footage of the bad auditions. Show more footage of the good auditions. Show even more footage of the contestants who actually make the Top 24.
* Show more of Hollywood Week. That was when I first saw Elliott and became a fan. They did not show him during the audition shows of Season 5 but they featured Chris, Taylor, Kellie, Kat, Ace and some others during the audition shows.
* Don’t send non-qualified contestants through to the judges. The show has an age limit. Use it. Last year they put through (and showed) a 40 something year old, two male professional comedians and one professional female comedian. The two male comedians had silly songs and acted strangely. Remember the virgin song? The female comedian was one of the over-the-top ones. Also not funny, IMO. It makes no sense to waste time showing non-qualified contestants.
* Abolish the pit.
* Cut results shows to half hour shows after the Top 10. NO MORE PHONE CALLS.
* Keep the instruments. I loved watching Jason, Brooke, Cookie and Archie play. They had more to learn when they played and I admired the fact that they could learn both the music and the lyrics in such a short period of time.