According to Billboard.com, changes might be in store for American Idol’s 8th season. If adding a fourth judge (Kara DioGuardi) wasn’t enough, here are the other rumored changes that are supposed to be announced later on Monday along with my thoughts underneath. (Feel free to add your thoughts below in the comments section.)
Less audition shows and more Hollywood shows.
To me, this is a strong move as I don’t usually pay attention to the goofy audition shows. However, I do know people who only watch the audition shows and lose interest once they move to Hollywood.
Instead of the top 24, there will be a top 36.
I’m not so sure this is as strong of a move. Usually, there are questionable selections in the top 24 and it’s not all that hard to whittle down. You can tell the difference and rarely am I ever surprised with more than one or two that make the final twelve. I wonder if they’re opening it up because they think they’ve missed on a few in the past?
The wild card round will return.
I always loved this idea. There have been some good choices by the judges and some bad ones as well (Carmen Rasmussen anyone?). But it adds a sense of unpredictability to the selections. It also gives the judges a bit of power to put someone back on that America gets wrong.
“Idol Gives Back” will be every other year.
I’m not necessarily a fan of that particular show, but I always thought the idea behind it was great and showed that while American Idol is usually all about American Idol, it can also be about giving back. I think it’s a mistake, but then again, maybe they think they need to focus on the core show this year.
What does everyone else think? The show is very long in the tooth, but it still delivers the ratings. Are these changes good for the longevity of the show?
As I stated in February, I decided to stop buying actual CDs and buy all my music through iTunes. Let me update you on my iTunes journey.
The month of April saw me purchase three full albums through iTunes. The first was Diddy’s anti-bitchassness group Day26. The album was standard R&B fare and earned Diddy another number one record, but failed to set the world on fire. But what does these days? Marketed as a new New Edition, the boys from Making The Band put together a few songs that worked like Silly Love, the first single Got Me Going, the dreamy Co-Star, and hard hitting Exclusive.
Next was Mariah Carey’s not so fulfilling E=MC², which should’ve been titled The Emancipation of Nick Cannon. Just kidding Nick. Actually, I’m impressed that the dude had it in him. Before, I remembered him most from giving the movie audience that serious drumming face in the movie Drumline, but now he’s the guy that put that ring on Mimi’s finger. Though I didn’t like the album much and thought it was smack dab in the middle of her career works, iTunes did give me one extra song that wasn’t on the CD version. Though, I’m not sure if it was a truly bonus or not because it was the track 4real4real featuring Da Brat and though she might’ve been cool in 1994, the words “featuring Da Brat” might be the worst marketing in music today. Ok, that was wrong of me. But actually, at least we know that Da Brat is still working. Also included with the extra song was a digital booklet (iTunes version of the physical CD booklet) and the Touch My Body video, which is impressive for how well a late 30s Mimi looks.
The third full album was the best of the bunch. Before I even tell you what it is, I have to ask, “Who is the most consistent music group in the game today?” You probably wouldn’t answer The Roots, but if they aren’t the most consistent, they are close. Their latest gem is called Rising Down and it’s probably the best album I’ve bought all year. From the killer Rising Up, with Chrisette Michele on the hook to the Talib Kweli assisting I Will Not Apologize, there’s not a bad song on the record. While they might not have the one or two head turning tracks on this album like they usually have, it’s still just damn good. Also included as an iTunes bonus is their duet with Fall Out Boy, Birthday Girl, which was vetoed off the original album and as first single for not sounding Roots enough. I kind of dig it, but I understand where they’re coming from.
I also bought a bunch of one off songs. If you remember, April was the month of “Idol Gives Back” and instead of donating money, I bought a few tracks including Carrie Underwood’s George Michael cover of Praying For Time, the group version of Rihanna’s Don’t Stop The Music (my kids can’t get enough of this one), and Snoop Dogg’s Can’t Say Goodbye featuring Charlie Wilson. On that same day, I also purchased Bon Jovi’s Bad Medicine and Fuel’s Leave The Memories Alone with the latter being the theme song to the Nature Boy’s Ric Flair retirement. I just had to throw one wrestling reference in.
Lastly, I purchased Digital Underground’s silly song Kiss You Back. One day, it was in my head and I decided to get it so I could hear it a few times. Without iTunes, I would’ve had to find a used copy of Sons Of The P, and that wasn’t going to happen without making a trek to a used record store some 30 miles away.
The next edition of “No Plastic” will feature the return of some Boston boys and a man on a mission to get some grown assed respect.
I didn’t plan on writing about this show, but after I thought about it, it’s a huge show (some 2 1/2 hours in length) and it’s for a great cause. If I should write about any American Idol show, this is probably the one. You can donate at AmericanIdol.com. You can also call 1-877-IDOL-AID.
– I wonder if Kanye West will show up thinking it’s another awards show and get angry early when his name doesn’t get called.
– Let’s hope Ramiele isn’t nervous tonight. You can’t get kicked off again Ramiele, don’t worry.
– David Cook singing Rihanna – where amazing happens!
– Why is it that when the show started and all these dancers from If You Think You Can Dance were hot steppin’ on the dance floor, I immediately thought, “Where are the Jabbawockeez when you need them?”
Act Like Ya Know
– By the way, Paula’s boobs aren’t popping out as far tonight. Arsenio Hall just turned off the television.
– Why is Maria Shriver on my television in the year 2008? Oh yah, she’s married to Arnold. Her cheeks have a life of their own by the way.
– Ryno just said that you can donate money by buying some of these performances on iTunes. David Cook singing Rihanna can be yours and it’s right at your fingertips.
– The es-en-double-o-pee and Charlie Wilson Can’t Say Goodbye. Charlie’s wearing one of MJ’s old glitter derby hats while rockin’ the mic.
– Teri Hatcher just finished singing Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats (this song has to be about Tony Romo) and Kristy Lee Cook just called her pitchy. Isn’t that like the pot calling the kettle dark skinned? I’m kidding. KL Cook probably thought it was great.
KL Cook’s Favorite Singer
– Let’s see. Billy Crystal is an old school comic. Miley Ray Cyrus is the hot new thing. And they can’t find anything entertaining for them to say for a very long five minutes. Well, it was still better than Forget Paris.
– They kick Chikezie off the show, but they still make the brother work the phones.
– Since this isn’t the time to necessarily be making fun of folks, I’ll hold off from saying that Fergie’s face resembles Secretariat. And plus, she did a decent job with Finally, with help from John Legend on the piano.
(She also performed with Heart who Idol owes some love considering all the female Idol hopefuls jack their songs. Fergie Ferg is also wearing a glitter wrap around her wrist. Yet another ode to MJ.)
– You know this is a big show when Eli and Peyton Manning take the big stage. Let’s just say they are better with the Xs and Os than they are at reading queue cards.
– The story about the kids who lost their parents to AIDS and were worried about being positive themselves was tough to watch. Yes, I can write this up without joking around. I haven’t shed a tear though. Yet.
– Celine Dion is on the show again this year, but she didn’t bring Elvis this time.
– Jimmy Kimmell just said that on some nights, it looks like Simon is smuggling the Olsen twins underneath his shirt.
– Sheila E. just came out and she still has it.
– The Idol contestants are singing Seasons Of Love. Teri Hatcher tried to get on stage and join them, but Dean Cain swooped in and saved the day. (That didn’t really happen by the way, but you know it would’ve been 10 shades of awesome if it did.)
– Dane Cook is still in show business? I just want to hear him say Daisuke Matsuzaka one more time.
– Miley Ray Cyrus again? Isn’t it past her bedtime?
For Our Young Demographic
Save for Brad Pitt wearing a Kangol (don’t worry Brad, I can’t really rock it well either), this was a very compelling TV show. I know, I know. Because it’s Idol, they’re going to get lots of money donated. And while they are going to get good ratings out of this, it’s still a great thing to do. I’m off to download some songs from iTunes to give back.
Less audition shows and more Hollywood shows.