“The Day the Karaoke Died”

This season I had the opportunity to be part of a rotating team of bloggers for our local online newspaper. What I turned in to them was basically a sanitized version of this blog – had to “PC” it up, don’t you know. It was fun and exciting and I enjoyed it a lot. Not so fun, was having to tell the editor that I was no longer interested in the show, hence no longer able to blog about it. She asked me to write an essay about my disillusionment. At first I balked because who really cares about one disenchanted fan, right? For what it’s worth, below is what I sent to her. Not sure what they’ll do with it, if anything, but here goes…

[Comments in brackets DID NOT make the “sanitized” version that was online. I am not that brave! Some editoralizing I can only do on my own ex-blogspot.]

“The Day the Karaoke Died”

To say that I was a “fan” of American Idol is an understatement. I was no mere observer, not a casual viewer, and not one content to simply chat around the water cooler with friends the day after the show. I watched each episode at least twice and dissected every nuance, never thinking that one day I would be disillusioned enough to say good-bye. [“Breaking up” with my favorite show is like saying good-bye to a beloved friend. It makes me sad.]

Here is a list of the series of events that caused a slow building of my adoration to turn to loathing:

Disrespecting the 4th Judge – Although Kara’s comments are usually right on the money, they are often met with disdain from the three senior judges. Pardon her for trying to make some sense and take the show seriously! [The show needed new blood and Kara seems to care, unlike those other overpaid blowhards. Plus Paula and Simon’s stupid antics belong on the Bret Michaels’ Rock of Love Bus! Or Romper Room!]

Tatiana and Norman/Nick, the drama queens – It was bad enough that they were sent to Hollywood, but for them to be put into the Top 36 was an outrage. It was simply a ratings stunt, nothing else. Their advancement caused the show to lose what little credibility it had left. [This was not the only time the show started to lose its integrity, if it ever really had any. Other things have happened in the past: the Sanjaya Times and Castro-Gate to name two. But season 8’s shenanigans took the show to an entirely different level of MORONIC!]

The semifinal format – Having three groups of 12 and then a Wild Card round did nothing to help viewers create a rapport with the singers. The Top 12 Girls/Top 12 Guys system was much better because the audience got to know the kids by the time the final Top 12 was formed. [There was a reason the set-up was changed to the 24 vs. 36 format. It WAS NOT broken, so why did they mess with it?]

The so-called Judge Save – It’s cruel and unusual and just one more obvious ploy for ratings. Why give hope when there will be none? This is one more indication that the American Idol producers have NO respect for the audience, and they think we are stupid and naïve. [Are we watching Fear Factor? Will the contestants eventually have to eat bat guts in order to win the approval of the fools in charge of this show?]

Over-the-top manipulation – This year it’s been more obvious than ever that the judges/ producers have their pre-ordained favorites, and they are going to shove them at us week after week no matter how poorly they perform. [For example: Lil, Alexis and Allison are MUCH better singers than Megan, yet the judges always make excuses for Megan when she performs poorly. They have said that she has never performed before an audience before, or that the poor pitiful tattooed cutie-pie had Influenza B. One week they even told her that singing well is not even all that important! WHAAAT?? Since when??]

The harsh treatment of Alexis Grace – Sure the petite blonde had an off night with “Jolene,” but even at her very worst, she’s a better singer than half of the others still in the contest. Those asinine judges did everything wrong to Alexis on elimination night, from forgetting her name to outright lying to her that she might get a save. It’s evident that they would not use it this early in the competition. [I would trade 2 Scotts, 3 Sarvers and 10 Megans to get just one Alexis Grace back on the show! But even if she was back it would not change my opinion that the show has gone to hell in a handbasket.]

The Idiots In Charge – The final straw for this ex-fan was an article I read the day after Alexis’ ungraceful ousting. One of the producers of the show stated that he was thrilled at the horrible way Alexis was treated. He said he hoped that they were able to keep kicking the contestants while they are down. It makes for great drama and high ratings after all! [Nigel where are you?? Sure ratings are down. But guess what numbskulls? Your show is still number 1 in its time slot!! Isn’t that enough? Why not just have the audience members throw rotten tomatoes at the contestants during their swan song performance? Or better yet - strap a steak to them and then let loose some real lions, tigers and bears! Would that satisfy you evil b*tards??]

For years I have defended American Idol to naysayers who have always believed that it was simply a rigged karaoke contest. This season it seems that the producers are TRYING to prove that they are nothing more than any other Grade D reality show. If that was their intention they have succeeded in spades. [On the bright side, at least we have David Cook and Daughtry. Their music is still on my iPod and I will continue to support them. Am not throwing these babies out with the bathwater!]

Color me OUT. From now on I will get my American Idol updates from Joel McHale on The Soup. [I realize that Joel has always made fun of AI - and especially Seacrest - on his clip show. But the segments seem a lot longer this year don’t they?]

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