Shows like American Idol lose viewers over time possibly because there is no advancement or improvement in the the show's formula for choosing and showcasing talent. The formula for American Idol begins with the auditions, which feature the freaks and the fabulous. Serious viewers only want to see the fabulous talent, along with the best comic relief or surprises that the most entertaining or endearing of the attention seekers provide.

But it is no longer thrilling to witness the bickering, tantrums, arguments, and silliness from people who never should have showed up to audition for anything at any time. It is a tiresome process after eight years, and we want to get to the serious matters of the show: Who is showing promise from the beginning, and who has an interesting and engaging persona?

The American Idol formula includes those dreary and annoying "mini documentaries", where certain auditioning individuals are featured. Why are they featured before they have even done anything to earn our attention? We have no reason to want to know the individuals now, and may not hear from them again.

We want to hear people sing. That's all for now. The documentaries are now just an annoying and boring waste of time, and we go off to do something else. By the time we come back, a good singer who showed some real potential has come and gone.

The American Idol formula includes rejecting much better singers for those who meet fake standards. It is clear the Simon calls the shots, and the shots are tired and predictable now. There are only going to be so many Black, Country, Pop, Rock, and " Whatever else" singers. Outstanding singers are going to be rejected in favor of less qualified singers and that's it. The ones who meet the Disney Cruise Ship standard for looks will be chosen over the odd or too ethnic-looking, but far better performer. We get it.

If a person skips the ridiculously boring and false "selection" process, and watches when the real "competition" begins, there is the torture of dealing with Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, who are way past their expiration dates. Randy is a nerd who has been posing as a "dude" for far too long. He would not know what "pitch" is, if his life were at stake. Paula is an encouraging sweetheart, but she is just an unfocused, childish mess.

Simon Cowell is predictable in his rude and thoughtless disrespect for any performer who does not meet his marketing plan, meaning blond and "mainstream". It's about the money the pop singers can make, when it comes to Simon's judgment, and that is a tired basis for judging. But he is the only one who accurately and truthfully chews out the truly bad performers.

But that brings up the issue: if a performer is that bad, then why did Simon and crew leave a far better performer behind when they selected the final twenty? And that is the main reason why American Idol is losing viewers. The selection process is not true, and too many bad performers make it while better ones are left behind. And the rich kids with the auto dialers determine who goes and who stays.

While American Idol has been on, Beyonce has gone ballistic. P. Diddy put together Danity Kane, to smashing success, and a host of other performers rose to stardom and bypassed each and every Idol winner in success. It is obvious that none of those stars would have gone anywere if they had invested any time with Idol.

A far better competition show, "So You Think You Can Dance", looks for quality and gets better every year. With dance! So what else is American Idol's problem? There just might be better paths to success than to be humiliated after being forced to sing "Queen" and Barry Manilow tunes.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth M. Young.
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