by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: August 30, 2010

American Idol is based on a British singing competition titled "Britain's Got Talent".  The Americanized version has been one of the longest lasting variety shows to remain at the top of viewer's preferences in television history and there is no decline in sight.

The appeal of this show lies in watching rough, unfinished talent bloom into the stuff of super stardom. It is not so much about the singing quality, looks or any other singular aspect of an individual competitor as it is about the undefinable spark that separates a true star from a far better than average performer.

The formula is unchanged, beginning with the riotous weeks of auditioning that attracts anyone and everyone who thinks that they can get away with singing a Capella for a few minutes, if they last that long. Some viewers cherish the experience of being either the first to  "discover" the next Idol or the first to be in the know about the next William Hung.

The great national pastime of watching the mini documentaries about selected characters leads to a mystery that must be solved: can the featured applicant actually sing or is the sequence going to end with violence, good natured hilarity or worse?

The controversy will continue to be whether it is necessary to make a national display of individuals who are clearly mentally ill or otherwise impaired in order to keep viewers entertained. This practice makes for the first uncomfortable and sometimes dreadful moments of the series.

During the first cuts for "Hollywood Week", it becomes apparent that selections are being made that are not based on singing ability or talent, but on demographics, which is one of American Idol's biggest weaknesses. Pure talent, ability and potential, not whether the most profitable demographic is satisfied, would make this a true competition and would help to return to true American innovation in popular music.

"Hollywood Week" points out the need for anyone who seriously hopes to last to be able to work with others, to work with discipline and to get results from their work. Many try and many fail. There is nothing new here, including the fact that millions also watch the "Survivor" competition, yet many who get to the competition fail to learn anything from the previous seasons.

Juggling judges will be a fascinating change. With the absence of the gratuitously nasty Simon Cowell, the vacant Karo DioGuardi and the redundant Randy Jackson who rarely finds a singer who is not "pitchy", whatever that means. 

For 2010, Nigel Lythgoe, a fine example of a quality judge from  "So You Think You Can Dance" will be announcing who the new judges will be. And it is time for a sweep! America needs new judges who can earn their paycheck with new judging. Mr. Lythgoe is not only an experienced judge, he is a veteran performer who can read the riot act without sinking to levels of uncalled for and scripted nastiness.

Why the British judges on these competition shows just have to be overly nasty and hyper critical, hiding behind "telling the truth", is an   irritating problem for many, but is not much of a mystery when others in the audience are out for someone to shed some real tears.

In the end, the shakeup in judges is the only change that involves serious risk and that matters for the 2010 season of  "American Idol". The vast pool of both talent and fool is still out there, guaranteeing that very entertaining (or horrifying) surprises and promising performers will be among the idol contenders!

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