A colleague asked why I haven't been blogging about American Idol. I stopped because I can't take it any more -- at least for the way the auditions are being presented this season. So far, the show has mostly been edited to be a parade of freaks and people just trying to get on camera, leavened occasionally with an occasional sob story for a
promising talent who makes it through to the next round. To be sure, this formula is nothing new for Idol. After all, this is the only time that the producers can revel in showing the bad singers and the ratings they inevitably draw. It's like prime-time TV's version of an auto accident: The rubber-neckers can't help but stare. But the ratio is all off. When a whopping 33 people make it through from the Orlando auditions, and we see only a handful actually perform, there's not a lot to hang on to for fans. It's going to be tough to wait until Hollywood Week rolls around -- not until Feb. 17!
And the celebrity judges have been really weak, too. Victoria Beckham and Mary J. Blige barely contributed to the auditions. Kristin Chenoweth was too preoccupied with buddying up and agreeing with Kara DioGuardi. Avril Lavigne was rude and useless. Katy Perry (pictured) was little better but at least didn't go with the DioGuardi status quo. Shania Twain was arguably the best, but that's not saying much. I'm pulling for Neil Patrick Harris next week -- not expecting much from Joe Jonas -- but I'm not holding my breath.
What do you think?
Meanwhile, there's lots of buzz about a supposed top 24 contestant who reportedly has been booted from the show due to news leaks.
