Actually, I do think it is also quite a bit about the judges. We have historically had show of talent. Ed McMahon used to host a show for a few years that was purely a talent show with a overall winner of each catagory at the end of the year, but it died out way earlier than Idol. The format of the show is a success but it requires the four legs: Host, Contestant, Judges and Viewers/Voters. Without someone as critical and charasmatic as Simon (and a foil..Paula was a great foil...for at least one of the other judges and the host) a crucial element of the show will be lacking. It will basically turn into a love-fest. I actually found myself more bored with the show this year because of Ellen's refusal to upset anyone or more to the point judge anyone. Basically, after the first few of shows...I quit watching until the final 6. Randy isnt a really critical judge, Ellen refused to judge, Kara actually wasnt bad but agreed a LOT with Simon but was way nicer in doing it and of course you had Simon.
In my opinion, if you don't get a fairly charasmatic judge or two in the front seats...you basically packed them with glorified fans and the show formula will have been broken. Half of Ryan's job was soothing the feelings of the contestants after Simon lit into them.
The one thing that I really remember hearing early on this last year, from Simon, was how many of the female contestants were doing the same style of singing and how many of the contestants in general sounded like "lounge singers or street musicians" and nothing really special. The record industry didn't spit out a new superstar every year for a decade and just wondering if perhaps the talent level has decreased?
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