The world’s highest-paid professional glowerer, Simon Cowell, has long shown a certain ear for what’s hot (or at least “contemporary”), and it’s clear from the indifference on his face that he believes American Idol has finally lost its sizzle. (As if that wasn’t clear from the moment he decided to bolt Idol to produce the U.S. edition of his British hit The X Factor.) But Idol‘s Season 9 isn’t a complete failure. In fact, you could argue that the reality competition is currently in one of its most exciting seasons yet. Yes, we’re mad as hell about Lilly Scott too. But hear us out. After the jump, we present to you our Top 5 reasons why American Idol still captivates every week.
1) Many of our favorite contestants have been voted off, disqualified, or eliminated.
We sadly waved goodbye to the undeniably talented Lilly Scott and Alex Lambert. But there were many incredibly gifted contestants who were disqualified for various reasons (such as Danelle Hayes and crybaby Chris Golightly), while fabulous hopefuls like Maddy Curtis and Angela Martin only has the judges to blame for their elimination. As much as we hated to see them go, the idea that our favorites could go at any second amps up the drama of the show. Who knows what we can expect every week?
2) Ellen DeGeneres is a better judge than Paula Abdul.
Admit it. Paula was entertaining and lovable, but she never really judged anybody accurately. Hell, she had a hard time even knowing what was going on half the time! We haven’t missed Paula’s zany outfits or bizarre behavior anywhere near the amount we thought we would when she announced via Twitter that she was leaving Idol. And as for Ellen, she may make corny jokes sometimes, but she can make coherent criticisms when it counts.
3) The contestants are all talented.
You can complain about the lack of star quality in Season 9′s crop of contestants, but no one in the Top 12 is Sanjaya bad. And even the worst singer in the bunch, Tim Urban, is really hot! So even if you don’t like his voice, just turn the volume down and revel in the eye candy.
4) Now that we know Simon won’t be there forever, we appreciate him more.
We know we have limited time with our favorite cranky Brit. Sure, he’ll be on The X Factor, but it won’t be the same—and it won’t be for at least another year. Or even longer! Every episode of Idol gives us one more opportunity to soak in the insults.
5) “Pants on the Ground” was brought into our lives.
As a cranky Brit I will miss Idol when Simon leaves as it is so doomed. X Factor will simply wipe it out the way it did in UK. As I watched my guilty pleasure last night it dawned on me that we really do need mediocre cover singers to rule the radio waves, this will make it easier to recognize a real talent when it appears..go Crystal..
Tim is as bad as Sanjaya. I don't know what you are talking about.
I so disagree with this article. Actually a lot of people disagree with it. I think people get too caught up in the show and lose the ability to judge unbiased. 1) A lot of so called talent was voted off proving once again Idol is a popularity contest and not a singing contest 2) Ellen though a likeable person is a horrible judge. She has no credentials whatsoever. Only people in the industry should judge. 3) The season 9 crop is the most untalented crop yet. People get so vested in the show they don't see how off key some are or how flat out boring. People are fawning over TIm Urban because the think he's cute? That's sad. That's really sad. Again, AI is a joke. 4) With Simon gone the show is gone and he seems like he already checked out. 5) Pants on the ground is Lame.
I find it really difficult to believe that anyone thinks this group is anything but average or less than average
A fourth judge is pretty much of a killer – especially when it's a good-hearted, but incompetent, Ellen. Paula's always gotten a bad rap, but she could spot talent faster than any of the others. And her occasional ditziness was a perfect foil to Simon's saturnine putdowns – it was fun. The panel simply doesn't mesh and with Simon's departure, it loses what punch it had. Only two contestants this year (Crystal and Casey) have the experience to make viewing at all interesting. The rest are forgettable. Can you imagine what the Tour will be like this summer with this bunch? You'd have to pay ME.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. I do miss Paula's zany outfits. I would prefer Sanjaya over Aaron, Katie, or Tim, because at least I was entertained by him initially. Aaron and Katie are so glum and spiritless, and Tim, is Tim. Fodder that somehow outstayed his welcome.
To say that Ellen is a capable judge is like really relying on Toyota not issuing another recall. When she ran up and hugged Tim, she sealed Lilly's fate, and that is just unforgivable. WTF was that about?
Making us remember how badly the judges screwed over Angela Martin and others does nothing to elevate this season. Nothing at all!
5 Reasons the show is BORING, DOES NOT CAPTIVATE ANYMORE AND IS FINISHED!!!
1) With one or two exceptions, the more talented have been voted off or were not selected in the first place.
2) Paula was part of the spirit of the show. I disagree that she couldn't judge. In fact, I think she was extremely perceptive in many cases, even if she didn't express herself as coherently all the time.
3) VERY LITTLE TALENT this year and absolutely no star power on the stage. If this is the best America has to offer, we're in BIG trouble.
4) Simon is leaving and is obviously not totally committed to giving his all to the show this year. And… the antics between Kara and Simon are enough to make you turn your TV off, or lose your dinner….
5) Pants on the Ground: the last time I heard, this was a show for 16-28 yr. old.
What is the world coming to when a singing with the talent like Lily Scott gets voted off a Tim Urban gets to stay?
This article sucks.
hahah I like the last one! Must agree, while I liked watching Paula, love Ellen and her comedy. Its always keeps you guessing who will stay, its so hard to predict, that's my favorite part!
Season 9 is like a 2nd movie…. never as good as the first! Plus we all now Simon made that show…… it was all about the love of hating him! But deep down inside we really liked him! Simon your the man… thanks for the great entertainment!!
It would suck bet one word. Crystal Bowersox. I mean she’s awsome an so original an an amazing artist. Listen to her originals on YouTube or something. I dont see how anybody can’t love her.