First off, Idol isn't going anywhere anytime soon. When you're in your 6th season, and your ratings INCREASE each year...you have a bona-fide hit that is here for many years to come.Now, re: the 'bad auditions'. This gets brought up each and every year. You have people that ONLY watch the audition episodes, you have people the watch and suffer through them simply waiting to see the good singers (I'm in this group) and you have those that NEVER watch until the Hollywood rounds.
The first indisputable fact - the audition rounds are extremely popular and get HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE ratings and ad revenue. They're are not going anywhere, the format has worked for the pruducers, the network, and the advertisers.
One thing as a point of comparison - RockStar. This show starts off with the finalists being strutted across the stage and you get a little 'summary/infomercial' on each one. I watched Rockstar last season and didn't for one minute miss the auditions. Yes, it could be done, but will it? Not a chance.
geekboy
Nashvill Star's format is like Rock Star's.
They also start with just the 12 and begin to eliminate right off the bat.
I like you watch the circus type format (my description of AI preseason shows) of AI looking for the ones that make it to Hollywood...hopefully I remeber my favs by the time the live shows come on to see if they made it.
They'll always be a place for both formats...NS's format being the more maturer format.
You know, I wouldn't mind one night of bad auditions for 'Rock Star'.... ;)~but it is a bit of overkill, I actually enjoyed last night's episode alot more....the worst and the best...nice balance!
But alas, we all have our guilty pleasures and watching folks tank happens to be a *somewhat* universal one...