>Yeah, but we've known for a
>while now that there are
>multiple layers of producers thinning
>out thousands of applicants long
>before R/P/S see them.
>Or we see them.
>

>>So I don't think it's the
>quality of people turning out
>to audition, it's the quality
>of the people that are
>being put through -- put
>through to R/P/S, put through
>to Hollywood, put through to
>the top 24.
>

Never forget. JORDIN didn't make it past the first round when she audtioned in LA. Just ponder that fact for a minute.

I'm actually a reporter, and I covered part of the Seattle saga. And I got a lot of e-mails from people who were just flabbergasted by the talent they witnessed get rejected in the first round.

so then what did we get instead?

The judges huffing and puffing about all the ludicrously bad acts that did get put through to see them.

Along with a few decent ones -- like Blake, Jordin, Sanjaya.

And that Tommy dude, who nearly made it through. The one they told last, with Sundance. I talked to him briefly, when he got his golden ticket to H-wood. He had a good energy, some natural charisma. I actually thought he had a shot without even hearing him sing.

Hello all -

Some thoughts on this topic:

* I'm convinced that Phil was put through due to his backstory at audition time. He was auditioning while his wife had a baby. Big deal, i don't think he deserved to make it thorugh to the final 12, let alone the final 24.

* The judges are NOT going to change. Drop that topic for once and for all.

* The whole pimping-issue. I don't know waht i feel on it. Someone has to go first, someone has to go last. At least explain to the world HOW you order the performances. I don't think "the best" performance should automatically go last. I agree, that is not fair. Look at the stats.

* Mentors. Do we need one every week? Either way, bring back Barry Manilow, the best mentor ever.

* Audition shows. I don't think these will ever changes. It all about the ratings, baby. The auditions get HUGE ratings. HOllywood doesn't. *shrug*

* The Finale Show. Season 4 had THE.BEST.FINALE.EVER where the Idols got to sing with their idols. Bring that back. It worked. And for God's sake, dump the Golden Idols.

* How about less theme weeks, and more free choice week for the contestants. I like the themes, but i also like the first few weeks where they can choose whatever they want. I'd like to see more of those weeks.

geekboy

I love puppies! S. Cowell

Hi GB!

The song order and "pimp spot" don't bother me nearly as much as the 'pimping' that happens in commentary and critique (and lighting, camera work, press). I'm a big fan of actually building a program, planning the flow of songs -- so I'd hate to see a random draw for order. I just hate to see the obvious & out of whack favoritism. Like (early on) Chris R. getting away with so much horrible singing while others got called on the carpet for a missed note.

I like your suggestion about fewer themes (or maybe broader themes - like the "anything on any chart" theme from last year). We would get better performances because the singers would actually like what they're singing -- plus it would give everyone a more complete idea of each idol's musical identity.

I also like your Barry Manilow suggestion! He's the best for this type of thing. I enjoy the mentors, but some of them are pretty lame. Being a talented performer doesn't mean you have anything to offer an idol. Seasoned performers with actual musical knowledge are the best mentors. (I laugh when I hear people complain that the mentors are all OLD. Well, Yes. Mentors are typically older than mentees. Do you really think Ms. Spears would have anything constructive to say to an actual singer?)

How about alternating? Mentor week/theme week/mentor week/theme week? Nah, nevermind. Mentors kinda need to go with themes.

OH MY GAWD -- I just got images of Brittney Spears being a mentor. I think I would pee myself laughing if this ever came to be. She could give plenty of advice, such as - always wear panties, never mess around with the back-up dancers, etc.

*First of all, AI needs to reconsider its policy on who it allows to re-audition. From this group, it should only be the Top 24 that are not allowed to audition again, the 20 inbetween passing Hollywood and not making it on the show should be given an automatic pass to Hollywood for the next season. It encourages talented contestants who just missed out to come back.

*Additionally, to improve the pool, they should stake out 100-200 "try-out posts" across the U.S.A. (one in all 50 states, and 150 more spread out geographically to cover the most possible area) with employees and a producer at each one (maybe 10-20 different dates). Basically, like they do at the huge locations, have group try-outs and then give the people a "golden pass" to audition right in front of the judges are a larger, regional spot

(For instance, the "New England" region has a post in Augusta (ME), Portland (ME), Concord (NH), Burlington (VT), Boston (MA), Worcester (MA), Hartford (CT), Providence (RI), and perhaps one more city, maybe not. Additionally, each major market (Boston is the only one in New England) has an Idol contest (on FOX) where the winner goes directly to the judges, ala Jordin Sparks). From there, there is one big "judges" audition in Boston, for anyone who passed. It cuts out the crap, and yes, eliminates most of the horrid auditioners for them to ridicule, but it will create a better show. If someone is really bad, have a tape at one of the pre-audition spaces to show it.)

That format would prevent one day wonders from wasting away in Hollywood, and although it basically just extrapolates the current format, the person from the middle of nowhere doesn't have to drive 18 hours to wait in line for 2 days to be cut by producers. It will help find better talent.

*In a more drastic turn, I'd allow either the option or necessity (option because some people can take advantage of the visual) of performers being able to audition behind a screen (no hint of body type or looks). America has shown the capability to support people who aren't conventionally attractive (although attractive people obviously have the advantage), and I think the judges put too much weight on that early. Once they get to Hollywood, then take it away, but it'd help with audition stage fright.

*I agree, they need to cast many different archetypes for two reasons. One, the Kellie Picklers and Chris Daughtrys, even if I couldn't stand either, make the show better on the whole. This year, we had one "rocker" (Gina hardly counts, but whatever) and one borderline country artist (Phil). Neither were that to the core. We don't need five divas, and while the viewing public did support them better than I thought (R16, 11, 4, 3, 1), seeing all five divas among the last eight girls was horrid. Saving Sabrina and Stephanie for next year would have probably produced two Top 10 contestants. Unless there are no legitimately talented rockers or country artists or opera singers or whatever, we don't need five divas and a bunch of R&B/Pop artists.

*The first week should be NON ELIMINATON. They should tell the fans this before, no voting that week, but make the entire week a "getting to know the contestants" week. Would Nicole Tranquillo or Rudy Cardenas have been saved by another week without the jitters of Week One? Maybe. But either way, the fans get to know the performers better, and it gives the performers a chance to perform their favorite song, or a song dedicated to their loved one/family member, with no pressure of being booted. No judges' comments either, let the fans make their opinions on their own.

*Kill the pre-determined split of 6 guys and 6 girls. This year, the split probably should have been 7 girls to 5 guys (with Sabrina (my preference was Antonella, but Sabrina was better) in for Brandon, last year, the split probably should have been 7 guys to 5 girls (with Gedeon for Melissa, and maybe Will for Lisa). If they want to, they can still split up the groups into boys and girls, but send the 4 lowest votegetters home, regardless of gender.

Most of that should solve talent problems to the extent of findin what's available.

As for the show itself

*More gender friendly themes/mentors. In AI5, there were a lot of "guy" mentors, in AI6, a lot of "girl" mentors. Bring it back to the early Idols with themes like "70's", "80's", and so on. Not "No Doubt inspired".

*Allow the contestants to play an instrument. They let Blake beatbox, which is pretty borderline on the rule itself, so allowing an instrument could provide a nice twist. Maybe a week that allows it if they like. I wouldn't have minded seeing some contestants with a guitar/violin/etc.

*When a person gets eliminated, they should get to choose the song they want to perform, not the song that got them eliminated. They should also not be pressured to perform at all, if they don't want to.

*This one is questionable for me, but give the judges the ability to score. No weight on them, but it would give an impression of what the judges actually think. When they say "That wasn't up to your standards Melinda" and "That was your best performance yet, Antonella", those could both be "6". We don't know.

*Results shows, except for the finale and special ones, should be no longer than 30 minutes and should only contain a performance by the mentor, and recap-results.

*Replay American Idol, post-boot, on Friday night. It's their highest rated show, it allows fans who aren't internet savvy to see performances again, it allows fans who can't tape shows to see it for the first time, and it will probably outperform whatever show they usually put on Friday. It's usually a great family show for that matter. Maybe an edited down version to take 30 minutes on Friday for a usual hour long filler show. Maybe make it kind of like American Idol Replay, where you have some commentary by the singer before/after about it. Plus, it's a perfect way to transcribe it to DVD (which they should do for every season)

*Give some insight on the contestants' lives. All I know about Phil Stacey is that he's a family man from the Navy who looks like a zombie. All I know about Antonella is that she is BFF with Amanda. All I know about Melinda is that she was a backup singer from Tennessee. Tell us more!

*The pimping is horrendous. That is all.

You have some great show ideas. I love the instrument week.

I also like your auditioning ideas.

"the 20 inbetween passing Hollywood and not making it on the show should be given an automatic pass to Hollywood for the next season. It encourages talented contestants who just missed out to come back. "

Yes! Absolutely. Great point.

Love the let them play an instrument idea. I totally agree. They need to look at this as less of a pop singer competition and more of an audition for musicians.

Great ideas, FC.

I keep seeing about AI losing to DWTS on Tuesday, but I don't understand this. AI was on from 8 to 9, DWTS was on from 9 to 11. How could DWTS beat AI if they were on at different times?

Anyhoo, some things I miss are seeing good auditions. Honestly, I don't even remember Jordin's audition, but I can still remember Reuben, Clay, Fantasia, Diana DeGarmo, and Carrie from their auditions.

I miss the behind the scenes stuff. Remember how we used to see scenes of them living together and their downtime and photo shoots and stuff like that? That was interesting.

For all that is holy, I would love if they would extend the Hollywood round to two weeks. I love, love, love watching them prepare and perform the group sings, and the group sing by Blake, Sligh, Rudy and the other guy this season was one of, if not the, highlight of the season for me. Also, I admit, I do enjoy the trauma-drama of the people in the groups battling over rehearsing and all that stuff. I could do without the hour long episode with the contestants being told if they're trough to the top 24.

Speaking of the top 24, could we shrink that number, or not drag it out for 3 weeks till we're down to 12? 5 hours of AI a week is just way too much. I was sick of the show before we even hit the top 12 this season. Either start with 18, or start with 24 and just do it for one week - take the top 6 girls & guys. You're going to pretty much wind up with the same groups anyhow.

The guest mentors are okay, but do we really need one every.single.week? I miss seeing them rehearse with Byrd.

Too much talky talky with Ryan and the judges. I don't think I watched a single episode live this season - I tivo'd and watched it later simply so I could fast forward Ryan and the judges. It's the same every time - Ryan says yo or dawg, Paula says she likes it, and Simon says everything I think. Then Ryan and Simon bicker and we get the numbers. Snooze. There is so little constructive criticism anymore.

I will say that I did actually enjoy most of the finalists this season, moreso than last season. I know I'm majorly in the minority on this one, but I thought season 5 was the worst season of them all, with the exception of Chris and Elliott. Hated the winner, hated the rest of the top 12, and actually stopped watching about halfway through the season. I did make it to the end of season 6.

Siggy by tribe

There is "did you win your time slot" and "did you win the night"

Like when they rank who had the most viewers in a given week. Usually American idol has had all the top spots every single week. That another show actually had more viewers at all is a big win for that show.

Tribe sprung my spring!