A few days ago I was listening to the morning show on a local station, and they were talking about how American Idol's ratings have gone down this season and how the producers are planning on doing some tweaking to the show's format in an effort to boost the show's ratings.

I just found this blog on Vote For The Worst that discussed the same topic. I thought I'd share it with you guys and see if you had any input.



What do you guys think?

Personally, I agree with getting rid of the two or three weeks' worth of "bad" auditions and putting all that into a two-hour show. I usually don't even watch the show until Hollywood Week because I can't stand watching that garbage. It's funny for about five minutes, but after that I just get sick of it and would rather see the actual good singers.

I also like the idea of a duet night, although I'm not sure how fair that would be in terms of voting, or how they would decide who gets paired with who. It would be interesting, though.

I was reading through the comments on this blog, too, and a few people suggested an "America's Next Top Model" type format for the show, following the contestants' "behind the scenes" lives and their daily interactions with each other. One of the DJs on the radio show I mentioned earlier suggested this too. I personally hate that idea and hope it never happens. One of the things I like about Idol is that it's actually about the singing, and not stupid drama and catfights. I think that would make it really hard for me to watch.

Anyway, I just thought this was interesting and wondered if you guys had any thoughts on this.

They don't have to reduce the coverage of city auditions, but please cut down on the bad auditions...don't remove them completely, but cut the drama surrounding ppl who really can't sing anyways, it's not really that funny. Show more of the people who actually made it so we can see their transformations if they go far in the show.

While cutting down on the city auditions, increase the coverage of Hollywood week. Bring back the group songs with all it's catty fighting...that really shows what ppl are made of! I remember some groups almost killing eachother, but others doing great (Imagine a DC/MJ/CS group number!). I don't want to see catty interactions after this week. Keep the instruments and make those contestants who play instruments sing both with and without them. I like the new development for this year's first round where a contestant made the final round if judges liked them while those who did poorly got a second chance to make the final round.

I like that the judges are choosing the top 24...too many talented ppl fell through the voting process of AI3 (1st i watched).

Duets would be awesome! A weekly, random drawing will determine the pairing. It would demonstrate who is truly has the range and professionalism to work with others...but the group number can work this way if done right.

I'd also like to see a week (top 5 or later) where the finalists have to write and sing their own work!

Well first of all, I totally agree about bringing back the Hollywood weeks. I missed those this year.

Also, what I DID like about the Hollywood round was that the contestants got a second chance if they messed up the first one. It's probably one of my favorite parts about this season.

I LOVE that they let the contestants play instruments this year, it was an idea I had been talking about for YEARS. But I agree, they should have to perform with AND without them.

And lastly, I'd really, really, like to see a week where the contestants have to write a song of their own and perform it. This would show just how well-rounded the contestants really were. But, if they did this, my idea would be to do it with the top 3, not before that.

~Steph

lol i like option 6. thats so hillarious.
i actually like the auditions round. the horrible singers are great. c'mon we all need a laugh like the 1st audition this season with the guy singing Go Down Moses that was so hillarius i couldnt stop laughing. i think that there should be less Ryan and more contestants cuz i find ryan annoying. the whole ryan/simon arguements are getting really old. and the elimination show should be get short. i dont think that the hour long results show is necessary

Kinda agree with the results show thing. But if you want to keep it on Wednesday, then cut it down to half an hour. There's no true reason it should be an hour long.

As far as the setup for the contestants, no more of this choose-one-artist-whose-album-is-coming-out-this-week-and-make-them-a-theme themes. Only genre-based themes, and throw in an occasional write-your-own-song week. It'll keep the contestants fresh with ideas on arrangements, and it'll give the audience and viewers a chance to actually find out what musical talent they have and what to expect from them post-show.

And a smaller pet peeve of mine: the inspirational song at the end of the season? Ax it. It's usually very cheesy, and if they're going to have to sing three songs during the finale, let it be something tolerable. I don't mind the occasional inspired song like "Innocent," but don't make them release the song post-show and have to ride it as a precursor to their album. If the song wasn't written specifically for them, it won't showcase what they're going to sound like at all, and thus defeats the whole purpose.

Definitely agree with the theme week thing. I honestly wouldn't mind if they did away with celebrity mentors altogether. It seems like the point has just become to pimp whatever artist they're featuring that week, and it really annoys me.

And the "winning" song is definitely annoying too. I guess they have to pick a song that is vanilla enough that any of the contestants could do it. But why not let the contestants choose which song they will perform? That makes a lot more sense to me than just making two totally different artists sing the same song.

Something else I forgot to mention earlier that REALLY annoys me is how short the performances are. I mean, I know there isn't enough time for them to all sing 4-minute songs, but 1:30 is a ridiculously short amount of time to fit a pop song into. These last couple of weeks have been nice because now that there are fewer contestants, the songs have been noticably longer, and it's so much better that way. But sometimes, especially earlier in the season, it seems like the judges' critiques take up twice as much time as the contestants' songs, and that's just not right to me. I say give each judge 30 seconds to talk, cut out some of the stupid filler (like the Ryan-Simon banter, etc.) and allow the remaining time to increase the length of the contestants' songs. What a concept!

ROFL! number 5 made me LOL


"hey, thanks for showing up but you dont get to sing this week!"

that would totally suck for them. it's sorta like the MTV show Rock the Cradle where the ppl theer practice all week and then on the result day they find out if they get to sing or not. if that were me i'd be pissed cuz its like i worked so hard all week for nothing. thats so mean

I didn't read through it all, but what I think is by now, all of us familiar with the show know that the "BAD AUDITIONS" are phony. Not that the people are phony (although sometimes it is an act just to be on TV), but we know why they're put through to see the judges. We know by the number of people who've auditioned all these years how it works -- how they go through levels of tryouts, and most don't even make it to seeing the judges.

They can't fool us over and over again, after a while it's just not that funny. Yeah maybe for a 2 hour show, they can give us a mixture, but then please focus more on the good auditions -- because I know there are a LOT more good ones than they show. Even all the ones who make it to the Hollywood round, many I haven't seen their first auditions so I don't even know who they are or how they sound. Can't connect there.
I'd like them to show MORE of Hollywood time like they used to -- they cut back on it a little too much this time -- not even showing their full songs.

Cut back on all the wasted time cutting people -- just make it shorter, and focus more on the actual music.


And here's a big one (don't know how it'd go over with everyone):
Only allow ONE VOTE per phone line per contestant. That's it. None of this multiple voting crap. After a while, it gets to be like, why am I doing this, why do I care anymore? One vote. Then it's a bigger deal actually. Think about it. Or come up with a different voting system altogether, but still being one vote per contestant.

Allow each contestant (when let's say down to the top 12) more time for a song (like 3 minutes instead of 1 1/2).

Allow them to have more to work with on stage -- and allow them to do more current music -- or their own music.

The group medleys are a bit of a mess if you ask me. I'd rather it be broken down to let's say 3 sing together on one, and 3 on another. Break it up so they're better organized, better sounding, and featuring more of each of their voices.

Allow us to interact more with the contestants. The questions are just a beginning.
I'd like to see a little more behind the scenes (not real world drama style, no thanks!) -- just like they did in Season 1 when they showed them seeing the house they'd be staying in -- stuff like that.

you are my new hero. <3 That's the best idea i've heard yet. One vote promotes the growth of a fanbase, not tween crazies who stay up all night to vote.

I agree that auditions should be way shorter, although most of the people i know only watch AI for the bad singers. So maybe do a tuesday two-hour that's all crap singers, and a wednesday two-hour that's all great singers and TCO's so we can see who we're dealing with. Hollywood should be only one week, but focus more on the actual performances and less on interviews and judging. I like the system of second chances that they have now, though. And i love LOVE that they can play instruments.

One of the big things that i've noticed [with the help of Vote for the Worst ] is that the semifinals are slowly morphing into finals. If you watch season 1 semis, it's just the performer and a piano. One of Tamyra's best performances was during the semis. I say take out the audience and the theme weeks, and let us actually find out who these people are vocally. This might be a great time for behind-the-scenes stuff too. And a big W00T to bringing back wild card!

Oh, and let them sing songs that aren't older than the contestant. Constant one-performer theme weeks are annoying. Go back to genre themes.

I can't think of anything else ATM but i'll edit this eventually. :]

I think duets would be interesting one week...

I also would love to get rid of the weeks worth of auditions, they are annoying...I miss the behind the scenes of Hollywood week...they should bring back that.

I agree! I for one am lazy and hate using my battery, my texts, my money, and staying up for 2 hours being all tired, worrying about if I got enough votes in. Plus one vote per contestant would show everyone who truley has the biggest fanbase and not the most teenies who can text really fast.

I think this is a good idea too. I know they do something similar for Dancing With The Stars, only I think it's five votes per contestant. I don't usually vote for contestants on that show (except when Apolo Anton Ono was on it a few seasons ago, because he's totally my boyfriend.) But I always thought that was a better system than the unlimited-vote thing.

I think AI is the best singing contest on earth!! I luv the show,the judges,contestant, Seacrest, everything. No offense, but what we have here in my country are ew..not all, some show was great. The fact :

1. We have 6hours non-stop singing contest.
2. When u have horrible life don't worry, u won the show. Many ppl vote u cuz feel pity.
3. Too much fake thing like selling product. Example : On idol extra, DC feel hungry & want to eat. Then we would see DC open the fridge, take the Cheerios & said "Wow,it's my fave ever" or say the slogan.

FYI, we have Indonesian Idol here (season 5 is running Top20 now) but with different format. Such as :

1. No recording singer allowed. (it happen in season 1 so we make new rule)
2. There is top 24, top 20, top18. We have wildcard week.
3. Nothing like Seacrest, he's the best!!
4. Result show is only 2 hours after the show.
5. You can vote 24 hours a day, it stop every week just few minutes before the host announced who's eliminated that night.

I luv II too, we have great singer too. But what i hate is, many of the contestant past-Idol they become an actor not a singer, or even make an album. so, i think u should be thankful with AI. We have worst here..

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24357025/

so i was reading this and maybe Ryan might get the boot. not that i would mind bc i find ryan annoying.

The changes I will made for AI:
1. stop this whole "vote for the worst". becaue of this many good singers getting voted off, so it's need to stop.
2. Duet songs.
3. full length of songs.
4. At least one night that the singers can choose whatever they want to sing, even an original songs.
5. Allowed the singers to do crazy things on the stage, like stage diving (I just imagine David Cook doing this... haha!!)

ITA! I've been saying the same thing for years. They definitely have to change their voting system. Sometimes I feel like the votes don't even matter. I don't believe Michael had the least votes the week he left.

he didnt. he was cheated. and yeh i agree 1 vote per phone it seems thats the most fair way of voting.

DAMN, you guys are quick! I'll bet they don't have any dorky Ford commercials either.

well, i would DEFINITELY keep the judges the way they are--i heard that the judges might be replaced soon!!I dont think it would be the same if the judges were changed! I think we should see more behind the scenes during the show, too just to really get to know the contestants more and see who we're really voting for.

Allow people outside of the United States to vote.

also, what about the behind the scenes stuff? the closest i've seen are
1) hollywood week, they but kyle in a girl's dorm (this season)
2) on the show asked carly about being roomies with Amanda
and hmmm i cant think of anything else
*looks at list again*

THAT"S IT?!?!?!?
*swears*
we need more of the behind the scenes stuff.
i dont mean so much theres no time for singing
there should be more time for singing, like 3 mins
judges critiques shouldn't be so long
results show-the mentor really donsn't have to sing
it is kinda boring
and loonger recap (so we can see cookie sing for longer!)

i've heard Simon wants UK tv hosts Ant and Dec to take over for Ryan. im guessing ryan might be leaving afterall? anyway i wouldnt mind if they hosted AI since they did host pop idol in the UK and they are pretty upbeat guys from what i've seen

I was thinking...and I'm not sure it would be the same without ryan and the judges....meh..well..they could do without Randy (does anyone ever really care about him? It's usually all about Paula's crazy antics and Simon's toughness. i don't think we even need him. he's bias towards Archie and doesn't give any constructive thoughts). Plus I couldn't imagine anyone else in Ryan's shoes...so I say make the results show shorter (although I do like to see as much cookie as i can, but the last 3 mins to tell us who's leaving? wtf?) and cut the crap.I mean..I enjoy the Ford Videos and the questions (except when they're for the judges. IDC about them!), but the preformances...I take a small nap during those...