As you have heard by now, one aspect of Idol's host of "improvements" being sought ahead of its 10th season is the lowering of the minimum age to audition to 15. As you can imagine, this is a big deal in the vacuum that is the show's (early) off-season, and there is no shortage of opinions on the move.
As for me, I think it has come three seasons too late. Whereas there have been many viable young teens over the course of Idol's history that have fallen by the wayside when up against older, more experienced performers, it was not until Season 7 when teens pretty much were overlooked by voters (with the exception of David Archuleta, of course). Since then, the motto has virtually been NTNA - no teens need apply - when it comes to audition hopefuls. If they could go back in time, producers probably would have ensured a Justin Bieber-type to win the title. But really, if Miley Cyrus could make it big at 15, why not an Idol contestant?
Judging from the general sentiment stirred up from the reveal, I'm not alone in my doubts.
MTV News's Jim Cantiello writes "Why The 'American Idol' Age Limit Change Is A Bad Idea":
The last time "Idol" tweaked its age range was season five, where they upped the limit to 28 years old. The result? Taylor Hicks, a dude who looked 58, ended up winning. So if "Idol" is going the opposite route, does that mean America might be crowning a 15-year-old who looks seven come next May? In a year, will America be tired of pop stars who look like zygotes?
Marc Hirsh of NPR.org had more to say, including:
But even if we ignore the "Me, too!" mentality behind it (which is hardly new in the pop-music industry, or any entertainment industry, for that matter), Idol's sudden need to capitalize on the demographic that still needs Mom or Dad to drive them around ignores the simple truth that “talent” is not the same thing as “artistry.” This is a distinction made all the more important by the fact that Idol talks about contestants almost exclusively in terms of the latter word while rarely mentioning the former.
And Lyndsey Parker of Yahoo! Music opined:
Honestly, I personally would rather see the audition age limit raised, not lowered, on "Idol." Keep in mind that the biggest success story of all reality singing competitions in recent years has been 48-year-old Susan Boyle, and that Season 9's biggest "Idol" sensation was, arguably, 64-year-old General Larry Platt. Now, I'm not necessarily saying that senior citizens need to join the "Idol" ranks, and yes, I do understand that the show's producers probably want to seem more relevant to the top 40 marketplace in this tween-pop age. But I do believe this show improved when its age limit was raised from 25 to 28 in Season 4, thus allowing more seasoned singers with both performance experience and life experience--Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Melinda Doolittle, Michael Johns, Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert, Casey James, Michael Lynche, et al--to make it through.
Still, not everyone was being a downer about the move. In fact, Jordin Sparks, once a teen champ herself, offered some words of wisdom to young hopefuls via Twitter:
I auditioned at 16 & won at 17. The pressure/criticism you're under...it's a lot to handle! But talent & maturity will speak for itself! :)
about 5 hours ago via TwitBird iPhone
If you're 15 & going to audition for the make sure you're ready! Good luck! I'm rooting for you! :D
about 5 hours ago via TwitBird iPhone
Good luck to anyone auditioning! The pressure is gonna be crazy for everyone, not just the youngins! Stay focused! :)
about 4 hours ago via TwitBird iPhone
In any case, we should have a good gauge of what kind of crowd shows up for Season 10 by the time auditions roll around on July 17 in Nashville.
Showing posts with label justin bieber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label justin bieber. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
'Idol''s age min. drop - good or bad?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
IDOL LIVE Blog - Top 3 Results (5/19/10)
Tonight's results show proves to be one of the most anticlimactic in recent memory (like on the same level of Season 7). Thus, it's only fitting that we all join tonight's blogcast to point and yawn at its events together. If all else fails, at least we have Justin Bieber to perform not one, but TWO songs! Everywhere cheer with me now...
To see who I everyone predicts will be leaving tonight, see here. And as usual, please feel free to add your two cents throughout the one-hour blogcast. Coverage starts just prior to 9 p.m. ET.
Tonight's blogcast features the music of Amy Krebs, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Elliott Yamin and Haley Scarnato.
IDOL LIVE predix: Top 3 Results
As pimped as Lee was with all the bells and whistles (spotlights and backup singers) during his take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," his vocals were primarily on the mark, and so the judges can't be completely called out for their over the top praise. To add to this, his only other performance was helped by a great song choice (Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man"), and if this was even up to debate, Simon's surefire declaration that Lee "crushed" his peers in the first round should be evidence that the judges felt he decisively outshone everyone else.
Crystal Bowersox did the best she could given the circumstances, and her two showings were a mixed bag. While she fumbled on a generic rendition of Melissa Etheridge's "Come to My Window," she thrilled audiences with a gender-incorrect (or gender-correct, depending on how you look at it) version of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" (much to the pleasure of Ellen, who gave her a standing ovation as Crystal finished the song), and as Simon said, this was probably enough to drag her across the Top 2 marker in the race for the title.
And so it comes as no surprise that I'm pegging Casey James to leave in third place tonight. Nothing out of the ordinary, and I think virtually everyone else is calling for the same result. Casey had a good thing going for a while but he tripped up last night with an obsure song choice, stiff stage presence and shaky vocals, and the fact that he was thrown under the bus by every judge and their mother just cemented his fate.
Oh well, maybe Justin Bieber's performance tonight will lighten the mood and provide some excitement. On second thought...
In my original predictions I had Crystal finishing 3rd, so although it's possible this scenario could come to fruition, I just don't see it happening. At all.
Since the Top 24 I have correctly predicted 6-21 eliminations and since the Top 12 I have correctly predicted 2-9 eliminations. Go me!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
IDOL LIVE Blog - Top 10 Results (3/31/10)
It's not too hard to believe that last night's exhibitions were better than last week's, but there's still no reason to keep 10 people alive in this competition. Thankfully, we get to say goodbye to someone else tonight, unless the judges screw it up by using their stupid save gimmick.
Tonight's results show will include performances from Usher, Diddy with his band Dirty Money and possibly T.I. (fresh out of jail) and NOT Ryan's best new buddy Justin Bieber as first reported, but Ruben Studdard instead.
To see who I predict will be leaving tonight, see here. Please feel free to add your two cents throughout the two-hour blogcast, with coverage starting just prior to 9 p.m. ET.
Tonight's blogcast features the music of Brooke White, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Ruben Studdard and Ryan Starr.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Z100 Jinge Ball's "Road to MSG" premieres Friday
The king of Jingle Ball concerts took place last Friday at Madison Square Garden, when New York City's Top 40 radio station Z100 hosted its installment with musical guests including Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and John Mayer. Not surprisingly, a few Idol alums were among those included in the lineup, as Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen performed while Adam Lambert co-hosted the event.
Below are video segments from MSG's "Road to MSG: Z100's Jingle Ball 2009" special that will air tomorrow at 11 p.m. ET on the regional cable network MSG Network. Included are clips from Kris and Adam:
For photos and more features from the Jingle Ball, check out MSG's Jingle Ball Central. Also check out the site for more information on the "Road to MSG" special.
Friday, December 11, 2009
'Idol' odds 'n ends: Kris Allen, Jordin Sparks to perform at Z100's Jingle Ball tonight
The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:
>Tonight marks the biggest Jingle Ball of all, as New York City's Z100 Jingle Ball takes place at Madison Square Garden. Among the list of artists are none other than Kris Allen and Jordin Sparks. Other artists scheduled to perform include Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Boys Like Girls. More content on the Jingle Ball can be found on Madison Square Garden's official site including photos and video from past shows with other Idol alums.
Last night at another Jingle Ball hosted by fellow clear channel station, Boston's Kiss 108, Bieber helped Jordin out on "No Air," as he sang Chris Brown's part of the duet. Watch a bad-quality fan video below:
Jordin will next perform at the Y100 Jingle Ball in Miami tomorrow night, which will be co-hosted by Adam Lambert.
>Speaking of Adam, he was busy this week being named one of Barbara Walters's "10 Most Fascinating People of 2009," an annual TV special that aired on ABC Wednesday night. His segment lasted about two and a half minutes and can be viewed below:
Adam's interview and performance of "Whataya Want From Me" on The View also aired this week in which he said his "Dreidel spins the other way."
>While getting paid an insane amount to perform in the Cove Atlantis resort in the Bahamas last weekend, Carrie Underwood was caught by TMZ's cameras on Monday while she was relaxing on the beach. Watch below:
Carrie always seems to gain attention when she's out on the beach. Wonder why?
>In other Carrie news, she announced her 2010 tour promoting her latest album Play On. The tour will kick off on Thurs., March 11, at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pa., and will conclude on Sun., May 30, at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash. Opening acts include Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia, the later of whom helped out Carrie on her track "What Can I Say." Billboard has a full list of dates and destinations.
>Jessica Sierra became the latest parent in the Idol world, as she gave birth to Kayden Cash Sierra on Sat., Dec. 5, at UCLA Medical Center. She told RadarOnline.com:
"Things happen in life, and don't let your past get you down. You can always overcome -- you can overcome anything you want to and be a better person. Don't let people tell you that you can't."The baby's father is apparently an ex-boyfriend. IDOL LIVE wishes Jessica the best in her new role as mother.
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