American Idol's ratings in free-fall?

[RockHard]

If I see one more singing competition, I may have to shoot a troll.

 

So I hear American Idol crowned another white guy with a guitar. Does anybody really care? I didn't think so. And the poor 16-year-old runner up. The headlines read, "she's anxious to begin her recording career." I hate to sound mean, but does anyone see this face on a CD (that only her relatives will buy)?

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7261587280_072f4d40f2_m.jpg

 

I didn't think so.

[jjkrkwood]

If I see one more singing competition, I may have to shoot a troll.

 

So I hear American Idol crowned another white guy with a guitar. Does anybody really care? I didn't think so. And the poor 16-year-old runner up. The headlines read, "she's anxious to begin her recording career." I hate to sound mean, but does anyone see this face on a CD (that only her relatives will buy)?

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7261587280_072f4d40f2_m.jpg

 

I didn't think so.

 

Considering there were over 132 million votes, Someone cares... Or perhaps this country just has a surplus of Trolls ?

And the runner-up is extremely talented, has an exquisite voice, poise AND personality, so your usual Cruel, shallow and superficial comment was unnecessary here. Until YOU show YOUR face, you should keep THOSE comments to yourself. For all we know, YOU may look like Golum ?

[josephga]

Isn't this the 3rd time in a row a guy with a guitar has won? I personal was disappointment with the results. I was expecting Colton & Skylar to make it too the end. Based one the 2 that made it to the end imo the wrong one won

[jjkrkwood]

Isn't this the 3rd time in a row a guy with a guitar has won? I personal was disappointment with the results. I was expecting Colton & Skylar to make it too the end.

 

YUP, Kris Allen. Lee Dwyse and Scotty McCreary... all WGWG (white guys with geetars)... If you listened to colton and Sklar on Last nights show, it should be OBVIOUS why they didnt win. In fact ALL the top 10 were pretty much dreadful. I was rooting for Joshua, but when he was booted, my vote went to Jessica. On last nites show, all Joshua did was scream EVERY song. Too much church influence in practice. All-in-all a lackluster Season, and I am sure that Phillip will join Kris and Lee on "Forgotten Island" real soon..

[josephga]

Phillip looks like he is in pain when he sings/ I did some checking lol a woman hasn't won since Jordin Sparks in 07 last winners in a row are david cook, kris allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips last 5 winners guys

[maxwellissmart]

If they were to do a "Second Chance" version of Idol with people who got close but didn't go all the way—I can guarantee you it would be the highest-rated season ever.

[jjkrkwood]

If they were to do a "Second Chance" version of Idol with people who got close but didn't go all the way—I can guarantee you it would be the highest-rated season ever.

 

MOST of those people are probably glad their association with Idol is over ?

[Bosguy]

Probable reason for the recent consistent number of male winners is the proven fact that the vast majority of viewers (and probably voters) are WOMEN. Look at the results of other "talent" shows and the results seem very consistent with this fact.

 

Boston Bill

[RockHard]

Since trolls have an agenda to turn every detail into a negative, I'll share what smarter men already knew:

 

My comment about "this face on a CD" has nothing to do with my personal feelings regarding the runner-up's attractiveness. I have always said here, and I truly believe it, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

 

As far as I'm concerned, UGLY comes from within, often evidenced in behavior. IMO, UGLY has little to do with your physical appearance.

 

The smarter readers knew I was speaking to marketing. How many Hispanic pop stars do we have who don't look like Jennifer Lopez? How many Filipino pop stars exist in America?

 

I'm delighted that Jessica Sanchez received her moment in the spotlight. Minorities are usually among the first to be voted off AI. Time will tell whether she can turn her dreams into an actual recording career. Unfortunately, the statistics are not in her favor.

[JT Brooklyn]

Probable reason for the recent consistent number of male winners is the proven fact that the vast majority of viewers (and probably voters) are WOMEN. Look at the results of other "talent" shows and the results seem very consistent with this fact.

 

Boston Bill

 

Totally Agree!

[BSR]

I used to love American Idol. The height of my Idol nuttiness was Season 3 when I fell in love with (musically, platonically) Elliott Yamin, even going crazy with trying to call in votes. I faithfully watched Idol through Season 9. Because I was more of a Simon Cowell fan (gotta love the brutal honesty) than an Idol fan, I haven't watched it since he left. Oddly enough, despite my mancrush on Simon, I haven't bothered to tune into his new show, X Factor. I guess I just got tired of all the chaff and not enough wheat. While there are some great numbers and great moments on Idol, you have to endure so much dreck! Out of the 2-3 hours of Idol a week (an hour or two of the performance show, an hour of the results show), there might be one number worth catching. And some weeks, nothing at all.

 

As for Jessica Sanchez, I certainly wish her all the best with her singing career. I have to root for her because her father's an Iraq War vet and her mother's Filipina. While I wouldn't have put it so bluntly, let's not pretend that looks don't matter, a LOT. Look at all the mediocre to BAD singers who have had monster success (Britney Spears, Madonna) because of their looks and persona. Compare their success to that of, say, Season 6's Melinda Doolittle, a brilliant and heartfelt singer who just isn't pretty. By the way, while Jessica isn't pretty, that is a particularly awful picture of her.

 

The three big demographic groups are grannies, girls (old enough to send a text, too young to drive), and gays. Of those three, the girls are the most fanatical voters. Grannies and gays might try to call or text a few times. But the girls are the only ones willing to power-vote with hundreds of text messages. This year's winner is a nice-enough-looking guy to power-up the power-voters. Finally, I love the idea of a second-chance Idol. If they brought back the contestants who achieved limited post-Idol success but nonetheless have really grown as singers and performers, it would be enough to make me tune in again, at least for that one season.

[Samai139]

Rockhard---glad to read your more detailed comments and even though I do not watch "American Idol" it is interesting to hear others' reactions to winners/losers. If the runner-up is truly talented and her voice is the "one-of-a-kind" type, she will do well. There's no reason why a CD cover has to include a photo---think of all the (I'm old remember)( album covers that were memorable but did not have the singers' photos. And Barbra Streisand's voice certainly trumped her non-Hollywood looks. Maybe, just maybe, we can embrace talent, rather than packaging?

[Guest verymarried]

Phillip looks like he is in pain when he sings/

 

I believe I read that doctors wanted Philip to drop out of the competition, saying that he needs immediate kidney surgery and that he postponed it till now. My general level of musical sophistication is so low that I watch this program to follow the cutest competitor and thus hoped for the endurance of Colton.

[RockHard]

If only it were so.

 

I used to love American Idol...While there are some great numbers and great moments on Idol, you have to endure so much dreck!

 

Initially, friends sucked me in. I started watching the last 2 shows of Season 1, and I saw no recording career for Justin Guarini. Although too fat, with no star-quality look, I thought Kelly Clarkson might do well. But I did not purchase any of her music because her voice did not seduce me. It still doesn't (even though I recognize her talent). I could never watch a live showing of AI. I always had to DVR it and fast-forward through most.

 

Look at all the mediocre to BAD singers who have had monster success (Britney Spears, Madonna) because of their looks and persona.

 

In fairness, Madonna writes much of her own music. And she wasn't really a "beauty" in the early years. She got smart fast. If you write music that will sell, record companies will cut some slack in the looks department. But, these days, if you write and you're average looking, chances are you'll make more money selling songs to other stars.

 

Compare their success to that of, say, Season 6's Melinda Doolittle

 

When it comes to being offered a recording contract, age matters, too. In contract signing years, Melinda was past her prime. Young girls are the only market segment who actually purchase pop music these days. If you can't play to millions of 14-year-olds at the start of your first album, no large label will sign you.

 

even though I do not watch "American Idol"

 

I stopped watching 3 seasons ago, but I stay in the news loop.

 

There's no reason why a CD cover has to include a photo

 

Good luck convincing a record executive of that.

 

Barbra Streisand's voice certainly trumped her non-Hollywood looks.

 

In the last 40 years, the music industry has produced only one Barbra Streisand. Many doubt she could get a record deal today with the voice she had 40 years ago. I believe she's on record saying the same thing.

 

If the runner-up is truly talented and her voice is the "one-of-a-kind" type, she will do well.

 

Well, "do well" is a relative term. Since the vast majority of winners and runner-ups have been dropped from their original recording contracts, the reality of AI participants doing well in a recording career is a statistical loser.

 

Some perspective:

George Michael's "Faith" album debuted in 1987, selling 11 million copies. His follow-up work, "Life Without Prejudice" sold only 8-million in 1990. Columbia/Sony, his record label at the time, claimed "Prejudice" a failure. Michael famously sued Sony in 1994, an attempt to get out of his contract.

 

Adam Lambert's second album, "Trespassing," debuted this past March selling only 77,000 copies. His first album, "For Your Entertainment," sold only 198,000 when it debuted. And Adam is a top-tier star from American Idol.

 

The music industry has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Most people do not realize just how much it has changed. A lot of pop music is exchanged for free on the internet now, and record companies are still trying to figure out how to stop the hemorrhaging. Budgets have been slashed, fewer contracts signed. Record companies no longer "groom" talent.

 

A controversy of American Idol is that its contestants and winners do not consistently succeed in the music business. They don't even come close.

[maxwellissmart]

That's Listen Without Prejudice, Vol 1.

 

And to be fair to Sony, that's around the time that George started acting like an asshat and doing drugs and engaging in other behaviors that were less than savory.

 

Actually "Trespassing" just debuted this past week or so, at #1. Adam Lambert may never have incredible sales, but I think he will have longevity in the business that Clay Aiken could have enjoyed had he not turned into some unfriendly weirdo. I was always sad that Tamyra Gray has never had a higher profile—I loved her on Season 1.

[RockHard]

Max, thanks for the corrections. Of course it's "Listen." I have no idea where "Life" came from. (Could I have been glancing at a photo of Obama and that boy?)

 

I completely disagree with you on "fair to Sony," but that's because I had business relationships with most of the senior players at Columbia, who remained after Sony purchased the company in 1988. I heard the George Michael scuttlebutt from the inside, and I don't know a single executive (who liked George) who didn't think George got a royal screwing. (There were several other top-name artists who followed George and sued to get out of their Sony contracts, supporting George's effort.)

 

When an artist disagrees with its label, the label can get more evil than anyone on the outside could ever imagine. I have many stories that have yet to appear in print. George wanted out, and the label took that as a HUGE offense. I don't think drugs or sex had anything to do with George's label issues. That's a smoke-screen. Every record executive I know did drugs and paid for sex in those days, on company-owned aircraft. George's behavior was nothing compared to some former employees I knew. George's fight was all about the MONEY.

 

Yes, "Trespassing" was released recently. It was originally scheduled to release in March. Much like movies, 1st week sales are recorded, and they set the bench mark for every other project. The point for me is that Adam Lambert's numbers far outrank his co-Idol participants. Many are no longer signed with a label.

 

As for "longevity in the business," that remains to be seen. The point for me is, the record business has changed in a very dramatic way since our world has gone digital. None of us know what the future holds because technology is changing fundamental structures so rapidly. So when people talk about AI contestants achieving "success" in the recording industry, I have to wonder what world are they living in?

[jjkrkwood]

That's Listen Without Prejudice, Vol 1.

 

And to be fair to Sony, that's around the time that George started acting like an asshat and doing drugs and engaging in other behaviors that were less than savory.

 

Actually "Trespassing" just debuted this past week or so, at #1. Adam Lambert may never have incredible sales, but I think he will have longevity in the business that Clay Aiken could have enjoyed had he not turned into some unfriendly weirdo. I was always sad that Tamyra Gray has never had a higher profile—I loved her on Season 1.

 

Clay Aiken was frontrunner on Celebrity Apprentice, and came across as a sweet, likable person. His fan base is Strong. Alas he lost to Arsenio Hall... Gays just cant catch a break in anything !

[maxwellissmart]

Max, thanks for the corrections. Of course it's "Listen." I have no idea where "Life" came from. (Could I have been glancing at a photo of Obama and that boy?)

 

I completely disagree with you on "fair to Sony," but that's because I had business relationships with most of the senior players at Columbia, who remained after Sony purchased the company in 1988. I heard the George Michael scuttlebutt from the inside, and I don't know a single executive (who liked George) who didn't think George got a royal screwing. (There were several other top-name artists who followed George and sued to get out of their Sony contracts, supporting George's effort.)

 

When an artist disagrees with its label, the label can get more evil than anyone on the outside could ever imagine. I have many stories that have yet to appear in print. George wanted out, and the label took that as a HUGE offense. I don't think drugs or sex had anything to do with George's label issues. That's a smoke-screen. Every record executive I know did drugs and paid for sex in those days, on company-owned aircraft. George's behavior was nothing compared to some former employees I knew. George's fight was all about the MONEY.

 

Yes, "Trespassing" was released recently. It was originally scheduled to release in March. Much like movies, 1st week sales are recorded, and they set the bench mark for every other project. The point for me is that Adam Lambert's numbers far outrank his co-Idol participants. Many are no longer signed with a label.

 

As for "longevity in the business," that remains to be seen. The point for me is, the record business has changed in a very dramatic way since our world has gone digital. None of us know what the future holds because technology is changing fundamental structures so rapidly. So when people talk about AI contestants achieving "success" in the recording industry, I have to wonder what world are they living in?

 

Well, keep in mind that the show is called "American Idol" and not "Idols." I'm actually surprised at the number of contestants who have made a splash in the biz that was fairly lasting—or they parlayed their popularity on the show into acting, Broadway, etc. If you look at the number of contestants who have kept a plate spinning at least a little, then the show has really produced quite a bit of talent.

 

And two of the contestants have truly become recording stars.

[jjkrkwood]

Well, keep in mind that the show is called "American Idol" and not "Idols." I'm actually surprised at the number of contestants who have made a splash in the biz that was fairly lasting—or they parlayed their popularity on the show into acting, Broadway, etc. If you look at the number of contestants who have kept a plate spinning at least a little, then the show has really produced quite a bit of talent.

 

And two of the contestants have truly become recording stars.

 

What do you know Max ???? you CANT speak with the same authority that Mr R does..... One does NOT question him when he speaks.... LEARN IT !

[RockHard]

I'm actually surprised at the number of contestants who have made a splash in the biz that was fairly lasting—or they parlayed their popularity on the show into acting, Broadway, etc.

 

In this age of reality TV, people are getting smarter and using ability to parlay their "15 Minutes" (yes, I miss Benjamin Nicholas on this board) into a cash machine. With an independent contractor's soul, I'm always happy to see talented people put their skills and opportunities to work.

 

And two of the contestants have truly become recording stars.

 

And won the highest awards one can. Hell, Jennifer Hudson, whom I adore and thought she got voted off much too early by the tin-eared American public, won an Oscar. No topping that.

 

Shows like American Idol have changed the landscape, for sure. Now, if you aspire to be a famous singer, all you have to do is make a tryout. You don't even have to move to NYC or L.A. American Idol will come to you.

 

The record companies hate me for saying it, but stripping them of their power over artists is the best thing for most artists. They seriously robbed and fucked over a lot of unworthy people through the years. The music industry attracts a lot of sleazeballs. Worse than porn, and dumber, too.

[EZEtoGRU]

I think AI is on life support at this point. Heck, even former winner Kris Allen has commented recently that it may be time to kill the show.

 

I had to laugh at BSR's comment about Madonna getting ahead based on her looks. Madonna has never been a true beauty. They fixed her up well, she was fashionable, and she has always stayed in shape. What really propelled her career was that she had some good songs, was always controversial, and kept pushing the envelope. I never thought her success was due to her physical appearance.

[maxwellissmart]

I think AI is on life support at this point. Heck, even former winner Kris Allen has commented recently that it may be time to kill the show.

 

I had to laugh at BSR's comment about Madonna getting ahead based on her looks. Madonna has never been a true beauty. They fixed her up well, she was fashionable, and she has always stayed in shape. What really propelled her career was that she had some good songs, was always controversial, and kept pushing the envelope. I never thought her success was due to her physical appearance.

 

I disagree—Madonna is one of the most photogenic women I have ever seen. The only one who I can think of at the moment who clearly tops her in that category would be Linda Evangelista.

[EZEtoGRU]

I disagree—Madonna is one of the most photogenic women I have ever seen. The only one who I can think of at the moment who clearly tops her in that category would be Linda Evangelista.

I simply don't see her as a beauty....and never did. Loved her music. Been to loads of her concerts. Loved many of her numerous "looks"......but beautiful? Nah.

[JT Brooklyn]

Madonna A Beautiful Woman No.. a Woman who has always been Made Up Beautifully Yes!

 

Lets hear it for all her "Make Up Artists" and AIR BRUSHES OF LATE and over the Years! Clealry NO Super Model as was Evangelista even til today!

[BSR]

I said looks or persona. With Britney Spears, the epitome of white-hot trailer trash, it was more looks. With Madonna, it was more persona, a controversial, attention-grabbing persona both on stage and off. With recording sales in a freefall, most of the money in the music industry is made by touring. Today more than ever, it seems that looks and/or persona matter far more than actual singing talent. Me? I'd much rather attend a performance by a brilliant singer, looks be damned. But it seems the kids who pour most of the money into tour ticket sales don't feel the same way.