Ted,

I am ashamed to admit that I watch American Idol. Not every week, and usually only snippets from the auditions. It's like watching a runaway train looking for a place to wreck. You know you should turn away, but you just can't help yourself.

Lewis -- "...watching a runaway train..." has to be the perfect metaphor for AI.

Ted -- AI remains the rage amongst the elementary school crowd, and I've watched it this week with my 4th grader. But I feel like I'm Media Slumming when I do -- and what's more, I find my tone getting a little preachy when I start commenting to my kids about how the show manipulates both the viewer as well as the participant, and how the hosts and MC project what can only be disdain for most of those who audition.

I love AI! I'm not ashamed to admit it. Being a songwriter, I love your idea.
I'm not delusional like those poor saps that audition. I'd send in a song and gladly accept their criticism. Really though! It is unbelievable how many kids think than can sing. I'm not stupid... I know the show is edited and only a few get through to see Randy, Paula and Simon...some of the worst and some of the best. It's the inbetween people that are the most heartwrenching.
I wouldn't call it quits yet. Kids of all ages love this show.
Rockstar Supernova was great too! I hope it comes back.

Thanks for your comments, Lewis and Ann. Lots of folks feel as you do. Yet, with all that we know about AI, it's amazing we still watch it. Isn't it?

I'm with you, Tammy. It is heartwrenching to see how many kids think they have that special something to make it in the music biz. Namely: a great voice, style and charisma. I feel sorry for them. On the other hand, a few demonstrate such vocal ability, it's astounding.

I suspect lots of us watch it on and off because this human drama plays out on our TV screens, mimicking so many of the other experiences in our lives. And Americans do love to root for the "underdog". That's another aspect of AI that probably gets lots of us to tune in. . .

Ted -- yeah, we DO still watch it! But this is the first year I've felt a little icky about it. This year, the judges seem particularly brutal and the producers seem particularly mean-spirited. Or maybe -- it's the year I've noticed.

It's one thing to criticize singing talent (or lack thereof), but the judges have been freely commenting on the "weird" looks and appearances of some auditioners, and then laughing at them on camera after they exit. Is it funny? Sometimes -- especially when you suspect that it's an actor planted at the audition. But it's also a little heart-wrenching. As a parent, it's hard to watch that with your child and sleep soundly at night.

See? I'm getting preachy.

My gut instinct is that this sort of turn will be the downfall of AI.

At least, I can HOPE!

Ann,
I empathize with your POV. But, we vote with our remotes, don't we? If we don't like some of the entertainment fare on TV, we can click to another network.

If viewers increasingly see cynicism, sarcasm and belittling going on, the AI franchise will pay the price and start losing audience share this season. However, some viewers probably enjoy this kind of thing. We'll see what happens and get a pretty good indication of the trend over the next few weeks.

I'm pretty sure that the people they make the most fun of are paid and sign a waiver saying it's okay to put them on TV. There's been only one girl I felt sorry for. She was a make-up artist that they profiled and they built it up like she had a chance but the poor dear couldn't sing at all. Then I wonder if she got a job doing make-up for auditioners that day or maybe they'll take her on the road to do make-up. I say this because she was actually good at make-up. Who knows! There's a whole lock down on the reality of the show.
I think this whole audition build up is really staged and should be taken with a grain of salt. There ain't no reality in reality TV.
The show usually kicks into gear when more than half of the contestants have been booted off. The rest is fluff to engage viewers. I tell my daughter this and she seems to accept it. I am as cynical as they are. It's all about entertainment. Have you seen where some of the former contestants are showing up?
Jennifer Hudson just won a Golden Globe!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4946277/

The fact is, they do discover talent and I think it's so cool when anyone gets a leg up in the music and/or entertainment industry.

Ted:

I've never actually lasted through an entire episode. However, with the music business in the state its in, finding talented people outside the label system was a much needed shot in the arm. Lots of good things to say about how they've done what they've done.

What's next? I'm not sure they need to retool. I think that staying to the core brand and delivering bigger and better is where they need to be. Taking a left turn into songwriting may be an interesting test, but I wouldn't bet the $2.5B franchise on it. Would you?

Tammy, your observation about AI is dead on. The show has unearthed some real talent, in spite of its sometimes hokey approach to exposing it to the general public.

Stephen, you've basically observed the same thing. As to the inclusion of a song writing contest, I suspect that if this aspect of the show is well-received, it will be around for awhile. If not, it'll be a case of "one and done". You can't blame the show's producers for looking for new, innovative ways to keep the show fresh, though. I'm not sure how they can deliver "bigger and better" in the way of selecting and encouraging singing talent than they already have. But I'm sure that if there's a way to do it, they will find it.

Thanks for weighing in, all.