American Idol 2015 kicks off this week with the audition episodes so it’s time for us to think about what we want to see this season. And since Idol always starts with auditions, so will we.
American Idol producers are doing everything they can to refresh the show. And while we appreciate that, there are some parts of the show that shouldn’t be touched or should be revived. For example, bad auditions.
In earlier seasons, the bad auditions were a staple. People loved them. Some where along the way, someone decided fans were tired of those and wanted to see more shots of girl riding a tractor back home who may or may not make it to the live shows. While I like getting to know the contestants, I think there’s a time and place for it and the audition rounds aren’t the place.
So what I’m saying is, I’d love to see more goofy auditions … more rejections. I think we should get back to the roots of the American Idol auditions. Leave all the changes for later in the show.
That being said, I’d like to see more judge criticism. Harry Connick Jr’s addition to the panel has helped this a bit. He’s very tell-it-like-it-is, but not exactly mean. I guess only Simon Cowell could pull off mean and still be considered endearing. So let’s not say I want the judges to be meaner. Let’s say I want them to be more honest.
As for the contestants, I know I won’t be getting what I want on American Idol 2015. Because I’ve already read an interview with the new mentor Scott Brochetta and I already know what they’re looking for: someone already superstar-ready.
“We want more than just the best singer. We want the best artist,” Borchetta said. “Do they have the desire to go and do the things it takes to do this for the rest of their lives? Do they really want to be a big, successful artist? If we can shift the psychology, which we’ve already started, to: ‘Hey, just coming to Hollywood, that’s not the victory,’ (then) somebody’s going to win this and have a real opportunity to change their life.”
I don’t agree with his take. We want another Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. We want normal, struggling singers to take the stage and become a superstar. We don’t want stage-ready artists who have had five recording contracts in the past.
Sure we want a potential star, but we like to seem them be groomed as such. I’ll say this again: Idol producers are working hard to refresh the show, but sometimes it seems like they’re changing the wrong aspects of the show.
I understand that they want someone who is going to sell records. So do we. But we also want that rags to riches story.
And this might sound contradictory, but I’d love to see fewer sob stories … or at least be more selective on the types of sob stories. I wouldn’t mind hearing about how hard the work as a waitress and then sing in clubs on the weekends, but I don’t want a rundown of how all their family members have died and from what ailments.
And finally, I want to see more true musicians. I want instruments. I want to see more Casey Abrams and more Reed Grimms. I want to see musical geniuses show up and blow our minds.
Are you as excited as I am to get back in the swing of things with American Idol 2015? Let us know your hopes and wishes in our comments below!
I agree completely ! I can’t stand the sob stories, thinking the story will get them thru. If idol goes in the direction of looking for real superstars, that’s the ticket !!
I don’t agree with you. Kelly Clarkson already had a label contract to sign “BEFORE” she auditioned; but chose to delay signing and auditioned instead. Katy Perry has been picked up and dropped several times by record labels before becoming a star. Adriana Grande’ was told many times NO and she’s been trying become a star since age 13. Pro’s like Jena Irene are needed. The most “VOICE” contestants (thus far) have been able to accomplish is opening for other established artists-something Jena did “BEFORE” entering American idol!
I agree with the goofy auditions! I love seeing them from a young age and I can’t wait to see more of them! I really hope this show makes a difference this year, because while the talent has been great the last few years, we need to find a superstar.