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Idol Thoughts
'American Idol': Is younger really the way to go?
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"American Idol" has announced that for Season 10, the age limit eligibility for auditions has dropped to 15 years old. Can that be considered an improvement? It depends on what the show wants to improve.If the show is looking to improve its talent pool, we do not think lowering the age limit is the answer. In fact, raising the age limit is probably the way to go. Sure, there are pop stars like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus who made it big at a young age -- but those stars are so one-in-a-million that we are skeptical the show will find the next Bieber or Cyrus by lowering the age limit.
Instead, you'll get even more performers like Aaron Kelly -- a sweet young kid that felt all season like he was playing dress-up in his dad's closet. Kelly is definitely talented, but he seemed like a half-baked cookie. We would've like to have seen him wait a season or two before auditioning.
Lowering the age limit will merely serve to increase the number of half-baked cookies we get at auditions. "American Idol" isn't about straight-up vocal talent anymore -- it's about knowing who you are as an artist and being able to make songs your own. And for that reason, we think actually keeping the lower range where it is and raising the upper range from 28 years old to 30 or 32 is the best way to improve the talent pool from which the show draws.
However, if the "Idol" machine isn't so much worried about the talent pool but is instead worried about the way its voting demographics appear to have shifted in the past 3-4 seasons, then changing the audition age is probably exactly what the show needs.
We can't pretend that middle aged moms and tween girls don't rule the voting bloc. Why else do contestants like Tim Urban and Aaron Kelly stay in the competition at the expense of contestants like Siobhan Magnus and Didi Benami?
So what better way to cowtow to those voting demographics than to get even younger, more Bieber-esque contestants (because let's be honest, Bieber may physically be 16 but he looks like he's 12).
While "Idol" may get even harder for the rest of us to watch, perhaps the show is playing up the strongest audience it has. In that case, the move will probably serve the show well in its 10th season.
Of course, there is also the point of view that this change is fairly inconsequential and that what will really make or break Season 10 is who replaces judge Simon Cowell.
What do you think? Vote now!
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Bad idea to lower it... reeks of desperation... How about just putting really good singers thru and not just the freak shows and those with "possibly interesting" backstories.... Pretty sure this shows that AI is definitely on the way out...
This show needs to completely abandon the interviews with contestants throughout the show as well as stop with the annoying back-stories. American Idol is supposed to be a singing competition. Just show the auditions. You already know who's a finalist just from watching the audition shows. That's annoying. I don't need to see footage of them at home, interacting with their families and friends and what-not. That's not what the show is about. And for the LOVE OF PETE, enough of those HORRIBLY CHEESY Ford commercials! That's the worst part of the show.
I think it's a good idea. Fifteen to twenty-one or twenty-four maximum should be the age restrictions. No one wants to watch old people trying to become pop idols.
I think their problem is TOO much pandering to the fickle teen audience. They need people that are mature enough to become stars, but just need that one break.
Tgmee, I agree with you. This show is no longer a singing competition. It's a bunch of children voting 200 times for the cutest guy. Well, they don't go out and buy 200 copies of their CD, which is why "winners" like Chris Allen don't become a big success. I only watched this year because of Simon. I won't be watching next year. There are way too many other good shows to watch.
It should be limited to one vote per phone number. But then that would prevent Ryan Seacrest from announcing 30 million votes were counted the previous night, thus giving the viewer the false impression that 30 million people are watching American Idol.
I would worry about the younger kids from a psychological standpoint. Think of the average teen and how their own hormones are going crazy and how up and down emotionally they are. We all know they can unintentionally take a comment or look the wrong way. How are they going to take the rejection of being voted off the show?? Miley Cyrus & Justin Bieber are on top right now at 17 and 16 respectively, but I'd say in 5-10 years they will probably being doing Sober House to try and keep in the limelight. It's sad that the demographics all these reality/talent shows are aiming for are the teens.
This ranks right up there with the second season of "Mork and Mindy" on the list of things NOT to do to "improve" your show.
Allowing more teenyboppers into a singing competition is a mistake. The age should always have been 18-32.
If they want to turn this into a teenybopper competition then kudos. Otherwise, this show is in trouble.
Just like older contestants can be less than ready for prime time, the AI experience can be just what a younger one needs to move into it. Aaron Kelly is a good example--by 16, he'd already opened for acts like Martina McBride and Loretta Lynn. Young, but not a neophyte, just the kind of kid who really could be the next Bieber, Miley or Taylor Swift. You can argue about whether that's a good life choice, but if they're determined enough, kids like Aaron will pursue the dream with or without Idol.
They need to worry about the talent, which seems to have dried up over the past few years. I truly love Kris Allen, but wouldn't pay for his cd or to see him in concert. He'd be a pleasant surprise at the local coffee shop. They need some powerhouse belters. This contemporary rock crap(Lee, David and Daughtry) is getting on my last nerve.