‘American Idol’ season 12: Could restructuring lead to change in voting?
While it may have not received the same sort of headlines as “American Idol” does as a show in general, there was still an important move made during this season of the hit Fox show, as Apollo Global Management purchased the show’s parent company CKx. Now that season 11 is complete, the group (which has been renamed Core Media Group) is already starting to look at what to do for the show moving forward.
According to the New York Times, the company will continue to fulfill all of the day-to-day operations held by CKx (whether it be management of the artists or tweaks in the format), but they also want to expand the brand out to such properties as a cable or web series focusing on the tour, or other programs that give you a better sense of what goes in to the show behind the scenes.
While the information above seems to be useful, what admittedly has us worried at the moment is that company head Marc Graboff says that “Idol” creator Simon Fuller is already looking to possibly tweak the voting format. Can we all agree that having five “white guy with a guitar” winners in a row is a little much? Sure, but what makes “Idol” special is that the voting is entirely in America’s hands. It needs the shocking eliminations to keep things exciting, and changing it would just make it more like “The Voice” or “The X Factor” at this point.
During the new company’s review, we do hope that they take a look at some of the more tiresome elements of the show — from audition rounds that are times plodding to the same songs being used season after season. As for the judges, don’t look to them for suggestions — Graboff claims that Fox will be behind most of this part of the process, since they need people who can bring in ratings.
At this point, what do you think needs to be changed about “Idol” — and are you in the same camp as us in that you don’t want there to be to be too much done to what has, even with the lower ratings, been a successful format?
Photo: Fox
Adriana Engle
June 5, 2012 @ 4:59 am
he did helluva good job! Example, Born To Be Wild. But Trespassing album is a whole different kettle of fish
Lam-my
June 3, 2012 @ 9:54 am
Thanks! Matt, that was quick. Efficiency! LOL.
Lam-my
June 3, 2012 @ 8:40 am
Hi Matt, I wrote a comment giving suggestions regarding the next new AI season. It was posted here with a smile sticker; but my rather lengthy comment has disappeared! What happened to it? :)
Lam-my
June 3, 2012 @ 5:14 am
Yea, the voting needs a lot of looking into. While the winner garners millions of votes, it doesn’t correlate with many Idol winners’ eventual sales numbers when they formulate/sell their actual cds, after the show’s hype dies down. Yes lots of confetti, beautiful cascading lights and emotional sobbings at the finale, but rather quickly many AI winners seem to disappear into oblivion. And before you know it, we hear they’ve been dropped by their recording companies. Adam as I see it will be the last one left standing years down the road, because in the first place he came with his eyes wide-open unlike many others who were at a lost the minute they left the Idol surreal false-impression bubble. Just a suggestion: perhaps the top 3 be given the chance to write/co-write/executive produce one song and sing it. Well, at least the viewers won’t be so ‘tuned off’ with their first album because they would have some idea what to expect and it might actually facilitate more accurate voting by the viewers, who are the eventual consumers. Isn’t this a common sales strategy which allows consumers a pre-test or taste of the new product. Even with Adam, there was a disgruntled number of fans who could not come to grips with his first album; because they got too attached to his style, voice and songs on Idol. It was almost a right-about turn comparing his first album with what he did on Idol, with the exception of his voice which is his ultimate real weapon! Personally, I am still attached to his AI songs because he did helluva good job! Example, Born To Be Wild. But Trespassing album is a whole different kettle of fish. FYE album, excellent. This is more from the sales point of view. Ultimately, to keep the show going it needs huge talents which will entice viewers to be glued to the tv worldwide. Another suggestion: Get Adam back to help restructure the show. :)
obie
May 31, 2012 @ 3:39 pm
I agree with the vote tweaking and i agree five white with guitars in a row is not right. there should be a variety of singers of all race, female or male and idol needs to change.