‘American Idol XIII’: Ryan Seacrest pleads with viewers to give show, new judges another chance
This week, we’re going to be done with the two major network singing competitions of the fall in “The Voice” and “The X Factor,” and it’ll be only a few days more than we’ll have the end of “The Sing-Off.” But following that, we’re going to have something stunning that we haven’t quite seen since this past January: A time in which there has not been some sort of singing competition on the air. Seriously. We’ve been watching singing now for over 11 months in a row at least once a week.
But come January 15, “American Idol” is going to be back, a show that is the original of this genre and, until recently, the best. But season 12 was awful to watch, and no amount of great singing from Candice Glover and Kree Harrison could make up for judges that really didn’t want to be there.
But at least the people on the show are at least admitting that last year was awful … right? Well, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Ryan Seacrest insisted that there are still some significant reasons to watch the show in the new year, especially from the standpoint of seeing people who want to be there:
“I will say this to those who have watched the show throughout the years and maybe they didn’t watch last year. I ask them to come back and give it another shot this year … The judges are so fun, and they are having such a good time and they get along with each other so well that I think you will see your old American Idol back on the air.”
The problem with Seacrest’s comment to us is that we really don’t want to see the old “American Idol” back on the air at all. Instead, we want to see some more news all about a better song selection, and if there are chances this season to watch the show and see people do something more than just take on ballad after ballad.
We’re going to be watching “American Idol” nonetheless, and presenting our honest thoughts along the way. Click here if you want to read some more news all about the show, including the latest promo for it.
Photo: Fox
b leigh
December 17, 2013 @ 12:29 am
Ryan, do these two things, and I’ll watch. Spare us the god-awful auditions of people who should not be seen on national TV! You think it’s entertaining…it’s not. And, please, spare us the gut wrenching back stories. If they win, I think we’ll get to know them. I don’t care if they were born under a bridge or raised by wolves, if they can’t sing their ass off…I’m not voting for them. Two simple requests – if honored – you’ve got a return viewer.
Rhosan
December 16, 2013 @ 8:15 pm
Besides a new song book, I want the judges to actually do their job. Telling someone they’re pretty after they’ve finished singing is not a critique of their singing but a fashion viewpoint. I was really saddened when a heard that JLo was returning. If JLo wants to judge the way a person looks, how about Project Runway? You can be nice and still give a great critique. Others shows seem to be able to do this. American Idol needs to step up. I have been so disappointed in the show for the last three years.
Nancy
December 16, 2013 @ 4:05 am
They tell us “It’s going to be about the contestants this time.” But then all the promos seem to feature the judges and their dazzling good looks! Okay, I’m glad the judges won’t be bickering or giving each other the silent treatment like Niki and Mariah did, (though you can’t tell me AI didn’t LOVE that…how many promos did they air showing the catfight between those two?) But the show has to be about more than good-looking judges who get along. How about making it about VOICES, not just diversity, sob stories, and hotness? Instead of an equal number of boys and girls, pick the most talented and let the chips fall where they may. I’m also tired of the bad auditions at the beginning, as well as the foul-mouthed contestants throwing tantrums and flipping off the camera when they’re rejected. I’m tired of judges over-praising their favored contestants, (“You’re the best singer of the past 50 years!!!”) Give me a break. And I agree with another poster that AI should respect America’s choices, and stop telling them that they’re “wrong.” Pay attention to the viewers, and maybe you’ll win some of us back.
atigrace
December 16, 2013 @ 2:52 am
I’ve watched exactly 10 mins (& that was only one time) of American Idol & have no intention of ever watching again. Maybe I just caught a boring 10 mins, but it appeared that Ryan Seacrest spent more time in front of the cameras than anyone else. It’s like he was a Kardashian, constantly mugging for the camera. Isn’t his (& the entire Kardashian klan’s) 15 minutes of fame up yet? I can’t help but think “exactly what r they famous for?”. The answer to that is they’ve done NOTHING, they’ve accomplished nothing & not a one of them has anything even resembling a talent of any kind. Its Paris Hilton all over again. Enough mugging for camera time, WHO CARES! Seacrest & the K klan, get off the air, your boring!
Samz
December 16, 2013 @ 12:00 am
I’d like to see them respect ALL the winners, and not try to push their own agenda by filling the opening credits with “also rans”. If winning doesn’t get you the respect and support of the show, then why bother to pick a winner at all? And if you are going to tell America, who choses the winner, that they “got it wrong”, then why let us chose? It’s just a slap in the face to the winner’s you don’t feature, and America, who you are trying to get to watch. I’ll watch again, when ALL winners are featured in the opening credits and ALL winners are invited back to perform each season.
hereiam33
December 16, 2013 @ 1:08 am
You are right Samz, NOT showing the winners the respect and support they deserve has hurt them more than they realize. Whether the winners were the ones that made big money for the powers that be or not, they are the ones the viewers voted for and wanted to see and would still like to see. If they aren’t going to respect who I vote for and make winning special then why should I bother to vote?
David Perkins
December 15, 2013 @ 10:53 pm
Happy judges are only a small part of it. Let’s hope the revamped show gets rid of stale format options. Theme weeks should be the first to go.