Yes, it probably will. The real question is: will anyone watch it?
Facing facts – last season was terrible. The talent was mediocre and the judging panel just didn’t gel. Now Simon is gone, Ellen has left and many tour dates have been cancelled. It’s hard to imagine how the show is going to gain back it’s strength.
Watching the season finale, I realised that Paula was more important than anyone thought (especially the producers). When Paula came back, the show came alive again. Through the clips they showed of the early seasons, I remembered why American Idol was great. It was never just about finding new talent, it was about the relationship between the judges. Simon, Paula and Randy had great chemistry.
The last season was primarily dismal not because the contestants weren’t up to the show’s usual standard, but because the judges weren’t. Whether Ellen and Simon genuinely did not like one another (as is rumoured) I don’t know, but their personalities certainly didn’t click. As for Kara, she tried to flirt with Simon and generally fill-in Paula’s shoes, but it just didn’t work.
Now the only original judge left is Randy. He doesn’t have the strength of personality to carry the show. There are many big names currently being attached to Idol: Jennifer Lopez, Elton John Harry Connick Jr. and Jessica Simpson, to many a few. It is difficult to imagine the show with them on it. I don’t think that anyone can bring back the magic.
Maybe it’s time for the producers to call it quits. Let the show go while all us fans can still remember why we liked it.
Tags: American Idol, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell
