11 Ways To Make American Idol More Fun, Interesting and Appealing

News Type: Other — Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:37 PM EST

entertainment, american-idol, tv-guide, vacelts, drknow

This is my first season watching American Idol and I have been alternately entertained, dismayed and frustrated by what I have seen. What has made it worthwhile, though, was reading the recaps and commentary Vacelts and Dr. Know have been writing for Newsvine TV-Guide.
Today it's my turn to give this commenting-on-American-Idol-thing a try.

11 Ways To Make American Idol More Fun, Interesting and Appealing

1. Each time Randy refers to someone as "dawg" Randy has to have a finger nail pulled off.

2. When a judge says a singer did something wrong that judge must then get on stage and sing the way they think it should have been done. Put up or shut up, Simon and Randy.

3. You know how during jury selection attorneys only get certain number of votes? I think Simon should only be allowed be a certain number of negative votes.

4. Just as Simon is famously negative, Paula is usually too agreeable. So she has to say no to at least 20 percent of people.

5. Each time Randy butchers math terms – i.e. "1 million percent yes" – he has to be corrected on air by a math tutor. Having people refer to "giving 110 percent" has long been a personal pet peeve but he takes it to new levels of annoyances.

6. Get rid of Ryan Seacrest who is one of the most annoying people I've ever seen on television (with the possible exception of Larry King and Barbara Walters) . Maybe while having America vote on the contestants we can also vote on who can replace him?

7. Stop showing video introductions of those who don't get to proceed. It seems like adding insult to injury. Plus why make the viewers get attached, and root for someone, who we then see get the tv show version of an eviction notice?

8. Similarly, don't drag things out. It makes the Moment for Truth seem subtle in comparison. We don't need to see contestants crying, we don't need Simon, Randy and Paul causing candidates to have heart-stopping moments when hesitating before telling someone whether they are proceeding on the show

9 Make it a drinking contest, i.e. When someone does a Janis Joplin song the viewers have to drink wild turkey, when someone sings a song used in a beer commercial you must chug a beer, etc

10 Stop acting like this show really matters. Put simply, stop taking everything so seriously. Last nite, for example, did Ryan Seacrest really need to refer to events as "the final judgement?" A tad bit of exaggeration, don't you think?

11. Stop stretching things out – last nite's show could have been summarized in just a few minutes.

11 Votes
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4.9

{"commentId":1470328,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Feel free to list your suggestions below.

This is dedicated to Vaclets, whose piece on how they can make the audition process more interesting sparked parts of this piece.

{"commentId":1470328,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#1 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:52 PM EST

{"commentId":1470504,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Thanks. I think you had some great ideas here. I'm particularly in favor of the drinking game. However, if we proceed with they my reviews will have to wait until the next day. ;-)

{"commentId":1470504,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#1.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:28 PM EST

{"commentId":1470513,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Each time Randy refers to someone as "dawg" Randy has to have a finger nail pulled off.

I think you might need to adjust the "punishment" on this one. Randy will be nailless in the first 10minutes of the first episiode and then what will you do?

{"commentId":1470513,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#2 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:30 PM EST

{"commentId":1470546,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Then we injure other body parts?

I noticed last nite even Paula was doing Randy's math thing, i.e one million percent yes.

Unfortunately while I while wrote most of this Wednesday I've been essentially snowed in and offline for 72 hours so this was the earliest I could post it. If only I could have tried to stop Paula in time.
You know each time Randy does that the great math teachers die a little.

{"commentId":1470546,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:34 PM EST

{"commentId":1470585,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Yeah, we need that no drawing it out rule last night. I have to agree with Simon, the way that Paula kept doing it was just torture to the poor contestants.

I'm guessing you've been snowed in at work? I didn't realize you'd gotten so much snow up in Maryland. We have none in Richmond.

I was beginning to wonder what happened to you. I don't know that I've ever seen you offline that long without advance notice. I thought maybe you opted for a last minute vacation.

{"commentId":1470585,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:42 PM EST

{"commentId":1470646,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Email me and I'll fill you in but the short answer is that I've been working 72 hours straight (though allowed to sleep) which was good in that it gave me

{"commentId":1470646,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#2.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:56 PM EST

{"commentId":1470735,"authorDomain":"damiankd"}

DamianKD

American Idol was on in my house the other night, even though we don't actively watch it. (You know how you might leave the TV unattended while you do other things around the house?) Anyhow, I could't frickin' stand the whole "dawg" thing. I agree that he should be punished. He must've said dawg 27 times in 5 mnutes. Truly ridiculous. And those red shoes -- WTF?

Paula -- What to say about her? She looked half-stoned, and she's always too nice. She either needs to leave the show and be replaced by someone who isn't half-smacked out of their head, or she needs to start asserting herself and stop giving verbal hugs to every terrible singing moron that gets lucky enough to get stage time with the judges.

Well, that's my rant.

{"commentId":1470735,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"damiankd"}

2 votes

#3 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:17 PM EST

{"commentId":1471116,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I didn't give out punishment to Paula because her attempts to stay sober, sane and nice seemed punishment enough.

{"commentId":1471116,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#3.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:56 PM EST

{"commentId":1471031,"authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

Steve Watts

When someone does a Janis Joplin song

I've actually commented to other viewers of the show that this would be my #1 piece of advice for female singers. Don't try Janis Joplin. Just don't. You might have a good voice, but you can't pull it off. I've never seen a single female try one without either butchering it (awful singer) or reaching outside her range (good singer with bad song choices).

{"commentId":1471031,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

3 votes

#4 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:38 PM EST

{"commentId":1471135,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Oh, you just reminded me of something - see below.

{"commentId":1471135,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:02 PM EST

{"commentId":1471151,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

12. Don't sing songs by people who died before you were even born. Yes, that means
it'd be a mistake to sing any more Janis or Jim Morrison but trust me it makes you look
like an idiot when you try and fail and those of us who appreciate the original singers
appreciate you not butchering it.
Besides you're most likely going to look like you're trying to copy someone else's copy
of the artist.

13. For extra credit sing a duet... by yourself, as in sing both parts. Try , say, Under
Pressure (one of my favorite songs ever)

{"commentId":1471151,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#5 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:06 PM EST

{"commentId":1473726,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

sing a duet... by yourself

That would be interesting, especially in the early phases when we see people that have trouble singing one part.

{"commentId":1473726,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

3 votes

#5.1 - Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:19 AM EST

{"commentId":1474204,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Which is why it'd be so entertaining!:)

That reminds me:
The guy who sang Bohemian Rhapsody - when he started my reaction, "You are either a bloody fool or one crazy mofo" but he pulled it off.
It's a great song but a damn hard to cover.

{"commentId":1474204,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#5.2 - Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:13 PM EST

{"commentId":1474327,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

I was actually surprised he pulled it off to.

{"commentId":1474327,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

#5.3 - Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:39 PM EST

{"commentId":1471226,"authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}

winsomecowboy

If they had a guillotine I'd watch.

{"commentId":1471226,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}

5 votes

#6 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:25 PM EST

{"commentId":1473732,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Would a gong do?

{"commentId":1473732,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#6.1 - Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:22 AM EST

{"commentId":1471313,"authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

Jared Kardos

14. Amonst all the other singing challenges, make new ones on who best lives like a celebrity.

Hit and Run Challenges, Dick/Diva challenges, Shooting Up Smack challenges...that sort of thing.

{"commentId":1471313,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

3 votes

#7 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:44 PM EST

{"commentId":1471678,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

Dr Know

Randy and Simon have legitimate credentials to judge talent. They both have produced several very successful albums with many artists. They know what it takes to sell the product. Paula is an average or (slightly above) singer, who dances and entertains. She should be replaced. The Country Music Television (CMT) channel had a knockoff of this looking for the "Nashville Star". The judges were all successful promoters and producers. They picked a much more solid lineup of potential stars. They did not have an artificial limit on either sex. They picked the best.

They need to use the format they use on the dance programs. Combine the judges scores each week with the popular vote. They can prevent another Sanjaya easily that way.

{"commentId":1471678,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

3 votes

#8 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:44 PM EST

{"commentId":1471767,"authorDomain":"janeway77"}

Michael the Great

Nashville Star is on the look-out for REAL talent, not just marketability.

Want proof?

Ok-- on Nashville Star the contestants have to be able to WRITE, and PERFORM their own music.

Hardly anybody writes and performs Pop Music these days.

{"commentId":1471767,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"janeway77"}

4 votes

#8.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:07 PM EST

{"commentId":1472649,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Good point, Michael. I think so far everyone we've seen who wrote their own material has been rejected. What kind of message does that send? That it's more important to be able to be a good karaoke, er, cover singer than to be original?

{"commentId":1472649,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#8.2 - Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:16 AM EST

{"commentId":1475091,"authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

Jared Kardos

Dr. Know @ 8:

On one hand, I see your point on writing their own music--on the other hand...it's NASHVILLE STAR. You only need the amount of brain power to write a pop song--which is none at all.

{"commentId":1475091,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

2 votes

#8.3 - Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:57 PM EST

{"commentId":1491351,"authorDomain":"roybatty"}

Roy Batty

You only need the amount of brain power to write a pop song--which is none at all.

Particularly a Country and Western song!

{"commentId":1491351,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"roybatty"}

1 vote

#8.4 - Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:01 PM EST

{"commentId":1490159,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I just wrote my first review/recap of this show. Kill me now.

{"commentId":1490159,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#9 - Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:17 PM EST

{"commentId":1490321,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

You forgot to post the link?

{"commentId":1490321,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

3 votes

#9.1 - Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:57 PM EST

{"commentId":1490824,"authorDomain":"Juliet"}

Juliet

He's that embarrassed. What can I say?

{"commentId":1490824,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"Juliet"}

3 votes

#9.2 - Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:12 PM EST

{"commentId":1490899,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

I think he just ran out of time. Here's the link.

{"commentId":1490899,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

3 votes

#9.3 - Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:35 PM EST

{"commentId":1491177,"authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

Jared Kardos

Kill me now.

Okay! :D

*kills you*

{"commentId":1491177,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

2 votes

#9.4 - Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:03 PM EST

{"commentId":1499428,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Yes, I ran out of time. Thanks for providing the link

{"commentId":1499428,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#9.5 - Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:29 AM EST

{"commentId":1546610,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

My proposed American Idol drinking game

{"commentId":1546610,"threadId":"219601","contentId":"1301487","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#10 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 8:35 AM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"219601","isPrivate":false}

SCOTT (SCOOP) BUTKI

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11 Ways To Make American Idol More Fun, Interesting and Appealing

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