Season 8 countdown: six days and six causes for hope (and despair)

In less than a week, the Idol Nation diaspora comes to an end.  Ryan Seacrest will call his people to him and together we shall once again behold the glory that is American Idol.  After months of speculation about the judges, the format, the contestants - all will be revealed.

This is the most anticipated season in years, with more shake-ups to what has become TV's Ur-format than Idol Nation has absorbed since the first seasons. A new judge!  Backstage fights! Younger mentors!  What will it all mean?  We'll find out next Tuesday.  In the meantime, here's six reasons to hope and six for despair.

Six Reasons Why This Could Be the Most Exciting Season Ever
1. The New Judge: In Season Seven, the panel often seemed to be phoning it in.  New blood can't but help keep get Cowell and Co. back on their game.
2. Double Hollywood Week: I am of the opinion that Hollywood Week is not only the most thrilling part of Idol, but possibly the greatest drama in all of television - leading up to the Green Mile; the most harrowing viewing since Euripides.  This year we will receive not one but two weeks of Hollywood Week (oxymoron though it may be.)  I say, that's a good start, but it's still not enough.
3. The Cook Legacy: David Cook showed that the rocker demo can now play to way and not just be happy as a noble also-ran to softer talents.
4. The Archuleta Legacy:  The sleeping giant of the screaming tween demographic has been awakened.  They fell short in the final lap last year, but can anything keep them from the prize in Season Eight?  Watching their ruthless ascent will be a great show in itself.
5. Wild Cards:  Each year a giant talent or two fall by the wayside in the Top 24 (this year Top 36) rounds before getting a chance to prove themselves. Historians can only puzzle at what might have been if Alexandrea Lusington or Patrick Hall had advanced to the big stage.  This year, we will have no such regrets.
6. Backstage drama.  This year's show will include more backstage footage.  If catfights break out, the producers promise they will share them.  And who can object to that?  At least on grounds that its more information for the historical archives for future generations to study at the American Idol Institute...

And for reasons to despair, keep reading after the jump.

Six reasons why this could be the worst season ever:
1. The new judge: TV chemistry is lightning in a bottle.  Once destroyed, it can never be re-created. The presence of Kara Dioguardi could destroy the critical Simon/Paula frisson that makes up the show's core.
2. Too much format:  With the wild-card rounds, the backstage footage and all the other tinkering in store, will the producers risk turning the show into "Survivor," one step away from relay races?
3. Rocker noise: With the advent of the David Cook era, will the show stray from its Celine Dion/Faith Hill/Patti LuPone-inspired roots and become a big, noisy jam session?  That would be good news for some perhaps, but for we fans of emotive song stylings, it would be an ice age.
4. The kids: Screaming tweens are funny to a point. And then they are not.
5. Old age:  Everything loses its steam sooner or later.  Could "Idol" be entering its geriatric period?
6. The culture has moved on: Perhaps in the age of economic meltdown and Washington upheaval, the need for escapist singing drama won't be what it was. And with a new hope-fueled president, the nation may no longer need a pop singer to inspire us.

So cast your votes.  Are "Idol's" best days ahead, or is this the beginning of the end?  Share your thoughts, as ever, in the comments section.

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo: Fox

Comments

[Michelle]

I don't think we're in any danger of AI dropping its fixation on melismatic runs and love/hate relationship with Whitney-Mariah-Celine type music (or as you put it, emotive song stylings). That said, I think the audience is looking for more than just a pretty voice these days...

[Margo]

I can only hope that the positives will outweight any negatives this season of Idol. This is my favorite show of all time (and I'm not young) so I'd love to see it last for many more seasons. I admit that I'll miss the ballad-type style the show is known for if it does become a stage for alternative music. To me David Archuleta was more of an icon for the ballad-style than for screaming teens, but then I'm not a teen. And I'm thrilled about two weeks of Hollywood! Last yaer's was way to short. Here's to another great season of American Idol!

[Annie]

This season's success will be in part determined by wether the show producers have actually learned something from last season's successful winner:
1. Kindness: Cut the drama... at least if you want this to be a stellar talent show. Having these people work together and build friendships helps them all blossom into their potential.
2. Self-awareness: give them room to showcase who they really are as an artist... don't pigeonhole any of them into a stereotypical box. You get better, more emotive (HONEST) performances that way.
3. True talent: Set up the show to reward true talent... you have some great musicians and songwriters at your disposal... USE them!

... and please, don't make anyone else wear lime green spandex.

[AIdolFan]

I think that American Idol has seen its best. Each year, just when you think that there is no one out there that can outdo the past season, there comes someone at least as good as the last UNTIL David Archuleta. He is the most beautiful voice that has ever come out of American Idol and to have such natural talent. wow!!! The only one that will ever outdo this 18 yr. old wonder is himself as he gets older. Watch him, he continues to get better and better it is AMAZING.....wasn't he already perfect? I inttend to check out the competition, but I don't think it can be done.

[angelofdja]

Season 7 was it for me. The show ran its course. Then again, the "mold was broke" when Archuleta arrived! I found my idol...the best singer of season 7: David Archuleta!!! I lost trust in the show. But, what do I know? I know I don't care to watch it ever again.

[Barbs]

Season 7 produced two genuine Super Stars with the Davids. There is nowhere to go this year but down this year, talent wise. That is why Simon talks about making the show a personality drama and makes desperate moves like adding a new judge to bolster interest.

Certain rodents have already, or are still are considering jumping off the Idol ship because they sense impending disaster. The only way to keep the Idol boat afloat one more year? Crew heavily with Carrie, Daughtry, Kelly, Jordin, and, most importantly, the Davids.

But for the long term? Writings on the wall. Will Captain Simon go down with his ship? That's the only real question left.

[carolynlee]

Season 7 was my favorite AI season of all time. I think this is mostly due to the genuine variety of styles represented on the show and because of the camaraderie between the contestants themselves. It was very refreshing to see. The two Davids especially were real class acts when it came to how they dealt with the competition and each other. Can Season 8 match this? I hope so------but can Archie ever be matched? I don't think so. He takes my breath away

[vickie]

I hope the show retains what I thought were it's finest moments this year. The group honestly supported and cheered for each other. I don't want to see it turn into a "cat fighting", judge bashing, back-stabbing horror show. If the talent is there - people will watch and continue to invest their time in the show. If it becomes another reality nightmare then it needs to die a quick death. I'll cherish my memories of the amazing performances of season 7.

[IT JUST A WASTE OF TIME]

It's now time to fold the tent and move on. AMERICA PLEASE DON'T BE SUCKER - I hope AMERICA learned something from last season that the result was manipulated and no guarantee that they won't do that this season unless they change there voting system make it more honest. I would suggest they follow the voting system like DANCING WITH THE STAR. That is why they chop of the head of the producer: Mr. Lythgoe, why do you think is that? Hahaha!! I believe a lot of viewer won't be watching AMERICAN IDOL - That why they are promoting it so hard this time around in this season - for this is their COW MONEY. AMERICAN IDOL IS JUST FOR THE MONEY NOT TO LOOK FOR A REAL TALENT.