'American Idol': A desperate show for a desperate industry

Note: "American Idol's" Show Tracker, Richard Rushfield, is in Park City, Utah, covering the Sundance Film Festival. He'll return next week. In the interim, Mr. Rushfield has asked me to chronicle the second week of "Idol" Season 7. It should be noted that I am a music journalist who, prior to 2008, had refused to watch the contest. My long-held refusal to tune in to "Idol," said Rushfield, is the precise reason why I was drafted.

Not even two weeks in, and "American Idol's" seventh season reeks of desperation. This sense of dread was in the air before Fox showed us the "12,000 hopefuls" who poured into San Diego for Audition Episode No. 3, many of them, it turns out, having already been rejected by the music industry.

Indeed, the episode ended with one Carly Hennessy, the widely reported former major-label bust once signed to MCA Records (as of 10:44 p.m. on Jan. 22 that link to MCA's long out-of-date Web page for Hennessy works, but in case it fails you, there's also Amazon). As far as the seventh season of "Idol" is concerned, she's Carly Smithson, back on the show after being disqualified in Season 5 due to visa issues.

Her performance of "I'm Every Woman" was met with mostly resounding approval from the judges (Simon was predictably catty), but Paula said, "That's what we wanted to hear," waving her hands in the air. Perhaps it is, if what impresses you is a pretty but largely forgettable singing voice, and the ability to stretch the word "me" to four seconds.

Hennessy's prior record biz journeys have inspired plenty of online debating as to whether or not "Idol" should welcome those with experience. I say sure, why discriminate against talent?

But who can blame the producers for wanting to secure some kids with the proven ability to carry a note? So bring on the innocently bland teenager David Archuleta, who I'm told was a former "Star Search" winner, and who probably does a fine take on the National Anthem at minor league baseball games.

For now, with a writers strike wreaking havoc on TV schedules and the music industry struggling to sell CDs, "American Idol" needs something proven. And lest we forget, Taylor Hicks has already been dropped from his record label, gone the way of Ruben Studdard. And oh, Jordin Sparks recently debuted at No. 10 in the pop charts with what was the lowest first-week sales total by an "Idol" winner ever, according to Billboard.

So perhaps this isn't the best time to mention that "Idol's" ratings last week were its lowest premiere figures since 2004? Yes, there was a sense of desperation in the air Tuesday night, and not because we got to see Blake Boshnack audition -- and fail -- for the 11th time. Wonder, is it perhaps better to spend your entire life chasing a dream that's unreachable or is it best to move on at some point?

We can ponder while we await Boshnack's appearance next year. So yes, "American Idol" needs a hit, and a hit in "Idol's" world doesn't mean selling 700,000 CDs, as Hicks did, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That kind of number would be considered an unqualified success for many of today's artists, but "Idol" isn't in the business of selling art -- it's about creating the kind of CD cover that looks good on the shelves at electronic stores.

It may also be nice if this ‘hit’ comes from someone who actually wins. The biggest star “Idol” has produced in the past few years is Chris Daughtry, a top-5 finisher in season 5. As the season progresses, the tension will decrease -- and, in turn, “Idol’s” pop-culture mystique -- if the market continues to get flooded with every near-winner.

Really, there's nothing unexpected in "Idol" presenting us with artists who have already had some forays into the music business. It's wrong to single out Hennessy, or Michael Lee, who was in a heretofore unknown band called the Rising that recorded for Maverick Records. After all, all these contestants -- amateur or not -- are still handpicked by Fox-approved judges.

Regardless, it probably doesn't bode well that the best singing -- the only singing with any sort of personality -- came courtesy of the Ramones' take on "California Sun," which played in the opening scenes. Ah, what clever sort of metaphor could Simon have used to shoot down Joey Ramone with?

-- Todd Martens

(Photo courtesy www.americanidol.com)

Comments

[ohno]

This show is now a joke. Can't wait for it to disappear forever.

[alms]

If they treated the ALL the winners with the respect they deserve, the viewers may have stayed tuned. Being told repeatedly that we go it wrong, makes you say " ok, if my vote doesn't count, just pick them yourself, I won't watch or vote."

[guest]

It's all here.
http://www.votefortheworst.com

[Tara]

I'm not sure what you accomplished by writing this. It brings nothing new, sheds no new light and is the typical jaded take on American Idol. I urge you to watch more than three episodes before you predict the demise of the show.

And the ratings thing is getting very, very old. 30 million viewers does not constitute a flop.

[Katie]

You get it Todd, you really do! A fresh, unbiased perspective is always good! You especially noted that Taylor Hicks' sales would be considered very good if not for the AI connection. Instead, he is portrayed in the press as a loser. People who haven't followed Taylor, or Rueben, might be surprised at how big a fan base they have.
AI is not some benevolent parent who helps you reach success. AI gives you a chance, but like some awful parent, continues to tell you, in public, just how you are not living up to their expectations. And, the bottom line is money for them. Have you determined how many fingers they have in innumerable pies? The show is tarnished!

[PBoyers]

I have to get my voice heard on this matter. I, as with so many millions of other American viewers tuned into American Idol because I thought it was about giving some kids a chance that the regular music industry wouldn’t give them. It was for hopefuls and unknowns, armatures and struggling singers that just couldn’t get a leg up in the industry. I watched faithfully until last year (Season 6) when it was apparent that American Idol executives (Simon, Nigel, Clive, etc) really don’t give a hoot about these kids and that it was solely about the bottom line – again and forever.....

The season 5 winner, Taylor Hicks, was my pick from the auditions and when he went on to slay the audience each and every week – to the disdain of Simon – well, then we knew that AI was really on the level, because Taylor was considered a dark horse and wasn’t suppose to win – but he did! America voted for him in droves and he won! American Idol really delivered...... or did it?

“Consider these facts:
• In the last half hour of the finale of Season Five, 42.9 million people watched Taylor take the prize (Hollywood Reporter).
• The Season Five, 59-date cross-country tour was 2006’s 12th largest in box office gross, pulling in $35.2 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Nearly 650,000 fans attended, filling 96% of available seats.

“While the naysayers would suggest that the other eleven contestants had something to do with these successes, I would just add that the ratings went up after the other contestants left the show and Taylor garnered more air time.” - Courtesy of PayTheDevil

Then consider that Taylor put together his self-titled CD “Taylor Hicks” in just six weeks (due to the AI machine adding on more shows to the American Idol Live concert tour due to highest ever attendance) and it debuted #2 and has sold over 700,000 units US and over 850,000 worldwide (considered a failure?). This is in spite of the fact that there was NO promotion of Taylor’s CD. Radio stations were told not to play the record (this is documented by hundreds of Taylor Hicks fans). I myself was told by my local radio stations that they were not allowed to play his record. I also was told on many occasions that the record company never sent them the CD to play.

What promotion there was was done by Taylor Hicks himself appearing on TV shows singing and promoting his own album. I cannot count the number of people who have said to me “Oh Taylor Hicks – I loved him! I voted for him. I didn’t know he had a CD out”. But then we learned (from personal experience by going out and talking to store managers) that they couldn’t re-stock their sold-out Taylor Hicks CDs – because the record company didn’t have any more. Hmmmmmmmmmm ......makes me wonder.
Then Taylor went out on a very successful 8 month tour and performed in 120+ concerts, many were sold out – to very enthusiastic crowds.

Taylor crosses the age barrier – the gender barrier – and the race barrier. I have been to 17 of his shows and the crowds consisted of every age from 6 to 90, men, boys, girls, young women, teens, families and to older women (40 and up). But I have read so many articles that only reports and focuses on the older women angle 9Nygle calling us grannies who live in Omaha who don’t buy CDs) – which just isn’t Taylor’s sole appeal. He appeals to everyone, who likes good music and a good time at a show. Taylor is one of today’s best showmen and slays them in the aisles wherever he plays. He cannot be ‘pigeon-holed into a ‘pop’ audience. I watched Taylor in Orlando Florida as he Wowed the 12,000 screaming cheering people who gathered to watch him. As I looked around I saw smiling faces of all ages, sizes, genders and color – I was amazed as I watched young men holding their girls and swaying to the music – I laughed as I watched biker guys living it up and having a grand old time. I was flabbergasted by 30 – 40 something men doing shout outs and singing along loud & proud.

If Sony records or American Idol put ANY effort behind their season 5 winner – I guarantee his record sales would be out the roof. Instead I have heard Simon say to reporters “I can’t stand Taylor Hicks.” And “I don’t get him.” Why would American Idol slam their own winner? ( and the millions upon millions of viewer that voted for him) Why would Taylor be left off completely from this year’s AI re-vamped intro graphics? And why would Sony (Artesia records) put out a false statement that Taylor was “dropped from the record label” just days before the new season starts? Why? To get that gem of a lie into as many media outlets as possible, of course.

Taylor contributes to many charitable causes involving children. He has been acknowledged over and over again by local venues as going out of his way to help others. Taylor has never – never- said a bad word publicly about anyone and speaks very highly of American Idol – to this day. So maybe he’s not everyone’s cup of tea. So what – who is. I do not understand this all-out attack on this artist and most of all I do not understand why the American Idol machine has gone out of their way to try to obliterate his existence or validity. He does not deserve this.

And then to have Nigel say “America got it wrong when they voted for Taylor Hicks.” – well that’s just wrong isn’t it. How are we, the viewers, supposed to take that? Hello? Got it wrong? How can we get it wrong? I thought it was our call on what and who we liked. So now with the new season starting there are several reported articles on American Idol bringing “ringers” in. These are artists who have already had their chance – had major record deals and failed to perform. So I guess AI is now just using its fading popularity to get as many of their hopefuls into the spotlight.

Taylor is an artist that if promoted and handled correctly could have added whole new markets into the record business. Sony, Artesia, Simon, Clive and Nigel all just blew it! They are so stuck on “pop” rap trap that they didn’t see the gold mine that they had ........and now have lost.

I have seen comment on blog after blog – article after article, many not even from Taylor fans, that they are turned off by these actions and have quit watching the show. Can anyone explain to me what American Idol is doing? Besides committing certain suicide that is.

[Ann]

Gosh, darn, I missed it last night!

I agree with Tara's comments. AI is still huge.

I''ve noticed that Simon is nicer this season, and Paula less psycho.

As for the haters, anytime something does well, there is always some kind of backlash. I guess it's just human nature.

[lisa]

Wow, is this the deal you've cut with yourself to rid yourself of the guilt you feel about writing about TV during the writer's strike? Knock Reality TV, but suck up to the Sundance crap that nobody watches? Unfortunately for the writer's union, but fortunately for real people who like to come home after actually working a job, we enjoy rooting for other real people to achieve their dreams - and we like to hear Simon's refreshing candor after reading/hearing politically correct crap from newspapers, politicians and Hollywood. I hope after the strike settles, that more and more reality TV will be shown, protecting the hard working production people from being laid off again.

[kathy]

I suspect AI's increasing slide in ratings is due to the boring aspect and to multiple winners. There are no real winners anymore. That started season five with several talented artists all getting their shot in different genres of music. They all sold well in their respective genres. However, for some reason they seemed to pick Taylor out of the pack to criticize non stop, to the point that Simon and the producer stated that America got it wrong. Well, I say if they want a POP star they should target a POP audience not the older and largely female audience they are now drawing. The teen viewers are bored and have moved on. Season 5 viewers voted for the Adult contemporary artist that reflects an adult taste. So, in my opinion AI got it wrong. They put on a show being viewed by the Moms and Dads of the kids they want to buy the CD's. So, something is out of wack here and it's not the viewers.

[Brad]

Ah, the classic argument of the wanna-be highbrow looking down on the trivial lowbrow. If the masses sincerely love something, then someone of Mr. Martens high caliber (he is, after all, a self-proclaimed "music journalist" and doesn't that just say it all?) must disdain it from their lofty perch. Sort of like a real writer, one that is successful in intellectual, meaningful prose which also sells, views the lowly Mr. Martens and his bottom-feeding rung he clings to after not making in the publishing world. My what perspective means! Why else would you get the snooty, holier-than-thou tone from this hack? He is bitter, jealous and depressed. Say what he will, some of it obvious, AI is a hit and regardless of how one winner is or isn't successful on the AI meter it has given a chance to people (such as Mr. Hicks and Mr. Rueben) that would never gotten past performing at their local bar or karaoke palace. But it is so much easier for Mr. Martens to be catty than realistic.

[Sara]

My kids are too busy playing video games to watch much TV these days, and once I quit buying them CD's for birthday party gifts, they just download their music. If the television and music industries would quit insulting everyone over 40 they may just find some new sources of income. I started watching AI after I caught Taylor singing "Play that Funky Music" but turned it off last year from boredom and because the kids would not watch with me. Besides, I did not appreciate one of the producer's comments about "Grandma voting".

[Nea]

"If they treated the ALL the winners with the respect they deserve, the viewers may have stayed tuned. Being told repeatedly that we go it wrong, makes you say " ok, if my vote doesn't count, just pick them yourself, I won't watch or vote."

That person said it best. Soon after Taylor Hicks won, it became obvious that the AI Powers That Be had wanted Chris Daughtry to win. They then decided to make Daughtry the de facto winner. Clive Davis even appeared on the show during Season Six praising Daughtry to the skies, while dismissing Taylor Hicks and Katherine McPhee, (both of whom got more votes from viewers than Daughtry did.) I have nothing against Daughtry, but I think American Idol has an obligation to help and promote whomever their viewers chose...whether or not that winner was "marketable" or AI's choice. Instead we've heard again and again that America "got it wrong," and we've watched our choice repeatedly get insulted or ignored on the show. So...why should we watch? Why should we vote for our favorite contestants, if winning doesn't mean anything, if the show is simply going to decide that, say, number four was the *real* winner and then set about to make that so?