Smallscreen News

American Idol just not firing on all pistons this season, some thoughts

By April MacIntyre Apr 16, 2009, 14:49 GMT

03/05/2009 - Danny Gokey - American Idol Top 13 Party - Lil and Allison too, are talented but their style and sound is duplicated by bigger, better singers already established out there, and don\'t even get me started on the sentimental nod Danny Gokey, © Chris Hatcher / PR Photos

"American Idol" isn't doing it for me this season.

This show comes off stultifying and flat; unlike last season, where Michael Johns, the Davids, Carly and even Chikezie were so much fun to watch.  The level of talent this year seems off, and I don't think I am alone in this thought. 

The new judge Kara has added an opinionated (and thoughtful) voice to balance the tried-an-true troika of Paula, (passive), Randy (active passive) and Simon (aggressive), and the judges now are wrestling with the show's producers for time share.

Because of these new (lack of) time issues, this last show had producers muzzling two of the judges for each talkback segment, thus reducing the enjoyment when Simon has the last word and tells everyone why they are wrong, or concurs an adds his "quite frankly" patented preface to either a pearl or a slam.

The choice of Quentin Tarantino as a mentor this past week too seemed weird. Don't get me wrong, I love his films, and undoubtedly he has great taste in overseeing soundtracks to his movies, but real singers and icons like Dolly, Smokey, Neil and Diana belong there talking to these kids.  Tarantino's show had an uneven result with some pretty sappy (and so Un-Tarantino edgy) performances by the contestants, save for Kris Allen. 

The contestants themselves are an odd mix of skill sets, and mostly forgettable save for Broadway-bound Adam Lambert, who combines theatrics with falsetto and lots of makeup.  I just don't see him as a singular recording artist or as lead man in a band.  He would be brilliant on the Great White Way in a live production.  This younger generation's version of Tim Curry.

Lil and Allison too, are talented but their style and sound is duplicated by bigger, better singers already established out there, and don't even get me started on the sentimental nod Danny Gokey, who has left me cold from day one. Disingenuous and borderline smug. 

Anoop Desai has an incredible voice, but he has zero charisma; he lacks the juice that Adam exudes in spades.

The new "save" rule too, has failed to make any impact for me, except now that it has been used on Matt; next week's show will see two bow out, which will be interesting.

Are you feeling it this season, or is a let down for you?