If you were the producers of American Idol what would you change?

[FalseIdol]

I would cut back on the number of theme nights. I mean if Chris wants to rock and Kellie wants to be countrified each week, I say let them. After all, you wouldn't ask Garth Brooks to sing opera or make Billy Joel sing "Man of LaMancha". Let them stay within the genre they are most comfortable with.

What about you? If you had the power to change something about the show what would it be?

[graciespeaks]

I would show more of each contestants personality. They each get such a small amount of "talking" time, we really don't get to know them.
(And a bonus on that would be, we all would have more ammunition against them for these threads!!!) :angel2:

[frank]

What about you? If you had the power to change something about the show what would it be?




I would have a swimsuit competition

[RushDog]

I would have Hip-Hop night. They could do some freestylin'. It would be interesting to have a battle between Chris and Ace.

[aztecgoods]

I agree they have too many weird themes that are way too off of their styles. Probably the best thing they could do would be to make them write and perform their own song. See if any of them have an writing ability (which I'm sure most don't). Also the swim suit competition would be good, but for the girls only, the last thing I want to look at is... well you know,

[X1TX]

Less themes, and less 'lame' themes. Maybe alternate. Do a theme one week (hopefully without bringing back some ancient performer one step from the graveyard) and a more open topic night the next.

Get new judges, or at least guest 'celebrity' judges. Send Paula to the Betty Ford Clinic.

If they want, let the performers play an instrument if they want.

[X1TX]

I would have a swimsuit competition

Now there's an idea.......

[aztecgoods]

Now there's an idea.......

You are a rabid Anti-Pick-ite STOP THIS BLANTANT DISCRIMINATION NOW!!

[FalseIdol]

I would have a swimsuit competition

Great. Just how I want to spend my Tuesday evenings. Watching Taylor and Elliott prance around in speedos. And what if Mandisa was still on the show? There isn't that much spandex in the known universe.

Yuk!

[Feisty Kitty]

I would we eliminate the ensemble numbers that they do, as well as sparing the American Public those cheesy commercials. Jeebus, that sucked.
I would also regulate Paula's medicine, and get a court order forbidding Randy from using the word "dawg" in any way.

[FalseIdol]

I would also regulate Paula's medicine.

In order to do that you would have to close all the liquor stores within a 12 block radius of Fox studios.

[RushDog]

As much as Simon likes to use the word "Cabaret", that's what it is when they do those ensemble numbers. And man do they suck. I always fast forward through those. The commercials got to go too. Thank God for TIVO!

[bigd13]

I would change the lame ass guests they be having on the show that attempt to help them sing. These old ass singers get paid a grip just to say a few words and it really doesn't help them. Did Rod Stewart even really help them last week. Mostly everybody except Kellie did good last week because they were singing slow songs and they weren't trying to add anything extra to the song. As soon these old ass artists start to sing, I change the channel. These themes are stupid too, just go back to the regular themes, 90's week, showtunes, Motown and stuff like that.

[RushDog]

I would change the lame ass guests they be having on the show that attempt to help them sing. These old ass singers get paid a grip just to say a few words and it really doesn't help them. Did Rod Stewart even really help them last week. Mostly everybody except Kellie did good last week because they were singing slow songs and they weren't trying to add anything extra to the song. As soon these old ass artists start to sing, I change the channel. These themes are stupid too, just go back to the regular themes, 90's week, showtunes, Motown and stuff like that.


They can't get any newer artists because they're too busy with their careers. They have to get these old farts who have nothing else to do.

[Feisty Kitty]

LOL! Seriously, get that chick a cup of black coffee already.

[aztecgoods]

LOL! Seriously, get that chick a cup of black coffee already.

Dear Feisty, I really like your style, are you single? I play guitar and keys in a rock band, does that count for anything??????????????????? /s/ Intrigued

[Feisty Kitty]

Sorry, but I am very taken, and by one of the gents on this site. You know what they say, the couple that watches AI together, stays together...........or something. I am flattered though, thank you.

[aztecgoods]

Sorry, but I am very taken, and by one of the gents on this site. You know what they say, the couple that watches AI together, stays together...........or something. I am flattered though, thank you.


@#$%!! All the good ones are taken.

[Magicmarkerman]

I would we eliminate the ensemble numbers that they do, as well as sparing the American Public those cheesy commercials. Jeebus, that sucked.
I would also regulate Paula's medicine, and get a court order forbidding Randy from using the word "dawg" in any way.

Hilarious!...

I would have them change the band... I think they have held down a lot of the performances by their lack of enthusiasm and feel.

[aztecgoods]

I would we eliminate the ensemble numbers that they do, as well as sparing the American Public those cheesy commercials. Jeebus, that sucked.
I would also regulate Paula's medicine, and get a court order forbidding Randy from using the word "dawg" in any way.

I completely agree, you are totally blowing me away. I also agree with the one above. The band sounds like the bands that play on those Kareokee CDs. Maybe it is them! I never thought you could make We Will Rock You sound like it's coming over the elevator speaker, but they accomplished that.

[FalseIdol]

On more than one occasion Simon has ripped the band for their sometimes awful arrangements.

A better (i.e. more creative) ensemble could go a long way towards helping the AI contestants.

[Magicmarkerman]

I couldnt agree more... The band can make or break a singer's performance... I mentioned this in a thread way back in the beginning... The night Chris had the smoke machines and flame back ground... Everyone else's songs were played with zero enthusiasm, and made performances seem boring, that is until they played a song they could get into, like Chris'... I dont think they're giving each singer a fair opportunity to shine...

[Tommy J]

3. Get rid of all those stupid theme shows.
2. Get rid of Wednesday's recap show, that's just a waste of everybody's time.
1. Give the contestants nunchucks to use on each other and Siomon because nunchucks make everything better!:corkysm43

[yayamiddlesister]

Sorry, but I am very taken, and by one of the gents on this site. You know what they say, the couple that watches AI together, stays together...........or something. I am flattered though, thank you.

Related to Blondie by any chance?

[Daisygurrl]

1. Give the contestants nunchucks to use on each other and Siomon because nunchucks make everything better!:corkysm43[/QUOTE]

Nunchucks, ha,ha pretty funny Tommy J:p

I agree with the Wednesday show comment. They could announce who gets voted off in like 5 minuets.

I also wish we could give Paula some sort of lobotomy so she's not always miss little sunshine.

[chris_fan_all_the_way]

I would show more of each contestants personality. They each get such a small amount of "talking" time, we really don't get to know them.
(And a bonus on that would be, we all would have more ammunition against them for these threads!!!) :angel2:


LMAO!!! That was a good one. but I think Kellie does just fine on her own. We make fun of her anyways!!!

[chris_fan_all_the_way]

On more than one occasion Simon has ripped the band for their sometimes awful arrangements.

A better (i.e. more creative) ensemble could go a long way towards helping the AI contestants.


I think they should have 2 separate phone lines for each contestant. One is to vote for them to stay, the other is to vote for them to leave. Now how they would tally up those votes I have no idea- not my job, but that would make things much more interesting.

[tnell]

One call per telephone line. That would eliminate all of the power votes and would give a better picture of who really is the next AI.

[tnell]

Making the voting results public would answer alot of questions also.

[tnell]

I would have a swimsuit competition


Mandisa in a swim suit...that would be a sore sight for eyes!?!?!/:eek:

[chris_fan_all_the_way]

One call per telephone line. That would eliminate all of the power votes and would give a better picture of who really is the next AI.


Actually, thats not a bad idea.

[FalseIdol]

Actually, thats not a bad idea.

Actually we don't know if those votes aren't ALREADY being eliminated. The phone company can certainly identify votes coming from a single destination and then it is up to the producers to determine how many to discard.

I have a feeling far more votes than we realize are being eliminated---legitimately.

[Magicmarkerman]

But, what if there are multiple people from the same household that want to vote for their favorite and it happens to be the same as their siblings?

[chris_fan_all_the_way]

But, what if there are multiple people from the same household that want to vote for their favorite and it happens to be the same as their siblings?



Yeah False!!!

[FalseIdol]

I'm guessing you could so some sort of statistically modeling....ie. if the average household has 3.4 persons living together but AI receives 185 votes from a single phone line at that location in two a hour time frame that MAY be an indication of someone trying to power vote.

[Magicmarkerman]

Or, it could mean that someones dexterity in their thumbs is superb from playing a butt load of video games their whole life... Thumbs like a ninja! So fast you cant even see anything but a blur when they are dialing!

I say keep the multiple votes per person... Everyone has the capability of doing it, so i think it is still fair game... Even chances... If someone wants to spend a couple hours of their life each week repetitively dialing, let them... Granted I know MOST of us have better things going on in our lives, but hey, if you want someone to win badly enough, take the time to vote as much as you can...

[FalseIdol]

Since I don't vote, I don't really care one way or the other. But I'd be surprised if the producers don't have some internal limit on the number of votes they'll accept from any one location.

[Magicmarkerman]

Just the sheer call volume alone will be an effective internal limit. I'm sure there are many calls that are prevented from getting through.

[ilovechris]

As much as Simon likes to use the word "Cabaret", that's what it is when they do those ensemble numbers. And man do they suck. I always fast forward through those. The commercials got to go too. Thank God for TIVO!


NO JOKE! I am really not sure I would watch AI without my TIVO! I have to skip through all of the Simon vs. Ryan banter. It gets very old.

[X1TX]

On more than one occasion Simon has ripped the band for their sometimes awful arrangements.

A better (i.e. more creative) ensemble could go a long way towards helping the AI contestants.

May not be a band problem. Sound mix can make or break a band performance. A good sound mix won't make a bad band sound good. But a bad mix can make a great one sound bad.

[aztecgoods]

May not be a band problem. Sound mix can make or break a band performance. A good sound mix won't make a bad band sound good. But a bad mix can make a great one sound bad.


That's definitely the excuse we use all the time, but its wearing thin. The guitar player should be made to use a Mesa Boogie Rectifier, which would balls his tone up a bunch, the guitar tone sounds like he's playing out of a small stereo speaker, it would at least help on the more rock stuff. But you may have a point with the sound engineer, something ain't right, cause the band sounds weak.

[Idoleyes]

There’s no chance that Paula can get a lobotomy….she doesn’t have a brain…

As for improvements to the show:

Fire/buy-out Paula….leave the chair empty (I.Q. of the panel would not change) or replace her with a rotating guest judge…have fans vote for the guest judge they want??…30-40 million viewers per show = exposure that a lot of ‘guest judges’ might not mind accessing…or give the guest judge the dual role - sit on the panel and perform – I think they use to do it this way ??.

Muzzle Simon so that he cannot ‘announce the winner’ on week 3 or make similar categorical predictions/statements/endorsements on who – in his opinion as a completely impartial and independent judge - he thinks will, or will not, win AI….if he won’t agree to that…tell him to give up his AI judges seat and go work for Extra .

Definitely lose the ridiculous Theme Nights (or at least those linked to any one artist); and forget about bringing on ‘has been’ guest artists that are there solely to promote their latest CD or tour… (although at least Bocelli gave a good performance)…or maybe they should make the judges critique the guest performers…can you imagine what Simon would have said about some of them, especially Rod and Kenny, !

I’d let the contestants choose whatever the want to sing, and let them live or die on their choices…or if Theme Nights are a ‘must’, then keep them very broad in scope….by genre; by decade.

I would also reduce the ‘round of 24’ contestants - to whatever number they have to - so that the contestants get to sing full songs – not just 1.5 minutes of something.

Definitely publish the results of the voting (handled by an independent auditing firm) and take steps to eliminate programs like DialIdol or any other mechanisms that skew the results.

The show is driven by $$ so it’s difficult to do much about the amount of commercials or eliminate the Results Show.

I think the house band is actually pretty good…but I yield to the resident sound experts….I don’t know what a ‘Mesa Boogie Rectifier’ is but it sounds like you need surgical gloves to put it in place !!??.

Finally….get rid of Paula…did I mention that??

[aztecgoods]

I think the house band is actually pretty good…but I yield to the resident sound experts….I don’t know what a ‘Mesa Boogie Rectifier’ is but it sounds like you need surgical gloves to put it in place !!??.

A Mesa Boogie Rectifier (comes in single/double or triple) is a very expensive and ballsy tube guitar amplifier that most rock guitar players use. (Better than Marshall) It is very meaty, great sound, and would make the guitar players in the band sound better. (Not that this is the only fix needed for the band) I guess this means you are not a musician.

[Idoleyes]

I think the house band is actually pretty good…but I yield to the resident sound experts….I don’t know what a ‘Mesa Boogie Rectifier’ is but it sounds like you need surgical gloves to put it in place !!??.

A Mesa Boogie Rectifier (comes in single/double or triple) is a very expensive and ballsy tube guitar amplifier that most rock guitar players use. (Better than Marshall) It is very meaty, great sound, and would make the guitar players in the band sound better. (Not that this is the only fix needed for the band) I guess this means you are not a musician.

Thanks Az...'Mesa Boogie Rectifier’ ...great name for something...sounds pretty imposing...and no...I'm not a musician...but if it takes a Mesa Boogie to Rectify the sound....I'm all for that!

[aztecgoods]

Thanks Az...'Mesa Boogie Rectifier’ ...great name for something...sounds pretty imposing...and no...I'm not a musician...but if it takes a Mesa Boogie to Rectify the sound....I'm all for that!

They do rock. Actually in all fairness I should mention that the Peavey XXX (Triple X) is even better which is on my current "to Buy" list. (Peavey just doesn't have the name recognition and popular trademark like Marshall and Mesa.)

[chris_fan_all_the_way]

There’s no chance that Paula can get a lobotomy….she doesn’t have a brain…

As for improvements to the show:

Fire/buy-out Paula….leave the chair empty (I.Q. of the panel would not change) or replace her with a rotating guest judge…have fans vote for the guest judge they want??…30-40 million viewers per show = exposure that a lot of ‘guest judges’ might not mind accessing…or give the guest judge the dual role - sit on the panel and perform – I think they use to do it this way ??.

Muzzle Simon so that he cannot ‘announce the winner’ on week 3 or make similar categorical predictions/statements/endorsements on who – in his opinion as a completely impartial and independent judge - he thinks will, or will not, win AI….if he won’t agree to that…tell him to give up his AI judges seat and go work for Extra .

Definitely lose the ridiculous Theme Nights (or at least those linked to any one artist); and forget about bringing on ‘has been’ guest artists that are there solely to promote their latest CD or tour… (although at least Bocelli gave a good performance)…or maybe they should make the judges critique the guest performers…can you imagine what Simon would have said about some of them, especially Rod and Kenny, !

I’d let the contestants choose whatever the want to sing, and let them live or die on their choices…or if Theme Nights are a ‘must’, then keep them very broad in scope….by genre; by decade.

I would also reduce the ‘round of 24’ contestants - to whatever number they have to - so that the contestants get to sing full songs – not just 1.5 minutes of something.

Definitely publish the results of the voting (handled by an independent auditing firm) and take steps to eliminate programs like DialIdol or any other mechanisms that skew the results.

The show is driven by $$ so it’s difficult to do much about the amount of commercials or eliminate the Results Show.

I think the house band is actually pretty good…but I yield to the resident sound experts….I don’t know what a ‘Mesa Boogie Rectifier’ is but it sounds like you need surgical gloves to put it in place !!??.

Finally….get rid of Paula…did I mention that??


Do you really think AI would be as good as it is now if the producers done even half of the things you suggest?? Simon and Paula and Randy make the show interesting with their banter and arguments I think. I hope the producers dont read these posts. or even worse, actually DO some of those things. And another thing, if they were to get rid of Paula, who would you suggest?? Britney? Christina?? Maybe madonna??? Get real. the show would really suck if they did that. And by the way, if you hate almost everything about how AI is set up, why do you even watch it to begin with. They have another show that is just like AI. It's called Nashville Star. You should watch it sometime. They are really low key.

[AbsentElement]

They have another show that is just like AI. It's called Nashville Star. You should watch it sometime. They are really low key.
I love country music. Tried watching Nashville Star. Bored me to tears. The biggest difference is, on Nashville Star, they come out on the first episode and say, "Okay America, here are your finalists... oh and by the way, you don't get to decide who wins." You don't have the opportunity to develop a liking for any of the contestants. It was just really hard for me to get into that show.

You make a great point though, why change anything about AI? 47 million viewers? If it ain't broke...

But I think, as new seasons begin, they WILL have to continue to find ways to keep it interesting. The problem is you can't please everyone every week.

[aztecgoods]

I love country music. Tried watching Nashville Star. Bored me to tears. The biggest difference is, on Nashville Star, they come out on the first episode and say, "Okay America, here are your finalists... oh and by the way, you don't get to decide who wins." You don't have the opportunity to develop a liking for any of the contestants. It was just really hard for me to get into that show.

You make a great point though, why change anything about AI? 47 million viewers? If it ain't broke...

But I think, as new seasons begin, they WILL have to continue to find ways to keep it interesting. The problem is you can't please everyone every week.

I agree that we are all nit-picking, its really a kareokee contest with the winner getting some bucks and a deal, they do a pretty good job over-all, but I do think it wouldn't take much to do a little better job on the themes. But you're right on the it ain't broke, 41 million votes, that is AWESOME ratings for TV. Simon and the others are probably going to get bronze statues of thereselves at the fox studios for those ratings, AI ain't going no where and probably isn't going to change any. Although they have added a few changes (minor) to survivor which is the #1 reality show besides AI so, they may do a few things to it.

[Idoleyes]

Do you really think AI would be as good as it is now if the producers done even half of the things you suggest?? Simon and Paula and Randy make the show interesting with their banter and arguments I think. I hope the producers dont read these posts. or even worse, actually DO some of those things. And another thing, if they were to get rid of Paula, who would you suggest?? Britney? Christina?? Maybe madonna??? Get real. the show would really suck if they did that. And by the way, if you hate almost everything about how AI is set up, why do you even watch it to begin with. They have another show that is just like AI. It's called Nashville Star. You should watch it sometime. They are really low key.

1. First of all, the scenario we were asked to respond to in the thread was ‘If you were the producers of American Idol what would you change? - I did that.

2. Do you really think AI would be as good as it is now if the producers done even half of the things you suggest?? – No….it would be better. You don’t have to agree. Post your recommendations.

3. Simon and Paula and Randy make the show interesting with their banter and arguments I think. - I don’t…but if that type of banter interests you…that’s fine too.

3. I hope the producers dont read these posts. or even worse, actually DO some of those things. – Don’t worry….I’m sure they have very little regard for what you or I say…and I’m sure they will not adopt any of my suggestions.

4. And another thing, if they were to get rid of Paula, who would you suggest?? – I already answered this question in my initial response…

5. ‘…if you hate almost everything about how AI is set up, why do you even watch it to begin with..’ I didn’t say I hated everything about the show – see Item 1.

6. ‘…Nashville Star. You should watch it sometime. They are really low key’ - I’ve seen it.

[chris_fan_all_the_way]

I love country music. Tried watching Nashville Star. Bored me to tears. The biggest difference is, on Nashville Star, they come out on the first episode and say, "Okay America, here are your finalists... oh and by the way, you don't get to decide who wins." You don't have the opportunity to develop a liking for any of the contestants. It was just really hard for me to get into that show.

You make a great point though, why change anything about AI? 47 million viewers? If it ain't broke...

But I think, as new seasons begin, they WILL have to continue to find ways to keep it interesting. The problem is you can't please everyone every week.


Yeah I know what you mean about Nashville Star. i dont even watch it. And I too like Country Music. But I think AI is fine the way it is. Why would you want to get rid of Simon and Paula?? I think they are great, and Simon has the nerves to tell the contestants when they suck unlike Paula and Randy. I just dont see the point in changing everything.

[bertha]

If I were a producer, I would restrict the votes to no more than 5 per household. That would cut down on the desperately insane people who are vicariously living their lives through the contestants. I don't care if someone votes for a contestant 100 times. That doesn't mean they will go and buy 100 CD's.

[AbsentElement]

If I were a producer, I would restrict the votes to no more than 5 per household. That would cut down on the desperately insane people who are vicariously living their lives through the contestants. I don't care if someone votes for a contestant 100 times. That doesn't mean they will go and buy 100 CD's.
If I have me, my wife and three kids... why should we only each get one vote, when joe schmoe who lives by himself in an apartment gets to vote 5 times? Sorry bertha... that's not a sound alternative to the current voting system.

[chris_fan_all_the_way]

If I have me, my wife and three kids... why should we only each get one vote, when joe schmoe who lives by himself in an apartment gets to vote 5 times? Sorry bertha... that's not a sound alternative to the current voting system.


Very goo point you have there. I dont think anyone should be limited in how many votes they can cast. She's probably one of the "Joe Schmoes".

[aztecgoods]

If I were a producer, I would restrict the votes to no more than 5 per household. That would cut down on the desperately insane people who are vicariously living their lives through the contestants. I don't care if someone votes for a contestant 100 times. That doesn't mean they will go and buy 100 CD's.

Dont they charge for the voting? Even at 50 cents a call last weeks vote would have raked in over 20 million dollars just in the voting. That is a huge revenue stream added to the advertising revenue. At that rate I'm sure they want as much voting as people are willing to pay for. But I don't vote, so I don't know if they charge or not, I was assuming they do.

[va_girl2468]

I'd make the voting time to one hour.

[RushDog]

I would get rid of that gay Daniel Powter song, and change it to "Another One Bites The Dust" when the contestants get eliminated.

[FalseIdol]

Naw, go all the way. The Beatles "I'm a Loser" would be perfect.

[RushDog]

Or that Beck song "Loser".

[Feisty Kitty]

You know, that Powter song used to piss me off becuase it would be stuck in my head for the entire next day. Now it is kinda my jam, because everytime it plays on the radio, my boyfriend and I get to act out our own Slow Motion Montage, just like AI. This game still has not gotten old for us, even though we play it everytime the song comes on the radio, which is about ten times a day.

My favorite part of this game, is when Powter hits that long high note right before the chorus, and we turn to each other and say, "Just getting the chance to be here is the greatest moment of my life!"