Seventh Idol Season Receives New Twist

Staff Writer

   "American Idol," the reality television phenomenon, launches its seventh season this month with surprisingly lower ratings than usual.  According to E! Online, the show’s two-hour premiere Jan. 15 dropped 10 percent in ratings from the previous year.

   The show that skyrocketed the careers of many mainstream artists today seems to be slacking off as time progresses.  Can they turn it around this season?

   "American Idol," created in 2002 by Simon Fuller for 19 Management, struck gold with their first winner.  After months of voting by viewers, Kelly Clarkson was crowned the American Idol.

   Clarkson, since 2002, went on to become one of the best-selling female artists of her time.  With numerous awards under her belt, including two Grammy awards, she paved the road for her followers.

   The following year, America crowned Ruben Studdard the new Idol, followed by Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and the most recent Idol, Jordin Sparks.  

   However, winning the show does not guarantee a successful career in music.  Clarkson leads the way in sales only to be closely matched by Underwood, making them the only success stories for the crowned Idols.  Neither Idol appears to be slowing down any time soon.

   Fantasia debuted fairly well, then slowly faded away, but not as rapidly as Studdard and Hicks disappeared.  Sparks, whose debut album struggles its way up the charts, might have a chance with the right amount of promotion.

     Season five of Idol included four other contestants, which even though they did not win the show, prove to be stronger artists than the winner.  Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Elliot Yamin and Katharine McPhee all found success in the music business, making season five the most talented season to date.

   According to Idol Chatter, producer Nigel Lythgoe plans to change a few areas of show for the seventh season.

   The changes include:

• Fewer mentors for the contestants, giving them more time to focus on the lives of each contestant;
  
• The option of instruments during the Hollywood round and possibly during finals, if things work out accordingly; and
  
• The second annual Idol Gives Back charity special will not torture audiences with the question of “Who’s going home?”  A special Thursday elimination show will be added.

   Even with the changes and the new twist of instruments, many parts of the show will remain the same.  The show holds onto its Tuesday and Wednesday time slots on FOX. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson return as judges, while Ryan Seacrest continues his role as host; and of course, treacherous weeks of bad auditions serve to entertain viewers before voting begins.

   Auditions air through Feb. 6; Feb. 12, the Hollywood round will air followed by the selection of the top 24 in the “Chair Episode” the next night. Voting begins the following week to narrow the contestants down to 12 - six male and six female.

  Voting continues weekly until the seventh Idol takes the crown in May.  With the new changes, the show might pull in more ratings and give this year’s winner a fighting chance for success.   

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