American Idol 6: The Worst Season Ever?

Recent reports have shown that ratings and voting are both down on this season of American Idol. As a result, FOX is pulling out all the stops to regain their lost viewers. Last week, the camera continuously flipped back and forth between the contestants and the 13-year-old girl in the front row of the audience who was so touched by Sanjaya's performance that she bawled uncontrollably while he screeched his way through "You Really Got Me." While his performance didn't make anyone else cry, the non-13-year-old voting population sat in tears the next night when, once again, Sanjaya was not eliminated from the competition.

Then, later that week, producers announced that it wasn't a coincidence that the crying girl had a front row seat ticket. Her parents had gotten tickets to a taping of Are You Smarter Than A 5^th Grader that came with tickets to a dress rehearsal to American Idol. When producers noticed that the girl cried throughout the performances at the dress rehearsal, she was given front row seats to the live taping.

And then there's the weekly contest. Every week during the elimination show, Ryan presents viewers with a question about a previous American Idol contestant. Viewers can either pay .99¢ and text their one letter answer or they can enter online for free. You can enter up to ten times -- the equivalent of almost $10 if you choose to text in all ten entries. Should you choose to enter online, you're forced to fill out an information form that includes your name, address, email address, phone number, birth date, and gender. And after they have all of your information, they spam you with emails about American Idol videos and ringtones for your cell phone, and even about Ford vehicles if you forget to uncheck the box requesting it. I doubt many people have the time to sit and fill out ten of these entry forms, especially when it's so easy to just text a letter and be qualified for the exact same thing with no information required whatsoever.

The truth about the contest is that the prize is more monetarily valuable than the trip. You get a week-long trip to Hollywood that includes tickets to the show's tapings and the possibility of inclusion in the Ford music video of the week. But, let's be honest -- most people just want the $10,000. For that amount, I might even cry when Sanjaya sings.

But even with these gimmicks, ratings are still down. This is to be expected when more than half of the contestants this year are not much more than mediocre, much less original. There's Sanjaya -- the weekly remainder that the show has a huge preteen fan base (not to mention those who vote for him just because it's the one thing that makes the show semi-amusing). He's the obvious example of the lack of American Idol 6 talent. But even when you look at the others, is there anyone you really want to hear on the radio every other song this time next year?

Haley Scarnato -- After she was too old to continue her gymnastics career, Haley decided to pursue a career in singing. Maybe that's why, week after week, the girl looks like she's trying harder to be Miss America than the American Idol. Simon was right when he said that she's forgettable. I can't remember one week when I didn't feel sure that she'd be the one sent home.

Jordin Sparks -- This girl's cute and sweet and she can definitely sing. But, overall, she's kind of like a Katherine McPhee rerun from last season.

Phil Stacey -- If Jordin Sparks is a Katherine McPhee rerun, then this guy is Chris Daughtry's older, less attractive, less talented brother. Does anyone really believe that this guy shaves his head because he likes the look?

Gina Glocksen -- The American Idol judges keep referring to her as a "rocker." And she looks the part with her thrift store black shirts and maroon skunk hair dye. But, I was never really convinced. Then, she cried when she met Gwen Stephani, and I knew it was all an act.

Melinda Doolittle -- She seems to be the favorite this year, and, the truth is, based on her singing she probably deserves it. But I just can't force myself to believe that she's really as surprised as she acts week after week when the judges praise her performances. It's working for her though. America is eating up her modesty.

The people that are left are those I'd choose to go into the finals. LaKisha Jones is a diva. Besides the fact that she can sing, she keeps things interesting. Notice how Chris Sligh hugged everyone but her when he was voted off this week? Chris Richardson reminds me of Justin Timberlake, and Justin Timberlake's latest CD is one of the few I own that I'll listen to in its entirety. Blake Lewis does something original every week, and he deserves a lot of credit for that.

But, even though I have my favorites, I've not voted once this season. I don't watch the show as religiously as I used to. This year, the banter between the judges and Ryan Seacrest is tiresome rather than cute. The show themes all produce mediocre performances. And, worst of all, every week they beg people for money for their chairity show. These things and the Ford and AmericanIdol.com commercials they play every commercial break have all combined to what I think is the worst, and most boring, season of American Idol yet.

But, I'm still watching.