American Idol, the Right Chair

The long wait is over! American Idol has returned and finally we know who got the right chair. I have been watching American Idol for the past ten years. While Simon was often cringe-worthy, he was also incredibly entertaining. He said what many of us thought as we sat on our couches week after week, year after year. The best part is I don't think he was creating a character for reality television; I would wager a bet and say that is exactly who Mr. Cowell is in real life. I had some trepidation when I heard Simon wouldn't be back this year, but I was intrigued enough to tune in when they announced the new judges. Mostly because I wondered who would be assigned to Simon's right-side chair. Is it the right chair, or the right chair?

Not until this year did I give much thought to the assigned seating and the message it sends. In hindsight I have thought about the ever-changing tide of judges who have come and gone over the years. Simon was always on the right, Randy always on the left and the ladies and guest judges stuck somewhere in the middle. All puns intended. Who picks who sits in the right chair? What qualifications does one need to be assigned that chair? Should Steven Tyler get it because he fronted one of the most successful bands in history? Should Jennifer Lopez get to sit there because she is the epitome of the triple threat, succeeding as a dancer, actress and singer? Or does Randy get it by default because he was the only judge that outlasted Simon? What message is American Idol trying to send to the viewers about the importance of this chair? Does its position represent the lead judge? Are we to believe that Randy is in charge now? I think not.

I'm curious about the messages television programs subliminally send to its viewing audience. Why have the women always had to sit in between the men? Does America not want to see two men sit near each other? Does the machine that is American Idol not deem a woman worthy of the right chair? Are they afraid the audience would be confused and mistake Randy for Jennifer if one day she showed up in the right chair? Let me go out on a limb American Idol and say, that is never going to happen. We know who J. Lo is and I for one would continue to tune in if Jennifer were anchoring the judges table. Actually, it might keep me tuning in more.

Maybe in the shows attempt to shake things up this year they forgot to include the positioning of the judges table. It's OK American Idol, America can handle the change. Go ahead and put Steven over there, I'm certain it wouldn't interfere with his flirting. Put J. Lo in the hot seat and see what happens when a woman takes control. Or go ahead and let Randy sit there, but know you aren't fooling anyone. We will continue to tune in, but it's most likely to see Jennifer Lopez being real and genuine or to see how many times Steven Tyler gets bleeped in one show. Oh yeah, and to see who America chooses to be its American Idol.