American Idol Season 7 Review

The phenomenon is back! American Idol has returned and is looking to make season 7 better than any season before. I have to admit I'm not much of a reality television watcher, but I'm a sucker for a good singing voice (not having a decent one myself), so I've slowly been drug into the American Idol mania.

Last night, January 15, the first show of season 7 aired on Fox from 8-10pm EST. Contestants traveled far and wide to Philadelphia, PA to get their chance to show their stuff to Randy, Paula and Simon. After two hours of good and (very, very) bad auditions, 29 contestants successfully made it through to the infamous Hollywood.

Last nights episode was no different from any other American Idol audition reel. They showed the good the bad and the ugly; actually it seems that as this show progresses, they show as much of the bad and ugly as they can. I think its kind of funny that during the Sanjia debacle of last season, Simon stated over and over again: 'this is a singing competition', yet it seems that Idol producers are more intent than ever to show just how many poor souls think they can actually snag one of those golden tickets.

Regardless, we all know how it goes. Give us some crazies, give us some back story, give us some god awful singers and once in a while, give us contestants that are actually good! Its because of the good ones that I continue to watch the show. I love hearing them sing! So while the audition shows are entertaining to say the least, the show really doesn't get good until the competition actually starts.

Idol has been a driving force on television for the past 6 years, in fact, their ratings are so superb, other networks work their schedules around Idol so that they don't have to compete with the show. Season 7 is geared up and they are hoping for their best season yet. The same formula is there but the audience will see some minor changes, the largest of which is: Idol hopefuls are allowed to audition with an instrument if they choose to do so. The main focus will of course still be the singing, but now they can accompany themselves if they want.

Simon also talked about the show being more visually appealing (I'm assuming he's referring to the actual competition and not the audition process). He feels that adding more visual aspects to the show will get the audience more involved. Idol producers also state that they want America to get to know the contestants a bit better. Last season, we didn't get a lot of background on the competitors, so this year we should be getting a lot more back story on the top contestants.

All in all, Idol is ready and rearing to go. With top ratings as it is, and the writers strike as an added bonus, Idol is looking to break ratings records once again. So tune in to season 7 and take Sanjia's word for it, you never know what can happen on Idol!

Sources:

Erin Carlson. "'American Idol' Returning for Season 7", Associated Press.