American Idol, Season 8: Singing Talent or Marketing Package?

Eight years ago, when FOX and 19 Entertainment advertised a new "reality" show called American Idol. The show was designed to find the next great talented pop singer in the United States. But as the seasons have gone by, it has become evident through the shows and various stories, blogs, and personal accounts that the current premise of the show and the program's original goals may not be the same.

Is American Idol really looking for the best singing talent or marketable package to "sell" to the public? There have been accounts of people who have auditioned that were extremely talented when it came to singing, but were told that they were not what the show was looking for (my dad personally knows at least three such people). Now wait, the show is advertised as seeking the BEST singing talent in America, yet a true genuine talent is told that they are not what the show is looking for?

Fast forward to night one of the top 36 of season 8. The first 12 of the supposed best of the season performed on February 17. The group was less than stellar. There were a few who stood out as reasonably good singers; but for me there was no one who actually impressed me as a great or even a really good singer.

There are two more weeks of performances with 12 contestants each and a third week of finishing out the top 12 by choosing a "wild card" from those contestants who were voted off in earleir weeks. There is still hope that an outstanding singer will emerge in the top 12 contestants.

The past couple of seasons much has been made about contestants who could be considered professional singers or musicians. Some of these contestants had previously recorded albums. The rules state that a person is allowed on the show as a contestant provided they don't have a current recording contract. If these singers were truly that good two things come to mind; if they were really good then they would still have a recording contract and two, why aren't they the ones who end up winning as the best singer?

American Idol may have been designed as searching for the best singing talent in the country, but it has turned into more of a marketing deal and popularity contest. That said the show has produced a few very talented and successful winners.