Is the American Idol Formula Working?

My parents watch American Idol. And like many people who think that there is some conspiracy behind who makes it into the finals and who doesn't, they recently said the old "rigged" word. The truth is American Idol is a bit of a formula show. But to say it is "rigged" would be mostly false. I will say that there is a formula developing on American Idol of late.

If you watch the show from it's beginning you can always seem to find those stories and contestants who are being spotlighted by the producers. Danny Gokey is an incredible story. He lost his wife recently yet he is persevering before our eyes and deservedly so. The producers have put him in the limelight many many times already compared to a Kris Allen who recently made the top 12. What is more impressive? A guy who comes out of nowhere to make the final 12 or a guy who basically was thrown into the spotlight who is getting the votes? Obviously Danny Gokey wouldn't be getting the votes if he weren't a great talent. But the background story only magnifies what he's doing on stage.

Here's where the formula comes in. You could say that the producers do not favor Danny Gokey but then you have to face these facts. Placement. Placement seems to be everything in American Idol. Danny Gokey was the last to perform as if to say this is our American Idol encore in the first week. And while it's true his performance was the best of the night it was also the most memorable because of it's placement. Perhaps the producers watch the pre-show rehearsals and place the contestants accordingly. I would probably have placed Danny Gokey as the Encore of that night, too. Much like you would have placed Adam Lambert with his rendition of "Satisfaction" last the following week.

But does this placement somehow bias voters and somehow help these contestants win even more votes? My guess is Lil Rounds, who is also another terrific story, will be the last singer on American Idol next week.

I find the results show placement has been very similar, too. If American Idol sticks to the formula, Lil Rounds will be standing next to a very emotional Nathaniel Marshall on the results show next week. Nathaniel Marshall, who has lost his weight in tears since auditioning, has no shot. Much like Tatiana had no shot against Danny Gokey and Nick Mitchell has zero shot against Adam Lambert this week.

The formula is becoming a little too predictable of late. I would hope American Idol would mix it up and end with a performance that didn't look like a made for television encore. My guess is the producers want viewers to keep coming back and not leave with a sour taste in their mouths kind of feeling. But this placement can't help me think that the producers want these people to advance because it makes for good television. Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert would advance regardless of their placement in the lineup of the show. And I think people would continue tuning in even if Nick Mitchell ended the show with his own Jerry Lewis meets Richard Simmons encore.

But the truth is, I am still addicted, formula or not.