Is American Idol Winding Up or Winding Down?

The controversy continues on American Idol, the number one hit reality show on Fox T.V. Will the show continue? Can the votes be fixed as claimed by Shock-Jock, Howard Stern? Is the voting racist? Will Simon Cowel quit if Sanjaya wins? The questions abound and few answers are available. Does talent win out or is this a popularity contest? It is beginning to seem as though it might be a bit of both. Does talent lie in the way someone sings and moves, or is it in the way someone markets themselves to the needs and the desires of an audience?

On June 11, 2002 the hit show 'American Idol' began it's reign on Fox T.V. after being turned down by several other stations. American Idol is based on the UK hit series, 'Pop Idol'. Simon Fuller, ex-manager of the now defunct pop-group, 'The Spice Girls' and 'S Club 7' helped create the hit series along with his production company, "19 Entertainment". The company now maintains a recording contract with Sony/BMG for all the American Idol winners. After six seasons American Idol continues to top the rating charts with the finales raking in consistant number 1 ratings on it's final episodes. The show is sponsored by such welll-known companies in American culture such as Coca Cola, Ford Motor Company and Cingular Wireless. American Idol's contract with Fox will continue through the 2009 season.

This years current controversy comes along with a young seventeen year old singer from Federal Way, Washington. The well-coiffured, Sanjaya Malakar is one of the weaker singers in the contest and has stayed firm in his ratings while more seemingly talented contestants have been 'kicked to the curb'. Has the validitity of the competition been compromised or has this young star-hopeful, found a way to use his marketing skills to market himself? If so it seems to be working. Shock-Jock and Satelite Radio DJ, Howard Stern claims that along with the help of a popular website called, www.votefortheworst.com he is able to discredit the current rating system of American Idol. 'Idol' favorites are determined when the public calls in and votes for their favorite contestant each week. The 'Hopefuls' are coached by a popular famous singer and they then pick what they hope will be a special song from a weekly theme to sing. Such things as costume, body movement, confidence or lack of it and song choices all determine who will survive to sing another week.

The American public has been fooled though, not only this year but in seasons passed. The obviously talented singers are not always picked to be the winners. Last year in season five, (dark horse) Taylor Hicks beat out lovely and talented Katherine McPhee, becoming "Idol's' 5th season winner.The major surprise came not with Hicks beating out McPhee for the title, but by both of them outlasting dynamic Rocker, Chris Daughtry who had captivated the country with his style and good vocal abilities. Daughtry currently has the number one selling album across the U.S. with his release "Daughtry."

This year the obviously talented favorites, Melinda Doolittle 29 of Brentwood, Tennessee, LaKisha Jones 27 from Fort Meade, Maryland, 17 year old Jordin Sparks who hails from Glendale, Arizona and beat-boxer, 25 year old, Blake Lewis remain hopeful as they continue to sing into the "Final Countdown." Maybe our newest 'Idol' will not be able to sing much but just have a nifty hair-do and a sweet smile? Will d.j. Howard Stern truimph and control the "Idol" outcome? Will it be talent or superb marketing skills that bring us the next "American Idol"?