There is no doubt in my mind that drama is the number one goal for American Idol’s second season. The new season has brought twice the attitude and twice the cattiness. Surprisingly, Simon seems to have lightened up a little while Paula and Randy have taken a turn. It seems almost impossible to impress these judges this time around. The stakes are much higher as there are even greater expectations for the competitors and bigger shoes to fill. The so-called “losers” are dropping left and right. On the other hand, American Idol is starting to look like it could compete with the Jerry Springer Show, minus the fights.
From the beginning, there has been a lot of rivalry between contestants, specifically between Julia DeMato and Kimberly Caldwell. It all started when the girls had to work together in a group during their second audition in Hollywood. DeMato was stood up by Caldwell and the other members of her group the night before they were to perform. In an attempt to retaliate on her group members, DeMato was then late to their early morning practice, which led to a petty argument among the girls. DeMato’s sister actually stepped up and battled with Caldwell for her, which led to even more cattiness, with viewers expecting a catfight to break out. In fact, the contestant’s families have not been as silent this season, as they were in the previous season of American Idol. During the first round of finalists, a father of one of the contestants actually walked on stage and argued with Simon Cowell. Cowell didn’t believe that his son could have the image of an American Idol, and the father strongly disagreed. Image has been made a big deal this season. Basically, if you don’t have the look, you’re out, plain and simple.
As with every show like this, there has to be an underdog, and this season it was Frenchie, a wild woman with a booming voice. She was taken off the show this past week by Fox after nudie pictures of her were discovered on a website which claims to feature underage girls, although she has asserted that she was 18 at the time that they were taken. Despite her talent and favor with the show’s fans, Fox is running scared after the recent rash of kiddie porn busts
In addition, there is a different turn to the season this year, family members are allowed. The relatives of the performers sit backstage so we can see their emotions as their child performs. As seen with the first round of finalists, it is obvious the only reason for this is to stir up some more unnecessary drama.
Of course, the strangest occurrence of events thus far has been a cameo by Evan Marriott (Joe Millionaire). Didn’t he already use up his fifteen minutes of fame, or is he going to try and be a singer now too? The appearance was less than admirable as he walked on, waved to the camera and walked off. Obviously, Fox is having a hard time getting viewers to tune in to their latest turn on dating shows. Perhaps they hoped advertising Marriott to their 8 million American Idol viewers would help ratings for their Joe Millionaire season finale show.
The big off camera gossip right now is that a college professor is suing American Idol. He claims that it is discrimination to put an age limit on the competition. Personally, I think he should give it up. Do you know any fifty year old men that can sing like Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake and be voted the next pop star?
