Are American Idol judges showing preferential treatment? Are they judging for talent or looks? Do they have too much power? - (FOX photo)

The American Idol judges are giving Phillip Phillips a lot of their undivided attention. The question is why is it warranted? - (FOX photo)   Erika Van Pelt has a big voice but appears not to be in the judge's favor. It raises the question is American Idol now a beauty contest or a SINGING CONTEST? - (FOX photo)

Video Beat EXTRA Part 2 - AMERICAN IDOL CHANGES GIVE JUDGES TOO MUCH POWER

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

What American Idol stated prior to the season has been ignored in their published reports that their format would remain the same. This season's format is definitely not the same as last. The bottom six girls verses boys is a bad idea creating too much power to the judges who are infatuated with good looks over talent. Judge Jennifer Lopez is overly excited by some of the male contestant's good looks. Lopez has lost sight of the fact the Idol was intended to be a talent contest NOT A BEAUTY CONTEST - Recommended TV Listings

Wednesday March 14, 2012

RETURN POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Prior to this season it was reported that American Idol's format would remain the same as last season. What we found was reported and said by the shows producer Nigel Lythgo that no major changes were planned this season after an upheaval in season 10. This season will follow the same format as season 10, although a new title screen and logo has been created, with a different font.

Nothing could be further from the truth. As a viewer one must keep in perspective that the show is basically an audition for AI creator Simon Fuller. The top choices seldom have careers outside of Fuller's domain which includes 19 Entertainment which is publicized as being separate from Fuller. Those in the know have a clearer insight but it seems to be protected as a secret. Basically the show functions as an in house audition to be signed to a management contract with Fuller in charge.

Last season the Casey Abrams save travesty was a sham and damaged the credibility of the show. Without a doubt Abrams was the MOST TALENTED of all the contestants BUT his voice did not qualify for being the best singer on the program. Abrams was a special case given his musicianship skills capable of playing several instruments well. That save was a joke that cost Pia Toscano her rightful place to remain in the contest. The problem was perhaps the best singer in the contest was eliminated because the judges used the save up.

The judges repeatedly defend their Abrams save decision. To many they can't justify that decision in 10 lifetimes.

This season the changed the rules to where the boys challenged the girls. That rule wasn't announced until the night of the 1st elimination show. That resulted in the bottom three girls and boys with the least amount of votes would be in the bottom three of in this sex division instance the bottom SIX. That means of the 13 contestants only seven would be voted safe by the American public.

The results show then has four of the bottom six being saved by host Ryan Seacrest. The judges then decide from the remaining girl and boy who will be eliminated. Does that suck? Why should the judges have so much power which was once the people's choice? Could the answer be they are receiving commands from above to keep in the contest those that fit the Simon Fuller/19 Entertainment of who they would like to work with and sign?

The red flags that jump up this season is the confidence the judges now have which was more innocent last season their first together as a unit. The praise heaped upon certain contestants favoring them over others is disturbing. Being pushed to the front of the pack are Phillip Phillips and Colton Dixon. Dixon is passable but lacks the voice to be the winner. His look is getting him by with his Ace Ventura styled hair.

Phillips has been receiving Casey Abrams type praise. AI's in house mentor commented that he had a good voice and is a great musician. Phillips' voice is not good he scream and growls his songs. He does not have a good natural voice. He is not a good guitar player he's a strummer from what we've seen thus far. Casey James from season 9 is a great ROCK guitar player the best ever on the show. James also is a much better singer than Phillips.

Jeremy Rosado the first to be eliminated also received too much praise from the judges. When America voted they weren't as impressed and he received the least amount of votes. That raises the question why are the judges given so much power after they have made so many poor decisions and repeatedly sell certain contestants.

When Seacrest asks the judges at the end of the performance show who they think is in trouble is unfair to others. Their comments influence some voters. That question could never be asked. Also who they liked should never be asked. Why is American Idol taking away the TV viewer's right to decide.

The question now is how long will this format be in place where there is a bottom six and the judges decide who goes. At best it can only last to the Top seven. The solution is to return to the previous format where the public makes the decisions. The judges have too much power.

Another major RED FLAG is the judge's claim they are looking for the whole package without defining exactly what that means. It raises the question if this is an OUT for then to disqualify someone with a great voice because they or the powers that be don't like their look because they deem it not to be marketable.

Of the remaining 12 contestants we put together the Top four VOICES followed by the second four best and the least four best voices. Prior to Rosado's elimination he was in our bottom four.

Our choices are based on a statement that Iovine made about Jermaine Jones' voice that he could listen to an entire album of Jones' voice. Our choices are not based on who is the best looking nor has the best personality. Our selections are based on voice and who has a voice that we could enjoy listening to over and over.

Iovine made comments about Dixon having a voice that is not identifiable as being pop or rock. Dixon surprised us this week and did a nice job on Stevie Wonder's "Lately".

Iovine said of Ledet that his voice was a voice that one could get tired of. Ladet is good but his raspy style gets old too soon. We agree with Iovine on that. The most troubling comments have been made about Phillips... we don't see any exceptional talent there. He is a bar singer that in the past has been a criticism of other contestants. Place this in the GO FIGURE file.

NEXT:

We'll explain in depth our reason's why we made these choices.

CHANGES made but what wasn't broken should not be fixed.

Suggestion: Return to letting the eliminated contestant sing their farewell song, it was a nice sensitive touch. No bottom three performances: Suggestion: With six that would be too time consuming but hearing the bottom tow sing would be a nice touch.

TIME is the bottom line. In this respect Idol has improved as in the past they repeatedly went over time. The performances should return and ELIMINATE the time spent asking judges who they liked or thought was in trouble should be eliminated which creates a bias . There is too much of an emphasis in giving the judges too much time for their opinions and too little attention given to the contestants. Return to the viewing public their right for decision making on the show.

AMERICAN IDOL'S TOP 12 Finalists

* DeAndre Brackensick (born October 21, 1994) is from San Jose, California, he is 17 years old. He auditioned in San Diego, California. He originally auditioned for American Idol season 10, but he was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Hollie Cavanagh (born July 5, 1993) is from McKinney, Texas, she is 18 years old. She auditioned in Houston, Texas. She originally auditioned for season 10, but she was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Colton Dixon (born October 19, 1991[40]) is from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he is 20 years old. He auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina. He originally auditioned for season 10, but he was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Heejun Han (born April 20, 1989) is from Flushing, New York, he is 22 years old. He auditioned in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

* Jermaine Jones (born November 3, 1986) is from Pine Hill, New Jersey, he is 25 years old. Portland, Oregon. He was called back after the top 24 selection filming, making him the 25th semi-finalist and thirteenth male semi-finalist.

* Skylar Laine (born February 1, 1994[41]) is from Brandon, Mississippi, she is 18 years old. She auditioned in Houston, Texas.

* Joshua Ledet (born April 9, 1992) is from Westlake, Louisiana, he is 19 years old. He auditioned in Houston, Texas.

* Shannon Magrane (born October 21, 1995[42]) is from Tampa, Florida, she is 16 years old. She auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.

* Phillip Phillips (born September 20, 1990) is from Leesburg, Georgia, he is 21 years old. He auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.

* Jeremy Rosado (born March 24, 1992) is from Valrico, Florida, he is 19 years old. - ELIMINATED @ # 13

* Jessica Sanchez (born August 4, 1995[43]) is from San Diego, California, she is 16 years old. She auditioned in San Diego, California. Before Idol, she was first known for her appearance on the first season of America's Got Talent.

* Elise Testone (born July 29, 1983) is from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, she is 28 years old. She auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.

* Erika Van Pelt (born December 12, 1985[44]) is from South Kingstown, Rhode Island, she is 26 years old. She auditioned in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Part 1 - JESSICA SANCHEZ ROCKS AMERICAN IDOL TOP 10

Part 2 - AMERICAN IDOL CHOPS QUICKLY TO TOP 13

FEB EXTRA - IT'S ON!!! - AMERICAN IDOL'S TOP 24

MARCH EXTRA - JEREMY ROSADO VOTED OFF

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