We began watching American Idol during season 2, where we quickly became hooked onto the show because of Clay Aiken.  Since season 2 ended, we were able to see season 1, and luckily our favorite from that season was Kelly.  So in here, you'll mostly see stuff on those two, although we will try to include more about the other idols as well.

What was American Idol about?

American Idol is a reality show in which all the contestants are competing to become the next big pop star.  The show auditions people throughout the country and sends through who they think are the good ones to Hollywood.  Once in Hollywood, the group is whittled down until there are only around 30 left, at which time they will all compete against each other on live TV.  Fans can call in their votes for their favorite (big waste of time) to keep them in the contest.  Once they get down to 10 or 12 contestants, the person with the least votes each week is sent home.  At the end of the season whoever wins gets some crappy recording contract and pretty much signs away their life to the producers.


What was the best part about the show?

The best part is probably some of the contestants.  Everyone has their favorite to root for and it is pretty fun to follow them from their very first audition to the finals.  Although it would be a much better show if the manipulation on the judges part wasn't so blatant.


What was the worst part about the show?

Okay, the worst part of the show is the manipulation.  We did not watch about 90% of season 3, we only saw a few eps, but the favoritism for certain contestants is just disgusting.  Fantasia is an absolutely terrible singer, and I mean 'nails on a chalkboard' bad.  (And I did not watch most of the show, so I am not just saying that because my favorite didn't win.  I really did not like any of them in season 3).  Many people did not like Fantasia, but the judges did and so that is all that apparently mattered.  Same thing with Ruben in season 2 and Tamyra in season 1.  They just pick their favorite and anyone who thinks otherwise is treated like crap.  The show should not reprimand you for voting against who they want to win.


Where did the show go wrong?

The show went wrong when the really started getting over the top with the favoritism.  Just because they want a certain contestant to win is no excuse to criticize another performer's good performance.  And whenever their favorite has an off night, they kiss their butt anyway.  It just got to be too much.  There were also too many episodes, too many bad auditions shows, and waaaay too long of results shows.  Too much product pimping too.  The show is just unwatchable now, and it's really sad.