American Idol To Change The Age Limit, But That Ain't The Real Problem...

American Idol will lower its eligibility age for Season 10, reports USA TODAY's Bill Keveney, allowing 15-year-olds to audition for the first time. "A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and representation before they turn 16," executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. says. "Lowering the age limit allows us to tap into this talent pool." The show previously had a 16-to-28 age limit.

I'm not sure lowering the age of American Idol eligibility will correct the problems the program faces. As a matter of fact, we need more mature performers, not more pop tarts. If they're going to change the age range, it ought to be a 16-35 age limit. Some might argue that 35 is too old; I'd reply by referring them to the 49 year-old Susan Boyle, who rose to fame as a contestant on a television show. 

And age isn't the ultimate issue. American Idol is declining because it hasn't made the kind of fresh changes it should have made year after year. For instance, it is generally agreed upon that the audition episodes have grown stale. The horrible contestants/witty judge comments shtick ran its course by Season 3 or 4. Yet for nine seasons we've been subjected to an abundance of awful performers. That should change. Instead of the bad auditions being the rule, make them the exception. Only then may they regain their novelty. 

 

Producers should stop denying passage to great singers because they don't fit the pre-season narrative they're trying to create. When I auditioned for American Idol for Season 4, I watched a lot of talented people get the first-round boot because the producers needed to make room for a 'mime girl' or an operatic singer/joke. How about giving the most talented people a shot? Give them an equal and fair chance to sing in front of the judges, and leave the clown gimmicks on the cutting room floor.

The show should stop pimping contestants it likes. Adam Lambert was a talented and popular guy, but it was clear how much the judges wanted him to advance in the competition by way of artistic freedom and total lack of criticism. The same can be said for Crystal Bowersox, before she stumbled in the last few weeks. Viewers, unless they're a fan of the contestant, get turned off by the on-air politics of it all. And it's so obvious. 

I've watched every season of American Idol (from start to finish), except for season 7 (David Cook). I've heard the same songs sung by different contestant, and butchered to no end. The show needs to ban any song sung more than two times on the show. And the producers need to work on getting more song clearances. I'd rather not hear "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" or "I Have Nothing" on the show again. 

Get some contemporary folks on the show! And not just to promote a new song. There's no reason Lady Gaga should be performing on the results show without any interaction with the contestants. If she wants to do her new song, she has to spend some time mentoring. I'm tired of Beatles theme nights. We don't need anymore Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Motown, Diana Ross or Frank Sinatra themes. How about we use contemporary artists and charts. Do a Madonna night. Or Beyonce. Songs of the 2000s or Grammy winners of the new millennium. Old mentors are great (because they have some wisdom), but let's get some folks who will actually critique the performers.

And start promoting your own, American Idol! There are countless Idol alums who have new projects that need the promotional push to get recognized. Producers should be trying to help these new artists out. Not wasting airtime on some broad named Demi Lovato.