Gotta say, I’m a bit distraught.
Earlier this week, I read an interview producer Nigel Lythgoe did with People.com about what to expect from the upcoming season of American Idol.
He said the show is discovering lots of talented country singers.
Great news.
He said he doesn’t think the show will use guest mentors and guest judges this year.
After the season nine Miley Cyrus fiasco, that great news.
He says he’s not a big fan of instruments, but sees “no reason why we won’t use guitars and pianos at least once or twice across the season.”
Say what? Fewer instruments.
Say it isn’t so.
Sorry, Nigel, but you’re all wet on this one.
The last really good year of American Idol was season seven. Think back to some of that season’s most memorable moments.
Brooke White playing guitar bare-footed for a touching version of “Let It Be.”
Jason Castro playing ukulele and singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
David Cook proving his versatility by playing acoustic guitar and singing Dolly Parton’s “Little Sparrow.”
Since that season, American Idol hasn’t been very special, and it’s had nothing to do with instruments or a lack thereof.
It’s been more a case of a final 12 (or 13 in season eight) incapable of pulling off enough magical moments, whether they were holding an instrument or not.
In fact, take away Crystal Bowersox’s guitar and harmonica, and the lackluster season nine would have been even less interesting.
So I figure Nigel might need a little reminder of what we would have missed out on if Idol had limited instruments back in season seven.
Watch, listen and learn. They’re among my favorite Idol performances.
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2 Comments
Thanks for speaking what I have been feeling since Season 7. No instruments? Doesn’t a true “artist” know something about the art he/she creates? You might as well tell the next round of Idols that they can’t write either — wouldn’t want them to start thinking. Oh wait, I forget — we need more Biebers and Mileys in the world — not!!!
I agree with you on this. I think Season 7 was the best in terms of musicianship and originality, especially David Cook and Brooke White.
And I would add some of Kris Allen’s performances, like She Works Hard for the Money, and Heartless. And David Cook’s The World I Know. And I would even say that for last season, Crystal and Lee’s Falling Slowly duet was terrific also.
I think that taking away instruments is a step backward for the show. I would rather see the show move in a direction that encourages singer songwriters rather than discourages them, even to the point of having original music on the show.