Yes! It's excellent. I never bothered to watch its European sibling shows, mainly because the production values were so low and even the best of singers were totally embarrassing. But the American version is totally different, mainly because the talented ones are in fact quite talented and the untalented ones are so totally off I've never seen anything like'em. And it's fun to laugh at the retarded too!

Paula Abdul as one of the judges? In a singing contest? Who came up with this great idea!

This 4th(?) season I caught up on has been terrific so far. Leroy Wells? Give that boy a record deal right now! A singing psychic! Miniskirts! More flesh! And there's nothing more fun than watching all the really promising singers degenerate into desperate pop whores as the series will progress.

Essential cultural foundation for the modern times.

In Uk we had x factor, another talent show with simon cowell as one of the main judges. That had no age limit though, but now he is signed up years in advance 4 "american idol", he cannot bring X-factor to US screens.

As I've said before, the only main difference betweeen Uk and US ones is that I seem to see alot more fat people on "american idol"

someone please tell me why simon qualifies to be a judge other than the show was his idea???

a&e played his "biography" last year and none of the artists he was linked to were that successful...at least by american standards...he just seems to be good at marketing groups that will make a lot of money, but not necessarily very talented...

didn't he make money off some marginally popular uk boy band (that of course was only popular in the uk) and some random singer...at least randy has been associated with successful artist like the pre-crazy mariah and at least paula has her time in the son, but simon's credentials are suspect to me...

Tonight it seemed like they let through some pretty mediocre singers. Personally, they all sound the same to me. When did the world agree that the only way to sing is with pseudo-gospel riffs? It's tired. Billie Holiday couldn't do that, and she could still blow you away.

I want that James Brown boy on there. I want that big white soulful boy up there. That black girl with the deep voice on there too. Those are my favorites and the ones that stand out that I can remember.

whenpigeonscry said:

You're right, Simon may not have the credentials, however at least he says it how it is! he says what we are all saying at home! Honesty has earnt him a right on the show (and that it was his idea as you say).

I absofreakinlutely love this show. The last season was the bomb. What a shame America is so fucked up in the head that they didn't keep Latoya Jackson and especially Jennifer Hudson. Can't believe they got axed and Diana Degarmo and that Hawaiian chick made it to the top 3. It would have been ruthless if the competition were between Jennifer, Fantasia and Latoya. It would have been awesome. Fuck you America for blowing what could have been the fiercest showdown in TV history.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I'm in complete agreement with you there. Jennifer's voice gave me goosebumps! I loved her rendition of I Have Nothing and especially Weekend in New England. Unfortunately, part of the show's premise is looking for a marketable image - Fantasia had that over either of them. Frankly, I find Fantasia to be a bit of a bore, but she's certainly talented.

I'm looking forward to the rest of this season. Even now that they're in Hollywood, they still focus too much time on the bad people. In a way, I guess I don't mind, because it makes hearing the actual good ones all the more exciting. That's why hearing LaToya last year for the first time was so amazing. She came outta nowhere.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I was about to say the same thing. I remember watching the show and thinking "where the hell did she come from!" I didn't remember her from the tryouts at all, which did make it a wonderful surprise when they busted our asses with that voice.

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[Edited 2/11/05 12:56pm]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I think U mean LaToya London. Although I'm sure if LaToya Jackson were on "American Idol" she'd make top 10! They always keep a couple embarassingly bad people (usually chosen by Simon 4 his own amusement) in the top 10 2 spice things up.