- Ryan Seacrest at AT&T Park on Thursday morning.
SAN FRANCISCO — It was an interesting juxtiposition of power in the pop culture world.
On one side of the wall outside AT&T Park stood two of the larger-than-life power-brokers of the country’s most popular TV show – American Idol, in Nigel Lythgoe and Ryan Seacrest.
On the other side of the wall were the 9,200 hopefuls on their opening journey to make it to another round in the quest to become the 10th American Idol. Some were dressed like Superwoman, some like punk rockers, but none of them had a seven-figure bank account like Lythgoe and Seacrest.
Lythgoe has officially rejoined the power structure of Idol, a ladder he was perched on for the show’s first seven seasons. The past two seasons the show’s ratings and popularity have tumbled for a variety of reasons. Hence, the thought was to go back to the AI roots and hence, Lythgoe.
“This has been happening in America for 10 years now and it is part of growing up – come and audition for American Idol. They get dressed up, they have a good time. Today is about having a good time,” Lythgoes said on Thursday morning at that location outside the Park.
So, what changes, either forward or backward, does Lythgoe foresee?
“Don’t forget this (San Francisco) is the place where we found Adam Lambert and also the place where we found William Hung. So, we are not sure what we are going to find today.
“I really would like to see somebody who can sing and move. I’m so sick of watching people who are just wondering around. All of the stars of the show move. The next Michael Jackson must be out there somewhere.”
Maybe he’s right, maybe not.
The last three winners – David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze – didn’t move, they sang. And AI has always been a singing competition, not a multi-talent show.
But Seacrest, seemed to buy into Lythgoe’s vision.
“If you look at some of the more popular acts. Look at Gaga for example. Most of the more popular acts are young and are spectacles on stage,” Seacrest said.
“Younger contestents are more poised than the older people. And I think that is because of the internet and them performing on YouTube. They are just more comofortable.”
So, what exactly happened at AT&T Park on Thursday?
“They (contestents) get a few minutes to make a first and last impression and if they’ve got something then they move on to the next round.”
The show’s first downward spiral has been well-documented from the drop in the talent pool to the departure of Simon Cowell.
Is it the sunset for the show?
“I would say it’s more like the sunrise for American Idol,” Lythgoe said.
“And don’t forget when Simon (Cowell) came out here (to the U.S. from England) no one knew who Simon was. Simon became a star on the strength of American Idol. There are other shows like Idol around the world who don’t have Simon Cowell on them and they are hugely successful.”
Seacrest was equally upbeat.
“I will say we have had huge numbers at the auditions. Big, big crowds and more excitement than ever for the show and I think that’s a very good sign.”
Of the 9,200 who tried out on Thursday, about 300-400 will advance on to be judged down the road by the real judging panel whenever that is selected.
Does Seacrest share the pain of the those who were rejected on Thursday?
“I feel bad sometimes that their parents have lied to them about how good they are,” he said.
jess
Umm, Nigel. You’ve already found what you are describing. His name is Adam Lambert. You can stop looking now.
August 20th, 2010 8:17 pm
MUSIC SEARCH 24 AMERICAN IDOL » ‘Idol’ replacements announcement bogged down by scheduling talks? – Hollywoodnews.com
[...] on negotiations with …Los Angeles Times (blog)New York Post -Zap2it.com (blog) -Santa Rosa Press Democrat (blog)all 16 news [...]
August 21st, 2010 4:36 am
Vada
David Cook, Kris Allen, and Lee DeWyze didn’t “just sing”. They also played guitars, and in Kris’ case, guitars and pianos. In his live shows, Kris does some songs without instruments, and moves around the stage and dances (although not choreographed).
Will instruments be banned on future Idol seasons, in hopes of getting a singer/dancer?
August 21st, 2010 4:51 am
Dave S.
I hope American Idol can find the next Michael Jackson because I’ve been bored with the last 4 winners. The young kids today want to be entertained, but unfortunately you have a bunch of middle age women that are voting now and the result shows. I doubt you’ll ever see another young lady win or someone of color no matter how good they are. I’m not sure you’ll ever find another Adam Lambert but if you can get close to that then I say American Idol will be going in the right direction.
August 21st, 2010 6:49 am
Valerie
@Dave S, you pimply young lad or decrepit old fart: the middle aged women you put down voted massively for Adam Lambert. So they obviously have good taste. (I am not a middle aged woman)
August 21st, 2010 7:14 am
Trish
Dave, it’s not middle aged women who voted in Kris and Lee. IMO, it’s the tween texting vote. They were the “cute guys.” I don’t even vote anymore becuase of the monopoly of the AT&T text votes. They can get in thousands of votes to my 50.
And also, IMO, they will never find another Adam Lambert because it doesn’t exist.
August 21st, 2010 7:47 am
Andy
Jess, sorry but you never stop looking for talent. Lambert is just a passing fancy right now. Someone else will come along and blow him out of the water, just like always.
Nigel you are OLD, OLD, OLD. Keep ticking off the “middle age women that are voting” and watch the money dry up. The young demographic is not the only one (though you would think with all the catering to them, they are). The middle age women have the money, not the young ones.
Ryan you are also an a$$s along with Nigel. Keep it up and Idol will be off the air. Can’t wait to see the ratings this year. It’s going to take a lot to get your lost ratings back.
August 21st, 2010 8:07 am
Trident
I can assure you that David Cook does indeed “move” while he’s performing in concerts now. He works all parts of the stage, climbs scaffolding, runs through the audience, stands on the drum riser, stands on precariously perched speakers and does guitar duels w/ his band members. The reason he didn’t “move” much during AI was because of the CAMERAS! Everything was blocked in rehearsal, he couldn’t move after that or it would throw off the camera operators and the director. Plus now look at Lee DeWyze during his Idol tour performances — he works the entire stage and hardly stays still long enough to get a decent photo. Why? Because now he has a WIRELESS guitar and a head set mic. On the show Lee was tethered to wires, plus the camera blocking, again, made it impossible to do anything but stand there and sing. Also, the contestants are only given a minute and a half, there’s no time to do anything else but sing. If Nigel wants the contestants to “move”, he should remove the wires, remove the blocking and give the contestants the chance to perform an entire song.
August 21st, 2010 8:08 am
5starnana
This middle-aged woman voted for Adam Lambert!
August 21st, 2010 8:09 am
thetruth
The best season came from Season 5 – highest ratings and highest grossing tour – and it was lead by and won by Taylor HIcks, arguably the best all around entertainer the show ever had. And what do they do? Make him out to be the black sheep. Shame on them. The show SUCKS now and the ratings are proving it. I hope it dies a painful death.
August 21st, 2010 8:29 am
jacey
Who cares that Kris played an instrument. He has been a huge flop, and clearly hasn’t helped the Idol brand. He’s not what they are looking for this year.
August 21st, 2010 8:32 am
Sally
I believe that the only thing that will save American Idol is a fair vote. The book “American Idol Vote Scam” describes how a rogue AT&T executive teamed up with the University of Central Arkansas and gave away phones and taught power texting to a stadium full of people. The millions of cheating votes generated were enough to steal Adam’s win. How can American Idol be credible when its biggest star lost to an ordinary and not very popular singer? Pleas do not say Kris plays “instruments” and his moves cannot be called dancing. Kris plays average rhythm guitar and beginner piano. Unless American Idol corrects its flawed voting system that allows thousands of votes from one person to count there is no reason to vote because winning has nothing to do with talent and popularity, it has become a power texting contest.
August 21st, 2010 9:38 am
Lauriellen
There is only one Adam Lambert and a person of his caliber comes once in a generation if we are lucky.
I think that if we look at the winners and even into the top 10 of each season, who has been successful? It takes more than just good singing to sell records. There are videos to be made and tours. The contestants need to be “entertainers”. I think the producers need to find people who are magnificent singers but have that “IT” factor and something that makes them different.
I also think that perhaps Idol scouts should be out at clubs, bars and high school musicals looking for talent. In Adam’s case, he took a huge risk because he had to quit his job in “Wicked” just to audition.
August 21st, 2010 9:47 am
anonymous
Okay, one website complains that tweens and teens rock the vote, while another website insists middle-aged women rule the vote. And then there’s the ever-present “America got it wrong” train of thought. C’mon people, just because your favorite isn’t the majority vote-getter doesn’t mean that America got it wrong or tweens, cougars, or whatever decides the winner.
It’s a blend of all ages, genders, and races THAT WATCH THE FREAKIN SHOW that pick the winner. It’s the one guy or girl that has the most widespread appeal that he/she can pick up votes from all ages, genders, and races. Early Idol, it was hard for a guy to win. Lately the tide has changed, which has only brought equality to the results – now there’s been 4 girls and 5 guys win. There have been 3 minorities win, which if you look at the demographics of the country, that’s normal. So, just enjoy the show, vote for your favorite, and then get back to real life after the finale.
August 21st, 2010 11:13 am
Rachel
Dave – The winners reflect the desires of the audience. Whereas you may have been bored by the past winners, millions were not. They were so enthralled, they voted their fingers off. Why? One reason is because AI, in the past, was family entertainment. Those middle-aged women represent families who watch the show together and they have just as much right to vote as anyone. If they choose to vote not only based on talent but who they want as role models for their kids, that is their right as well. Pushing Gagas and Lamberts as a way to get back younger viewers may or may not work. That age bracket may buy their music and see them on tour but they’re usually out with friends or playing sports or working or studying instead of sitting glued to the television on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. AI needs to understand its audience, an audience who connects to the performers and develops an interest in them. An audience that may or may not buy their music, but who would be more likely to purchase it if it were promoted on AI. AI does little to promote their former finalists and winners. The best way to get the audience to buy their music is to feature past finalists and winners on their show instead of bringing in other artists somehow connected to their conglomerate but who can’t sing live. As long as the show continues to be more about the judges than the contestants, as long as particular contestants are pushed and others are thrown under the bus, as long as people feel the winners they chose are being “mistreated,” and ESPECIALLY if they choose contestants who will alienate a conservative demographic, viewership will continue to decline.
August 21st, 2010 11:18 am
Lking
I hope you find a female who can sing and showcase herself this year. Last Season, I’m sorry to say, was a yawn. Too many people with guitars. Find us someone who can dance better than Kate G, shouldn’t be a stretch. A Carrie, Kathrine McPhee, Jordan, or even a Crystal. Let them entertain us. Of course, everyone is compared to Adam–he’s the Super Star you’ve been talking about for years. I’m sure there are others out there, maybe
August 21st, 2010 3:48 pm
Jacki
Although I am personally done with AI cuz Adam Lambert is the one entertainer I had been waiting for from the previous 7 seasons, I am grateful for AI cuz Adam had a place to exhibit his extraordinary vocal skills, his charisma & his theatrical performances which I love! Since most of the winners of AI are usually of mediocre talent, I suspect AI10 will produce the same!
August 21st, 2010 9:12 pm
Ronnie
A.I. does not promote it’s winners, they throw some contestants under the bus regularly and they bring entertainers on the show that nobody cares about. These contestants have less than 2 minutes to sing parts of a song and there is little time to “entertain” us with a full-fledged musical. It’s all about the judges and fillers. Also you show some really bad people that you know won’t have a prayer of a chance to go to the next round just for entertainment value and good laughs. You need to get serious and not put some of those freaks on the show. Please enough of Adam Lambert – the guy was a “professional” and anyone from the stage/musicals would have been able to blow him out of the water.
August 22nd, 2010 7:40 am
Adam Lambert’s Official Fan Community Begins! « Adamquotedaily's Blog
[...] a matter fact, new executive producer Nigel Lythgoe admitted at the recent San Francisco auditions (which is the same city tried out in two years ago) that he [...]
August 22nd, 2010 10:45 am