American Idol is down big time in the ratings and
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that the show was prepared to have Jennifer Lopez replace Mariah Carey midseason to get people watching again. Then the mag added that when Mimi heard about the plot, she threatened legal action and as you know she is still on the show. A Fox rep, Nigel Lythgoe and Freemantle North America all denied the story, but the source says that Fox reality chief Mike Darnell and Fremantle’s Cecile Frot-Coutaz were behind the plan.
If those two people really thought that that was the solution to their ratings woes, then they obviously are so out of touch with what the problem is. Viewers are suffering from singing competition fatigue. Plus the show is not about the judges, it’s supposed to be about the contestants. Fox gets more press over who will be sitting at the judging table leading up to the show, that by the time it airs you just don’t care any more. Plus didn’t they learn already with Kara DioGuardi that 4 judges is too many for the show. When you spend more time on the judges’ comments than the contestant’s singing, then it’s not working.
If Fox wants to save Idol, they need to announce next year’s judges in June and spend the time leading up to the show on the contestants who will be on it. They also need to go back to three judges. And the one thing that would really really help them is cancel The X Factor. The network was their own worst enemy by picking up and continuing with that show. There are just too many singing shows and after awhile they all just seem the same. I mean that is why I gave up all of those variety competition shows. Been there, done that!
Now when it comes to J-Lo, I wouldn’t be surprised that she started the rumor because she has probably realized she needs Idol, more than Idol needs her! It helps you career when you are on it, but when you are off of it it doesn’t do anything for you.
