CliqueClackRight now, American Idol is all about the judges
… and, more precisely, it’s really about one judge in particular: Harry Connick, Jr.
(Not So Much Of A) News Flash: Whether the American Idol faithful want to hear it or not (and many do not) the show, right now, IS about the judges.
Let’s face facts: After the debacles aplenty the powerhouse duo Nicki Minaj/Mariah Carey foisted on us last season, there’s a lot of damage control that needs to be attended to by the current panel.
(Wait … wait … wait … did I really just toss a “powerhouse” reference in there with regard to Mariah Carey?!? I’m sorry. She might be a powerhouse on the music scene, but she was anything but that during her Idol stint. What I meant to state was that she rode the coattail wave of lunacy Minaj forged. There. All better.)
You know the tales of Minaj and Carey, the complaints up the wazoo about them. Their antics turned viewers off. They took away from the focus of the show which should always be on the contestants. Season 12 was often a circus freakshow. And that’s precisely why the season 13 trio of officiants are being scrutinized so closely.
Or, rather, I should state that’s why all eyes are on Harry Connick, Jr. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. To many the dude is easy on the eyes (so I’ve been told), has an engaging personality and is mixing things up with not only some pretty pointed critiquing but with (sometimes) razor-sharp wit and sarcasm. So, great … he’s “all that” right now.
As it was, the person I was watching Idol with couldn’t stop gushing over how much the man was loved, how refreshing he was, how he makes Idol “watchable” again. I’m not in this person’s camp in the least — I’ve been familiar with Connick’s career, both musically and on screen, since the beginning. I own all his albums and have enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) listening to his body of work. 20 is the first album I purchased of his (and it continues to be one of my favorites) and I was surprised by his take in the film Copycat with Sigourney Weaver. (He was out and out chilling as Daryll Lee Cullum.) Additionally, I’ve seen him in concert and he puts on a damned fine show.
But … he’s not the savior the show needs. He’s just a piece of the puzzle in the grand scheme of things. Granted, his presence fills a nice chunk of that puzzle but, given the steady decline of Idol viewership over the years, there are quite a number of things beside the judging panel in need of a makeover.
So let’s enjoy Connick for the contributions he’s making currently. For me, I already have my cynicism gage at half staff when it comes to hearing him jabber and joke … and we’ve only just passed the second episode of the season.
But that’s okay. While he may be “all that” to some folks, he isn’t to me. It’s not that I exhibit any ADD tendencies when it comes seeing or hearing him on the show, but I’d rather he be on a short leash when it comes to what I’ve seen thus far. I’m well aware, however, the shortening of that leash may be a long time in coming …
6 Comments on “Right now, American Idol is all about the judges”
At the end of your article, I found myself saying, “Granted, but ….” I agree with all you’ve said, and probably a lot of what you didn’t say, about changes that could (and should) be made. But … after last year, this panel of judges is a significant step in the right direction. Compare this panel to the original panel in early AI, and I think you might admit we have recreated the positives and overcome many of the negatives. We won’t get lost in J-Lo’s comments as we did in wandering Paula’s. I can’t remember the last time I heard Keith drop names of celebrities to appear “connected” to today’s Pop crowd. Best of all, I will take the “razor-sharp wit and sarcasm” of Harry over the pomp and self-importance of Simon any day of the week. Let’s give this panel a chance to settle in through these auditions and see how well they work together when the live shows start.
I can always count on you to read something without blinders on, Nyela. Believe me: A mere couple episodes in, you can see, hear and feel the difference of the judging panel. And that’s a good thing. There are tons and tons of positives, agreed.
I think we’ve gotten a nice taste of what we can expect for the remainder of the auditions. When it comes to further, more pointed critiquing I’ll be watching sharply as usual. Not that I’m looking for fault in any of them, it will simply be an interesting exercise with an entirely new dynamic.
That “cynicism gauge” I mentioned up there was raised because there appeared to be times HCJ was trying too hard to get a quip in. There’s no need. He just needs to be himself … what we’ve enjoyed in his past appearances on Idol …
I’m looking forward to seeing his first “encounter” over a song choice with Jimmy.
If you’re thinking “Jimmy” as in Jimmy Iovine, you have a long, long wait ahead of you.
Jimmy is no longer with Idol. In his stead is Randy Jackson …
<—- Blushes from display of ignorance in previous comment.
<—- *sounds of rusty gears grinding as new information is processed*
I will just have to replay last year's episode where Harry appeared for the evil giggle I was anticipating.
I watched the premiere because of Harry, and what a refreshing difference after the awkward, negative vibe of last year’s panel! It’s not just his humor or charisma or good looks (though I wouldn’t object to him serenading me with “Younger Than Springtime”). He is honest without being rude, sharp without being cruel, and knowledgeable without being arrogant. Can you tell I’m contrasting him with Simon? And where Simon would say, “I like you. There’s something special about you,” Harry (and Keith sometimes) tries to explain what that “something” is. The editors cut most of the critiques during these audition episodes, but I look forward to unedited Harry critiques during the live shows.