There are a lot of ways to fix “American Idol.” Here are my ideas…(Logo property of 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America and FOX Broadcasting Company)
By: Jacob Elyachar
The granddaddy of the 2000s singing competition shows has had a rough week.
A couple of days ago, entertainment news outlets including TV Guide, the Hollywood Reporter and TMZ.com reported that Nicki Minaj would be joining previously announced judge Mariah Carey on the American Idol judges’ desk during season 12.
According to a story on TMZ.com, when one of American Idol representatives called the superstar to tell her that Nicki Minaj was going to be one of the judges, Ms. Carey promptly hung up the phone. Sources from the show also state that Mariah was originally supposed to be the only female judge on the panel. However, that would not be the case if Minaj were to be brought on board.
Now, I came up with some simple solutions that would please everybody and actually save this show instead of dying a slow and painful death….
While Ms. Minaj is a great performer, she does not have enough experience to judge any competitive shows including “American Idol.” (Photo property of Getty Images and FOX Broadcasting Company)
Dismiss Minaj as a potential judge
While FOX might have to prep their legal eagles if they took this route, it may be a good option. Nicki Minaj has only been in the public eye for such a short time (eight years if you count her underground work) versus Mariah’s almost 25 years in the recording industry. In addition, Minaj is more of a performer and this show is about finding the best singer and to have Minaj judge singers that is what I call insult to injury.
Record producer David Foster (pictured left on the piano) has a great ear for picking out talent including Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Charice (pictured right). If “Idol” brings him in the mix, he could become the next Simon Cowell. (Photo by Getty Images)
Bring David Foster into the mix
Since Simon Cowell left the show to launch the U.S. version of his hit X Factor in 2010, there has not been enough harsh critiques. The show needs a new Simon Cowell and legendary record producer David Foster is the right person to do it. Like Cowell, Foster discovered impressive acts including Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Charice and worked with some of the best singers on the planet including Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli and Mariah. By having Foster and Mariah Carey at the judges’ desk, we will be able to see more spectacular singers go deeper into the show and even win the competition than have an average performer win the title.
Add Enrique Iglesias as a judge
To round out the American Idol: Season 12 judges panel, Idol producers should grab Enrique Iglesias. The Latin heartthrob has sold over 55 million records worldwide and won dozens of Billboard Music Award and according to multiple news outlets including People Magazine and FOX News to be a judge on next season of American Idol. If FOX hires him, Enrique could definitely fill the gap left by Paula Abdul and Steven Tyler as the encouraging judge and Iglesias can definitely be a role model to a lot of the male contestants.
Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are the only original cast members left on “American Idol” and both of them are crucial to the show. While Seacrest should continue to host the show, Jackson should become the show’s in-house mentor. (Photo by Getty Images)
Randy Jackson as a mentor
The dawg should still be with the show but needs to become the show’s in-house mentor while current in-house mentor and Interscope President Jimmy Iovine should start appearing closer to the Top Five singers because they will be signing with him if they are named season 12’s Top Two. By having Randy as a mentor, you still have your continuity and he will be successful in grooming the contestants for the challenges being a star entails during and after the Idol experience.
Limit the Voting!
American Idol has broken plenty of voting records in its 10-year run. It’s time to start limiting the voting so we will have future Jessica Sanchezes, Adam Lamberts and Haley Reinharts finally win the competition instead of losing the crown to a mediocre or abysmal singer. Limiting the votes has also worked well for some of its competitors including the Voice and America’s Got Talent as the right people have either made it to the finale or won their show.
What are your suggestions to change the show?
I would love to see them limit the voting. That seems much fairer way of doing it!