ALL ABOUT SINGING
The new season of 'American Idol' kicked off a few weeks ago, and the buzz is that this is the best AI's been in a long while. With returning judges Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, along with new judge Harry Connick, Jr., Idol is on it's way to being back on top. The secret? This season, it's all about the singing.
During the auditions, it was Harry Connick who was being tough on the singers and not sending people through if they were just 'okay.' Of course, there were also times when Harry alluded to a singers' overall look -- he told a few people they didn't have the 'whole package' and didn't vote them through. I disagree with his decision to judge people on their looks, as well as their voice, for this competition. I believe that NBC's 'The Voice' is so successful because it is just about the voice. Who cares if the person looks cool -- can they sing? Isn't that the most important thing in a singing contest? After all, it's not the X-Factor.
There's a new round on Idol this season. It's called, 'Hollywood or Home.' It takes place in a hangar at LAX where the singers who made it to Hollywood must once again prove that they are worth keeping. Not everyone has to sing at this venture. Only the contestants the judges are on the fence about have to get up and sing, at a moments notice, without any warning or preparation. I found this to be an exciting round in the competition. As we know, not everyone chosen to go to Hollywood during the auditions is worthy of a spot to go to the next round.
I don't know what else Idol holds in store for us this season, but so far, so good. The judges alone make this season worth watching. They seem to get along, and are for the very first time, behaving like real mentors and doling out good advice. In my humble opinion, Idol is back on the right track.
In Los Angeles, 'American Idol' airs Wednesday and Thursday nights at 8pm on FOX (channel 11).
The new season of 'American Idol' kicked off a few weeks ago, and the buzz is that this is the best AI's been in a long while. With returning judges Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, along with new judge Harry Connick, Jr., Idol is on it's way to being back on top. The secret? This season, it's all about the singing.
During the auditions, it was Harry Connick who was being tough on the singers and not sending people through if they were just 'okay.' Of course, there were also times when Harry alluded to a singers' overall look -- he told a few people they didn't have the 'whole package' and didn't vote them through. I disagree with his decision to judge people on their looks, as well as their voice, for this competition. I believe that NBC's 'The Voice' is so successful because it is just about the voice. Who cares if the person looks cool -- can they sing? Isn't that the most important thing in a singing contest? After all, it's not the X-Factor.
There's a new round on Idol this season. It's called, 'Hollywood or Home.' It takes place in a hangar at LAX where the singers who made it to Hollywood must once again prove that they are worth keeping. Not everyone has to sing at this venture. Only the contestants the judges are on the fence about have to get up and sing, at a moments notice, without any warning or preparation. I found this to be an exciting round in the competition. As we know, not everyone chosen to go to Hollywood during the auditions is worthy of a spot to go to the next round.
I don't know what else Idol holds in store for us this season, but so far, so good. The judges alone make this season worth watching. They seem to get along, and are for the very first time, behaving like real mentors and doling out good advice. In my humble opinion, Idol is back on the right track.
In Los Angeles, 'American Idol' airs Wednesday and Thursday nights at 8pm on FOX (channel 11).
