What happened to “American Idol”? On Sunday’s Disney night, the judges were falling over each other trying to come up with ways to praise mediocre talents.
When the series started (more than 20 years ago), Simon Cowell wasn’t afraid to tell them they weren’t good or Randy Jackson would say, “a little pitchy, dawg” or Paula Abdul would admit, “you didn’t have a good night” but now, even the most tone-deaf singers get praise from judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie.
As critical as they got? Carrie told one of the women she looked “pretty,” which would have been the kiss of death 20 years ago.
A familiar assessment: “You really made that your own.” Ooofff. That means they can’t sing more than one style and, damned if they don’t squeeze songs to fit it.
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Originally, “Idol” was known for taking raw talent and giving it a workout — in areas where it wouldn’t be comfortable.
Now, even forgetting lyrics is viewed as a strength. Bryan told Slater Nalley he made a great recovery when he couldn’t remember the opening words to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” Great recovery? That was an epic fail and would have spelled his exit under other circumstances.
Communicating a “story” — not in song but in social media posts — has become the focus of the series. When the singers come into “Idol,” they have fully formed social media profiles that don’t waver for anyone. Messing with it? Not gonna happen.
Mattie Pruitt, who sang “Remember Me” from “Coco,” was told by coach Lin-Manuel Miranda to open her eyes and look at the audience. So what did she do? Closed her eyes repeatedly and got a “great job” from Bryan, a “you’re on your way, girl,” from Richie and “this is why we love her” from Underwood.
Miranda told Thunderstorm Artis to smile less when he sang “Colors of the Wind,” so, of course, he didn’t.
Those happy assessments from the judges (Underwood talked about the song’s arrangement) go over the contestants’ heads. They’ve determined they’re already where they need to be. Judges’ critiques — even if they include how they’ve dressed — don’t matter.
And that’s what’s so disappointing about the evolution of “American Idol.” It’s not looking for a singer who just needs a boost. It’s feeding into personalities that have already been formed and it’s letting them play out on a larger stage.
When an “Idol” winner doesn’t get the kind of career that Underwood and Kelly Clarkson enjoyed it’s because he or she isn’t being groomed the way Motown artists were decades ago.
This should be a finishing school for budding talents, not an Instagram boost.
When they announce a winner, don’t look for a Top 10 hit in the next six months. The most you can hope from today’s “Idol” is a “Good Morning America” appearance and string of county fair dates in the next two years.
