I’ve watchedAmerican Idolsince season 1 and I’m a huge fan, but this year, I feel that something’s missing, and it’s not the fact thatKaty Perry has been replaced by season 4 winner Carrie Underwood.American Idolseason 23 welcomed back host Ryan Seacrest, along with long-time judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Carrie took Katy’s seat at the judging table, despite doubts from some fans that she had the personality for the job. However, I’ve found Carrie to be a pleasant surprise as anAmerican Idolseason 23 judge, and I’m convinced that she’s not the issue with this season being lackluster.
I’ve been a big fan of Carrie since she first auditioned for the show in 2005, and I even met her in 2010, but I was worried that she might be too shy or boring to take Katy’s place. Katy was known for being outrageous on the show, and I didn’t know if Carrie could fill her shoes. However, I’m happy to see that Carrie has a vibrant personality that has really been refreshing duringAmerican Idolseason 23. Still, I thinkthe show needs to be retooled because it feels different this year. Here’s what I think could returnAmerican Idolto its former glory.
American Idol Judges Luke Bryan & Lionel Richie Should Be Replaced
They’ve Been With The Show Too Long
I’ve been a fan of Carrie since the beginning of her career, so I knew that I’d welcome having her as a new judge on the show, even though I loved Katy. However, something unexpected happened for me when Carrie joined the judging table. She made me realize that Luke and Lionel have been with the show for too long, and they should also be replaced. They seem to be going through the motions this season,making the same tired types of jokes and giving the same kind of feedback that they’ve given for years.
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I thought thatLionel, Luke, and Katy made a great trio, with Lionel playing the straight man to Luke and Katy’s silly antics. However, seeing them trying to pull off the same dynamic with Carrie is falling flat for me. It feels like they’re trying to recreate Katy’s zaniness, butCarrie is a totally different person. While I like Lionel and Luke as people and music artists, and I think they’ve done a good job during their time withAmerican Idol, having a fresh face like Carrie on the panel keeps reminding me that they’ve been with the show for eight seasons now, and I think it might be time for someone else to join the judging panel.
American Idol Focuses Too Much On The Contestants' Backstories
More Of The Singing Should Be Shown
While it’s important for viewers to get to know theAmerican Idolcontestants,the focus on their backstories in the ABC era of the show is excessive. While it can be inspiring to see that contestants have overcome great obstacles in their lives, or that they’re paying tribute to family members or friends who’ve passed away, sometimes their stories become the centerpieces of their auditions, rather than their voices and their potential to become music superstars after the show.
During Hollywood Week,the focus on some of the contestants' backstories took up time that could’ve been spent showing more of the singers' Idol Arena performances. For example,American Idolseason 23 contestantJohn Foster, who made it through the Idol Arena to the Showstoppers round of Hollywood Week, took to Instagram to share that his performance of “Believe” by Brooks & Dunn wasn’t aired, so he sang it on the platform for everyone. If John makes it through to the voting rounds, he could be at a disadvantage because, when it comes time to vote, viewers might feel more connected to the contestants they’ve seen more.
This is very unfair, and contestants shouldn’t have to rely on Instagram to get exposure, especially because someAmerican Idolvoters might not use the social media platform. In addition, some of the information that was shared in the other contestants' backstory packages during Hollywood Week was repetitive and therefore unnecessary to air again. IfAmerican Idolcut back on the backstories,then there would be more time to show more of Hollywood Week.
American Idol’s Songs Are Repetitive
Contestants Have Been Singing The Same Songs For 23 Seasons
One of the things that makes me roll my eyes the most when I’m watchingAmerican Idolis whenthe contestants sing the same old repetitive songs for what feels like the millionth time. One example would be “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway, which has been performed excessively byAmerican Idolcontestants over the years. In fact, in season 23 alone, two full performances of the tune have already been aired, including Isaiah Misailegalu’s audition and Ché’s Hollywood Week Idol Arena song. I love the song, and I know that it’s a classic, but it’s had its day onAmerican Idol.
This is especially true on Disney Night, when “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” makes its yearly comeback. SinceAmerican Idolwas revived by ABC in 2018 and Disney Night became an annual event, the song has been performed five out of seven seasons, including once by the judges Lionel, Luke, and Katy Perry, and host Ryan Seacrest. It makes for a predictable and boring night.
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I’d love to seeAmerican Idolfollow the guidelinesof a show likeThe Masked Singer, which doesn’t allow songs to repeat. Although that would be extreme and difficult on a show such asAmerican Idolduring the auditions because the contestants get to choose their own songs, during the live shows, I think thatthey should be forced to choose songs that haven’t been performed as much.American Idoldebuted 23 years ago in 2002, and there are literally 23 years' worth of new songs that the show could encourage contestants to sing.
This is why I found Desmond Roberts' audition with Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” and Santina Madden’s audition with Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' “Die With a Smile” so exciting. Those songs haven’t been overused onAmerican Idol, sothose auditions felt fresh and new. They’re also current, both having been released in 2024.
Similarly,American Idolseason 22 winner Abi Cartercaptivated everyone with her audition with Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” At the time, the song was new, and Abi has said that it was easy to make it her own because no one else had sung it yet. This is another reason that repetitive songs are a problem onAmerican Idol. Not only are they boring, butlong-time fans inevitably compare the newest contestants' renditions to past performances that were sometimes better.American Idolmust stop repeating songs so much.
American Idol Hasn’t Produced In A Superstar In Years
The Show Needs An Overhaul
The biggest sign that Carrie Underwood isn’t the problem withAmerican Idolis the fact thatthe show has faded from its original glory since it was revived by ABC in 2018. None of the winners from this era–Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, Chayce Beckham, Noah Thompson, Iam Tongi, and Abi Carter–have made it big after the show. Sure, the music industry has changed greatly since Kelly Clarkson won in 2002, but it’s shocking that theseAmerican Idolwinners' careers didn’t really ever take off.
In addition,there hasn’t been a breakout non-winningAmerican Idolcontestant who’s become a superstar in the past seven seasonson the level of Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, or Adam Lambert, unless you count Benson Boone, who quit season 19 in 2021 after making it to the Top 24. Season 16 third place finisher Gabby Barrett has also made a name for herself in country music, but she hasn’t achieved the level of success that Carrie has. I think that this proves thatthe current incarnation ofAmerican Idolisn’t working, and something has to change.
I’ve been anAmerican Idolfan since season 1. From voting hundreds of times for Carrie and other favorites during the FOX era of the show, to attending theAmerican Idols Live!concerts and waiting outside to meet the contestants afterward, to buying the winners' singles at the record store the morning they came out, I have many beloved memories of the show. I hope that it returns to its former glory some day. If it does, I thinkAmerican Idolcould create another superstar.
American Idolairs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
