American Idol implemented a new rule this season and not everyone thinks it is such a good idea. This season the judges were given the opportunity to save one person voted off the show up until the top five. The American Idol judges would be able to use the save only once, and the following week two people would go home instead of the usual one. During the top seven show, the American Idol judges used the save for this season on Matt Giraud, the soulful piano player.
While I have no issue with the fact that they used the save on Matt, I do have an issue with the whole idea of a save in the first place. The show has always been a drama first and foremost and a singing and music competition second. American Idol can not expect to be considered purely a singing competition when the likes of Sanjaya runs into the top ten and beyond. It is all about the drama and entertainment for many viewers.
Every year prior to this one, the real fun was watching the shocking results. The voters had control and that was that. Still, a talented singer always won the American Idol final, and everybody was happy. The one true injustice that I can remember was Chris Daughtry, and his career was catapulted by the fact that he was ousted way to early. Either way, the talented ones are going to go places regardless of a television show early exit.
By putting in the save, it took all the early season drama out of American Idol. This year is arguably a one man race anyway with Adam completely head and shoulders above the rest. Still, the chance that Adam could go home early would add drama. Nobody would really want that to happen, but that was the case with Chris as well. The point is, the drama was lost with the Idol decision to implement a save chance. That said, you never worried about the top singers because they would get saved anyway.
Another thing I hated was the fly by the seat of your pants method that they obviously did not work out ahead of time. The whole, “it has to be unanimous” thing was not the case at all. Matt was saved after being told by Simon that he thought he has zero chance of winning. If Simon felt that way, then why save him at all? It only takes one judge feeling that way, right?
American Idol has a great thing going in the history of television, and they really should not fix what is not broken. If America sends home the wrong singers, then it is the way it was meant to be. That is the whole point of Idol. American Idol is supposed to be finding America’s favorite contestant, not the judges favorite. They set the final group, and we then vote the winner.
Leave the format alone next year guys.
Image credited to Wikipedia user Wiki edit Jonny
