Disclaimer:  I am an Idol Sponsored VIP.  I was hosted by the producers of American Idol for an overnight stay in Hollywood to preview the 1st night of the new season, and had an unprecedented all access pass to backstage productions of American Idol XIII at the Dolby Theatre.   My opinions of the new season are my own.

The first time I saw American Idol, Kelly Clarkson was the one seeking the coveted title.  My two oldest kids were in elementary school and were huge fans!  Fast forward to season XIII, and while those two are busy with grad school, the current teens in the house have taken over as fans of the show.  Until last season…

Here is my case for coming back and watching American Idol – Season XIII

With a fresh new year under our belts, and the kids back to school after a beautiful holiday season, it is time to consider our winter line up on television.  One show to consider should be American Idol and the brand new season XIII.   As I type this, I can hear Ryan Seacrest in my head clearly say…. “THIS!  IS!  AMERICAN!  IDOL!”  in the rather stretched out staccato he has perfected over the years to announce the show each week on the Fox networks.

In the thirteenth season, why now do I need to make a case for the show?  Simply put, as a fan from day one  I stopped watching the show when the judges were not my cup of tea.  Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey?  With Randy Jackson?  To the tune of 50+ million in salaries alone?  Who made that decision, I will never know.  But what I do know is that I banned the show in my house.  It became complacent, boring, bullying, and brought into the light a diva war.   Seemed the producers were more interested in the press Mariah and Nicki were receiving for their distaste for one another ala’ the housewife franchise, than the talent on stage.   I switched the channel and when summer came, we switched on over to NBC, and The Voice.  The Voice appeared to be a much kinder, gentler talent show, but it was missing something.  It was not American Idol.

There is something about what American Idol has that The Voice does not.  And that is the audition format and Hollywood Week that is unique to Idol.   Watching The Voice, I cringed a bit when a singer would give it their all, only to have backs to them, and no one turning around.  Seems such a defeat, and just a tad bit humiliating.  If you are not moving on, the judges keep their backs to you?  I know the premise is to judge only the voice and not the whole package, and I realize everyone can’t be a winner, but when no one turns around, it gets to me. I like a good competition, but I prefer the traditional audition better.  Once you go far enough to get in front of the judges, they tell you yay or nay.  And they are facing you the whole time.  Not the pregnant pause in which all four swings around, to tell you why you did not make it.  I did not stay for the season with The Voice.  Wasn’t for me. I wanted the original Idol back.  And although you can never go back, the Idol producers have worked hard to restructure the brand.

So, what makes this season of Idol different?

I, along with about 18 other women who are social media communicators, were brought out to Hollywood to have a behind the scenes preview of the new season.  I hemmed and hawed, and did not really know if I could make the time to go.  I am local to Los Angeles and Hollywood, so I could drive, but we were just a week away from Christmas, and my cards were not even mailed out yet!   Plus, and this is a big plus… I BANNED AMERICAN IDOL IN MY HOUSE!   For a brief passing moment I thought I was caught red handed.  In my mind, the producers knew that I, a loyal fan had stopped watching, and they wanted to torture me by making me watch the new season.    I had been to shows, and I had been to amazing finales where all of the confetti and tears surround the newest American superstar.  I went to the Scotty finale, where everything was kept top secret, and before we the audience knew it, we were treated to Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Tony Bennett, Steven Tyler, Marc Anthony, J-Lo, Tim McGraw, etc.  All for free, and the single best concert I had ever experienced.  It was amazing!  I had cleared the ticket lottery on more than one occasion, and stood in lines that begin at 7am for a 5pm show.  Been there done that…the show ran its course, and I was done…  Until… I previewed Hollywood week for season XIII.

I packed my overnight, and hopped on the 405 and drove up to Hollywood from my little corner of the O.C. . I was treated to a beautiful room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and given some pocket money for food.  That however, is not what brought me in.   I had a feeling this season was going to be different.  And perhaps our beloved mid-winter show would reign supreme in our house once again.

What was my turning point in at least giving the Idol people my time?  Four names.  That is all it took.  Four names, and I was back!   Harry Connick Jr, Jennifer Lopez, and Keith Urban as judges, and Randy Jackson back as a mentor.   “Come on!” I said to myself.  These folks are the real deal!   I had seen Jennifer during her first go around as a judge, and I loved her.  When Steven Tyler was added, I loved him.   What lay beneath his quirky personality was a real deal trained musician.  I loved those seasons.  It was good…and the talent was great!  But then came silly… makes no sense judges… and I had to leave.  The show was not only no longer good it was down right bad.

But I digress… Here is why I am back…

I had the honor and the privilege of watching a sneak preview of the first night of Idol set to air on January 15, 2014.  Trust me when I say you are not going to want to miss this show!  During the opening scenes, the usual auditions around the country start to take place to find a new superstar, and I am hesitant to watch what is usually my least favorite part of the show.

In past seasons, there has been a rather unpleasant “bullying” theme in which the least talented among us is humiliated on national television.  I could not bear to watch that, and was therefore not looking forward to this part of the sneak preview.   It takes guts to be a musician, but it takes even more courage when your instrument is your voice.  You are putting it all out there, and you might as well be naked.  The fact is, that if your voice doesn’t come through for you, you are finished for the day.  In comparison to what was once the Wide World of Sports on ABC, these auditions are truly the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.     Your heart breaks for those that do not go on, and you hate to witness a dream die.  You cheer for your favorites who make it through to Hollywood week, and you can hardly wait week to week to see who moves on.

Settled into my seat, I immediately threw out my pre-conceived notions about this season, because I WAS WRONG!   This was a brand new show.  Sure, at its core it was the same, but the exterior was new.  The edit was new.  The judges were new.  But were they?  J-Lo had done this before, and so had Keith Urban.  However, with the addition of Harry Connick Jr., it was suddenly new.  They have chemistry, pure and simple.  They are new friends that appear as old comfortable friends.  Friends who respect one another, and can joke easily and playfully, and yet learn from one another, and in turn teach not only the contestants, but the audience as well.

In the music world, when you are in a competition or music festival, they have what is called a clinic.  At the clinic judges from the festival come in and work with you, and coach and teach you to make you better.   For many, this is the favorite part of any judging festival.  Learning from someone great.  And this is what American Idol brings to the table; they bring the learning aspect.  Whereas the big fat paycheck is nice, it is clear that the musicians want to help others become successful.  They know the road of hard knocks, and they can make no bones about the hard work it takes and took to get to the top of the ladder.   They are gentle, yet firm.  They teach and don’t harm.

With so many cuts to the arts, across the land in our public schools, it is shows like Idol that may be the only time or virtual classroom if you will that a kid has to learn about vocal music.  In this instance,  Connick, Jr, Lopez, and Urban are the teachers.    They are sorely needed.  You don’t just watch the show; you learn a thing or two along the way.   In a society where we are teaching our kids that everyone is a winner, they remind the audience and contestants, that not every one is or can be that winner.  Their job is serious business, and it shows.

They need to find the next American Idol!

They need to create the next superstar ala Carrie Underwood, or first season winner Kelly Clarkson.  Real superstars who have real talent, and who can sell songs.

I invite you to come along with me this season, as I chat about American Idol here on my site and on Twitter.  Gather the family around the television.   TV fun for the whole family is back, and in the words of Ryan Seacrest… “ THIS ! IS ! AMERICAN! IDOL!”

 

January 15, 2014, the fun begins on FOX!  Check your local listings and come meet Harry, Jen, and Keith.   They may be there on the screen, but you will feel them sitting right there with you in your family room searching for the next American Idol Superstar!

 

Come back Thursday for a behind the scenes look at Hollywood Week.  For now, I will just say Harry Connick Jr. is a what you see is what you get kind of guy.  No phony baloney.  Pure class, and a super cool cat!   He is also a fan from the beginning and as a dad, he cares about kids.  You are going to love him as the newest judge on the show… stay tuned…