I think I started watching AI in the middle of the first season, mainly just to see what the hype was about. It was all right. I felt elated for Kelly Clarkson when she won and I enjoyed Cowell’s scathing remarks, cringed at Paula’s simpering, and thought if Randy Jackson says, “Dawg” one more time I may have to be committed.
When it was over, I didn’t think about it much. The next season, I watched through the excruciating auditions until soulful Ruben beat out Rick Astley wannabe, Clay Aiken. Then I persevered through season three when Fantasia won.
And then… I couldn’t be bothered to watch it anymore. It’s as simple as that. The show seemed stale to me. Simon was still snarky, Paula was still simpering and I teetered on the brink of sanity with every “Dawg” out of Randy’s mouth. Please, for the love of Elvis find a new euphemism.
So I was kept up-to-date - not by choice mind you - on the following seasons by friends and coworkers who were still tuning in. That’s what I can’t understand. It’s the same show ever season. Same judges, same squeaky clean host, same set of rags to riches stories of the contestants, same manufactured music geared at making money rather than being an art form (you could say I’m… cynical.) - what the hell is the appeal? Why does this show continue to be such a juggernaut and ratings draw?
I haven’t got a clue. I just know I’m tired of watching it, tired of hearing about it, tired of the judges, tired of Seacrest, tired of entertainment news filled with the boring gossip on the contestants. I don’t know how much life is left in the show, but with my luck, it will end up like the annual Eurovision song contest and never ever end.
