Is "Daughtry-itis" to Blame for "Idol"'s Boring Season?
Is "Daughtry-itis" to Blame for "Idol"'s Boring Season?
There's some discontent in "American Idol"-land as we head into tonight's country-themed performances. Though "Idol" still beats everything else on TV, its ratings are down significantly from previous years, and considering that this season's biggest highlight has been a weird crying girl, I'm not entirely surprised.
Simon Cowell, the man who can make or break an "Idol" hopeful's chances, finally weighed in on this lackluster season for a recent Entertainment Weekly cover story, and he blamed the fact that several recent contestants who didn't win "Idol" have found success. Said Simon:
"I think that we suffer from Jennifer Hudson- and Chris Daughtry-itis, which is people who didn't win getting great careers and now a lot of the contestants believing it absolutely doesn't matter.
Does Daughtry-itis involve constantly feeling like there's a Live cover band playing in your head? If so, I think I had it last season.
Anyway, I see Simon's point; J. Hud has an Oscar, after all, and Chris Daughtry had a No. 1 album this year that's still in the top 10. But I think I have a cure for Daughtry-itis — three cures, actually, named Kelly, Carrie and Fantasia — so read more
- Fantasia seemed like one of those "Idol" winners destined for obscurity. There was that whole Life is Not a Fairytale thing, and her album didn't really take off. But now she's hitting her stride: When she joined the cast of The Color Purple on Broadway last week, the musical had its highest sales ever.
- Carrie Underwood keeps racking up the awards, most recently a couple of CMTs to add to her Grammys and Country Music Awards.
- Kelly Clarkson — who won "Idol" before "Idol" was "Idol," if you know what I mean — is the show's one true breakout star, the only one who can stand on her own so far. She's become a guilty pleasure of otherwise high-minded music fans everywhere, while Justin Guarini is ... hosting "Idol Tonight" on the TV Guide Channel.
Simon's logic is better than, say, blaming "Idol"'s rut on Daylight Savings Time. But — take note, "Idol" hopefuls — just being in the top 12 is no guarantee of success. Neither is winning — whither Reuben and Taylor? — but at least the chances are better. After all, could you name any of the people who finished behind Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice? Exactly.
