American Idol is to me what that demon in The Exorcist was to Linda Blair. Every January, the show takes possession of my mind, body, and soul, makes my head spin uncontrollably, and fills my ears with loud, cacophonous sounds. (Oh, audition episodes, how you make me cringe!) Except, to paraphrase "Love Hangover"-era Diana Ross, I don’t need no cure. And I never will, not as long as there are undiscovered Fantasia Barrinos and Kelly Clarksons and Elliott Yamins left in the world.
This isn’t to say, of course, that season 6 wasn’t the lamest in Idol history, but producer Nigel Lythgoe has since admitted that mistakes were made, and promised that the show will return its focus to the contestants, rather than an endless parade of CD-shilling guest mentors, for its season 7. (Also, I sort of bought the Blake Lewis CD a couple weeks back, and I’m rather enjoying it.) So yeah, I’ll admit it: I’m currently at a "9" (on a scale of 1-10) in my excitement for Idol’s return. How about you? (Oh, and while we’re on the subject of Idol, after the jump, check out the new PSA/promo for EW.com’s Idolatry series that I shot yesterday; I’m pretty certain it’ll help reduce the amount of Idol-related violence in the U.S. in 2008.)
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JEEZ, can you be more gay about this. It’s just a stupid show asshat. When are you going to admit this show has BEEN jumped the shark!!!
I am at a 0. I hate this show
I’m jazzed, especially in light of the fact that we won’t have to endure a season spent focusing more on the guests than the contestants AND because they get to play instruments. Yay! I’ve been dying for the ones who can play to have a chance since Bo Bice.
My excitment level – MEH. I would rate it at 0. Unless Sanjaya comes back – then count me in!
eh. I’m at about a 5. Ever since the phenomenal Kelly won in season 1, the show has been going downhill, and last season was just god awful. I’ll tune in, cuz, well, it IS Idol, but I’ll probably care not in the least about the outcome. The world does NOT need another Jordin, Blake, or Sanjaya.
With you all the way again. Yippee!
God? Watch over my children for the next few months. Amen.
I’ve only watched the past three seasons and the show has gone downhill with each passing season. I was so disgusted by the end of last season that I refused to watch the finale and swore I would never watch the show again so my excitement level is a 0. The most entertaining part of last season was reading the after-show posts here on this website so thanks for the laughs.
Michael–I’m a 10 for Idolatry! I have to admit that I’m a little bit in love with you.
does anyone watch this show anymore & if so, why? it’s boring & predictable. even the first few episodes showing the horrible people is boring & predictable. randy will dawg everyone, paula will be the idiot we all know she is & simon will be honest to everyone & get booed. who needs it!? if you’re still watching this show you’re a moron who needs to get a life!
Slezak – I’ve been secretly enjoying the Blake Lewis CD as well! I’m at a 5 for the return of Idol, a 10 for the return of Idolatry!
Hey Michael, I have a suggestion for you this year. Through Jan-May, you should actually try to talk about something other than Idol for once. I know it is big and deserves coverage, but 9/10 popwatch posts were Idol based last year and it got really lame. This website needs to calm down a tad over it.
The past two seasons, I’ve skipped the last two episodes. In both cases, Third Place was the winner to me.
Idol sucks. I can’t believe people still watch this show! I lost my faith back in season 3, when they voted off LaToya London. ARRRGGGGH!
Do you know what I love even more than AI? Well, many things, actually, but EW’s Idolatry is right up there. You made the show even more fun to watch. I look forward to your new season.
Here’s the thing- I hate Idol, I love Idol, but mostly I love love love making fun of Idol. So I guess I’m about an 8 out of 10.
Considering there’s very little scripted programming to compete for my attention/devotion, my excitement level has jumped from a 6 to a 8.
If it wasn’t for the writters strike I would probably not be too excited for the return of AI. AI6 sucked so much that I went out and partied the night of the finale instead of watching it. I say I’m about an 8 on the level of excitment but if this season sucks as much as last one I’ll be quick to tune it out
Must….watch…train-wreck.
I love the beginnings, but if they allow another non-talent like “Sangina” to flourish, I will stop watching. One person, one vote.
Eh.
I kicked the AI habit after season 2. The writer’s strike is the only thing that could make me watch AI again. Fortunately Lost is returning on Thursdays, are they going head to head?
I’m somewhere around a 2. Every year I swear I’m not going to watch it anymore, and every year I get sucked in. Not even because it’s that good, but because the pop culture part of my brain HAS to know what’s happening.
Not sure if I’m going to watch again this year, but then I said that last year and got TOTALLY suckered in.
And I heart Blake. He’s adorable.
American Idol lost me forever when they booted Frenchie Davis.
In the immortal words of SpongeBob SquarePants: “I’M READY!”
it’s like dinner at the Olive Garden… you know it’s not great, but man, I do love those breadsticks!
Oh come on, Michael, shout it loud and proud! Blake’s CD is kickass
After last year’s craptastic season my excitement level is lower than ever. I’m tempted to not even watch this season (GASP!).
On a scale of 1 to 10 its an 8.
The last season was horrible, but If there’s someone half as good as KELLY CLARKSON! you know it’ll be great
I actually have NO excitement level at all regarding this season. It’s getting really tired….and after seeing Jordin Sparks’ new album completely tank, what’s the point of this show anymore if it can’t launch someone to fame? And it seems phony now. Did anyone see the new promos, with that black woman saying she wants to be “Maria Houston or Whitney Carey” and screaming at Simon? That was SO TOTALLY STAGED AND PHONY, I was embarrassed for Fox. This show has had it’s day. And Paula Abdul’s drunken theatrics are so annoying now. Goodbye.
I guess I’m about a 5. Every year I swear I’m done with it, but I can’t help myself. I guess I’m addicted, no matter how tired the show has become. Ryan’s ego is unbearable, and Paula and Randy should have been replaced 3 seasons ago. They do not contribute anything! I guess I’ll watch because I don’t really watch anything else, except Project Runway, The Office, and 30 Rock. No, I don’t watch Lost, or Grey’s Anatomy, or Survivor…I’m the oddball.
I’ll watch with desperate hope that we’ll find another Kelly or Fantasia.