What's up with American Idol's new judge Kara DioGuardi and why is the show milking contestants' tragedies?

I think you know how I feel about American Idol to begin with, it's basically a camp talent show with higher stakes, and anyone who has won a karaoke contest thinks they should be an "Idol". What happened to the old school grind of booking your own gigs and putting yourself out there trying to get noticed and no one paying any attention to you? Until.....one day you fill a club with people and they love you!
American Idol has basically destroyed the process of becoming a musician and allowed people to skip the school of hard knocks and rise to stardom in a 3 minute audition (or however long it is)--even if you DON'T get voted on the show you're still in your 15 minutes of fame(or, more if you're William Hung).
That wasn't to hijack your blog post, it was a lead up to agreeing with you. You said this season is possibly "opportunistic", isn't that what the show was about the begin with??? The "stars" from this show seem to rise up overnight, and die out overnight. Is Ruben Studdard even doing gigs anymore? Or just "American Idol" tours? This show has always been about the show making money, and exploiting the people who try out. SO, I agree exponentially, it's opportunistic, but has been since day one.
As for bikini girl, I'm gonna try and find a youtube clip, hope it's worth sitting through part of the show!
As always, love to read your stuff Joanne!

"Interestingly enough, the guy looks like he's a Christian."

Whaaaaaa?

The Buffalo News has a live blog during Idol this season. So if anyone wants to make catty comments about contestants they just go to BuffaloNews.com and look for the live link and then join the chat while the show is on-- it's so much fun!

Idol this season is not as lively as it used to be based on one thing: tired old Seacrest! The host, Ryan Seacrest, is simply not as excited to be there during these audition shows. He's sleepwalking thru these shows- perhaps because he does a million other things now, including his popular radio show.

Idol has been going for so many years now, that there aren't that many surprises left-- in general, you see the same types of people auditioning and making it to the top 10-- rocker chick or rocker guy, effeminate guy, Christian guy, cute/bubbly blonde, etc.

Still we all watch, because winter is a depressing time of the year and we need escapist entertainment, and Idol is entertaining.

I am looking forward to this season.

Hey all, I just want to clarify that yes HE IS a Christian and yes he does go to FAITH BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL Ministries in Milwaukee. He is actually the Praise & Worship leader there and is also the music teacher. Sophia is my cousin. She was married to Dan for almost 4 wonderful years. Our family was always close but the sudden death of my cousin Sophia brought us even closer. Now I consider Danny my cousin. If you would like to know more about him. Do not hestate to look here:

www.myspace.com/danielgokey

www.myspace.com/sophiasheartfoundation

www.sophiasheart.org

Take care and GOD BLESS!!!

Mr Negron,

It is a VERY dangerous thing to point and say he is a Christian. You do not know.......this is doctrine 101......only he and GOD knows. Be very very very careful when making absolutes like that. Please take this post with great thinking and pndering. if you get defensive i pity you even more. He may be, but it is not up to you to make that decleration....never was and never will be. Let his fruits speak on his behalf....no help is needed from you.

does saying a magical bunch of words save you? does your family believing you are a christian save you? no one can say for sure...that is my point.

Fruit....actions....hating what you once loved (sin) and loving what you once hated (GOD)....that is an indication that you are saved. i challange ANYONE to prove scriptually that accepting or recieving JESUS into your heart makes you saved.....it is imposible to prove that "doctrine" scriptually. You know who will make it into heaven?? Those who endure to the end. Narrow is the Gate....but NARROW IS THE PATH!! What does that allow us a "Christians"

Just thinking....

Well, considering it's an almost hour long video, I'm not sure when I'll find time to watch the whole thing.

But again, this is a post about American Idol. If you watch the show and want to comment on the judges, contestants, songs, Christian music, etc, that would be great!

Joanne
host of the GS blog

His being a Christian only has to do with the fact that this is a blog about Christian music, so I'm looking for a way to tie that into my posts. That he was a worship leader at Faith Builders is the connection. That I was also able to tell readers more about the foundation he set up for his wife is even better.

I do feel like the show is doing some exploiting this year, more than normal. They're taking the sappy stories to a nauseating level this season. It's not enjoyable, and the teasers being held over through two hours of commercial so the story could be told near the end is just .... snore .... I'm not thrilled with American Idol this year so far!

Joanne
host of the GS blog

I think American Idol is just plain mean and that our society not only accepts it but embraces says a lot about our culture. And its not good.