by Jared Glassman
Dim the lights; the results are in. The once iconic TV show American Idol will be ending its 15-year run this season as its era of dominance will officially come to a close. With the “farewell season” kicking off Jan. 6, Idol looks to sing one last time before the fat lady does. Even with the downfall of the show, there is no denial that Idol has left an impressive mark on TV history.
For the final season, executive producer Simon Fuller is planning a great send-off. An ending as big as promised would only be fitting for a show that once dominated television two nights every week.
As disappointing as the ratings have been over the past few years, there is no measure as to what American Idol has provided during the 21st century. Idol was the first of its kind. It was the first show that took ordinary people and turned them into superstars. At its height, American Idol drew more than 30 million viewers an episode as it was the No. 1 broadcast show for eight years.
Of course, there have been the duds in Idol seasons, such as Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks and Season 13 winner Caleb Johnson, but there is no denying the impact the exemplary show has had on people’s lives. If it weren’t for Idol, Kelly Clarkson might still be a waitress and Carrie Underwood may not have seven Grammy’s in her closet.
However, the number of Idol followers has steadily been decreasing. While other music shows such as The Voice and X Factor are still succeeding, Idol has been fading. One major reason for this demise has been the rise in social media. American Idol gave unknown artists a platform to present themselves to the world, but social media sites like Vine and Twitter have made it easier for promising singers to gain a direct access to the public.
Overall, it’s been quite a run for American Idol. From “Pants on the Ground” to Simon Cowell bad-mouthing contestants, Idol has had its legendary moments. But ultimately, it is time to send it home.
Dim the lights; the results are in. The once iconic TV show American Idol will be ending its 15-year run this season as its era of dominance will officially come to a close. With the “farewell season” kicking off Jan. 6, Idol looks to sing one last time before the fat lady does. Even with the downfall of the show, there is no denial that Idol has left an impressive mark on TV history.
For the final season, executive producer Simon Fuller is planning a great send-off. An ending as big as promised would only be fitting for a show that once dominated television two nights every week.
As disappointing as the ratings have been over the past few years, there is no measure as to what American Idol has provided during the 21st century. Idol was the first of its kind. It was the first show that took ordinary people and turned them into superstars. At its height, American Idol drew more than 30 million viewers an episode as it was the No. 1 broadcast show for eight years.
Of course, there have been the duds in Idol seasons, such as Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks and Season 13 winner Caleb Johnson, but there is no denying the impact the exemplary show has had on people’s lives. If it weren’t for Idol, Kelly Clarkson might still be a waitress and Carrie Underwood may not have seven Grammy’s in her closet.
However, the number of Idol followers has steadily been decreasing. While other music shows such as The Voice and X Factor are still succeeding, Idol has been fading. One major reason for this demise has been the rise in social media. American Idol gave unknown artists a platform to present themselves to the world, but social media sites like Vine and Twitter have made it easier for promising singers to gain a direct access to the public.
Overall, it’s been quite a run for American Idol. From “Pants on the Ground” to Simon Cowell bad-mouthing contestants, Idol has had its legendary moments. But ultimately, it is time to send it home.