But they may be changing their youth-obsessed tunes. At least a tiny bit. There is some talk of increasing the Idol age limit from 28 to 30 next year.
In Season Four, the age limit from 26 to 28 paving the way for a dancing silver-haired "old-timer" called Taylor Hicks.
American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe believes that raising the original age limit, "brought us some more maturity and a little more professionalism in certain areas. We're happy about that.
I wouldn't mind extending it even further next year, to be honest."
Of course, I wouldn't expect the producers to turn around and raise the age limit any higher than 30. Ageism is still very much alive in Hollywood.
Producers want to sell CDs to teenagers, and they don't expect teenagers to idolize anyone older than 30. It's sad, but true, that we live in a country where 25-year-old Britney Spears is already considered to be a washed-up has-been.
Some would like to see an Idol without any age limits and they've created an .
But I doubt Idol will go this route anytime soon -- unless there's suddenly a burgeoning market for 64-year-old inspirational singers, like
1. If they do than they should raise the age limit from 16 to 18.
2.
I was theoretically eligible for Idol the 1st Season (I was 24), but who knew about it then? Then, when they raised the age limit in Season 4, I was 27 and took my chances. I got in 2 auditions (27 and 28).
Now I am 29. If they bumped it to 30 this year, I would have one more chance.
3.
The minimum age should also be raised, to 18. 16 is waaaaaaayyyy too young.
4.
Does anyone over 17 with an IQ over 30 watch this amateur night of a show? If another network had the balls to counter-program against this show it'd be off the air sooner than the 5 years it'll no doubt take for the tweens, who boost AI's ratings, to grow weary of it. Instead the other networks have convinced themselves that Idol is unbeatable.
I believe I read somewhere that AI's 2006 ratings would place it at the lower end of the Top 20 most watched shows in the late 70's-early 80's. If you want to watch karaoke there are hundreds of bars in any major metro area. Leave television to actors, writers, etc not amateurs.
5. Mike you are a jackass and I hope your pointless comment gets deleted. I also hope you get hit by a bus.
The show is watched by 40 million people. You don't like it than don't watch it, there is this great thing called cable. I understand you can't aford it but that doesn't mean there are not other things on.
6. I'm very relaxed I'm sick of fucking pigs like you making fun of people because they like to see people sing, or get made fun of. AI is not new, there have been dozens of shows like it that were watched by many fans for decades.
You don't like American Idol at all and think that everyone who does is a dumbass than maybe you should look around you. I don't think the 40 million that watch it are the retards like you say, I think the retard looks back at you everytime you look in a mirror.
7.
David, relax. Such hostility over different TV show preferences. However, I'll look out for the bus that you drive or the short yellow one you ride in.
I am proud to say I've NEVER watched so much as 7 seconds of AI, Survivor or for that matter any so-called reality TV. I prefer original television shows written by professional writers and acted by professional actors. I merely was commenting to express my utter amazement that 40 million people (whatever) watch AI, perhaps THEY'RE the ones who can't afford cable.
I shouldn't need to point out that popularity doesn't equate with quality. AI is hardly better viewing than The Simpsons (to name just one show.) Most AI winners have become almost instant has beens.
Have ANY of them added anything to the musical landscape? I'm also not a fan of these shows that look for replacement singers for bands out of the public eye. These aren't music shows, they're GAME shows.
I would LOVE to see a "Battle of the Bands type show welcoming all kinds of music. Since David may be one of the AI tween fans I alluded to, I should point out that popular acts such as Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, The Clash, Patti Smith, Bob Marley, Prince, Wu Tang Clan, Nirvana, Gnarls Barkley, The Shins DID NOT emerge out of talent contests. What's more, they all became popular spearheading new music NOT as (non musician) karaoke singers rehashing someone else's material in an attempt not to add something new to the vocabulary of music but merely to "get on TV".
8. Funny, you don't seem to be relaxed! I never suggested AI fans are "retards".
Although, you may be making the point for me that at least ONE is. Glad to read that you like AI partly because people "get made fun of". Evidently you can't take a little disagreement and ribbing yourself.
Grow some thick skin (if you haven't already. We MERELY disagree.
9.
Oh, and I don't think it would be a good idea for American Idol to raise the age limit. I want someone who will stick around for good and be dedicated to their careers and not want to go off and get married/start a family after 2 years on the job.
10.
Mike, what drugs are you on???
You said "Most AI winners have become almost instant has beens. Have ANY of them added anything to the musical landscape?" Even though I love AI, the first season was the best season by far.
It was all about the talent, not about making money. They didn't even have back up music in the top 30 auditions, just a piano. How can you say that all of them are has beens?
!? HAVE YOU HEARD KELLY CLARKSON SING?
?? She's gained the respect of hundreds of people who have been around way longer than her!
!! She was asked to sing at Tony Bennet's 80th birthday!
!! (and she did AMAZING) She sang at a tribute to Reba McEntire and Reba commented on her amazing vocal range and said that Kelly put the original track (Why Haven't I Heard From You) to shame.
After hearing Kelly perform a song called "Stuff Like That There" on American Idol, Barbara Streisand loved it so much that SHE recorded a cover of it-- because of Kelly!!!
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