American Idol is back tonight with its circus-like auditions, and the shenanigans of Paula, Randy and the ever-caustic Simon (plus a new judge who may eventually replace Paula). But I won’t be tuning in. I’m done with the show because it jumped the shark for me three or four seasons ago. That’s when what I would like to call the Fox effect started to kick in.

What is the Fox effect? It is the phenomenon that afflicted the network (and the WB) after it became successful with programming primarily aimed at us,  they abandoned it for more mainstream fare. The same is happening to this talent competition show IMHO, especially last season with the battle of the Davids (Cook and Archuletta). Now I don’t think this is strictly racial, this is more about marketing —which has replaced looking for the best talent. So from the beginning the judges critique and hype people based on who can fill the required niche. This trend started with Carrie Underwood the first winner with a country sound and has continued ever since. Jordin Sparks lucked out because she fit the young, pop princess persona.

Truthfully, though Underwood and Kelly Clarkson are probably the most successful winners. They, of course, are eclipsed, by Jennifer Hudson—the uber-successful loser. But what of the Velvet Teddy Bear Ruben Studdard, and our rough around the edges home girl, Fantasia? Well, they’re commercial disappointments and neither is making music of their own right now (except for Fantasia’s duet with JHud, “I’m His Only Woman”). I am not sure whether either has a label either. Of course, Fantasia helped create her situation with her bizzare appearance last year on the show.  And the only news we got about Ruben of late was details of his wedding.  All of this adds up to make R&B a less desireable niche for AI—especially when winning doesn’t guarantee huge sales. And making money is the bottom line after all. 

And if Fantasia and Ruben are fighting for record sales, you know the other brothers and sisters who were also on Idol are going to have to fight even harder. George Huff, Mandisa, LaToya London, Paris Bennett and Kimberely Locke are searching for that elusive audiences for their projects. But Broadway seemed to be the saving grace for at least one infamous AI contestant, Frenchie Davis, who had a multi-year run in Rent.

If you liked this post, we think you might like these too:

1. Jennifer Hudson is American Idol Bound
2. Ruben Studdard’s “Love Is”
3. Viola Davis’ Pivotal Role In Doubt Gets Her A Golden Globe (and SAG) Nomination
4. Is Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” TV’s Great Black Hope?
5. Fantasia, You Worry Me Girl…