American Idol - Season 10

[Ian]

So did anyone watch last night?

I have to say, I went in with very low expectations for a judge panel with no Simon but I was pleasantly surprised! In fact, I actually think I like this new panel more than the old one! It's nice ... all the old tensions and bickering are gone, the judges aren't trying to be the focus like they were before, and they just keep it about the singing (as it should be).7

Plus, I thought Steven Tyler was a riot, man! He had me openly cracking up a bunch of times. Best line of the night? "Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a child?"



I thought there was some good talent, too. It's become patently evident, though, that whereas they used to set you up with these contestants who were train wrecks and couldn't sing, their new M.O. is to show train wrecks who can sing. DW and I a bunch of times last night were like, "Oh, this isn't going to be good!" only to have them come out and have a really great voice. We stopped falling for it after like the third time.

So what did everyone else think?

[WDW&MK]

Loved it! Haven't watched AI in a number of seasons because I was tired of the judging dynamics.

Tuned in to see Steven Tyler (as I just love him ) and was surprised at how much I liked Jennifer Lopez in this role as well. They all make a great team and at least so far are not trying to outdue one another for the judging spot light.

I will be tuning in to see more.

[SBETigg]

I also liked it more than I thought I would. It was a little tame for my taste. I look forward to the judges developing some chemistry and getting a little more loosened up, but I did like that the atmosphere was pleasant and there were some surprises with the singers presented. I'll stick around a bit and see how it shapes up.

[sassafras]

Tuned in to check it out as I really hadn't watched for a few years. I was curious as how Steven Tyler would handle it. I really enjoyed the show and his comments. My DH, who never would watch before, actually sat and watched the whole show with me! I did feel a little sorry for Jennifer Lopez as she was struggling on how to gently turn contestants down. Overall, I think the change of judges is an improvement.

[TheDuckRocks]

I'm a happy woman, this was so much better than what we've been put through in the past 3 seasons. I have never been a Jennifer Lopez fan but if she continues to handle herself as well as she did last night, I just might become one. Randy sure did cut back on all his "dog" nonsence and therefore came across as much more intelligent. I have always loved Aerosmith and seeing Steven Tyler on talk shows, last night was an eyeopener for me as I didn't realize how flat out funny he can be. At one point my DH and I burst out laughing so loud that Frank The Cat shot up from his nap, gave us stink eye and huffily left the room.
Best part of the show was the absence of the meanness from the judges, I sure am hopeing it dosen't creep back in.

[Ian]

Randy sure did cut back on all his "dog" nonsence and therefore came across as much more intelligent.

Yeah, I picked up on that, too. It was almost like he's adopted the role of the "elder statesment" of the group and, since he's no longer in Simon's shadow, he can be more serious and not have to adopt the whole "dawg" persona to get noticed.

I actually thought he contributed a lot more last night than he used to.

[laprana]

I watched last night also and really enjoyed it! I didn't know what to expect with the new judges but, like most others, I was pleasantly surprised! Steven Tyler was really funny and I liked how he interacted with the contestants, sometimes singing along with them and/or drumming on the table while they sang. I expected Jennifer Lopez to come off more as a diva, but was glad to see that she was so nice to the contestants (maybe a little too nice sometimes ). I thought before that AI just wasn't going to be the same without Simon, and I think I was right - it's actually better (so far)!

[mook3y]

Plus, I thought Steven Tyler was a riot, man! He had me openly cracking up a bunch of times. Best line of the night? "Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a child?"

I loved watching his expressions and his comments. I think he adds a great element to the show.

It was also hilarious to watch Jennifer Lopez try and say no at first.

It was fun to watch for how long it would take her to get over having a hard time saying no. lol

Over all, it is better than I expected it might be.

[BrerGnat]

Eh...I have mixed feelings. I used to love watching these audition shows to see the train wrecks. However, it seems like they are just sending a bunch of people to Hollywood that really are NOT that good at all. I couldn't believe some of the awful singers they gave tickets to! Holy moly...makes me think this is going to be a painfully bad season to watch. I think I was impressed, vocally, by about one person last night.

As for the judges, I loved Simon. He was the only one who had enough nerve to say it like it is. Too many people float by on the "you can do whatever you put your mind to" mentality, and really, in a business like this, that's just not true. I hope one of these judges soon starts being a bit more honest. I'm all for fun and I think the new judges are entertaining, sure, but they are there to judge people, not make themselves or the performers feel better by just saying "yes" to everyone.

[Melanie]

Eh...I have mixed feelings. I used to love watching these audition shows to see the train wrecks. However, it seems like they are just sending a bunch of people to Hollywood that really are NOT that good at all. I couldn't believe some of the awful singers they gave tickets to! Holy moly...makes me think this is going to be a painfully bad season to watch. I think I was impressed, vocally, by about one person last night.

As for the judges, I loved Simon. He was the only one who had enough nerve to say it like it is. Too many people float by on the "you can do whatever you put your mind to" mentality, and really, in a business like this, that's just not true. I hope one of these judges soon starts being a bit more honest. I'm all for fun and I think the new judges are entertaining, sure, but they are there to judge people, not make themselves or the performers feel better by just saying "yes" to everyone.

I feel much like you do Natalie. I watched mainly out of curiousity and nothing else on TV, but I think that curiosity has been satisfied. When it comes down to it, it's still the same format, and I tired of it a few seasons back. Kris who? Lee who?

[Ian]

I feel much like you do Natalie. I watched mainly out of curiousity and nothing else on TV, but I think that curiosity has been satisfied. When it comes down to it, it's still the same format, and I tired of it a few seasons back. Kris who? Lee who?

I actually agree with you and that's one of the main reasons why I was pleasantly surprised by last night's episode. It gave me something else to watch! Tyler really kept cracking me up in a way none of the judges ever did before.

Were it just the same four old judges from last year, I honestly doubt I would have watched again this season. I'm kind of "over" the concept, but might watch just to see what Tyler says every night.

[Melanie]

I'm kind of "over" the concept, but might watch just to see what Tyler says every night.

And overall, I enjoyed him as well, but a few times he did get kind of inappropriate. But of course, he has to live up to the rocker image. And towards the beginning I cringed a bit when he'd sing along with that really high voice. Eeek!

[mook3y]

I actually agree with you and that's one of the main reasons why I was pleasantly surprised by last night's episode. It gave me something else to watch! Tyler really kept cracking me up in a way none of the judges ever did before.

Were it just the same four old judges from last year, I honestly doubt I would have watched again this season. I'm kind of "over" the concept, but might watch just to see what Tyler says every night.

DVR! can watch the show in half the time

[Joannelet]

I can't say I was too happy with last nights episode. I think they said yes to some very horrendous singers....
I am hoping that it turns around tonight as I did hear Steven Tyler say the first couple of rounds he was a softie and then he learned to get tough.
So I'm hoping they start actually judging and not just letting people in with 2nd chances.
I think if they had filmed Simon watching the show at home and seeing his reaction to it would have been fabulous tv. I was seriously shocked by the yes's to people that I wouldn't even want to hear on the street.
I guess I'm in the minority on this one...but I am hoping that tonight turns around a little.

[Ian]

And overall, I enjoyed him as well, but a few times he did get kind of inappropriate. But of course, he has to live up to the rocker image. And towards the beginning I cringed a bit when he'd sing along with that really high voice. Eeek!

Yeah, that segment with him doing the over the pretty girls was a bit tacky, but he's a rock star so I kind of game him a pass.

Agree on the singing, too ... I'm of the belief that rockers should hang it up once they get past the age of 60.

[A Big Kid]

Steven Tyler was cool

Jennifer Lopez is GEORGEOUS!

I quit watching after all the goofballs are gone.

[MNNHFLTX]

Lol--I'm really in the minority here!! I wasn't especially enamored of the old group of judges (last year in particular) and like many of you, tuned in out of curiosity. After the big build-up about the new judges panel (talk about drama!) I could only make it through the first 20 minutes and had to turn it off. My thoughts:

Love Aerosmith, but can't stand Steven Tyler in this role (sorry to his fans). His excessive mugging and over-the-top screeches made me cringe. Jennifer Lopez was okay, if kind-of wishy-washy (and not in a Paula Abdul crazy kind of way) and Randy's persona has not been re-invigorated enough by the addition of Stephen and J. Lo to make a difference. Maybe if I had continued watching I might have changed my mind a bit, but I just don't care enough to try that hard, if you know what I mean.

The true American Idol era ended a couple of seasons ago, IMO, even though I have been trying to maintain some interest. But I think I'm done now. I do wish you all an interesting and scintillating discussion thread though.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I've really only watched the Taylor Hicks season. I have a very difficult time watching a show that generally has about 15 minutes of real content but is stretched over 2 hours.

My DW will usually record it on the dvr. Once they get past the audition stage I might watch some of it. I usually can watch an hour show in about 15 minutes or less by fast forwarding past anything that has Ryan and most of the judges useless comments. I'm not sure I've ever heard Randy say anything more than "dude, it was a little pitchy".

Last couple of seasons I've found the finalists to be rather bland and boring (not Glambert obviously) but as a whole rather uninteresting to want to commit that much time to watching it. Prefered it much more when the elimination night was only a 1/2 hour, even then most of it was just filler.

As you can tell, I'm not one of AI biggest fans.

[Melanie]

Lol--I'm really in the minority here!!

Nope, I pretty much agree with everything you said Beth.

So you noticed Steven Tyler's screeches too?

[PirateLover]

I barely watched the audition rounds the past few seasons because I was so bored by them. I do agree that some not-so-special people were put through, but so far I'm digging the new arrangement. I'm loving Steven Tyler personally, I think his reactions to things keeps it entertaining for me. Did anyone notice in the intro the first night when they were talking about why they accepted the job and what they were looking forward to, J-Lo seemed to have some kind of contacts in that made her eyes extra sparkly/dewey/ whatever you want to call it... just seemed a bit strange.