After a rather lackluster season that focused more on American Idol’s judges than on the talent, a recent article outlined the changes needed in order to save AI. But I have to ask: do we really want to?
Yes, AI has fuelled some successful careers, including that of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Jennifer Hudson to name a few. However, after more than a decade of Ryan Seacrest’s unnaturally white teeth, even original judge Randy Jackson has decided to take a powder from the show.
Ratings have dropped. Viewer interest has lagged. It’s time to let it go.
And it’s not the only show that should consider permanent retirement.
Dancing With the Stars has tried just about everything to soup up the series in the last few seasons. In 2012, they even brought back fan favourites for a knock-down battle of the all-stars competition. But while the dancing was superb, viewers weren’t that interested. And Kellie Pickler’s incredible performances on the most recent season notwithstanding, the ratings have continued to drop.
We’ve gone from The Apprentice to Celebrity Apprentice to All-Star Celebrity Apprentice with a sanity quotient that diminished exponentially. And now The Donald’s losing it too. When you fire a former winner on the first week because the producers asked him to come back to do the show and you can’t believe that he agreed to do it …
Although I’m a traditionalist through and through, I fear Saturday Night Live is well past its “best before” date. Dozens of weekly lukewarm reviews can’t be wrong.
The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor Pad, The Bachelor Talks Back, The Bachelor Gets Crabs … they all need to go. A good antibacterial cream should do the trick.
And after 13 years, CBS’ Big Brother continues to thrive as viewers’ guilty pleasure. However, I fear it’s turning already fuzzy summer brains into Jell-o shots. Which makes it the perfect terrorist plot in disguise.
Now, I know I’m already risking my kneecaps with this list. But it’s not just reality programming. There are a few scripted programs that could probably use a rest, too.
Forget acting and clever writing, Two and a Half Men has lived off the whole Charlie Sheen (also now known as Carlos Estevez)-tiger blood-Ashton Kutcher debacle for seasons nine and 10.
And as much as I was a fan of the original CSI and the recent addition of Ted Danson’s character, 13 seasons of blood spatter analysis and insect larvae may be my limit.
Ironically, viewers usually complain about the network programs that are cancelled all too soon. I already miss The New Normal and Go On. But holding on for too long isn’t healthy either. Remember, if you love something, set it free.
Now, about Coronation Street.
