Simon Cowell. AP file photo
After 10 productive years discovering new singing stars like Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry and Clay Aiken, “American Idol” (AI) rules on TV. But its reign is being challenged this season by “The X Factor USA,” (X) with “AI” veteran judge Simon Cowell as producer and head juror. Does the viewing world need another big-deal, slam-bang talent search?
After viewing “X” and reviewing “AI,” we’ve come to the conclusion that it does – for these reasons:
“AI” is limited to young singers, while “X” is open to anybody older than 12 – and not just to soloists, but to groups, as well. Due to its self-imposed age limit, “AI” tends to get a bit predictable after a while, with most of its winners turning out to be young men who appeal to the show’s principal viewership and target market – teen and tween girls.
On the other hand, the more democratic “X” offers more surprises and a wider range of vocal styles and interpretation. Thus far, its “survivors” include a 55-year-old voice teacher, a 42-year-old “has-been” and a 49-year-old “oldie but still goodie.”
That particular contestant is an especially significant case in point that illustrates the new program’s unique strengths: At first, he came up with one “crowd-pleasing” musical shtick and gimmick after another – to irritating effect – until Cowell gave him 15 more seconds to cut out all the “crap” and simply sing with his heart.
And, what do you know, the old “TH” guy who had irritated viewers suddenly performed so authentically and movingly that he won the audience over – a 360-degree turn in only 15 seconds!
“X Factor” has its share of young standouts who would also do well on “American Idol,” but it’s the older and the “categorizable” auditionees who end up making the new program succeed on its own terms. Due to their age and experience, they often take the competition to a new and higher level that “AI,” with its similarly gifted but relatively callow bets, can only aspire to.
And it isn’t true that the older “X” standouts appeal only to correspondingly more mature viewers and members of the live audition audience. Teenagers cheer them on as loudly and avidly as viewers on the “wrong” side of 30!
On the debit side, the new show tries too hard to be controversial. To generate “conflict,” it even pits one judge (Cowell) versus another (music producer LA Reid).
In its worst instance of overreaching to date, “X” even featured a contestant who shocked everyone by taking off his pants and flashing his, ugh, privates. Hey, “X Factor” doesn’t mean “X-Rated,” so cool it, people!
Of course, the people behind the show swear that they, too, were caught with their pants down by the flasher’s lewd and crude antics. Out, that yucky moment still reflects badly on the production, and it should never be allowed to happen again –even if the program has to hand out chastity belts with locks and keys for its contestants to wear.
Despite such antics, “X” still comes off better than “AI,” so the latter needs to energize and update its act to keep up with the newest kid on TV.