Season 11 General Discussion

[Leigh]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT make Nicki Minaj a judge!! This show needs to get it together, it has gone down hill and fast. This would only make it worse! She's a joke and she's not even a good singer. Jennifer Lopez got on the American Idol stage and was lip synching, come on! There is no excuse for that. This is a singing competition. Get it together American Idol, there is a reason ratings have dropped. Nicki Minaj is not going to help that. Bring it back to TALENT, that's what it is about. Find a judge who knows music, is not a drunk, (or burnt out) and who has some CLASS!

[AIMOD-Maria]

Ratings have dropped for TV, in general and overall, because of online streaming and DVR. Idol still consistently wins its slot.

Do you think people tune in for the judges or for the contestants?

[naimanlauren]

Maria, I think that's one of those double edged two-sided swordy things.  While I truly believe that most long time and regular viewers tune in each season to see and enjoy the new contestants, I think choosing a controversial judge may turn off a lot of those folks. While I'm aware that Nikki Minaj has a successful career, I just feel that some of her previous escapades are dis-tasteful to say the least and get pretty near the insulting and disgusting mark (Think Grammy's and her unveiled attack on religion).  I don't think that choosing someone that provocative will create any long term increase in ratings and may likely do just the opposite. Save the controversy for the news.  Keep Idol for fun.

[AIMOD-Maria]

  I'm not in favor or against any of the judges that have been rumored.  I'm just curious about the strong reactions.

Each season, people post that the judges don't matter.

Yet, every season, there are complaints that the judges influence votes.

However, people post that they don't care what the judges think and they vote for who they like.

So, I'm curious how much people really care about  who the judges are -- and, if the judges don't actually change how people vote, why it might matter who's up on the panel?

[Brooke_Lyn]

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AIMOD-Maria wrote:

  I'm not in favor or against any of the judges that have been rumored.  I'm just curious about the strong reactions.

Each season, people post that the judges don't matter.

Yet, every season, there are complaints that the judges influence votes.

However, people post that they don't care what the judges think and they vote for who they like.

So, I'm curious how much people really care about  who the judges are -- and, if the judges don't actually change how people vote, why it might matter who's up on the panel?

---

They don't influence my vote personally! Or I wouldn't have voted how I did! But, the Judges panel is a BIG part of the whole show and they get a lot of talk time. Unless we mute the TV we have to hear them. If their not people we enjoy it would have a like or dislike effect of the whole show IMO! I really enjoyed the "Comic Relief" of Steven Tyler. And the seemingly good rapport between the 3 we had! And I hate change!!

[dannyrox95]

Okay, I need to vent. HOW COULD THEY PICK NICKI MINAJ OF ALL PEOPLE?????????????????????????? All of the celebrities there are, and they pick her? This just proves that they are trying to get big celebrities for judges and they don't care about the contestants. Back when the judges were Randy, Paula, and Simon, the show was about the CONTESTANTS, which is what the whole idea is. Now, it is all about what big stars they can get to judge. Nicki Minaj doesn't even sing. She talks to a beat. Even I can do that.

The judges don't bring in real ratings. Sure, a bunch of people may tune in for a week or so to see how classless she will be, but they are not the loyal fans and they will not stick around through the whole show. On the other hand, the producers are now turning off the real fans who were going to watch it all the way through. So, if my math is correct, in the end ratings are lost instead of gained. And, believe me, in just the past twenty minutes I have come across many unhappy people. Not many are overjoyed about the fact that she will be telling people they can't sing. The thought makes me laugh. But, if the producers want their big, superstar judges, then fine. Hopefully they aren't surprised when their show tanks.

[dannyrox95]

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AIMOD-Maria wrote:

  I'm not in favor or against any of the judges that have been rumored.  I'm just curious about the strong reactions.

Each season, people post that the judges don't matter.

Yet, every season, there are complaints that the judges influence votes.

However, people post that they don't care what the judges think and they vote for who they like.

So, I'm curious how much people really care about  who the judges are -- and, if the judges don't actually change how people vote, why it might matter who's up on the panel?

---

I care about who judges A LOT. Also, they most certainly influence the vote. Look at what they did to Hollie Cavanagh and Haley Reinhart. They made it clear week after week they thought they weren't the caliber of the others, and what do you know, week after week they were in the Bottom Three. So, of course they influence the vote. But, that's not really an issue with who the judges are, because they all do it. I just have a problem with a rapper who sounds like nails on a chalkboard telling real, genuine singers that they can't sing. It makes the show a joke.

[mg4life]

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AIMOD-Maria wrote:

  I'm not in favor or against any of the judges that have been rumored.  I'm just curious about the strong reactions.

Each season, people post that the judges don't matter.

Yet, every season, there are complaints that the judges influence votes.

However, people post that they don't care what the judges think and they vote for who they like.

So, I'm curious how much people really care about  who the judges are -- and, if the judges don't actually change how people vote, why it might matter who's up on the panel?

---

Influence or no influence, we have to look and listen to the judges every week, and their chemistry is a part of the show.  I myself would not enjoy seeing NIkki Minaj every week because I don't care for her singing and wouldn't think that she could judge someone who sings better than her.  I haven't kept in touch with things, so I don't know who the other rumored judges are.  I would love to see Bon Jovi or Rob Thomas or Lionel Richie, but that's because they are some of my favorite singers.  Mary J Blige would be awesome as well.  

[luvmytee]

Although any of these entertainment reality type TV shows in this genre should ONLY really be about the contestants and their performances, I think you can't ignore the judges or mentors who also are part of the show.  I remember when Idol was in its heyday how I would wait impatiently to hear what Simon had to say and would feel really good inside when he voiced something I had also thought.  That's when the judges become part of the show because they also draw in the viewers who really would like to know their opinion because their knowledge or background is supposedly superior to our own.  And most definitely in my case not even "supposedly" as I really have little music knowlege except I know what I like just like I know that article of clothing is for me. 

I don't respect Nicki Minaj nor would I really care to hear what she has to say.  If she gets signed and the top whatever # is not that great, then Idol has lost one more long time viewer.  And I don't believe any amount of younger viewers she might pull in would equal the loss of viewers like myself. 

Obviously, Idol's loss of ratings as compared to prior seasons has highly motivated the show's producers to think of different ways to charge up the show.  But introducing or signing on judges like Nicki Minaj is not the way to go when you consider the demographics of its long time viewers and those who are still hanging in there.  I think her preference for certain song genres and just her overall personality (or lack thereof) would so change the makeup of the contestants competing that Idol will just beome similar to another show also appearing on the Fox network.  And for me this will NOT be a change for the better - but rather a change to mark the end. 

[laurenfan99]

If this is true I think it's wonderful.Let's see....Judges take about 3 to 5 minutes then we have 5 minutes commercials. Ok Great About 10 minutes .

1. I can take out the garbage.

2. I can go get some beer.

3. Make phone calls

4. Change into pajamas ... What you don't wear them?

5. Check TV listings.

6. Turn on sports network for scores.

7. I can come to this forum and immediately post about how great my favorite is.

8. I can call the sponsor and let them know I'm not watching their commercial.

Anything is better than Nicki Minaj. Now we will have mariah and nicki.

I will only watch the judges if those two have a catfight  at least 3 times a night. Meoww.