Every time commercials begin to run for a new season of American Idol, I get a little giddy. The anticipation of what, and who, is to come makes me yearn to fast forward through the calendar and bring the season premiere even closer.
As far as I am concerned, all of the other reality talent competition shows are imposters compared to American Idol. I have given them a shot and will admit they aren’t horrible – there is some entertainment value there. America’s Got Talent allows for those with something to showcase other than just singing to present it to an audience. The Voice and X-Factor are options for a more diverse pool of vocalists as they don’t have the age restrictions in place like American Idol. Yet while there are indeed individuals who are unique and talented on all of these show; I have never seen any of them present a contestant with the pure star power you find on Idol.
It isn’t really the show itself that makes the quality of the contestants superior as much as it is that American Idol is the original modern day talent competition. There have been television talent competitions in past – who can forget Star Search – but none have taken off the way American Idol did from the start.
Perhaps it is the sheer number of people who show up to audition, which seems to grow every year. With thousands of people ready to belt out their best in every city, the judges can afford to be picky and move only the most talented along. As we get to know the contestants early in the process, by the time they actually make it to the stage we have our favorites. It almost becomes like a sporting event as you root for your guy or girl.
The continued success of the show is also likely based on the ongoing success of many of those who make it through the competition each year. While there are been some duds that are barely heard from again, the list of those who have done well, or even become household names, is long. Beginning with season one winner Kelly Clarkson, on through Clay Aiken, Jordin Sparks, Chris Dougherty, Kellie Pickler, Constantine Maroulis, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, and of course, Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson, the list is long, diverse, and impressive.
There will continue to be other shows that try to build on the success of American Idol, but it is hard imagine that any of them will come close to the notoriety that comes with being THE American Idol. American Idol is a bit like its sponsor Coca Cola; American Idol is the real thing.