When I was a kid, there was a show called "Ted Mack's Amateur Hour." It would feature a range of performers, singers, jugglers, novelty acts. They ranged from reasonably good to outrageously bad.

I'd rather they brought that back than this current hogwash of manufactured "talent." Nothing speaks so clearly to the decline of the music industry than this garbage.

hahaha

Stopped watching after Doughtry got voted off.

getting old

ONCE AGAIN, DAVID COOK BITCH!! LOL

I love it!

It's ok. It seems rigged, but so does everything else these days, right?

Don't like this as much anymore

David Cook deserved to win!

I have a love/hate relationship with this show.

is american idol getting more boring by the week.May not watch it next season.

Can't get into it but do like a couple of the people from the show.

predictable, but addictive

Starting to get old...

I don't give a rats a.. about this show.  I am sick of seeing only American Idol 3-4 nights a week for anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.  Fox has other (and much better) shows that are constantly being shuffled, or not shown at all.  I can't wait until this POS show tanks!

American Idol is the best talent reality show on television.  If you don't believe me, check their ratings.  They're blowing their competition away.  I think the only real flaw on Idol is the voting process.  As is stated many times on the show, this isn't supposed to be a popularity competition, it is a singing competition.  Every year on Idol, viewers are urged to call in for their favorite performer.  That's fine, but allowing each person to call in as many times as they want for their favorite is a little over the top.  I know the calls produce revenue for the show, but it also allows people to call in 20 times to vote for one person because they know them, because they think the person is cute, etc.  It's not always about the voice, and it should be.  It is my personal opinion that the show, although they would lose revenue, should allow only one vote per phone.  Yes, there would still be those people calling in for their friend, family member, etc., but you would also have a more accurate count for those individuals who truly deserve to remain in the competition.  I hope!  Beyond that, I think Idol has it right.  The judges are good for the most part.  Randy Jackson has gotten better with each season being more judgemental than in previous seasons.  Paula Abdul needs to be a bit more critical.  She can still be nice, but she should say what she means rather than beating around the bush and trying too hard not to hurt someon's feelings.  Simon Cowell is probably the most honest of the judges.  He says what he thinks, even to those that he likes in the competition.  He is sometimes over the top with his additional comments, but he is pretty much on target.  I enjoy this show much more than other singing shows.  I enjoy watching kids being able to reach their dreams.  Even those that don't win can many times find themselves with recording labels or venturing outside of music into other outlets within the entertainment industry.  Kudos to you American Idol for giving these kids an opportunity to shine!

I'm kind of of addicted to American Idol, particularly the early audition shows which I think are often hilarious. (the people that go to auditions thinking they're the next American Idol but sing like poop or try to dance). Fun show, and I can't wait until January for the next season!

Disagree? Join Xomba to Defend Your Honor!

I love American Idol and especially love Kat McPhee. She recently started a new fan club (click below to check it out). I have been a member since last summer when I joined for access to see her perform on the American Idol Tour (got 5th ROW tickets!) and have been very pleased with the club. Kat is very involved with the club she frequently uses it as a means to privately communicate with members through special audio and video messages. There are also a ton of great fan club-only contests (theres currently an autographed merchandise giveaway going on), along with lots of extras, exclusives, access to tickets and a mystery gift when you join!! I highly suggest checking it out and getting connected if you are a fan of Kat you wont be disappointed!

http://www.musictoday.com/redirect/bounce.asp?cid=2 2013

Where have all the pretty people gone? If someone where to be my idol, they would not only have to sing good, but be pretty too. These people that are left are dog ugly and none of them are getting my vote.

I like American Idol but I think that it has been slipping these past few seasons.  There usually is at least one or two good singers every season and the others are okay but not great.  I hate reality shows, but American Idol is the only one that I have ever watched.

I am soooo disappointed that AI has stooped so low as to let Ellen Degenerate host a two-hour show. I will not watch tonight.

It has survived 6 seasons. There are a lot worst TV shows out there. Sure American Idol has had some less than talented people grace it's stage but it is not quite as trashy as most of the other reality shows on the tube today. I enjoy it for the most part even if Simon acts like he's the king of music.

I would give this about a 3.5. It is nice that this gives the opportunity for some talented young people to get recognition. Some parts are just brutal. Simon can be awful tough on them, even though he is being honest with them.I think that sometimes the wrong hopefuls are let go. Last night was a good example. Christina was better than a couple of the singers yet she was voted off. Why? I hope it was not because Simon made remarks about how he has a crush on her and wishing she did not have a fiancee.Just because some voters out there do not like Simon they are making Christina pay? I hope the best for all of the young talent on this show. I also think the wednesday show is cruel on how they play with these "kids" minds. no wonder Christina had stress related problems.   update: I would still give a three. but getting more annoyed with this show. the results on letting contestants go getting worse. certain performers leave when they should not while undeserving cuties { adored by 11 year olds stay on} this may be my last year to watch this {with my daughter} if  a certain person makes it too the very top timefor this "Old lady" to stop watching.

Sparks 42 writes:  "Caligula would have loved it."  He'd probably be a better singer than some of the assclowns on there too...

Think Stern and his dopey website will get sued if the freak with the name I will not speak wins?

Again, this BS passes for talent today....sad.

I am appalled by the declining tastes of the American People if the millions who watch this twaddle are any example of that.

Turn the channel, America. You can always watch the retro channels to see if Gilligan is actually going to get off that island. GI is twice the show as AI. Sad isn't it?

Was decent the first season but now it's just getting old. Since Clay Aiken none of the finalist have gone on to be successful.

Evidence of higher levels of illiteracy across the amber waves of grain. . .

Like many other shows on these days it is impossible to make a parody of this show. You would think you were watching Mad T.V. if you didn't know any better. Amazingly dumb premise, amazingly stupid contestants (auditionees) and amazingly stupid judges. This, and many other shows on these days makes you wonder if we live in a first-world enlightened nation or a third-world one resembling Mexico.

just an excuse for people to get off and watching Simon and Randy being hateful to folks. An aweful excuse for television. Give me "Kingdom Connection" everytime!

I usually watch it at the beginning just to see the real crappy singers...but now its too "phony" and "cheesy"...especially those Ford commericials the singers do every year

I just don't know anyone could get into this show. It's got to be one of the most boring and pathetic shows on TV.

Can't we as Americans do better?

1st I hate reality TV and Amercan Idol doesn't even hold up to standards. Its just mother fuc*ers singing.

Perhaps, the only reality tv show I can stand. I'll be the first to say that I don't like reality telivision. Everything is predictable and played-out. The pure waste of my time. This show, somehow, got me to watch it. I think it is rediculous that some people are going tothose audition thinking that they have a talent. The beginning of any season is fun, the normally have all this people who apperantly aren't talentad at all. So it's funny. Later, whan the are going into top ten, things unwrapping very and painfully slow. The results on wednesday night are torturingly long. I wish they could just spend 15 minutes on that instead of a full hour, sometimes two. Saying that, I think overall the show isn't all that bad, and at times pretty entertaining.

Just what I never wanted to see: Celebrity wannabes on the tube...

What do people see in this crap?

First off this is a show i have a hard time taking real seriously. The reasons.

1.) it seems like a karoake contest instead. 99 percent of these contestants sing a song written and/or sung by someone else. I like to see a singer win by singing a song written by him/herself.

2.)Most these people that win these contest don't seem to have a singing career. instead they might have just 1 or 2 albums but that's it and they are forgotten. They also don't seem to sing there own song but someone elses. Also, they are owned by American Idol via contracts. They got to do whatever American Idol wants them to do. So it's like American idol owns them and it's like tyranny. The sad thing is these singers do have talent and deserve to have a legitamite singing career. The real star is of course not them but the judges (simon, paul, randy, and paula).

3.) people don't watch the show for the talent of the singers. (laughing) c'mon. they watch the show to see how horrible the bad some singers are and what simon would say to them. Simon of course says "he's cruel to be kind" . He tells one gay contestant " shave off your beard and where a dress" but nothing of his singing. Cruel to be kind, i think not. I think he's just saying these malicious comments because of ratings and thats what people want to see. I heard he is a better guy in real life though but if that raises ratings thats what fox wants him to do and that is to be harsher. If simon was honest and nice the show wouldn't last. instead the audience wants honest and brutal but you get the point.

Well, i could go on and on and sorry for the long post but you see where i'm getting at.

Yo Dawg! 60 million people can't be wrong. I give it a two-thumbs up! Can't waite for the next season.

I'm sick of reality shows and American Idol is just BS!

as you may know the most talented of the last four was voted off tonight.In my opinion theres no idol left .maybe good singing in elliot but no stars.I feel bad for Chris But Im sure he will do better without American Idol.

I liked this show better when it was called "The Gong Show."

Dear Kellie Pickler, Please keep on the show, you're the fifth most real person on TV after Ryan, Randy, Paula and the irrepressible Simon the Templar of Elegance. Not only are you talented, but you are so delicious to look at. Thanks for the most lovely viewing I have ever seen on TV.

One of ny all-time favorite shows, ever. I love to watch emerging talent, so I started watching in Season One and have rarely missed a show since. You pick what you like and vote or not vote, and the best part is discussing it with people, in real life and on line. This season: Taylor rocks!

it is ok and can u say my name on TV plz oh plz oh plz oh plz !!!!!! i love ur tv show it is good oh and by the way my name is maddison coad thank you

Believe this to be an otherwise unobtainable opportunity for talented people to have a chance at stardom. It normally is a good experience and good exposure for everyone. However, the flaw in the show is Ryan Seaqrest. He is not entertaining. Worst of all, he totally destroyed a positive image for a kid tonight and it was uncalled for. I would love to call for his replacement.

i love the show.

I think the girls on the show this year are hot!GO PARIS!!!

LOVE THIS SHOW I WATCH IT FAITHFULLY, AMERICA LETS KEEP AMERICAN IDOL GOING FOR YRS TO COME