American Idol – Kinder and Gentler

Welcome to a new feature here at Sofa Chip, Coffee Table Tidbits. Stop by the coffee table every day to get little tidbits about both American Idol and America’s Next Top Model.

Is it just me, or have the auditions on American Idol so far been the gentler and kinder auditions? After all the flak the judges received last year, it’s almost like they resolved to not get themselves in trouble by making fun of the wrong people.

Last year, the American Idol judges heard grief from everyone over their decision to belittle the two new friends, calling one a bush baby, and making fun of the other’s size. One of them ended up being involved with Special Olympics, and that angered many people that the judgess would make fun of someone that was most likely a little slower. The two took their fifteen minutes and changed it to at least a half hour, with appearances on David Letterman and the finale, so really would it have been better just not to show them at all?

This year, there have been several candidates on American Idol that could have gotten that same treatment, and that’s after just two audition cities. Certainly the judges could have made fun of the guy with the very low foghorn-sounding voice, but they didn’t. Certainly, there are many ways they could have made fun of the gal that wore fishnets a Star Wars buckle and hair extensions covering her ears to resemble Princess Lea’s ‘do, but they didn’t. They let a guy singing a song about stalking Paula go on his merry little way with nary a word and surely they could have done more to damage Renaldo’s tribute to Simon, rather than just singing along with him.

And, what’s more, is that they tell them all they like them and think they’re nice people, but they just aren’t right for American Idol. I’ve only see Randy laughing behind his papers one time so far. I’s a refreshing change of pace to see people not belittled so much; however, the ratings are down this year. Is this indicating that we’d rather see people being made of? It sure seems like it.