Missing the X Factor? Check this out (American Idol)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	American Idol
Date:	22/01/09 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: the judges

Disadvantages: the editing

American Idol is the US spin off of Pop Idol, a show very similar to the X Factor, only it takes place in the States. Members of the public sing in front of a judging panel of experts, and are whittled down to a dozen finalists who sing live on TV each week, eventually being further voted down by the public to a winner, who wins a recording contract.

A new season has just begun on US TV, downloadable on eztv.it

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT:
The judges are well cast, with Simon Cowell heading up the crew with his addictive blend of 'call a spade a spade' feedback. Next up are Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi, who add a bitchy element, and finally Randy Jackson, the larger than life record producer. As with the X Factor, the judges have a great chemistry, and there are plenty of laughs along the way. The men tend to banter with the women, who fall for their jibes each and every time.

The contestants are the usual mix of good and terrible, and you always have a good laugh each episode.

WHAT'S BAD ABOUT IT:
Sadly, the show suffers from American editing, in its obsession with repeating itself and telling too much in the trailer sections. I've never understood this, but it's a pattern in all US TV. For a viewer who has no trouble following the plot, I find it slows the pace and gives away too much, which makes the show a bit more dull than UK equivalents.

Secondly, there are very sickly emotional stories in the show. Just this week, a blind contestant was on. The commentary went something like this "later in the show, we discover the shocking story of Wayne Pinker, the blind boy who refused to give up. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and fall over, as you hear the shocking story".

OVERALL:
If you like singing shows, this is an OK one, but prepare to be bored with the American editing and over emotional stories.

Summary: worth a watch