R.I.P. American Idol:2001-2011...

Kelly Clarkson. Ruben Studdard. Fantasia Barrino. Carrie Underwood. Taylor Hicks. Jordin Sparks. David Cook. Kris Allen. Lee Dewyze. I just named all nine American Idol Winners. In order. Rainman does it again. I will admit I was saddened by the news of our beloved Paula Abdul leaving the coveted American Idol judges panel. Did we really think that there was water in the now famous red plastic coke cups?? Didn't think so. And bringing Kara Dioguardi to the table was pointless. It's a good thing her contract was a year by year thing, because she really needed to go. Once Paula left, I wasn't sure how the show would be without her, but figured FOX had gimmicks up their sleeve to keep audiences interested. After some serious judge searching Fox hires the queen of comedy; Ellen Degeneres was also on a year to year basis. Way to go FOX.You kept me interested. She was kinda of a smart move. She would be the person going out and buying the music, and along with me, was a dedicated viewer from the beginning. Simon needed some way to have the attention on him. Ellen had gotten her fifteen minutes of "Welcome To Idol Ellen!" Fame. It was only fair that Simon announces his departure the DAY Ellen is hired. I have one word for you Simon; Rude. Reading the news made me think one thing: Idol is donezo. Hello?! He was the face of Idol. He's the reason I watched AI.  I'm gonna miss those tight black t-shirts. As much as he was rude, he was honest.

     Let the search for the most coveted judges seat in Reality TV commence. Only after one of the lowest watched American Idol Season Finale's aired. Less than twenty four hours after American Idol Shock Number two happened (Crystal should have won. Maybe if I had voted 301 times she would have won) names were being dropped left and right. Bret Michaels. Elton John. Harry Connick Jr. You say a name, I'm sure it was mentioned. That was May. Preliminary Idol auditions have started and the thought of replacement judges has now sparked a media storm. Who's to judge? 

    I awoke one crisp Summer morning and checked my daily resources only to find that the judges search was over. Timeout. Newsflash Hollywood. Don't you first start rumors, let them circulate a few days, and THEN come out with the final lineup?  It had been announced that Fox had fired Kara, Ellen had stepped down, and you now had Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler as what I believe the final set of American Idol Judges. I wasn't too hip on J-Lo and Steven Tyler, but I could learn to deal. 

       Then came the news that Idol producers wanted to wipe the Judges table clean and start from scratch. I was never a big fan of Randy, but letting him go? Thats crossing the line.  And then rumors swirling about bringing Paula back? If she does come back being sued? And then Steven Tyler not confirming his new position? And J-Lo backing out?? Seriously. J-Lo. Your glory days were over in the "Jenny From The Block" era Circa 2002. I never really listened to the glory days of Aerosmith, but rest assure, those days are loooonnnggg over. 

      After gazillizons of votes casted (in which I helped), 352 episodes, 352 "I'm Ryan Seacrest, And This Is American Idol",108 contestants, nine winners, nine long years of mid January to mid May Tuesday and Wednesday nights, four judges, and one metrosexual host, it's time say American Idol; you have been eliminated from the competition. 

-Sara-