A Whole New Seacrest on 'Idol'
It seems that this season of American Idol has been judged like none other before it. Even the show’s first season didn’t receive this kind of negative attention as they were still trying to work out some of the kinks. From new judge Ellen DeGeneres to the talent of the contestants themselves, the show has managed to be called old, dated, and in need of some fine tuning.
MSNBC reports that the show’s newest critiques are targeted at none other than host Ryan Seacrest. The article claims that Seacrest no longer acts as the contestants’ unbiased supporter, but has instead adopted a new mean streak directed at both the judges and possibly even the contestants.
The usual banter of past seasons between Seacrest and Simon Cowell has matured into something much more awkward and unfunny. In particular, the article recalls one of the arguments between Seacrest and Cowell after the judges’ critique of a performance by Mike Lynche. Seacrest went over to the judges’ panel to argue with the host and snapped at Cowell by saying, “I’m actually trying to help him out a little bit, buddy, because I want him to stay in the competition.”
Furthermore, the article mentions Seacrest’s insistence on questioning the contestants just to get them to cry and express raw emotion. For example, after Didi Benami sang “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?” Seacrest wouldn’t stop asking her why she chose the song even though she didn’t want to speak about how she sang it in memory of her friend who passed away. The contestant later called Seacrest’s questions “uncomfortable.”
Further instances include asking Lynche, who’s a personal trainer, for diet and exercise advice for previous winner Ruben Studdard when he performed on the show.
