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American Idol

It is saying a lot when one man can carry an entire show. It says even more when the person is just one of three judges giving their opinion on who should advance in a talent competition from one round to the next. But this is exactly what is happening with the FOX series "American Idol" and record producer Simon Cowell. Cowell is the British import who shot to fame by dishing out insults to wannabe stars for the immensely popular European version, "Pop Idol." He has continued throwing the barbs here in America. Throughout the first episode, featuring open auditions, he spared no feelings in giving his honest opinion. Telling one contestant he is the worst singer in America and giving legal advice to another woman by advising her to sue her singing coach are just a few of the true insults levied at the contestants.

Cowell's comments, however, aren't just offered for a reaction - he speaks the truth. At least that's how it appears. Never has there been a show where one person can tell an egomaniac they have absolutely no talent. Seeing the utter shock in the contestant's eyes was reason enough to tune into the program. That was the whole point of the first episode anyway - to give a dose of reality to these star wannabes. It grabbed the audience for future episodes and Cowell is the lone reason why "American Idol" is so popular. Now, there are other components here, as well, to make this series a hit. Along with Cowell, there are two other judges, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Abdul is the failed singer who can't seem to say a bad thing about anyone in the competition and Paula is more comic relief than anything, showing she really has no idea what she is doing or saying. Jackson is a round, sunglass-wearing record producer who seems to get more and more jealous of Cowell as the weeks roll on. It has been the best part of the show so far.

No doubt believing he, himself, would become a star like Cowell, Jackson has only been pushed off into the shadows in the series where his feeling of rejection caused him to make a complete joke of himself by challenging Cowell to fight in the middle of a broadcast. While Cowell sat in his seat with a smile on his face, you could tell Jackson was grasping at straws for someone, anyone, to talk about him. Jackson's bone of contention was this spiel made by Cowell on Tuesday's episode:

"Seriously, we have to get this competition back on track. In the last two episodes, two losers have been chosen for one reason and, one reason only - it was the sympathy vote and had nothing to do with talent. I think some of the talent has been sensational and I think other people have been chosen for the wrong reasons and I'm fed up with it." The use of the word "losers" infuriated Jackson, but his over-the-top reaction, if not staged, was completely unprofessional and laughable.

Only cohosts Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman (along with Abdul) give Jackson any kind of support and that is only because everyone on the show seems to hate Cowell. Speaking of the cohosts, these two green television personalities are just as bad as Abdul, giving the contestants "props" no matter how bad their performances are while chastising Cowell for any negative comments.

Ah, the contestants. . .I didn't forget them. First approved by the judges and, then, by the American public, the final nine have been chosen from thousands of auditions. A 10th person will be chosen on next week's episode (Tuesday, 9pm/8c) to set up the final showdown where one person will be given a multimillion dollar recording contract.

Among the group of finalists chosen by the people, Tamyra Gray, 21, and Justin Guarini, 23, have the best shot of taking home the prize. On the other end of the spectrum, A.J. Gil, 17, and Jim Verraros, 19, were chosen on what Cowell called the "sympathy vote." It didn't take a record producer to see that Gil gave the worst performance of his group and did not deserve to be voted into the top 10, proving the American public most likely voted him in for the punishing remarks made by Cowell. In any case, it has set up an interesting competition among the final 10 - not just only among the talent, but the judges as well.

For the regular fan with no interest in pop singers, the whole point of tuning in is to hear what Cowell will say next - and I am among those people. Even if the show gets to the point when there are no more negative comments to be made, a loyal following will have been established. For a show given little chance to succeed because of two previous failed versions on other networks, everyone associated with this series should thank Cowell for making "American Idol" a hit.

Written by: Brad Carroll

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