What IS an American Idol? (no specific show discussions)

[newsposter]

The other threads are for talking about the shows themselves so please dont make someone angry and talk about those detail here :)

favor please: Can you list 10 (the more the better) idols in the context of this show? I'm trying to get a feel for what they are looking for. Streisand...50 cent....u2...zztop....spears.... sinatra....rick springfield? I just dont know what an idol is i guess. Is it anyone that sells X records regardless of format or does it have to be a specific format?

[LoadStar]

The show is based on the UK show "Pop Idol." That's really what they're looking for, someone who would be able to record an album capable of producing sales that land it on the Billboard Top 40/Adult Contemporary chart.

Kelly Clarkson is the perfect example of what they would be normally looking for.

[DLiquid]

Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Jessica Simpson
Mary J. Blige
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Janet Jackson
Justin Timberlake
George Michael
Michael Jackson

[Guindalf]

Britney Spears - No - never make it through the auditions
Christina Aguilera - ditto
Jessica Simpson - not a chance - can't really sing - too "pretty"
Mary J. Blige - hmmm, talent, but Idol material? Not sure
Madonna - not a hope in Hades! She's a "package" and I doubt she'd win on pure talent
Mariah Carey - Maybe, maybe not. Not everyone's idea of an Idol
Janet Jackson - Brenna in 30 years time. No way
Justin Timberlake - May get the "Ace" vote, but too much "Boy Band" to start out as a solo artist
George Michael - Nope - too gay!
Michael Jackson - yeah right! He only made it because of his brothers and his cuteness at the time - he became "great" later (not my opinion).

[marksman]

He wasn't listing people who would win American Idol, he was listing people who are pop idols and are the target kind of entertainers the show is supposedly targetting.

I agree with Kelly Clarkson as well.. As well as most of the other list. The problem is the show has not really delivered many Pop stars. Kelly and Clay are really the only two. Others have been poser-rockers, r&b, country, and whatever else.

The problem with American Idol is there is too much emphasis placed on singing/voice. You end up with people who are simply not marketable as pop stars. Or else those that might qualify sign a different genre/style of music and don't appeal target that same audience as well.

[DevdogAZ]

Part of the problem with Idol is that they are looking for someone who can sing and could carry a solo album and tour. Many of these contestants would be fine as singers in a band. Some are great singers but have no personality or don't have the looks/body to make them marketable.

Look at the way REAL idols (such as the ones listed by DLiquid) are created and you see that their success often has very little to do with talent and much more to do with connections, charisma, and marketability. American Idol is placing too much emphasis on the singing and not enough on the marketability and charisma of the performers.