The Truth About Music

"What's hot, what's not, and whats next in pop music"

Opinion: How Taylor Hicks Ruined American Idol

By Harris posted January 31, 2011 at 11:0395

It has been ten years since the very first season of American Idol premiered on the Fox network. At the beginning it was a small singing competition with an unproven track record. While the show has had its hits and misses, stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks and Chris Daughtry have given legitimacy to a television show aimed at music fans. While sales for the shows largest artists have been massive, there is a glaring scar on the face of the American Idol franchise. His name is Taylor Hicks. This isn’t just personal, there are clear numbers to back it up.

Taylor Hicks won season five of American Idol, beating out Kellie Pickler, Katharine McPhee and one of the most successful Idols ever, Chris Daughtry, who finished that season in fourth place. The very first thing to look at is what happened before season five. Season four featured Carrie Underwood as the winner. Up until that time, this was the highest television rating the show had ever accomplished with over 27 million people tuning in throughout the season. Underwood went on to sell seven million copies of her debut album “Some Hearts,” still the most in American Idol history.

Coming off their best season to date, (Underwood outsold Kelly Clarkson’s debut album by 4.3 million copies) season five was poised for big ratings, driven by the country sensations win in season four. Looking back at the ten year mark, season five (Taylor Hicks winning year) would remain the highest rated year ever achieved by Idol with over 31 million viewers. Unfortunately for American Idol, the millions of people tuning in each week were shocked and disappointed when Hicks, a 29 year old, grey haired singer who catered to the oldest part of Idols audience beat out two country stars and a future rock superstar to win it all.

Aside from being the oldest American Idol winner (a record that still stands), he sold less than 1 million copies of his self titled debut album. To put this in perspective, Daughtry’s debut sold 4.7 million copies and Pickler’s album sold nearly 0.9 million copies. How was it possible that Idol had its largest television audience to date while selling less than previous winners Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino and the aforementioned Underwood? The answer was Hicks. The geriatrics that voted for Hicks were unable to make it out of their retirement homes to purchase the album and let’s face it, after a string of winners in their early 20′s, Idol was no place for a singer pushing 30.

Up until these last two seasons (seasons 8 & 9), Hicks had the lowest selling album in American Idol history. Even these numbers are slightly skewed. The drastic drop in overall record sales during the years Kris Allen and Lee Dewyze won, could be viewed as the major contributor to this drop in sales. All of this math leaves us wondering. What if Chris Daughtry had won? What if the millions of viewers tuning in had seen country sweethearts Kellie Pickler or Katharine McPhee win it all? In the end, Hicks owns a few major Idol milestones.

He won the highest rated season of Idol to date and has become one of the least successful winners ever. With minor stints on Broadway, in non-leading roles, he is currently pushing his second album “The Distance” which has sold a dismal 52,000 copies. For someone who once performed weekly in front of over 31 million people, this is simply unacceptable. Hicks ruined American Idol and will always be remembered for ruining the credibility of one of the best reality television shows in Fox’s history. RIP American Idol.

(some statistics were taken from Billboard Magazine, “The Wild Man of Idol” written by Bill Werde, January 22, 2011)

Add A Comment

95 Comments

  • Comment by ANNE posted January 31, 2011 at 15:45

    Ph.D……Way to go…opinions are one thing..stupidity and poor grammar should not be tolerated by someone trying to pretend to enlighten.It is to bad this blogger did not stick to “mute” points..thinking out loud on paper seems to have shown a lack of fact checking and intelligence.
    Really Harris (or whatever you call yourself…go to a Taylor Hicks show they are filled with real music lovers with an appreciation for music that means something and has some soul. No pop dribble or wanna be rocker and not an auto tuner in sight.

  • Comment by Runner posted January 31, 2011 at 15:46

    HA! I can’t be beat, cause I’m ALWAYS RIGHT!

  • Comment by LOL posted January 31, 2011 at 15:53

    People, Idol is ruining music by putting out shitty assembly line music. So by association, If Taylor Hicks ruined the thing that is ruining music, that would make him a hero.

  • Comment by Runner posted January 31, 2011 at 16:04

    No, I’m not Hicks. Just a very sensible, reasonable, fair and smart person.

  • Comment by Mike posted January 31, 2011 at 16:25

    Just note that Harris never said that he wasn’t talented, undeserving of fame, etc. He just said that wasn’t the “pop icon” that American Idol has consistently tried to breed (some successfully/some failed.) And he’s right about that…

    Taylor Hicks is a talented & versatile guy. He’s one of the highest earning American Idol contestants, so he’s successful. He certainly is NOT an American Pop Icon. In fact, 99% of talented & successful musicians are not.

  • Comment by melanie posted January 31, 2011 at 16:38

    I just have to answer this. There was a big drop off the next year,which I predicted by the way, because many couldn’t watch without him there. And because the talent was crappy that year compared to the many talents of Season 5.
    And I’m sure that this is the most attention you have ever got but really, think about it, it wasn’t really you getting the attention. It was Hicks.

  • Comment by kristine posted January 31, 2011 at 17:02

    I love the people here FREAKING OUT that someone criticized the IMMORTAL TAYLOR HICKS. Call the WAAAAMBULENCE! Sorry, Harris is right – the guy has disappeared. I wouldn’t say he ruined American Idol as it’s still going extremely strong, but I would say that his win was a blemish on their record, or maybe discredits them a bit. If the goal of the show is to produce an “american idol” – as in a bonafide superstar – then Hicks doesn’t qualify.

  • Comment by IGotTheMusicInMe posted January 31, 2011 at 17:10

    Hard to believe this article isn’t a joke. Are you really so naive and uninformed about how the world works that you believe one person winning a TV singing competition could completely derail the mammoth machine of Idol? Do you not know that there are producers and owners in the machine called Idol that make every single decision regarding where/how/why everything happens? Do you really believe Hicks had that kind of power over them? Have you forgotten how that show changed after season 5 from its focus on the contestants to a focus on the judges? Do you not recall that Kara DioGuardi wrote the completely awful coronation song for Kris Allen and the 2nd place winner to sing? Do you also forget that Chris Daughtry lost out to McPhee and Yamin as well as Hicks? And are you so unworldly that you do not understand that in the entertainment world the powers that be support and promote only those who play ball THEIR way? Are you so out of tune with real music that your bourgeois ear thinks that Ke$ha and Taylor Swift can sing? And lastly, if you think the elderly who live in retirement homes (a) watch Idol or (b) have access to and the wherewithal to use telephones and/or cell phones, then I would recommend you do some volunteer work in one. I’m a professional musician and a music fan, and I can say with certainty that Hicks is the real deal when it comes to musical talent. Get over Daughtry’s loss, man, and spend your time enjoying being his fan instead of running roughshod over others.

  • Comment by melanie posted January 31, 2011 at 17:58

    Aw, just one more thing. Great points IGottheMusicInMe. When you were gathering facts for your “big” article did you not check to see what the ratings were for the first shows on Season 6? They were huge. So if they lost that audience as the year went along how was that Hicks fault? Other than the winner, the talent that year was just sad.

  • Comment by Runner posted January 31, 2011 at 18:19

    IGotTheMusicInMe, you are completely correct! Great post.

    Also, this creep wants to blame Hicks for ruining American Idol. But, he seems to forget why Season 5 was the most watched. It was because the Season 5 cast was the best cast ever assembled – best talent, best personalities, best entertainment, best drama, best Idol tour, best everything. There’s no place to go, but down.

  • Comment by Tammy K posted January 31, 2011 at 18:44

    Yes I am a fan of Taylor Hicks simply because he is versatile and unique. He has a very soulful voice and is passionate when he sings. He LOVES what he does. I understand there are a lot of people who are used to a certain genre of music, and don’t opt to venture down a different path. However, I don’t feel Taylor Hicks ruined Idol. He simply showed others that you don’t have to be a pop star cutie or a country twanger to have a great voice, and love to perform. He is bringing back a style of music that has been overshadowed by pop, country, rock, etc. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and taste of music. But when expressing your opinion, try to be tasteful about it. Not everyone interprets the same. I prefer to listen to Taylor Hicks and will continue to do so for a very long time. p.s. I’m not a geriatric , I’m in my 30′s…

  • Comment by musiclover posted January 31, 2011 at 19:31

    Dude, why are you trying to look like Taylor Hicks? You’re ugly, he’s hot. Is that why you’re slamming him? Weren’t you the idiot that said Fall Out Boy was crap? I will believe the opposite of everything you say relating to
    Music. Have you even seen Hicks live? Didn’t think so. Idiot.

  • Comment by Greg posted January 31, 2011 at 19:44

    Wow. Runner, you’re kinda obsessed with American idol season 5 huh? Jesus man take a breather you’re gonna have a hernia or something.

    You idiots are still missing the point of the whole blog. If a season that saw record ratings but no pop superstar then the legitimacy of it being a musical competition is severly damaged. You have to forget about both the quality of the singer and the quality of the show (both happen to be abysmal btw) and focus on the premise of the show. Before hicks, idol was successful in producing shitty pop artists after shitty pop artist that the masses ate up. If a show whoes main purpose is to create an American idol and fails to do so then it is not a legitimate show. Attacking Harris because he isn’t a fan boy of hicks is stupid and irrelevant as is stressing that this blog is opinion based(ofcourse it’s opinion based it’s a blog you fools). I highly suggest that you reevaluate your life choices before further commenting the same rebutle over and over again. Time to get off the shit music teet that is idol and think for yourself.

  • Comment by Katie posted January 31, 2011 at 20:43

    I really hate to add to your hits, but a few things really struck a nerve and not just about Taylor Hicks. One thing is, that you question “what if” someone else had won Season Five? Why is it so important to you? It is just a TV show now in its 10th season I believe. It is hard to believe that it matters so much after all this time.
    And about Daughtry. Their second album is #111,000 + on Amazon right now and after its release, did not do anywhere as well as the first album. Daughtry’s sounds the same all the time. Hicks cannot be pigeonholed as to genre and that was part of the problem of marketing him. Country and rock are the easiest to sell in the U.S. So it’s a given that someone would sell a certain amount. It remains to be seen if either Daughtry or Pickler will do as well in future.
    Artists today would die for the 800,000 sales that Hicks sold after his win.He wasn’t responsible for AI going down (though any show would also die for their downhill ratings too) I think that Season Five was the most exciting and fun filled, and after that, they couldn’t match it. (Adam Lambert might have come the closest.)
    Ten years is a long time for a show, and after that it is habit. There are millions of good singers in this world. Only some get the chance and promo. Taylor Hicks has worked hard to stay out there and earn his money. All Idol can promise is the exposure.

  • Comment by Kay posted January 31, 2011 at 21:01

    “J” – I believe it was Donny “Osmond” who won DWTS – lol.

    SOUL PATROL!!!!!!!

  • Comment by Katie posted January 31, 2011 at 21:03

    Just thought I would let you see some of Taylors geriatric fans!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9a8VXYRZqc

  • Comment by Hoodathunk posted January 31, 2011 at 21:29

    Harris, what exactly makes you think American Idol is “ruined” in the first place? It’s still the number one show on TV and generating millions in ad revenue for FOX. What you don’t seem to realize is that the TV show is different from the music industry. It takes millions of dollars to launch an artist into the mainstream. TV and radio exposure require inside deals, $$ and effort. The success of even the top idol artists is exaggerated by the show. The new judge Steven Tyler has sold 150 million records, more than all the idols COMBINED. It’s all smoke & mirrors, and a lot of focus-group tested craptastic music. And while they are all talented singers, don’t think for a second that Clarkson, Underwood & Daughtry are autonomous artists…they are record company creations. Daughtry is ghost written. Google & find the broohaha about “It’s Not Over” and the real writer of that song. Do you think Chris Daughtry personally put together that band? Go read ex-Daughtry drummer Joey Barnes’ twitter page for some enlightenment. And I’m sure people remember how Kelly’s “My December” was torpedoed after she tried to take control of her own music. So back in line for her. Will anyone be humming “My Life Would Suck Without You” 10 years from now?

    Why do you think Idol producers switched record companies this year? Because Sony was saturated and can no longer maintain the puppy mill of artists coming out of that show. American Idolo made a big mistake measuring their success by record sales, because that’s basically over for everyone. And why should we even care who sells and who doesn’t? It’s not like we are getting a cut of the profit anyway. But good job Idol for making everyone buy into that concept, but now it’s backfired because no one is selling that well anymore. Even the big 3 see diminishing returns for each subsequent album.

    Better to bring back the talented & entertaining Taylor Hicks, because five years later, he still seems to be generating interest. It’s not like people have been flocking to your blog to read your enlightened views on music.

  • Comment by Just some basic facts posted January 31, 2011 at 22:09

    Having read all the above.. thought I’d point a few things out. You know, the facts because while it’s true what they say about opinions, maybe these opinions should have some basis in reality. To that end:

    The original premise behind “American Idol” was, simply put, to find an average, everyday person with above average singing ability and help them make their dreams come true. Nowhere in that original mission was the genre of music they would eventually perform specified. As a friend pointed out to me earlier, that would be more in line with the UK’s “Pop” Idol. That said, the seasons prior to Hicks’ gave us one “pop” star, two “R&B” vocalists, and a Country singer.

    Every show in the history of television has its peak. Season 5 was the peak season for American Idol. In the history of television, that’s actually a pretty damned good run. Ratings fall because people get bored. End of story. American Idol Season 6 debut ratings were the highest debut of any season before or since. Season 6 seemed lackluster after the talent and drama of the previous year, hence people tuned out. And while Hicks won Season 5, I’d say all the contestants had something to do with the reason behind that season’s success. Blame the producers for the subsequent failure to recapture the spark that kept folks watching the year before.

    In so far as Hicks’ success, I guess that depends on what you consider being successful. While he may not have had success on the charts (your belief that any winning contestant on AI has any choice in what their album consists of is actually endearing in how naïve that makes you sound, by the way – Daughtry’s early ouster benefitted him immensely in that arena), he is now able to make a living doing what he loves – That, in and of itself is what most consider being successful. And while you’re sitting here bemoaning the fate of a stupid show that absolutely no legitimate music lover really looks to when looking for real music, I have to say, the show itself is doing just fine. It’s a guilty pleasure. Always has been. End of story.

    I’m sure Hicks might have a great answer should you ever have the chance to ask him why he ever thought he belonged on the American Idol stage. I would however, like to point out to you that all he did was try out. The judges (you know, the two who actually ‘do’ the music thing, not the tone deaf one who gave us the rip roaring wonder band “il Divo”) put him through because the man can SING (singing contest, remember?). The voting public kept him there because, as talented as the rest of the contestants were, Hicks outperformed them.

    As for your opinion of Taylor’s fan base. Just for the record, when Hicks won American Idol I was 35 – Hardly a geriatric. Musical taste is subjective, but mine tends to run as far away from anything actually playing on “pop” radio as is humanly possible. I prefer music that isn’t over processed and that can be performed live. Hicks’ post-Idol CD proved, if nothing else, that Sony did exactly what every major label does to an artist that has any unique quality to their sound. In trying to turn Taylor’s sound into some cookie-cutter, radio friendly BS, they actually did him a disservice and then didn’t even bother to market him.

    I highly recommend you take up Taylor’s offer to go see him live, and while you’re at it, you might actually want to listen to some of his music. I recommend both of his pre-idol CDs as well as having a look at some of the videos on YouTube of his live performances.

    Instead of inacurately portraying a performer you’ve never seen live and blaming him for the demise of a show that was going to eventually have a drop in viewership regardless, as someone who claims to know the ‘truth about music,’ you might want to research current trends in the music business as a whole. There’s a reason the major labels are tanking and independent ones thriving.. or would you like to blame Hicks for that too?

  • Comment by Runner posted January 31, 2011 at 22:25

    Of course this blog is opinion and my opinion is this blog, is quite possibly, the dumbest blog I have ever read.

  • Comment by Dee posted February 01, 2011 at 09:33

    Idiot.

  • Comment by Lhj posted February 01, 2011 at 10:13

    As soon as I saw the headline of this blog, I thought…uh oh this guy is in for it. I chuckled all the way through it because I knew what was inevitable. Hicks’ fans have a reputation for being crazy & “rather” unkind in their fanatical defense of their illustrious Idol. They did not disappoint, and I doubt you were surprised either. Congrats & thanks for generating the inevitable.

  • Comment by LOL posted February 01, 2011 at 11:00

    Yeah congrats Harris for calling Hicks “a glaring scar on the face of idol” and his fans “geriatrics”, cloaking insults as “opinion”, then running over to twitter like some fifth grade bully and tweeting him personally to get some attention to your blog, when his fans were trying their best to ignore you. Journalism at it’s finest. You’ve finally written an article that has received over 2 comments. Well done mate.

  • Comment by melanie posted February 01, 2011 at 13:25

    Lhj–Insert any other idols name in this factually inaccurate opinion piece and you will get the same reaction. You haven’t lived until you have insulted Adam trust me. But I know many of the Hicks fans personally and have found them to be very nice. Hicks fans are no better or worse than any others. And in fact they were given that rep in many cases unfairly. People have even been known to pretend they are fans just so they can act nuts and blame the hicks fans.
    Its all insanity.

  • Comment by Dan posted February 01, 2011 at 13:59

    Came to yuor web blog through AOL. You know I am signing up to your feed.

  • Comment by bebo posted February 02, 2011 at 11:20

    They are called ‘HICKS HAGS” for a reason! ALL these comments have proven this!!

  • Comment by LOL posted February 04, 2011 at 11:00

    Hicks Hags? Oh wow, I’m impressed. What genius came up with that brilliant bit of alliteration?

    I guess we’ve all learned that American Idol, with its 25 million viewers last week, is a ruined TV show. And Taylor Hicks, with his failed career, will have to get by on his $15,000 per night salary. We should feel so sorry for both of them.

  • Comment by Reality Bites posted February 04, 2011 at 16:09

    As a former soul patroller *hangs head in shame*, I can say for a fact, that Taylor Hicks has some of the ugliest fans on earth. Mostly all old and fat grannies and housewifes. Sorry, it’s the truth. I’ve been to his shows *hangs head in shame*.

  • Comment by Hoodathunk posted February 05, 2011 at 22:13

    So you’re former soul patroller who is for some reason still seeking out articles on Taylor Hicks? Um–okey dokey. If that works for you, rock on with your young, slim, beautiful self.

  • Comment by Elizabeth posted March 10, 2011 at 17:20

    I absolutely love Taylor he is my favorite Singer of all times I’m glad he won he deserved to win that year he was and is the best there is !!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Comment by James posted April 05, 2011 at 20:25

    He hasn’t sold as many albums because he’s not a complete fucking sellout, one guy below said he disappeared, that’s because he didn’t go in for the money or the fame, he went because he loved to sing.

    He doesn’t have to appologize for not dragging down the music industry further with shitty rap hiphop shit

  • Comment by lame posted April 19, 2011 at 08:35

    Wow..what show are u watching? Aaaaa did we forget ;ennifer :utson who was kicked off early but has made herself well know in the music industry AND movie i with an oscar..duhhh.what about Adam Lambert? Constatine Morales who is in muiscals… I think you are blaming the wrong person…blame the show not the person.

  • Comment by Nine posted April 24, 2011 at 11:33

    Taylor Hicks is definately not a loser… he is in the top ten AI money makers for 2010… on that list you don’t see Rueben or Fantasia who everyone drooled over and said would make it big in the industry… geez, even Clay Aiken was in the top ten… Carrie was #1 and Kelly Clarkson was #2…

    Hicks may not have been my top choice that season and I don’t live in a nursing home, or neither am I a fat ugly old woman, but Hicks is definately NOT a loser…

    Why not blog about the REAL losers on AI?

  • Comment by sherry posted May 12, 2011 at 16:32

    That’s just foolishness. American Idol isn’t ruined at all. Still big ratings and unknowns becoming famous. What’s ruining it this year is the Judge who is constantly letting James know he’s the best and will win. It has been a total turn off. It’s not fair to the other contestants. Randy needs to stop it.

  • Comment by Maryqtpi posted June 24, 2011 at 14:40

    What a totally foolish article and report. Shame on you!

  • Comment by Mitch posted July 12, 2011 at 15:44

    Its because he didn’t sell out like the other now major american idol winners/contestants. Who runs the music industry but more importantly runs the world we all live in. Killuminati

  • Comment by marc harber posted December 23, 2011 at 07:16

    Wow. You’re going to blame one man for bringing down American Idol? Seriously? You don’t think it has something to do with the fact that the show just got repetitious and boring? How about Simon leaving the show? We don’t want to blame producers or directors for the drop in ratings? How about the fact that Adam Lambert lost due to a political movement urging people to vote against him because he was gay? I suggest people start watching “The Sing Off” – a fabulous show with more talented and entertaining musical numbers than American Idol has ever had.

  • Comment by Lane posted December 24, 2011 at 22:33

    Well how I missed this article is beyond me – and no it’s not dementia .. nor am I old, fat ugly or any of the horrible physical descriptions often used by people like this “author” … I’ve gone to his shows as well as many current popular mainstream rock/pop concerts – I never spent hours slamming the other people there for having dirty hair, cheap clothes or pimples – when did the artist become responsible for the appearance of their fans? And who cares? Back to Taylor – I really like him, like to watch him in concert and he seems to be very caring and nice. Winning AI might have been the worst thing that could have happened to him – because he has this type of crap written about him pretty much every year… He has fans, he gets to do what he loves to do, he hasn’t lost his way or tried to be something he isn’t .. I look forward to seeing Taylor again and if you don’t care for him, simply don’t go to his concerts…

    I really enjoyed reading the other comments posted, in fact enjoyed them more then this article..

  • Comment by Eric posted February 07, 2012 at 16:17

    You UGLY!

  • Comment by Yellow 1 posted March 23, 2012 at 18:12

    Your comments are prophetic. As I was watching SMASH the other night, I couldn’t help think about the guy who beat Katherine McPhee in….let’s see….what year was it? Oh yeah – 2006!! I honest to God could not remember his name.
    When watching Katherine perform in the very first promo of AI (before the tryouts, etc.) I could not help thinking what an angelic voice to go with that classic beauty. I like Pickler, Underwood and Clarkson, too – but could not get enough of McPhee’s range, her power and hitting those high notes. Glad she’s finally getting some recognition.
    I’m also a new fan of Harris Decker who nails the issue and the problem(s) that befall many entertainment shows that seek success by trying too hard to stretch their relevance for illusive audiences.
    While I was disappointed at Katherine’s loss to uh….the winner…whose name…. is…I’ve got it here somewhere….Well, anyway, we also shouldn’t forget Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze and that super star…Scotty McC…something or other. We’ll really enjoy their albums to come. I wish them all luck….whoever and where ever they are.

  • Comment by Serge posted April 08, 2012 at 02:14

    Many out of the top tens over all the seasons of American Idol have disappeared. Most of them had a lot of talent. But, the thing is that when they are on the show, they do covers. When they are on their own…they have to write good songs, otherwise, they get nowhere. Taylor, I think, was great and still is, but his musical style is not really popular to begin with and his songs could be better also. Kelly Clarkson, Carry Underwood, Daughtry, and some others came out with great songs…they are still around. The other ones did not so…they’re not getting anywhere period. And to put American Idol back on the map, they need their 3 original judges!

  • Comment by meltz posted April 12, 2012 at 18:08

    there is no way in hell Taylor ruined American Idol.. he still is and always be a wonderful singer.. He got in trouble for wanting to do it his way and not be pressured to live up to what they wanted.. I love you Taylor hope you get back on track.. DO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF

  • Comment by Rene Bedford posted April 14, 2012 at 13:49

    And this affects us how! get a life. I’m happy for all of them, know matter what place they come in , and yes I’m one of the geriatrics that voted for him and made it out of my retirement home to purchase the album. Now who you gonna poke at next?

  • Comment by Jackie Anderson posted April 19, 2012 at 16:22

    This was absolutely , my all time favorite American Idol. Taylor Hicks was a very entertaining person. I looked forward to every show. He loved his fans and. They loved him. I do not get where it is said that he made a bad A I.
    The absolute worst would be Fantasia. Had to be by far the boringest idol of the show .I never was one to sit in front of my tv wishing the entire thing be over and stop all the screaming. He’s still my favorite

  • Comment by d singleton posted April 19, 2012 at 20:32

    aw! come on i loved taylor hicks and so did the audience that made him idol that year. who cares what he does with the rest of his life. idol does not own him or his talent. taylor hicks was anatural talent who did things his way. i liked his way!!!!!

  • Comment by RealMoneyMan007 posted April 29, 2012 at 16:02

    I have no blade in this fire but I will admit that I have viewed less than five (5) Idol episodes since season 5 even though Season 8? winner, David Archuleta is from my town– I was only an avid Idol viewer for two seasons-Carrie Underwood captured my attention, then Kelly Pickler piqued my masculine imagination and Katherine McPhee gave some of the best performances I have seen from a “pre-professional” ( SMASH is my new must see TV ).. Season 11 has unveiled the singer that I believe is the best ever so I intend to view every episode until Joshua Ledette wins.