I totally agree. I give this entry a 10 thumbs up. You spoke the complete, honest to GOD truth.

"Aside from Daughtry who fought the system, all the other runner-ups and almost winners signed to 19 Entertainment anyway (when wanted). "

Actually, Chris Daughtry is signed to 19 Entertainment AND 19 Management. Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee of the same season both opted out of 19 Management, but not Chris.

The runner-ups are also forced to sign with 19 Entertainment just like the winners. Lambert will likely be snatched up by one of Sony's labels, likely RCA. He's obligated by contract to accept it, not that he would want to reject it anyway.

BTW, I believe the prize is $1 million dollar record contract. I don't *think* there actually is a cash prize.

5 out of seven? Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and David Cook have all been very successful winners, and Fantasia has been mildly successful. Her first album did go Platinum, and so did Ruben's. The only big letdown has been Taylor Hicks, but even he's still making 10000% more money than he was before the show.

As for the show running long, one of the show's producers left this year, and the other implemented a lot of changes that still haven't been worked out. The biggest change has been the fourth judge, which is the main reason for the overtime. All the filler has something to do with it too.

To answer the question of "Why still watch?" It's all very simple. It's not about being a fan of the show itself, but a fan of the talent that comes from it. The complaints are a sign of the investment fans come to have in the contestants. Idol is also one of the few shows that an entire family can enjoy together. It's uncomplicated, pure entertainment. You don't have to catch every episode to understand and have fun with it. Plus. other shows on TV nowadays either aren't very good or they're getting canceled.

The number of votes someone gets doesn't always translate into sales simply because the songs on the Idol format don't always translate into the music an Idol actually makes. It's hard to beat the classics sung on that show.

I would tell you to give the show a shot, but it's rapidly going downhill. This season was the worst yet, but you know what? I'll still be watching next season. I can't give up dependable entertainment.

I am honestly a music lover, and would probably be considered one of the idiots that seriously loves the show. The amount of talent that they find and the gags that they go through to get there to me is entertaining. My only issue this year with the show was that Danny's friend should have gone through with him, cause he could sing too.
However, I also understand that they have to go for ratings and all the jazz that goes with it. Reality shows being what they are now, American Idol has become a staple, in producing just well rounded Joe's who need a break or deserve one.
Alot of the people have hit broadway or gotten a break on TV Guide Network and beyond. The important part really is the music, while I was not fond of the finale song this year, I think the mere talent of the contestants this year made the show more appealing.
I happily sit down with my children at the television and make comments just like Simon before he even says them, my kids get a kick out of that, and have also learned to speak their minds, sometimes it is okay to say exactly what you think and feel, look at the blogs....:O)

"A few corrections" post made the best explanation IMO.

Personally I usually watch AI for some entertainment only and while I think this season is the worst ever: Kara, too much stupid drama and stupid people in the first episodes, too much talking about nothing and less singing. But at the same time this was the best season because of Adam Lambert. If you didn't watch the show, you probably won't get it. I wouldn't. A few months ago if somebody suggested that I'd be writing comments 2 weeks AFTER AI was over, I would laugh in their face!

This season was the only time I actually voted for somebody and it would be the last time. I'd probably watch the show (after the stupid "auditions" with "tatianas" and "normans" are over), but I will never vote again. I just don't believe anymore that they even count the votes or if they do - their word is still the last. I am convinced that all the "surprises" where planned and the actual "winner" is also just a business decision to make more money and get better rating. Controversy is good for TV business, it keeps people talking and watching.

I'm from the old school set. In the beginning when we played dirty sloppy punk it wasn't great but it was real. As I grew as a writer and a musician I grew further and further away from culture writing and started to look at myself, my situation, the things that I saw that were wrong with everything. When you spend your life as a musician, a real musician, this "joke" is about the last thing your going to want to do with your integrity. If you've got talent you pay your dues and if you make it you make it and if you don't you don't. I had my few seconds of personal fame but never made it but its mine and I earned it. Putting on cake make up and dancing around like a clown for ratings just means you've given up on your dream of becoming a musician. If you are okay with singing other peoples songs, having a unit to write your material and being dressed like some dime store dummy, then you've never dreamed of being a musician, just famous. We've learned to accept mediocrity as talent these days. Fitting some mold that the music industry considers sellable makes you a tool and when your time is done no one will remember you for anything other then a punch-line but that's just my opinion.