Two years ago, my wife and I were flipping throuh the channels, looking for something interesting. As we were flipping, I saw what I then perceived to be a buck-toothed yokel strumming a gee-tar. I commented to my wife that this might be worth watching, as I had heard of something named “Nashville Star” that promised to be a microcosm of all that was hick-like and white-trashy in the world.
I was wrong!
Not only did Nashville Star catch my interest, but the talent level was higher that Idol, they played instruments, and they wrote their own songs! I was hooked. I am NOT a huge fan of country music (over 400 CDs owned, and not one country CD beyond the requisite Willie Nelson copy), but the level was high.
My wife and I went on to watch every episode, and every episode of the second season. It was fully worth it, as the talent level increased in the 2nd season, and I found myself actively rooting for different contestants (red-hat-guy). The criticism was partisan, snarky, and sometimes dead-on. I loved that show!
Season three debuted with a thud. Where there was a professional, controlling (in the best sense of the word) Nancy O’Dell, there was Leanne Rimes. The girl can not get the microphone out of her face! If you’re going to “host”, please move the microphone down so we can see you talk. It just feels right. Also, try to exert some flippin’ control! At least Nancy O’Dell initiated the questions professionally, had “witty” banter, and knew how to send the show to commercial. Leanne Rimes can do none of the above.
The judges. Wow…where to begin? Brett Michaels? The author of “Unskinny Bop”? What is he doing there? And the other two? No idea. Some woman that was an agent/producer (?), and some blond, muscular writer-guy. After watching the first three episodes, I’ve heard every version of “Just let it out…be yourself…own that song” possible.
The producers would save money if they replaced the three “judges” with the following:
[ul]
[li]A eucalyptus-chewing Koala Bear[/li][li]A hamburger[/li][li]A life-sized cut-out of Michael Jordan[/li][/ul]
The input would be just as valid.
And the talent…it’s dropped like a lead balloon. There are two people who are somewhat original, but the judges refuse to differentiate them from the herd.
If something doesn’t happen in the positive, I’m not watching any longer.
Does anyone else watch? Do the changes rankle?