The End Of An Era: Fox Cancels ‘American Idol’ [VIDEO]

I had no intention of ever watching 'American Idol'. It wasn't until a co-worker of mine started telling me all about it. Plus, we had received this 8"x11" promotional poster of the top 10; by the time I started watching the top 10 had been whittled down to 8 I think. Well, as soon as I saw Kelly Clarkson sing, I was hooked and I knew she would win season 1.

The season 1 finale drew just over 23 million viewers and launched that waitress from Texas into the stratosphere. The viewership of 'Idol' with each season grew more and more. The season 2 finale showdown between Reuben Studdard and Clay Aiken drew just over 38 million viewers, the biggest finale numbers the show has ever seen. Fox had a legitimate hit/juggernaut on its hands, so the show kept going and going. It wasn't until season 8 when things started to change. A fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi was added to the holy trinity of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, and since that time the judging panel has never looked the same. But the show isn't about the judges, although we'll never deny the power of Cowell's snide comments, it's about the singers. However, if you measure the success of the 'Idol' winners, it's mostly so-so. Yes, Clarkson and season 4 winner Carrie Underwood are still huge stars, but when gray-headed Hicks won season 5, I was a little scared. Who were we to trust? The industry experts i.e. the judges or the American public? The power of the audience has been the show's biggest strength and its biggest weakness. The proof, the early dismissal of Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson in season 3. In fact after season 6 (Jordin Sparks won), can you name all the winners since?

Now with Fox ranking fourth out of the major networks, the decision has been made to put 'Idol' to bed for good after its fifteenth season next year. So what happened? The answer is the other major networks woke up. And although Simon Cowell left 'Idol' to produce and judge an American version of 'The X-Factor', it didn't succeed in the way 'Idol' used to. In 2011, NBC introduced America to a new concept (borrowed from Holland) 'The Voice'. This time the coaches were the stars and they would pick their team numbers based on their voice and each coach would turn his/her chair around to see who was singing. Though the ratings for 'The Voice' haven't come close to those early 'Idol' years numbers, viewers had an alternative.

I haven't watched 'Idol' in two years. I think I kept hanging on hoping the talent would improve, and I'm not saying it was all bad, but I also got continuously frustrated by the judges. Seriously, that season when Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey were trying to outshine the singers with their egos, I knew the show was in real trouble.

So, adieu, farewell, adios, good night 'American Idol', we'll miss you!