American Idol

This reviewer happens to be an artist and in this capacity has learned a vital lesson: every project can get muddled if the artist does not know when to leave it alone. Such is the pathetic story of the previously successful American Idol.

I have been an IDOL fan from the beginning. I remember the fun I had listening to Simon, Paula, and Randy rant about the very first contestants. I remember them lauding the talented winners and critiquing the losers. The threesome had a chemistry that was unbeatable. The picture above, smiles and congeniality, says it all.

Then the management starting shaking things up: Kara joined up, Paula got canned, and Simon flew the coop. Now who do we have? The lone survivor Randy, Jennifer Lopez. and the old rocker Tyler.

The new painting is blotched and has no resemblance to the old. Just picture the Mona Lisa with a big white stripe across her mysterious face. Oh my, what a horror!

The owners of the Yankees have the right idea: When you find real talent, and the talent works together like a smooth machine, and the public loves that machine, you pay whatever is necessary to keep the team intact.

I predict that the great IDOL will wane over the next few years and achieve an early and unexpected demise. Meanwhile, this reviewer will probably not watch the iconic reality show for the first time ever.

Sad.