Observers question use of ‘Idol’ teleprompter
Did the “American Idol” finals devolve into a glitzy round of karaoke?
That’s the charge leveled by some observers who were surprised that teleprompters rolled during Tuesday’s performance showdown between David Archuleta and David Cook.
“What is karaoke except singing lyrics off a teleprompter?” says Don Waller, a member of USA Today’s “Idol” coaches panel, which offers advice to contestants. “It does seem to violate the spirit of the show.
“Remembering lyrics and the melody is part of performing, and a teleprompter takes away the possibility of forgetting the lyrics,” Waller says. “It was one thing for Frank Sinatra to use teleprompters when he was 70-something. Even then, it was pretty cheesy.”
Earlier use of teleprompters might have delayed the ejections of Brooke White or Jason Castro, both of whom were eliminated soon after flubbing lines.
Blanking out on lyrics hasn’t been a Cook weakness, but Archuleta has mangled wording several times, including at his audition and on “We Can Work It Out.”
The teleprompter was “a de facto bonus for David Archuleta, since lyrics have been a particular issue for him,” says another “Idol” coach, Charlie Toft, who adds that the Fox show may be courting controversy: “The perception of benefiting the contestant who’s had a problem with lyrics is a potential problem for them.”
Toft theorizes that producers allowed the electronic boost to ease the night’s stress levels. The dueling Davids each sang three songs, including an unfamiliar selection from the “Idol” songwriter contest.
“I guess they figure three songs equals more chances to mess it up, and they want to give the singers every opportunity to avoid a key mistake,” he says.
“It’s possibly unfair, and it’s probably best not do it, but the workload is so much more and the pressure so much higher. They just don’t want a forgotten lyric to ruin a final shot.”
That, however, takes the “real” out of reality show, says loyal “Idol” viewer Priscilla Ochoa.
” ‘Idol’ is the only reality show I watch because I feel the others are all scripted,” says the 30-year-old Los Angeles student.
“To hear this is so disappointing. Using a teleprompter is totally cheating. It’s a turnoff. You had Jason kicked off for mumbling some of his words, and now you put the lyrics right in front of these guys. That’s so wrong.”
“Idol” fan Ashley Ingram concurs.
“Last time I checked, this was a talent competition, and one of the skills is knowing the lyrics,” says Ingram, 22, a political campaign manager in Studio City, Calif.
“Good performers don’t read lyrics off a teleprompter. This doesn’t save the show. The show is losing its edge.”