PAGE 6 • OPINION
ARTESIAN HERALD•MARCH 21, 2008
On Jan 15, the annual season of the hit Last season, American Idol received an abundant amount of criticism. Comreality show American Idol premiered. The plaints were that the judges and producers were too harsh and disrespectful show has made some minor changes for the to the contestants. I have heard many complaints about the producers on better due to American Idol completely tearing down the new ideas self-esteem of their contestants to make the and old criticism. Other than those small show more dramatic and entertaining. variations, the new season of American Idol Former co-host of American Idol, Ryan is not different from the old ones. Dunkleman, told the Associated Press, I American Idol still searches for the best quite honestly had a very difficult time with singer in the country between the ages of 16 how cruel the show was. It really affected and 28. Every American citizen of the right me. age is eligible to audition for the show. If On previous seasons of American Idol, the contestants pass the first audition, they only the top 12 contestants had to choose are taken to Hollywood to audition at a which songs to sing according to the more difficult level. This season when shows weekly theme. Now in order to competing in Hollywood, the contestants make the show more fun and entertaining, had the option of playing an instrument the top 24 contestants have to abide by a while singing or having instruments weekly theme as well. Producers were played for them. This element was first put hoping this would improve American Idols into play on Australian Idol. American Idol ratings. eventually decided to use the same rule. I think this was a good change for the The top 24 singers from the Hollywood show. One of their best weekly themes were photo courtesy of blog gossip round move on and compete in a semi-final songs by the Beatles. It is interesting to weekly audition in which the viewers These are the three judges and host of American Idol. In the front is watch all the contestants with completely former popstar Paula Abdul, to the far left is well-known judge Simon different personalities sing songs of the decide which contestants move on to the Cowell, in the middle is the host Ryan Seacrest, and to the far right is same genre. finals and which ones leave the competiaward-winning rock bassist Randy Jackson. These four make up part tion. The male and female contestants are I think American Idol has improved for the of American Idols personality. separated into two groups and only combetter. I also think the producers will keep pete with their own gender until the finals round. In the finals round, the top improving the show more and more by critiquing themselves every year. 12 contestants are combined into one group to compete against each other for When speaking of American Idol, Simon Cowell said, The most important the title of the 2008 American Idol. thing is the show has got to look better. Its got to be more fun as a show, and The returning host of American Idol is Ryan Seacrest. The show also has all if it is, I think more people will watch. the same returning judges: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson. I think he is right.
By Kennedy Humphrey
Television 101
American Idol alters seventh season
Semi-Pro shoots and misses completely
But again, Jackie isnt a very good motivator when it comes to the sport. He cares more about the theatrics of it all instead of the fundamentals. The rest of his teammates, including Coffee Black (Andre Benjamin) and old NBA pro Monix (Woody Harrelson), decide to take that matter into their own hands. Monix labels himself the teams new coach in offensive and defensive tactics, while Jackie still remains coach by name. Semi-Pro is a bad film, even by traditional Will Ferrell standards. The jokes are recycled from previous films, last too long, or try too hard to disgust the audience. Saturday Night Live may have done this material some justice, but it just wasnt good enough to stretch into a full length film. Dont get me wrong, it was funny in parts, but weve seen it all before, literally. Moon is the same character that Ferrell plays in every movie lately, and frankly, I was disappointed. When I saw the previews for it in theaters, it seemed Jackie Moon(Ferrell) is an owner, operator, coach, and player on Michigans Flint Tropics. At every game Moon attempts to gain crowd participation. Here he is performing his only disco hit to rally the crowd.
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
Coming to a Theater Near You
By Cory Bunnell
In the new film Semi-Pro, its the 70s all over again. Michigans favorite minor league basketball star, Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell), also happens to be the coach and owner of his own team. The Flint Tropics arent a very good team in terms of the sport of basketball, but they certainly are an entertaining bunch. Moon himself even has a somewhat popular disco song making its way around the club circuit. Only problem is the public are starting not to care about him anymore. Tropics games are all but empty and Moon just found out that his teams league is about to go under. The Tropics only hope is to be one of the four teams that move on to the NBA instead of one that disbands.
much better than it turned out to be. I left the theater wishing I had seen a different movie, but ended up laughing about parts later. Its a 50/50 type film, but its not all that
bad. I guess I recommend it, but dont expect side splitting laughter this time around. Maybe Ferrells next venture will pick up the pieces that this film left behind.