Has American Idol jumped the shark??

Jumping the shark. Long running shows usually run into this problem after a while, right? No one show can stay perfect, right? Is American Idol the latest show to jump the shark? Click below to read on and see why this Yakkster thinks so. Everything from Ryan to Simon to this season’s contestants to season mentors to Ford music videos to those horrendous group performances…I’ve come up with a number of reasons why I think this show might not be around for much longer. Read on and then join our forum to let us know what you think! Make your voice heard!

It all started with Paula leaving. Yes, I just said it – Paula Abdul MIGHT have been the glue holding this juggernaut of a show together. When Kara joined, leading to the rumors of Paula’s departure, Idol tried to fix something that didn’t seem to be broken. That was strike 1. Paula leaving was strike 2. And now, the show’s biggest name…And no, I don’t mean Ryan Seacrest…is leaving. Simon Cowell out – strike 3. Add all of that with Ryan’s antics this season and you have me thinking this show has jumped the shark – for good. Is Ryan finally feeling the consequence of having 33,238 jobs? From putting the contestants in uncomfortable situations with his questions to the over-the-top “flirting” with Simon, Ryan has made this show difficult to watch. He has gone as far as inserting bias about contestants he would like to see stick around. Whatever happened to just being the unbiased one to keep the show flowing and leaving everything else to the contestants. After all, aren’t THEY the reason we watch the show?

And Ellen. I love her, but I’m starting to think she might not be right for the show. She isn’t contributing as much as I expected. Then again, she does say more than “dawg,” so maybe she is there for some good. At least we don’t have the judges professing their love for only one contestant this season (*cough*AdamLambert*cough*). Speaking of Adam Lambert…he was a mentor? Along with Miley Cyrus? Give me a freakin’ break. At least Miley has been in the business for MORE than a year. Lambert hasn’t even been in the business for a year! Granted, he has been on the show and can give them advice about that, but why not bring in someone like Kelly or Carrie or David Cook or even, I don’t know, last season’s WINNER not runner-up, Kris Allen. Oh ya, that’s right – Adam is Idol’s favorite. Ryan reminded us during Elvis week when he flat out said it while trying to compare him to Elvis. Another reason the show has jumped the shark.

To just add insult to injury, this season’s contestants are no where near as talented as they could and should be. While many my argue that we don’t have a clear winner and that can make for some excitement, I beg to differ. I think the reason we don’t have a clear winner is because there is no one exceptional. The one that comes VERY VERY close is Crystal Bowersox, but even I’m ready to hear something different from her…just to keep things interesting. It’s gotten so bad that Idol had to confirm “rumors” that she almost left the show because it was so stressful. Then Mr. Seacrest came to the rescue. Thank goodness. (Note the sarcasm.) One of our very own Yakksters even pointed out how that could have very well been a publicity stunt, and I’m inclined to believe it.

All in all, this show won’t be around much longer. I’m saying it now, especially with Cowell bringing The X Factor to FOX. When you start to wonder if Paula Abdul was actually a HUGE asset to the show, you know things have gone south.