Few reality shows have produced as many massive stars as American Idol. Created by Simon Robert Fuller and broadcast on ABC, this series has captivated viewers for over two decades. Each season introduces a fresh batch of talented singers vying for the grand prize and the chance to launch their careers into stardom.
Over the years, the show has evolved with rule changes and shifting judges, introducing new styles to this classic format with varying results. It’s undeniable that after its tenth season, American Idol began losing popularity. The show failed to elicit the fanfare and excitement of its initial seasons, and no contestant in this newer era has reached the heights of fame achieved by many of its earlier stars.
In recent years, however, the show has been reinvigorated, primarily due to one person: Katy Perry. This pop star joined Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the judges’ panel, and while both men are exceptional judges, the show was missing the quirky sense of fun that Perry brings to every project.
Her fiery energy and witty humor have brought excitement back to the franchise, which is why many fans were saddened to hear that this latest season would be her last. With Perry leaving the panel, speculation abounds about who will replace her.
A better plan, however, might be for her departure to signal the end of this legendary program. The worst thing that can happen to a series is to overstay its welcome. With Katy Perry providing a rare high note in an otherwise lackluster time for the franchise, it may be time for American Idol to leave with her and end on a high.
‘American Idol’ Has Seen Better Days
American Idol revolutionized television when it premiered in 2002. Reality competition shows existed before, but none had showcased talent so skillfully, with editing and charming contestants making audiences genuinely care about these singers and their dreams.
The show created some of the biggest names in music, with winners like Kelly Clarkson and even non-winners like Jennifer Hudson launching award-winning careers that continue today. It had high viewership, amazing stars, and one of the best judging panels out there. Unfortunately, that level of fame wasn’t meant to last.
There are many theories about what led to American Idol’s steady decline in popularity. Some point to the departure of the original judges—Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson—who gave the series much of its unique appeal.
Others think American Idol’s inspiring nature eventually led to its downfall, with ratings competitors like The Voice and America’s Got Talent imitating the original show dynamics and drawing some of its audience away.
Regardless of the reasons, the last decade has seen the series experience bouts of low viewership and a lack of excitement from people online. The premise of bringing together large groups of singers to compete has grown stale, especially since it’s been years since any winner became a household name. American Idol was on a downward spiral, critiqued for its repetitive nature and lack of cultural relevance—until Katy Perry showed up.
Katy Perry: The Spark ‘American Idol’ Needed
The pop star known for hits like “Firework” and “I Kissed a Girl” joined American Idol’s judging panel in the show’s 16th season, completing the trio with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and bringing a much-needed dose of her signature energy.
The past few seasons have seen an uptick in conversations around the show, thanks in large part to Perry. The singers competing are as talented as ever, but it was her wacky antics that had people tuning in and sharing clips of each episode.
Whether she was giving audiences an in-depth lesson on the term “wig” or falling out of her chair dressed as a mermaid, her wackiness, paired with immense vocal excellence and industry knowledge, made her exactly what the series needed to regain some of its lost popularity. She brought back some of the show’s star power, and her departure is a sign it might be time for the show to end.
Time to Go Out With a Bang
There are countless examples of shows that started fantastic but went on too long, becoming hard-to-watch imitations of their former selves. These often end in quiet cancellations. American Idol, as legendary as it is, seems to be approaching this point.
Katy Perry’s inclusion gave it a much-needed boost, but that doesn’t erase the many lackluster seasons before her arrival or the clear decline in social awareness of the show’s happenings and its winners.
Ending now would allow the show to go out as a current success, with Perry granting it a few more seasons of being one of the biggest shows in America before it inevitably settles back into being a typical competition show.
As essential as American Idol has been to reality television, unless it wants to face a disappointing end with little fanfare, it should end now while it’s still remembered fondly.