American Idol season 23 feels different because of the absence of Katy Perry, and it seems that retooling the show with Carrie Underwood as a judge might have ruined it. When Katy left American Idol after seven seasons in order to focus on her own career, Carrie seemed like the perfect choice to take her place at the judging table next to Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. She won American Idol season 4 in 2005, and she then went on to become a global music superstar.
However, throughout American Idol season 23 so far, something has felt off, and it might be because Carrie is so different from Katy. The vibe of the show has now changed. Although Carrie is doing well as a judge, showcasing her funny personality and giving productive feedback to the contestants, Katy’s absence is greatly felt. Here’s why, even though it seemed like an ideal decision at first, casting Carrie might’ve ruined American Idol.
Carrie Underwood Isn’t As Edgy As Katy Perry
Katy Brought An Element Of Surprise To Every Episode
One of the best things about Katy was that she was edgy, and she brought an element of unpredictability to every American Idol episode. Her outrageous antics kept everyone laughing and wondering what she’d do next. From Katy and Luke’s impromptu song about queso, to him taping her pants closed when they ripped during Hollywood Week, to her falling out of her chair while dressed as Ariel on Disney Night, she was always full of surprises.
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While Carrie has been showing her comedic side on American Idol, such as when she sang heavy metal music with contestant Insite and clog danced with Carsen Webb, she’s still a predictable judge. She does a great job, but there’s no chance that she’s going to participate in a moo-off like Katy did with Luke when they behaved like cows and tried to make each other laugh. Carrie is doing a fine job as an American Idol judge, but, without Katy, there’s a lack of excitement during the show that sometimes makes it boring to watch.
No New American Idol Contestant Can Ever Compare To Carrie
Carrie Is One Of the Greatest Winners Of All-Time
As the American Idol season 23 contestants auditioned, many of them sang Carrie’s songs. Although some of them did good jobs with her music, having her sitting right there as they sang was a reminder that no one can ever compare to her. Carrie’s a gifted singer with a phenomenal voice and star quality. It almost seems pointless for a contestant to audition with her song because they’ll never be able to compete with her.
Carrie is also a reminder that the ABC era of American Idol hasn’t produced a superstar from its winners. Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, Chayce Beckham, Noah Thompson, Iam Tongi, and Abi Carter are all American Idol winners, but they haven’t achieved anywhere near the success that Carrie has. Bringing Carrie into American Idol at this point is a constant reminder that the show is well past its prime, and, while it’s still entertaining, it can never recreate the excitement or superstars that it generated back in its heyday.
American Idol Has Lost Its Way
Its Original Goal Was To Find A Pop Superstar
When American Idol first premiered, its goal was to find the next pop superstar. In fact, in the U.K., the series was called Pop Idol. During season 1, the show succeeded in creating one of the greatest pop stars of all-time, Kelly Clarkson. However, since then, there’s been a shift, especially towards the country music genre. With the addition of Carrie to the judging panel, there have been more country stars than ever auditioning for the show.
In an interview with Billboard, Luke shared that Carrie has also had an influence on American Idol because she’s inspired the singers to perform more gospel music. Carrie released the gospel album, My Savior, in 2021, and has been very vocal about her strong faith over the years. While it’s inspiring to see, it’s a shift in American Idol that will most likely lead to the show not producing another Top 40 radio superstar. Although this didn’t happen when Katy was a judge either, at least she was a pop star who brought that element to the show.
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American Idol has changed since Carrie became a judge, and it’s not the same without Katy. Although Carrie seemed like the perfect choice to replace Katy at first, the way that the show has been retooled with her at the judging table is ruining its essence. Carrie has the potential to be a great American Idol judge, and, hopefully, the show will improve as season 23 continues.
American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays on ABC.
Source: Billboard
