Some things get better with age. Try telling that to the producers of American Idol. They believe that singers over the age of 28 are over-the-hill.
But they may be changing their youth-obsessed tunes. At least a tiny bit. There is some talk of increasing the Idol age limit from 28 to 30 next year. In Season Four, the age limit was raised from 26 to 28 paving the way for a dancing silver-haired "old-timer" called Taylor Hicks.
American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe believes that raising the original age limit, "brought us some more maturity and a little more professionalism in certain areas. We're happy about that. I wouldn't mind extending it even further next year, to be honest."
Of course, I wouldn't expect the producers to turn around and raise the age limit any higher than 30. Ageism is still very much alive in Hollywood. Producers want to sell CDs to teenagers, and they don't expect teenagers to idolize anyone older than 30. It's sad, but true, that we live in a country where 25-year-old Britney Spears is already considered to be a washed-up has-been.
Some would like to see an Idol without any age limits and they've created an online petition. But I doubt Idol will go this route anytime soon -- unless there's suddenly a burgeoning market for 64-year-old inspirational singers, like Sherman Pore.
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
2-14-2007 @ 2:51PM
STEVE said...
IM 41 YEARS OLD AND I LOVE MUSIC THATS WHY I WATCH AI , I LIKE THE SHOW, AND THE CONTESTANTS ARE NOT ALL HASBEENS ALOT OF THEM EVEN THE ONES THAT DIDNT MAKE THE TOP 4 HAVE WENT ON TO DO SOMETHING GREAT, BOTTOMLINE, IF YOU DONT LIKE THE SHOW, DONT WATCH IT, I HATE THE SIMPSONS BUT DONT CARE IF SOMEONE ELSE LIKES THEM
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2-22-2007 @ 12:29PM
Elena said...
HELL, I LIKE THE SHOW. LETS ALL GET ALONG...MIKE'S ALRIGHT..DAVES ALRIGHT TOO. I LOVE EVERYBODY...IT IS OKAY TO DISAGREE...YOU GUYS CRACK ME UP!!!
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2-26-2007 @ 7:34AM
jmunjr said...
My girlfriend was 28 when they raised the limit to 28, but she didn't know about the limit. Now she is about to turn 31, so if they do raise the limit she will be too old. I guess you could say she had her chance but it is a shame. What I don't get is how these contests don't apply under equal opportunity laws. Technically this is not a contest. It is a show. These contestants are working for Fox and a lot of money is being made off of them, and they will get paid one way or another in the end, especially the winner..
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3-12-2007 @ 3:39PM
Joyce Licorish said...
I think the age limit should be raised to 35 or so. That is when a singer is in his/her prime. That is the point of true vocal maturity and self-realization, where an artist can truly be an artist. Most of the "TIMELESS" music that exists in this world was created not by teenagers, but by ADULTS. As a 32 year old performer I know that I am in my prime and am so very far from being over the hill... I would love to see the age limit dropped.
Joyce
www.Sonicbids.com/JoyceLicorish
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